If you’re thinking about a career in auditing, tax, or consulting, it’s almost impossible to ignore the Big 4. Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Ernst & Young (EY), and KPMG are the leading global players in these fields and have a strong reputation around the world.
Together, they employ over 1.5 million people across more than 150 countries and offer a huge range of services: from traditional audit and tax to M&A advisory, strategy consulting, and digital transformation projects. It is a goal for many graduates to launch their career at one of the Big 4 – whether they are aiming for a future in consulting or planning to move into finance or business later on.
But what actually sets these four firms apart? What are their strengths, and what kinds of career opportunities can you expect? In this article, we’ll break down the backgrounds, focus areas, and key differences between the Big 4.
The story of the Big 4 goes back to the 1980s, when the major players in audit and consulting began to take shape. Back then, they were known as the “Big 8” – referring to the eight largest global firms at the time: Arthur Andersen, Arthur Young, Coopers & Lybrand, Deloitte Haskins & Sells, Ernst & Whinney, Peat Marwick Mitchell, Price Waterhouse, and Touche Ross.
Over the years, mergers began to reshape the industry. Ernst & Whinney teamed up with Arthur Young to form Ernst & Young, while Coopers & Lybrand merged with Price Waterhouse to become PwC. These consolidations brought the number down to the “Big 5”. That changed in the early 2000s, when the Enron scandal took place. Arthur Andersen, one of the Big 5 at the time, was dissolved in 2002 after its involvement in the scandal. Since then, Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG have been known as the Big 4.
Today, they still dominate the audit and consulting space. Publicly listed companies in particular rely heavily on their services, both nationally and globally.
Global Revenue of the Big 4 by Function in 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars):
While KPMG, PwC, EY, and Deloitte have a lot in common, there are some key differences between them. In this section, we’ll take a closer look at each firm, compare some key figures, and highlight what makes each one stand out.
Founded in 1845 by William Welch Deloitte in London, Deloitte is the largest of the Big 4 by both revenue and headcount. Its services include audit, tax, consulting, and risk advisory – especially strong in strategy consulting through its subsidiary, Monitor Deloitte.
Deloitte also leads the way in tech-driven consulting, with big investments in AI, digital transformation, and cybersecurity. It’s a key player in cloud and data analytics and is often seen as the innovation engine among the Big 4.
Thinking about applying to Deloitte? Check out these resources:
👉 Career at Deloitte
👉 Deloitte Interview Guide
PwC is one of the largest and most well-known Big 4 firms, headquartered in London. Like the others, it covers audit, tax, and consulting services – with a particular focus on audit, where it ranks as the global market leader.
PwC also places a strong emphasis on employee development. Through extensive training programs, employees get the chance to grow professionally and take on global roles. If you’re looking for structured career development and long-term growth, PwC is definitely worth a look.
👉 Interested in working at this renowned firm? Check out our PwC Interview Guide!
With headquarters in London and offices in over 150 countries, EY provides audit, tax, consulting, and strategy services. The firm is especially known for its focus on ethics, sustainability, and social impact.
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and ESG consulting are a core part of EY’s culture. It also leads the way in governance and compliance advisory and supports flexible, future-ready work models – perfect if you’re looking for a values-driven workplace.
👉 EY has a dedicated subsidiary for strategy topics. If you want to learn more, check out our EY-Parthenon Interview Guide!
KPMG may be the smallest of the Big 4 in terms of headcount, but it’s still a major global player. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the firm provides services across audit, tax, and consulting.
KPMG sets itself apart with a strong focus on innovation, especially in digital solutions, automation, and AI-driven analytics. The firm combines classic consulting with innovative technology and brings deep expertise in cybersecurity and risk, making it a great fit for anyone interested in data-driven projects or with a tech-oriented background.
👉 Curious about this firm? Our in-depth KPMG Interview Guide covers everything you need to know!
All four firms offer services in audit, tax, and consulting, but they vary quite a bit when it comes to focus areas, working style, and specialization. If you're thinking about applying, it’s worth figuring out which firm best matches your personal interests and career goals.
Company culture and day-to-day work environment are huge factors when choosing where to apply. While the Big 4 might seem similar in general, there are some differences in how people work and collaborate.
That’s why it’s worth checking out employee reviews – for example, how people rate team spirit, overall satisfaction, or internal career opportunities. Things like training, work-life balance, salary, and perks can also give you a sense of which firm aligns best with what matters most to you.
To give you a clearer picture of what working at the Big 4 is really like, we’ve taken a look at their current Glassdoor reviews. Here's how employees rank them across key categories like company culture, career development, work-life balance, and compensation. Let’s take a look at the overall rating.
| Firm | Culture & Values | Diversity & Inclusion | Work-Life Balance | Compensation & Benefits | Career Opportunities |
| Deloitte | 3.8 | 4.1 | 3.2 | 3.6 | 4.0 |
| PwC | 3.7 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| EY | 3.6 | 3.9 | 3.0 | 3.9 | 3.9 |
| KPMG | 3.6 | 3.9 | 3.0 | 3.2 | 3.9 |
Glassdoor reviews show a similar pattern across all four firms. Employees rate career development and diversity & inclusion the highest. When it comes to work-life balance, the scores are clearly lower, which matches the reputation of the industry for long hours and high expectations.
👉 Check out our article about the Work-Life-Balace in Consulting.
Still, there are a few differences worth pointing out when you look at the details.
Deloitte has the highest overall rating among the Big 4 with 3.9 out of 5. It stands out in diversity and inclusion (4.1) and offers strong career opportunities (4.0). Culture and values (3.8) and compensation (3.6) are also rated positively. Work-life balance, however, scores just 3.2, which is a common challenge across the industry.
PwC has an overall rating of 3.8. It scores 4.0 in both diversity & inclusion and career opportunities, placing it just behind Deloitte in those areas. Culture & values (3.7) are also solid. Compensation (3.5) is in the middle range, while work-life balance drops to 3.0, matching the industry trend.
EY is rated 3.7 overall. It matches KPMG in diversity & inclusion and career opportunities (3.9), but lags slightly behind in compensation (3.4). Culture (3.6) is on par with KPMG, while work-life balance remains at 3.0 like most others.
KPMG also holds an overall rating of 3.7, tying with EY. It shares top marks in diversity & inclusion and career development (3.9). However, it ranks the lowest in compensation & benefits (3.2) among the four. Culture is rated at 3.6, and work-life balance also comes in at 3.0.
The Big Four offer competitive starting salaries, which can vary slightly depending on the firm, business area, and location. In addition to base pay, bonuses and other benefits can significantly boost total compensation.
The table below gives an overview of typical entry-level salaries in the U.S. for graduates with a master’s degree:
| Firm | Base Salary | Performance Bonus | Total Compensation |
| Deloitte | $80,000 | $5,000–$10,000 | $85,000–$90,000+ |
| EY | $75,000 | $3,000–$8,000 | $78,000–$83,000+ |
| KPMG | $75,000 | $5,000–$8,000 | $80,000–$83,000+ |
| PwC | $75,000 | $3,000–$7,000 | $78,000–$82,000+ |
💡 Note: These figures can be higher in cities with a high cost of living (like New York or San Francisco) or for roles in consulting and advisory compared to audit or tax.
👉 Find out more about what you can earn in our article about Consulting Salaries Worldwide.
The Big 4 all offer great career opportunities – but which one’s the best fit for you? Start by thinking about which area of work interests you most and what kind of work culture you thrive in. Beyond that, things like salary, bonuses, and work-life balance can also play a big role in your decision.
To figure out what suits you best, talk to people who already work at these firms. Career events or LinkedIn are great ways to get real insights and honest opinions. And if you’re still unsure, there’s no harm in applying to multiple firms. After going through the interviews, you’ll have a much clearer sense of which one feels right for you.
👉 Want to learn how to build your connections in consulting? Check out our article on Networking in Management Consulting!
The Big 4 are the largest and most well-known firms in audit, tax, and consulting. For graduates, they offer great entry points into the business world – with global reach, structured career paths, and the chance to work across a wide range of industries and service lines.
Even though they have a lot in common, each firm brings something unique to the table. PwC leads in audit, Deloitte pushes the boundaries in digital and innovation, EY focuses heavily on ethics and sustainability, and KPMG stands out with its tech-driven, forward-thinking advisory work.
While salaries are competitive across the board, each firm offers solid pay packages, bonuses, and extras. But when deciding where to apply, don’t just look at the money – consider what excites you, what kind of culture you want to be part of, and which career path fits your long-term goals.
In the end, the right choice depends on what you're looking for. Do your research, talk to people on the inside, and apply to more than one firm to compare your options. The Big 4 are a great place to start your career and they open up tons of doors for your further steps. 🚀
👉 Liked this overview? We’ve also compared the Big 4 to the MBB firms – make sure to check that out too!
