As with numerous year end reviews, there seem to be very goodand less than ideal trends and news in the accountancy field. Theoriginal fears relating to the growth of fee incomes in the accountancy field has come around again according to those in the top 60 UK accountancy firms, as they increased by 1% last year; not nearly as much as they would have liked.   The growth in 2008 and 2007 showed increases of 6.5% and 14% respectively, which compared to last year is great; but it does show a definite ‘stand still’ in this area.  The survey showed that 19 out of the 60 firms had no growth in fees at all.

 A large growth of 25% was reported by Begbies Traynor, the outright winners of 2010  ï»¿    In relation to the UK’s economy, this same company alerted everybody back in 2009 that there was worse yet to come.

Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP is the number one firm according to Accountancy.  It preserves its place at the top with 885 partners and close to 13,000 staff members, along with 41 offices.   With only a littlel increase in income and in at No. 60 came Morley and Scott.  It has eighteen partners and just over  100   employees}. 

Rounding out the top ten:

2. Deloitte LLP has a staff of just more than 10,200, 885 partners and 22 offices.


3rd place; with 22 offices in the uk, 569 partners and more than 10,000 staff are KPMG LLOP.  ï»¿ 

4. Ernst & Young LLP holds steady with 515 partners, 9,097 staff members and 21 offices. 

5. Grant Thornton UK LLP has 235 partners, 3,940 staff members and 35 offices.

 
6th place and keeping hold of their ranking with 14 offices, 232 partners and just short of 2,700 employees.

7. Baker Tilly LLP has 25 offices around the UK, 116 partners and slightly more than 1,800 staff members.

8th place with 11 offices, 218 partners and 1,300 staff are Smith Williamsons.

9. Tenon has 180 partners for its 43 offices and 1,701 staff members; and finally,

10th place with 23 offices, all over the UK, 98 partners and 1,680 members of staff are PKF (UK) LLP.

 Being watched, is the 4th one in the list, Ernst and Young as this continues to be the smallest.    Remarkably enough, eight percent growth in revenue was saw by them in 2008.   In 2010, two companies also almagamated  together, Morley and Scott at number 60 in the list came together with Menzies LLP who were currently at 24 in the list. 

 So what does the future hold for the accountancy sector?    With most indicators suggesting the end is likely nearing in terms of the economic crisis, there will certainly be a learning curve to ensure past mistakes don’t come back to haunt these accounting firms.  That said, there are definitive challenges that will present many opportunities for the firms and their clients. 

2011 promises to be a big year with what many hope will be the end to one of the most difficult economic times in recent history.  The best accountants firms in the sector as a whole is prepared, regardless of how successful or dismal the year may be.