Big Four rethink partnership as AI changes the game

Mumbai: The latest round of partner promotions has pushed the Indian arms of three of the Big Four accounting firms past a symbolic milestone: Deloitte, PwC and EY each now has more than 1,000 partners, associate partners and executive directors. But the rapid expansion is also beginning to test the limits of a partnership model built around audit, deals and tax, as technology consulting becomes the industry’s biggest growth engine.

PwC admitted 35 professionals to its equity partnership and promoted 66 to non-equity partner and executive director roles, taking its leadership strength to 1,001. Deloitte elevated 56 partners and 52 executive directors, lifting its tally to 1,076.