PwC
Second-largest professional services network and Big Four accounting firm.
PricewaterhouseCoopers, commonly known as PwC, is a multinational professional services network headquartered in London, England. It is the second-largest professional services network in the world and one of the Big Four accounting firms, alongside Deloitte, EY, and KPMG. The network is overseen by PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, an English private company limited by guarantee.
- headquarters
- London, England
- field
- Professional services (audit, tax, advisory)
- global_revenues_fy2024
- US$55.4 billion
Reader's Guide
PwC's significance lies in its position as one of the Big Four accounting firms, providing audit, tax, and advisory services globally. The firm has been embroiled in multiple corruption controversies and crime scandals, including tax fraud, tax avoidance, and failing to meet auditing standards. During the Russo-Ukrainian war, PwC assisted Russian oligarchs in hiding wealth and bypassing sanctions. The firm has also faced fines from regulators for substandard audits. Its merger history and subsequent rebuilding of its consulting practice after selling its consulting arm to IBM in 2002 illustrate its adaptive strategy in the professional services market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is PwC?
PwC, short for PricewaterhouseCoopers, is a global professional services network headquartered in London that ranks as the second-largest of its kind worldwide. It sits alongside Deloitte, EY, and KPMG as one of the so-called Big Four accounting firms.
Why is PwC considered important in the business world?
As one of the four largest accounting networks on the planet, PwC helps set the standard for how major corporations are audited and advised on tax and strategic matters. Its sheer scale, spanning nearly 150 countries, gives it an outsized influence on global financial reporting.
More in Corporations 1-22
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record