The 25 largest accounting and advisory firms in Australia

Australia’s accounting and advisory industry is booming. The country’s 25 largest players in the sector grew by an average of 12% over the past twelve months, now generating $11.2 billion in revenues.

Analysis of the financial statements of the largest accounting-heritage companies (of which the most also have advisory practices) in Australia shows that a group of four companies, known as the Big Four, are in terms of size miles ahead of the rest. Combined, PwC, Deloitte, EY and KPMG generate a turnover of $8.6 billion, around three quarters of the total fee income of the top 25.

In its latest financial year, market leader PwC increased its revenues by 11% to $2.6 billion. Number two Deloitte grew even stronger, at 14% to $2.3 billion, on the back of a booming consulting division. KPMG added 9% to its revenue base, lifting it to $1.8 billion, while EY – number three of the Big Four – was the slowest growing of the quartet.

Australia’s fastest growing top 25 accounting and advisory firm is Mazars, which saw its revenue jump by a staggering 115%, followed by Synergy Group, a professional services firm dedicated to the public sector. BDO was the strongest grower in the top 10, and now generates revenues of just under $300 million.

As a group, the 25 largest accounting and advisory firms dominate the landscape. Illustrating this, Australia’s 100 largest accounting and advisory firms generate $12 billion in turnover, with the top 25 firms accounting for over 90% of the cut.

PwC
Number of employees: 6,463
Number of offices in Australia: 8
Revenue (FY19): $2,600 million
Revenue growth (FY19): 10.6%

Deloitte
Number of employees: 9,847
Number of offices in Australia: 12
Revenue (FY19): $2,300 million
Revenue growth (FY19): 14.3%

EY
Number of employees: 6.387
Number of offices in Australia: 7
Revenue (FY19): $1,887 million
Revenue growth (FY19): 5.7%

KPMG
Number of employees: 8.382
Number of offices in Australia: 14
Revenue (FY19): $1,780 million
Revenue growth (FY19): 8.5%

Findex
Number of employees: 1,991
Number of offices in Australia: 80
Revenue (FY19): $367 million
Revenue growth (FY19): 1.0%

BDO
Number of employees: 1,566
Number of offices in Australia: 10
Revenue (FY19): $299 million
Revenue growth (FY19): 11.5%

Grant Thornton
Number of employees: 1,124
Number of offices in Australia: 6
Revenue (FY19): $266 million
Revenue growth (FY19): 4.2%

Pitcher Partners
Number of employees: 1,426
Number of offices in Australia: 6
Revenue (FY19): $261 million
Revenue growth (FY19): 3.7%

RSM
Number of employees: 1,164
Number of offices in Australia: 31
Revenue (FY19): $202 million
Revenue growth (FY19): 6.8%

William Buck
Number of employees: 575
Number of offices in Australia: 7
Revenue (FY19): $119 million
Revenue growth (FY19): 7.9%

PKF
Number of employees: 564
Number of offices in Australia: 13
Revenue (FY19): $116 million
Revenue growth (FY19): -1.3%

Bentleys Network
Number of employees: 563
Number of offices in Australia: 13
Revenue (FY19): $114 million
Revenue growth (FY19): 7.7%

HLB Mann Judd
Number of employees: 558
Number of offices in Australia: 9
Revenue (FY19): $103 million
Revenue growth (FY19): 1.1%

CountPlus
Number of employees: 558
Number of offices in Australia: 29
Revenue (FY19): $98 million
Revenue growth (FY19): -3,5%

Nexia Australia
Number of employees: 579
Number of offices in Australia: 8
Revenue (FY19): $97 million
Revenue growth (FY19): 4.4%

McGrathNicol
Number of employees: 200
Number of offices in Australia: 5
Revenue (FY19): $88 million
Revenue growth (FY19): 25.7%

Walker Wayland Australasia
Number of employees: 470
Number of offices in Australia: 35
Revenue (FY19): $84 million
Revenue growth (FY19): 8.3%

Moore Stephens
Number of employees: 364
Number of offices in Australia: 14
Revenue (FY19): $80 million
Revenue growth (FY19): 9.0%

Hall Chadwick
Number of employees: 340
Number of offices in Australia: 11
Revenue (FY19): $73 million
Revenue growth (FY19): 7.2%

ShineWing
Number of employees: 309
Number of offices in Australia: 3
Revenue (FY19): $59 million
Revenue growth (FY19): 5.4%

Synergy Group
Number of employees: 300
Number of offices in Australia: 1
Revenue (FY19): $56 million
Revenue growth (FY19): 32.7%

DFK Australia New Zealand
Number of employees: 197
Number of offices in Australia: 15
Revenue (FY19): $54 million
Revenue growth (FY19): 0.6%

Mazars
Number of employees: 274
Number of offices in Australia: 4
Revenue (FY19): $51 million
Revenue growth (FY19): 115.9%

Kelly Partners
Number of employees: 229
Number of offices in Australia: 13
Revenue (FY19): $43 million
Revenue growth (FY19): 5.1%

UHY Haines Norton
Number of employees: 211
Number of offices in Australia: 9
Revenue (FY19): $38 million
Revenue growth (FY19): 1.6%

Sources: Data sourced from Chartered Accountants ANZ, Australian Financial Review and Consultancy.org.