KPMG Australia to offshore 200 support roles to Philippines
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — KPMG Australia plans to offshore around 200 of its 260 executive assistant roles to the Philippines, a move aimed at streamlining operations and reducing costs amid a slowdown in advisory demand.
The firm will retain about 65 support staff locally, primarily to assist state chairs and national managing partners, based on internal documents obtained by The Australian.
Under the plan, 100 executive assistants are expected to leave by April, with another 100 following in May.
Much of the work will be taken up by lower-cost staff employed through an external provider based in the Philippines.
A KPMG spokeswoman said the decision is still subject to staff consultation, adding the process is being handled with “empathy, respect and transparency for our people.”
KPMG Australia outsources admin roles to cut costs
The outsourcing initiative is part of a broader modernization program at KPMG Australia.
“We are continually reviewing the way we work to build a scalable, modern, resilient business that positions us for growth and competitiveness,” KPMG spokeswoman said.
Executive assistants at KPMG earn an average of about AU$87,000 (US$54,810) per year, while comparable services in the Philippines are advertised at roughly AU$10,000 (US$6,300) annually.
The change could result in annual wage savings of around AU$17 million (US$10.71 million) before accounting for outsourcing costs.
KPMG Australia reduced its staff count by approximately 600 employees in the past year, representing 7% of its workforce, while partner numbers fell slightly.
Revenue at the firm declined 4% to AU$2.13 billion (US$1.34 billion) in 2024–2025, with advisory income down nearly 20% to AU$749 million (US$471.87 million), according to the company.
KPMG pairs offshoring with tech investment to lift efficiency
KPMG CEO Andrew Yates has highlighted ongoing investments in technology and innovation, noting the firm’s AU$80 million (US$50.4 million) spend on developing new tools for clients and staff.
“We will also continue to invest in ethical leadership and culture for our people, and in audit quality,” he said, signaling that cost-saving measures will be balanced with strategic investments.
Offshoring in professional services has become an increasingly common approach to balance efficiency with client demands.
Firms like KPMG seek to manage costs in a competitive market without compromising the quality of their services by leveraging talent globally.
The company’s method demonstrates an emerging tendency that currently exists in the outsourcing market, as businesses can use strategic resourcing to meet changing economic demands while they maintain their essential business functions.
