Understanding what are the big 4 companies is a quick signal to interviewers that you know the market, the services, and the career pathways those firms shape. This guide is an insider-friendly reference: clear definitions, firm-by-firm notes, interview phrasing, and actionable prep so you can confidently answer questions and use the Big 4 as a career conversation tool.
What exactly are the big 4 companies
When people ask what are the big 4 companies they mean four global professional services networks: Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Ernst & Young (EY), and KPMG. Together these firms dominate audit, tax, consulting, and advisory work across industries and borders. The Big 4 audited nearly 80% of public U.S. companies and audit 497 of the S&P 500, a scale that shapes accounting, regulation, and corporate governance conversations in interviews IndeedAccountingVerse.
Key facts you can cite:
Combined 2024 revenue: about $212 billion. That number highlights scale when asked what are the big 4 companies and why they matter to clients and job seekers IE.edu.
Global reach: member firms in 150+ countries, operating as an aligned network rather than a single corporation, which matters for cross-border work and mobility AccountingVerse.
Why do people ask what are the big 4 companies when preparing for interviews
Interviewers ask what are the big 4 companies to assess industry awareness, professionalism, and fit. Saying the names is basic; explaining their roles, market influence, and why you’re interested gives depth. Candidates who can answer “what are the big 4 companies” with data (market share, services, busy season realities) prove they’ve researched beyond brand recognition.
How this helps different interviewers:
Recruiters: Want to see cultural fit and career intent.
Hiring managers: Want evidence you know the service line distinctions (audit vs. consulting).
MBA or college interviewers: Looking for business insight — e.g., Big 4 consulting controls ~40% of the consulting market, a useful stat to show industry perspective IE.edu.
What services do what are the big 4 companies provide to clients
When you explain what are the big 4 companies in a services context, break it down simply:
Audit & assurance: Core historical service and highly profitable for the networks. Big 4 audits shape investor confidence and regulatory compliance Indeed.
Consulting/advisory: Strategy, technology, operations, and digital transformations — consulting now represents a major growth area and captures significant market share.
Tax & legal services: Global tax planning, compliance, and in-house legal teams that advise on cross-border structures.
Financial advisory & transaction services: M&A, valuation, restructuring, forensic accounting, and risk advisory.
Tip for interviews: If asked what are the big 4 companies and what they do, name one or two recent client-facing initiatives at your target firm (e.g., cloud transformation work or a notable acquisition) to show current awareness.
What should I know about each firm when asked what are the big 4 companies
Interviewers often expect you to distinguish between the four. A crisp firm-level snapshot helps.
Deloitte — Often the largest by revenue. In 2024 Deloitte reported approximately $67.2 billion in revenue and has roughly 460,000 employees globally. Use Deloitte’s scale when asked what are the big 4 companies to highlight breadth across consulting and audit IE.edu.
PwC — Strong global tax and audit heritage, plus sizable consulting capabilities. PwC often emphasizes industry-specific advisory and regulatory insight.
EY — Known for audit depth and a large advisory practice; EY positions itself around trust, sustainability, and assurance services.
KPMG — Often highlighted for audit and tax strengths in specific regions and for serving large corporate clients with integrated advisory services.
When asked what are the big 4 companies in conversation, add one sentence on culture or career development for each firm — interviewers appreciate nuance beyond revenue.
How should I reference what are the big 4 companies in different interview contexts
Different contexts require different emphasis when explaining what are the big 4 companies:
Job interviews: Focus on the firm’s service lines, growth areas, and what you can contribute. If applying to audit, emphasize assurance, regulatory knowledge, and busy season expectations (e.g., January–April) to show realistic preparedness AccountingVerse.
Consulting case interviews: Tie the firm’s consulting footprint (remember the ~40% market control in consulting) to your problem-solving examples and commercial impact IE.edu.
Sales calls: Use the fact that the Big 4 audit nearly 80% of public companies to understand client overlap and where competitive dynamics matter Indeed.
College/MBA interviews: Show that you understand career pathing — the Big 4 act as talent incubators, offering training, exposure to clients, and structured development that supports long-term goals Becker.
What common interview questions involve what are the big 4 companies and how can you answer them
Common prompts and short framing tips when interviewers ask what are the big 4 companies or related questions:
“Why do you want to work at a Big 4 firm?” — Tie personal development goals to the firm’s training, client exposure, and the types of projects that match your skills.
“What service line interests you and why?” — Show understanding of audit vs. advisory differences and the typical career trajectories for each.
“How do you handle busy seasons?” — Acknowledge the intense workload during busy months (January–April), and describe strategies you use to manage time and sustain performance AccountingVerse.
“What makes one Big 4 firm different from another?” — Offer concise differentiators (e.g., Deloitte’s scale in consulting, EY’s audit reputation) and tie to your fit.
Practice a 60–90 second answer to “what are the big 4 companies and why do they matter” so you can deliver a crisp summary in interviews.
What actionable tips can help you prepare to discuss what are the big 4 companies in interviews
Actionable, interview-ready steps:
Memorize the four names and one signature fact for each: revenue or employee size for Deloitte, consulting emphasis for PwC, EY’s audit reputation, KPMG’s regional strengths. Clear recall prevents the “confusing the firms” trap.
Learn key stats: combined revenue ~$212B (2024) and audits of ~80% of public U.S. companies — these stats communicate scale when you answer what are the big 4 companies [IE.edu][Indeed].
Read recent press: Know a recent deal, acquisition, or major client project for your target firm. Mentioning a specific initiative shows engagement.
Prepare behavioral stories that map to service lines: e.g., a teamwork story for audit, a problem-solving example for consulting.
Understand the busy season and well-being realities: Acknowledge the trade-offs, then explain how you stay productive under pressure [AccountingVerse].
Avoid generic “prestige” answers: Explain what you’ll learn, what clients you want to serve, and how the firm’s platform advances your goals.
How can Verve AI Copilot help you with what are the big 4 companies
Verve AI Interview Copilot helps you rehearse answers to “what are the big 4 companies” with simulated interviewers, targeted feedback, and role-specific prompts. Verve AI Interview Copilot can generate concise firm comparisons, craft tailored stories for audit or consulting roles, and provide real-time feedback on clarity and impact. Use Verve AI Interview Copilot to practice the exact phrasing and statistics you’ll use in interviews and to refine answers for recruiter, manager, or MBA panels — all available at https://vervecopilot.com
What are the most common questions about what are the big 4 companies
Q: What are the Big 4 companies
A: Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG — the largest global professional services networks.
Q: Why mention what are the big 4 companies in an interview
A: Shows industry awareness, client impact understanding, and career intent.
Q: Do Big 4 firms only do audits
A: No — they do audit, tax, consulting, advisory, and transaction services.
Q: How does knowing what are the big 4 companies help salespeople
A: It reveals client overlaps, audit coverage, and competitive positioning.
Q: Are Big 4 careers worth it for MBAs
A: Yes for structured development and client exposure, but weigh workload against goals.
Sources and further reading
Bigger-picture overview and stats: Indeed Career Advice on Big 4 accounting firms
Firm revenue, market control, and service breakdowns: IE University: The Big 4 Companies
Industry services, history, and definitions: AccountingVerse: Big 4 accounting firms
Career comparison and pathing advice: Becker: Big 4 vs mid-tier accounting firms
Final note: Practice a short, data-backed answer to “what are the big 4 companies” that tells a story about why one of those firms matters to you personally. That combination of factual fluency and purposeful motivation is what makes interviewers nod.
