accounting influencers

big 4 layoffs reveal new jobs reality | accounting influencers

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industry turbulence opens doors for smaller firms, but only those that clearly define and communicate value.

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accounting influencers
with rob brown

between june 2023 and september 2024, several of the largest accounting firms announced significant workforce reductions and structural changes. kpmg disclosed a deeper round of auditor layoffs in mid-2023. grant thornton cut approximately 3% of its u.s. staff (about 350 employees) in may 2024. in september 2024, pwc announced one of its most significant reorganizations in years, resulting in the elimination of approximately 1,800 positions in its u.s. operations.

since then, further reductions have continued. in may 2025, pwc laid off approximately 1,500 more u.s. employees (around 2% of its u.s. workforce), primarily in its audit and tax lines. meanwhile, kpmg pursued additional cuts, including a round impacting roughly 4% of its u.s. audit workforce later in 2024. grant thornton also followed the earlier reductions with more targeted layoffs after its private-equity deal, trimming about 150 u.s. roles (1.5% of its domestic workforce) in late 2024.

these moves are not isolated. they signal a broader industry recalibration, leaving thousands of accountants uncertain about their future.

at the same time, some major firms are doubling down on mandatory office attendance. industry observers say the combination of job insecurity and rigid workplace policies could push professionals to seek more flexible and stable opportunities.

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dei pullback risks pipeline | accounting influencers

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firms scale back initiatives even as governing bodies warn diversity is key to the profession’s future.

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accounting influencers
with rob brown

the accounting profession is facing a turning point as major firms scale back diversity, equity, and inclusion (dei) initiatives, raising concerns about how the shift could affect talent recruitment, retention, and competitiveness.

kpmg recently discontinued its “accelerate 2025” program, which aimed to expand leadership diversity. deloitte pulled back last year, joining other global corporations—including goldman sachs, meta, and google—that have pared down similar efforts.

the shifts come as political and legal pressures mount. states such as florida and texas have rolled back dei policies in higher education, and a supreme court ruling on affirmative action has sent ripples across corporate america. firms that once championed dei are now weighing compliance risks and financial implications against potential reputational and workforce consequences.

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pushing into law? a seismic shift for firms | accounting influencers

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az opens the door to multidisciplinary firms, and big four competitors are watching closely.

this is a preview. the complete video episode, with commentary and transcript, is first available exclusively to pro members | go pro here
sponsored by “it’s not just the numbers: how to move beyond the numbers and deliver real value for your clients.”
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accounting influencers
with rob brown

accounting and law have long existed in parallel, separated by strict professional boundaries. that wall may be crumbling. kpmg is moving to become the first big four accounting firm in the united states to own a law firm, a step that could reshape the profession.

the opening occurred in arizona, which recently amended its rules to permit non-lawyers to own law firms under alternative business structures (abs). kpmg seized the opportunity, announcing plans to launch kpmg law us. the firm will not enter courtroom litigation but instead focus on contract management, legal project support, and m&a contract harmonization.

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how smart firms handle dei | accounting influencers

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accounting leaders face pressure to choose a path that could reshape talent pipelines and firm culture for years to come.

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accounting influencers
with rob brown

deloitte’s decision to dismantle its diversity, equity, and inclusion (dei) program for 173,000 u.s. employees is sending shockwaves through the accounting profession, exposing deep divisions on a global scale and forcing firm leaders to weigh politics against talent priorities.

the move—ending dei goals, disbanding related departments, eliminating annual reporting, and ordering staff to remove pronouns from email signatures—came just hours before deloitte uk issued a memo affirming its commitment to dei.

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meet your new boss: gen z | accounting influencers

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zoomers expect clarity, equity, and purpose—and they’re not afraid to walk if firms don’t deliver.

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accounting influencers
with rob brown

by 2025, one in 10 managers will be from generation z. that’s right—the so-called “lazy, entitled” group born between 1997 and 2012 is already leading teams in accounting firms. but instead of wrecking the workplace, gen z might be exactly what the profession needs to survive its crossroads.

more accounting influencers with rob brown

on accounting influencers, host rob brown explores the rise of gen z and what their entry into the accounting workforce means for leaders, firms, and the profession at large.

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