Top accounting firms in the U.S. are in fact the top accounting firms in the world as those industry giants contribute significantly to the global economy. Do you wonder who they are, what they can offer businesses and individuals, and why have they dominated the accounting world? Let’s find out together.
If you’re an accounting professional looking for a growth path in your career or a business owner evaluating a range of services offered by the best accounting firms, read on as we cover the largest accounting firms in the U.S. in 2024.
If you’re looking for local accountants and bookkeepers, check out Synder’s Accountants Directory! Whether it’s tax preparation, financial analysis, or bookkeeping, in our directory, you can find accounting professionals working with clients from various industries and offering a broad range of services.
TL;DR
- The “Big Four” accounting firms—Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG—lead the industry globally, offering a wide array of services across multiple industries and demonstrating unparalleled scale and reach.
- Beyond the “Big Four,” firms like Grant Thornton, BDO USA, and RSM US play significant roles in the U.S. economy, providing diverse services tailored to meet the unique needs of businesses and individuals.
- When selecting an accounting firm, evaluate its industry expertise, service range, technology adoption, and commitment to innovation to ensure alignment with your financial and business goals.
- For those pursuing careers in accounting, choosing the right firm involves considering company culture, professional growth opportunities, and how well a firm’s values align with your personal and career aspirations.
Assessing the accounting industry: How to choose the top accounting firm?
Various methods can be used to evaluate the largest accounting firms, including rankings, public financial records, and even testimonials from employees or clients
Here, we will present you with an overview of those top accounting firms. This can be a first step in your journey to choose the company for your needs.
Our list was compiled considering multiple factors. Primarily, we looked at revenue and the number of employees, which reflect each firm’s size and capacity. We also considered the diversity and breadth of their client portfolio, the range of services provided, their reputation, awards received, and their level of innovation and adoption of digital technology. So let’s get started!
The biggest accounting firms in the US: The “Big Four”
Often referred to as the ‘Big Four’, Deloitte LLP, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Ernst & Young (EY), and KPMG LLP dominate the accounting industry globally.
The name ‘Big Four’, not surprisingly, comes from the fact that these are the 4 top companies that dominate the accounting industry. They are not just big, they are enormous.
With offices in virtually every major city around the world, they serve multinational corporations and engage in cross-border operations, providing consistent services on a global scale.
Deloitte LLP
Deloitte LLP is the U.S. member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (DTTL). This UK private company is by far the most popular and largest accounting firm worldwide. It won accounting rankings numerous times.
The firm provides industry-leading audit, consulting, financial planning, tax, and advisory services to many of the world’s most admired brands, including nearly 90% of the Fortune 500 and thousands of private companies.
It serves clients across a multitude of industries including government, higher education, health care, technology, media, energy and resources, and financial services.
Deloitte takes pride in its ability to achieve tangible and enduring outcomes that bolster public confidence in the financial markets. The firm empowers its clients to tackle their most daunting business challenges with assurance and paves the path toward a future that is both sustainable and fair for all.
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) is a multinational professional services network that provides industry-focused assurance, tax, and advisory services to build public trust and enhance value for its clients and stakeholders.
PwC is among the largest professional services firms in the world and in the country. In the fiscal year 2023, 87% of companies listed in the Global Fortune 500 received services from PwC’s network of firms.
It operates in 151 countries with more than 364,000 people delivering services in assurance, advisory, and tax. The firm serves clients across a wide variety of sectors, including technology, consumer and industrial products and services, health industries, financial services, and more.
PwC’s approach is centered around helping businesses achieve their goals by building the right relationships, exploring the most promising options, and providing the insights that shape strategies and drive revenues.
Ernst & Young (EY)
Ernst & Young, commonly known as EY, is a multinational professional services firm. The firm is headquartered in London, England, but it maintains offices in various parts of the world, including the United States. EY provides assurance (including financial audit), tax, consulting, and advisory services to companies across various industries.
In the U.S., EY serves a broad range of clients, including start-ups, governmental agencies, nonprofits, and large corporations. The firm has expertise in fields such as financial services, technology, real estate, health, entertainment, and more.
EY is known for its commitment to building a better working world, fostering a high-performance culture, and driving innovation in the industry. Not surprisingly, Ernst & Young is recognized for its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness.
Their work with cutting-edge technologies like AI and blockchain further cements their reputation as pioneers in the industry.
KPMG LLP
KPMG LLP is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity and one of the biggest accounting organizations globally.
KPMG stands for “Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler.” It’s a blend of the names of four founding members: Piet Klynveld, William Barclay Peat, James Marwick, and Reinhard Goerdeler.
The firm provides audit, tax, and advisory services, serving a wide array of industries, including banking, healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and government, among others.
Understanding KPMG’s reputation requires looking beyond their service portfolio and into their impact and methodology. They’re renowned not just for the quality of their services but for how they apply their deep industry knowledge creatively to solve clients’ unique challenges.
Are you interested in the largest accounting firms in your area? Check out our guides for top accounting firms in Dallas, Atlanta, Houston, and Chicago.
Tax, wealth management, and beyond: Other top U.S. accounting firms and their services
Beyond the ‘Big Four’, several other accounting firms are making their mark on the U.S. economy. These firms offer a diverse range of services, from traditional accounting and auditing to consulting and financial advisory, tailored to meet the unique needs of their clients, from startups to multinational corporations.
Grant Thornton LLP
Grant Thornton LLP is the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd, one of the world’s leading networks of independent audit, tax, and advisory firms.
The U.S. firm operates out of many locations across the country, providing a wide range of services to public and private clients.
It serves various sectors such as financial services, healthcare, government, consumer and industrial products, and technology, among others.
The firm is recognized for its commitment to quality and distinctive client service. They believe in providing personalized attention and building strong relationships with their clients, which include major corporations, growth-focused middle-market companies, as well as government entities.
BDO USA, P.C.
BDO USA, P.C. is the United States member firm of BDO International, a global network of public accounting, tax, consulting, and business advisory firms. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, BDO USA has 75+ offices and 12000 employees, just in the United States. Globally, it’s present in 164 countries and territories.
The firm serves a diverse range of clients, from private companies to multinational corporations, and across a wide variety of industries including real estate, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and more.
BDO USA offers audit, assurance, tax, consulting, and advisory services. The firm is recognized for its robust technical expertise and deep industry knowledge, allowing it to provide clients with tailored, forward-thinking solutions.
RSM US, LLP
RSM US, LLP is the U.S. member of RSM International, a global network of independent audit, tax, and consulting firms. With roots dating back to 1926, RSM has grown to become one of the leading professional services firms in the country.
RSM specializes in serving mid-sized businesses in industries such as financial services, government, healthcare, consumer products, manufacturing, real estate, and technology.
The firm’s approach emphasizes a deep understanding of the industries and markets its clients operate within. This enables them to offer personalized, insightful advice and solutions that are closely aligned with their clients’ unique business challenges and objectives.
Crowe, LLP
Crowe LLP is a public accounting, consulting, and technology firm with offices around the world. As a member of Crowe Global, it is part of one of the largest global accounting networks. The firm is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and has many offices across the United States.
The firm specializes in audit, tax, advisory, risk, and performance services. It serves clients across a variety of industries, including healthcare, financial services, government, education, construction, and more.
The firm has a reputation for delivering innovative solutions tailored to each client’s specific needs and for its strong commitment to its core values of care, share, invest, and grow.
Baker Tilly US, LLP
Baker Tilly US, LLP stands out as a top advisory CPA firm, offering national and global services across key U.S. cities and major global financial hubs.
As a part of Baker Tilly International, the firm joins a network spanning 145 territories and boasting 41,000 professionals. This extensive network provides a vast range of accounting and business advisory services worldwide, including audit and assurance, tax, risk, and performance advisory.
It serves various industries, such as construction, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, as well as the public sector.
Baker Tilly stands out for its strategic insights and personalized advisory services, offering clients not just accounting expertise but also a strategic partnership. Their global reach, through Baker Tilly International, enables them to serve clients with international needs, providing a unique blend of local expertise and global perspective.
Plante Moran
Plante Moran is a leading U.S. accounting, tax, consulting, and wealth management firm. Founded in 1924 and headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, the firm has a broad client base that includes individuals, mid-sized companies, and large corporations across diverse industries.
The firm offers a wide array of services such as financial, human capital, operations improvement, strategic planning, technology selection and implementation, and family wealth management.
What sets Plante Moran apart it’s their deeply personal approach to professional services. They focus on the people and stories behind the numbers to enhance the business and personal success of their clients.
CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) LLP
CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CLA) is a professional services firm offering audit, tax, and consulting services, distinguishing itself with a focus on creating opportunities for clients across various industries, including healthcare, agriculture, and manufacturing.
What really makes CLA stand out is their personalized approach, treating each client’s business as if it were their own. They excel in blending deep industry expertise with a genuine understanding of their clients’ challenges and opportunities, offering tailored advice that goes beyond the numbers.
CohnReznick LLP
CohnReznick LLP is a leading U.S. accounting, tax, and advisory firm. It’s recognized for its innovative approach, leveraging advanced technologies and strategies to offer insightful services to clients in areas like commercial real estate, renewable energy, technology, and more.
They serve a wide range of industries, including but not limited to consumer and industrial sectors, financial services, healthcare, life sciences, real estate, renewable energy, technology and media, and the public sector.
CohnReznick stands out for its keen ability to spot emerging market trends that present new opportunities for its clients.
Check out the list of New York accounting firms.
Looking for services? Choosing the right accounting firm
Now that we’ve reviewed the top accounting firms in the U.S., let’s now create a map for picking the best one for you. Apart from the obvious financial elements, choosing the right accounting company involves considering several key factors tailored to your specific needs.
Start by evaluating the firm’s expertise in your industry and the range of services offered to ensure they align with your requirements. Whether it’s a merger or acquisition or maybe wealth management – there are top firms specializing in those areas.
It’s also important to assess the firm’s reputation, client testimonials, and their approach to client service. While you should expect excellent services in any of those firms, sometimes it’s a particular approach that simply suits you more.
Additionally, consider the firm’s adoption of technology and innovative practices, which can offer insights into their efficiency and future-readiness. You want a company that is open to changes rather than trying to resist them.
We hope that taking these steps will help you find a partner that not only meets your current needs but also supports your long-term goals financial and business goals.
Looking for job? Choosing the right accounting firm
When aiming for a job at a top accounting firm, it’s best to be strategic in your approach.
Start by thoroughly researching each firm to understand its culture, the industries it serves, and the specific services it offers. This knowledge will help you identify where your skills and interests align best.
Consider the firm’s values, work-life balance, and professional development opportunities. Each firm’s commitment to their staff’s growth and well-being manifests in different ways, from flexible work arrangements to comprehensive training programs and beyond. Your choice should reflect your career ambitions and also support your personal development and work-life balance preferences.
Networking can play a big role when looking for a job in one of these industry giants. So, attending industry conferences, joining professional accounting organizations, and connecting with firm employees on platforms like LinkedIn can be great to gain insights and increase your visibility.
Remember, choosing the right firm isn’t just about the job offer; it’s about finding a place where you can grow, contribute, and align with your long-term career aspirations.
Want to learn more? Find out which are the most in-demand accounting jobs right now.
Conclusion
Whether seeking services or career paths, it all hinges on finding the right fit with a firm’s offerings, culture, and vision.
It’s about digging deep into what each firm brings to the table and aligning that with your personal or business objectives. The key? Look for a partnership that not only addresses your current needs but also supports your future ambitions, ensuring a decision that resonates with your goals and values for the long haul.
Share your experience
We’re eager to hear from you! What do you look for in an accounting practice or firm? Whether it’s the range of services, the firm’s reputation, customer service excellence, or innovative approaches to accounting and financial management, your insights can provide invaluable guidance to others on a similar journey. Share your experiences in the comments below to help create a community-driven understanding of what makes an accounting firm truly stand out.
