Deloitte, KPMG, other Big Four accounting firms stand firm on flexible work
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES — The world’s largest consulting and accounting firms are maintaining their commitment to hybrid work arrangements, even as other corporate giants mandate full-time office returns.
The Big Four – Deloitte, KPMG, EY, and PwC – collectively employing 1.5 million staff worldwide, are demonstrating that flexible work can coexist with business success.
Varied approaches to flexibility
KPMG has embraced a flexible approach where employees divide their time between office, client sites, and home. Their 2024 Global People Survey reveals strong employee satisfaction, with 81% of staff feeling they can work where they are most effective.
“This approach centers on trusting our people to responsibly manage their working patterns to deliver the best results for clients, as well as their teams,” Nhlamu Dlomu, KPMG’s international global head of people, told Business Insider.
Meanwhile, EY maintains a global principle of two to three office days weekly, allowing home working for the remaining time. While the firm tracks office attendance in some regions, it emphasizes creating a network of workplaces that includes offices, home working, and coworking spaces.
“Globally, our principle is that people work where and when they are most effective, with individual office policies set by member firms,” an EY spokesperson told BI.
Policy evolution and implementation
PwC recently adjusted its UK policy, requiring staff to spend 60% of their time in person, whether at client sites or offices. However, this change remains localized, with U.S. operations maintaining their existing flexible arrangements.
Laura Hinton, PwC UK’s managing partner, emphasizes the importance of face-to-face interaction while preserving hybrid options.
Deloitte, the largest of the four, stands out with its trust-based approach. The firm, which has supported hybrid work since 2014, allows employees to determine their work location based on team and client needs. This flexibility-first stance is viewed as a key factor in attracting and retaining top talent.
This continued commitment to hybrid work by the Big Four contrasts with recent moves by companies like JPMorgan, Dell, Amazon, and AT&T, which have mandated full-time office returns.
