KPMG Named Global Firm of the Year

By Michael Foster, Big4.com Blogger

KPMG was named the best global accountancy firm at the annual British Accountancy Awards. The Big4 firm competed with BDO and Grant Thronton for the title, but ultimately won because of its “commitment to corporate responsibility,” in the words of Mark Spofforth, President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

The ICAEW has sponsored the awards for three years running as part of its attempt to position itself at the heart of the accounting and financing world in the United Kingdom. The ICAEW has 138,000 membership accountants both in the UK and abroad.

Judges at the British Accountancy Awards said that KPMG continued to focus on corporate responsibility and sustainable growth for client firms.

National firm of the year award went to Johnston Carmichael, a 54-person firm based in Scotland, winning out to MacIntyre Hudson and Smith & Williamson. Judges cited the firm’s “real leadership and energy, based on a great agenda for their and clients’ growth.”

Individual wards were also given out at the ceremony. Margaret Ewing of Deloitte won “lifetime achievement” award while The Fish Partnership won the award for Best Employer.

KPMG is the third largest auditing firm worldwide, with 145,000 employees worldwide and revenue of $22.7 billion. It was the largest firm shortlisted for the award this year.