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- Not Long Ago, the Big 4 were crying ‘Talent Shortage’…
- Now? Big 4 firms in the US and UK are cutting back on graduate hiring, delaying start dates, and even trimming partner roles.
- What’s changed? Two words: AI and offshoring.
- But let’s be clear—AI is coming for offshore roles too: Think “Services as Software”.
- Capgemini’s $3.3B WNS deal shows the future is all about “REIMAGINING” outsourcing, BPO, through = AI agents and autonomy (not just automation)!
Yes, Big 4 slashes entry-level roles
The Graduate Hiring Slump Is Real!
In the UK alone, graduate job listings in accounting are down 44% year-on-year, according to labour market platform Adzuna.
Some say this pullback is hitting harder in professional services than in most other industries.
The Big 4 — who collectively employ over 100,000 people in the UK — have significantly trimmed their intake over the past two years.
Here’s how graduate hiring has changed:
| Firm | % Drop in Graduate Hiring | Previous Intake | Current Intake |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPMG | 29–33% | 1,399 | 942 |
| Deloitte | 18% | 1,700 | 1,400 |
| EY | 11% | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| PwC | 6% | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
Intern, start dates are being pushed — again
Even those lucky enough to land a graduate offer may not start right away.
Take EY US (Parthenon Strategy) for example: In 2024, around 200 new hires had their start dates pushed by 6–12 months, with small stipends offered to keep them warm.
This isn’t a one-time event.
EY has now delayed graduate start dates three years in a row, with 2025 hires not starting until March 2026.
Also read: Big 4 firms introduce a new kind of audit – AI Audit services
Big 4 layoffs in Mid-Level and Partner exits
While entry-level hiring slows, firms are also actively trimming senior roles to protect partner profits.
The mood? Cautious. Lean. And very focused on margins.
| Firm | Actions Taken |
|---|---|
| PwC | Laid off 1,500 in U.S. audit and tax (2% of U.S. workforce) |
| KPMG | Cut 330 audit roles in the U.S. (4% of audit staff) |
| EY | Removed 30 UK partners (largest cull in decades); trimmed consulting teams |
| Deloitte | U.S. consulting cuts (hundreds); UK pay cuts and ~180 layoffs in advisory |
Why the Pullback?
Firms are cutting costs to protect partner profits as client budgets shrink.
But the deeper reason? AI automation and offshoring!
AI is the New Trainee
What fresh grads used to do — compliance checks, document summaries, internal memos — is now being handled by GenAI-powered tools.
AI isn’t replacing all humans, but it’s surely replacing the “first few years” of grunt work.
| Firm | How Big 4 firms are using AI |
|---|---|
| EY | Rolled out “EY.ai” platform across global audit |
| PwC | Invested $1B+ in GenAI tools and training |
| KPMG | Using GenAI in tax, finance, and client onboarding |
| Deloitte | Building AI-driven managed services hubs to reduce headcount-based work |
Offshoring
As AI gains momentum, Big 4 firms are accelerating offshoring through GCCs—not just support work, but core delivery—to hubs like India, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
The focus (of course): cheaper, faster, and increasingly smarter execution.
India is no longer the back office—it’s the new front office.
| Firm | India Operations Snapshot |
|---|---|
| Deloitte USI | >100,000 staff supporting audit, tax, risk, and consulting |
| EY GDS | 55,000+ staff in India handling global delivery across all verticals |
| PwC ACs | U.S. audit/tax/advisory work handled in India — 5% now, 20% targeted |
| KPMG GDS | 15,000+ in India across audit, tax, and advisory support |
But here’s the thing: even these global capability centres (GCCs) and outsourcing firms are fast adopting AI.
With AI handling more tasks, layoffs are inevitable—even in back-end roles once considered “safe.”
Also read: PwC clients asking an awkward question – Where’s our AI Discount?
What this means for the Future of Work
AI and offshoring aren’t just trends — they’re reshaping the very foundation of what a “Big 4 career” looks like.
According to a 2024 HFS Research survey of 1,000 global enterprises:
- 60% plan to replace traditional professional services with AI in the next 5 years
- 48% are restructuring outsourcing contracts to be outcome-based, not people-based
- 72% want AI-first solutions, not just automation layered onto old processes
The winning formula? Build expertise in areas where judgment, context, and human nuance matter most.
Wrapping up…
People worry: How will young professionals learn if entry-level roles vanish?
This isn’t just a hiring slowdown — it’s a fundamental shift in how talent is developed.
Without real experience, the next generation loses crucial skills.
But hey, looks like we’ve got to deal with it!
