PwC leads FTSE as PKF Littlejohn eyes top spot in AIM auditor rankings
As UK audit firms reshuffle their client portfolios, the latest Corporate Advisers Rankings Guide (CARG) for Q1 2025 highlights shifting competitive dynamics in the sector.
PwC extended its lead in the FTSE 250 and FTSE 350, while PKF Littlejohn and Crowe gained significant ground in AIM and Technology rankings.
The rankings, compiled by Adviser Rankings, compare auditor standings from November 2024 to February 2025, offering insight into which firms are expanding their market presence.
PwC Widens Its FTSE 250 and FTSE 350 Lead
PwC has cemented its dominance in the UK’s top indices, gaining four additional FTSE 350 clients in the past quarter. With 102 clients across the FTSE 350, PwC now holds a sizeable lead over EY (75 clients), KPMG (65), and Deloitte (62). The firm also increased its stronghold in the FTSE 250 by securing AJ Bell and Genus as new audit clients.
Meanwhile, KPMG moved into a joint second-place position in the FTSE 100 rankings, sharing the spot with Deloitte after winning Sage Group PLC’s audit contract.
PKF Littlejohn Eyes KPMG’s Spot in Total UK Stock Market Rankings
Mid-tier firm PKF Littlejohn continued its impressive growth, adding the highest number of new AIM clients and expanding its total UK Stock Market client base. The firm is now just three clients away from overtaking KPMG for fourth place overall.
PKF Littlejohn is also making strides in the Aquis Stock Exchange, where it remains the top-ranked auditor.
Crowe Rises in Tech & Healthcare Rankings
Crowe had a standout quarter, adding more net new clients than any other auditor. The firm’s gains propelled it to joint-first place in the Technology sector rankings and second in Healthcare.
Crowe also saw strong AIM client growth, tying with PKF Littlejohn for the most net new AIM clients in Q1.
MHA and Forvis Mazars Make Notable Gains
Smaller firms also made waves in Q1 2025:
- MHA entered the FTSE 250 rankings and broke into the top 10 of the FTSE 350 auditors for the first time.
- Forvis Mazars and Gravita Audit moved closer to the top 10 auditors in AIM, now just three clients behind EY.
- MAH, Chartered Accountants outperformed 23 of the top 25 audit firms in net new client acquisitions, an achievement made even more notable given its relatively small size.
Sector Highlights: Who Leads Where?
The top auditors by sector client numbers for Q1 2025 are:
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- Basic Materials: PKF Littlejohn (54 clients)
- Consumer Discretionary & Staples: PwC (46 clients)
- Energy: BDO (19 clients)
- Financials & Real Estate: BDO (112 clients)
- Healthcare: PwC (12 clients)
- Industrials: PwC (45 clients)
- Technology: BDO (15 clients)
PwC is holding its dominance over large-cap clients, while mid-tier challengers like PKF Littlejohn and Crowe are aggressively expanding. With regulatory scrutiny on audit quality and corporate governance reforms on the horizon, the battle for new mandates is only set to intensify.
See the full rankings here.
