Audit Services in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
New York, United States
Last Updated: June 2024
NAICS OD6137Revenue
$55.3bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$X.Xbn
Employees
227k
Businesses
23,691
Wages
$XX.Xbn
Audit Services in the US industry analysis
The Audit Services industry is defined by a culturally significant group of leading auditors, a wide range of clients and strong countercyclical demand. The ‘Big Four' audit companies (PWC, EY, Deloitte and KPMG) generate revenue from industries in almost every economic sector. Auditors in this industry typically audit similarly sized clients, so much of this industry is made up of non-employing and tiny companies. Also, unique to this industry, many audit services, including bankruptcy audits and financial statement reviews, are independent of or in opposition to the business cycle. This countercyclical demand helps the industry maintain exceptional profit and revenue growth, even during major economic disruptions.
Trends and Insights
- Revenue growth during the current period was negatively impacted by economic disruptions related to COVID-19 and recessionary fears. Despite this, countercyclical demand and the essentiality of auditing services kept demand for the industry's services positive.
- Specialized and general audits are the two main services provided by auditors. Auditors review a company’s historical financial statements to ensure their accuracy and validity.
- Business centers are natural breeding grounds for the industry. Auditors, especially specialized ones, rely on their proximity to downstream markets.
- Auditors compete with one another for local business. Relatively low barriers to entry and localization raise internal competition.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.7 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $55.3bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Countercyclical demand has kept revenue afloat amid poor economic times
- The Audit Services industry is defined by strong countercyclical demand. When a company declares bankruptcy, audit providers jump in to dissect financial statements and ensure compliance with federal regulations.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Economic growth will spur expansion for auditors
- Despite current challenges related to rising interest rates and recessionary fears, the US economy is expected to perform well during the outlook period. Stable economic growth will raise corporate profit and business formation, boosting downstream demand for auditing services and aiding revenue growth.
Biggest companies in the Audit Services in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu | 8,386.2 | 167.7 | 2.0 | |
KPMG International Limited | 4,121.5 | 2.2 | 0.1 | |
EY | 2,704.7 | 575.2 | 21.3 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Financial auditing for small-sized businesses (0-20 employees), Financial auditing for medium-sized businesses (20-500 employees) and Financial auditing for large-sized businesses (500+ employees). Financial auditing for small-sized businesses (0-20 employees) is the largest segment of the Audit Services in the US.
Trends and Insights
Financial auditing is a common practice for providers
- Audits are commonly done in reference to a company's historical financial statements, whereby the auditor presents financial information in a manner that conforms to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). These are administered to ensure the accuracy and validity of financial statements, earnings or financial position.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Finance and Insurance in the US
- Wholesale Trade in the US
- Manufacturing in the US
Complementors
- Accounting Services in the US
- Management Consulting in the US
- Scientific & Economic Consulting in the US
- Document Preparation Services in the US
International industries
- Global Accounting Services
- Accounting Services in Canada
- Accounting Services in Australia
- Accounting Services in New Zealand
- Accounting & Auditing in the UK
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry comprises accountants that are certified to audit the accounting records of public and private organizations and to attest to compliance with generally accepted accounting practices. Offices of certified public accountants (CPAs) in this industry include only those that audit financial statements.
What's included in this industry?
Auditing servicesSpecialized auditing servicesReviewing financial statementsRisk assessment servicesCompanies
Deloitte Touche TohmatsuKPMG International LimitedEYPurchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
AUDITINGINITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING (IPO)INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS (IFRS)BIG FOURGENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES (GAAP) MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONSSARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002Industry Code
NAICS 54121 - Audit Services in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Revenue growth during the current period was negatively impacted by economic disruptions related to COVID-19 and recessionary fears. Despite this, countercyclical demand and ...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Specialized and general audits are the two main services provided by auditors. Auditors review a company’s historical financial statements to ensure their accuracy and validi...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Business centers are natural breeding grounds for the industry. Auditors, especially specialized ones, rely on their proximity to downstream markets.
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Auditors compete with one another for local business. Relatively low barriers to entry and localization raise internal competition.
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Deloitte is the industry’s largest company. Headquartered in London, UK, Deloitte has offices around the world, with the United States being a major market.
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of KPMG International Limited's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of EY's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for KPMG International Limited, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for EY, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Auditors must be licensed certified public accountants (CPAs). CPAs must complete an examination to be licensed. Other important regulations affecting this industry pertain t...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Wages are the main expense for auditors, comprising nearly half of revenue. Auditing is a specialized skill that requires certification and training.
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
- Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
- Income Statement (2017-2022)
- Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Audit Services in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the Audit Services in the US industry in United States is $55.3bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Audit Services in the US industry in 2024?
There are 23,691 businesses in the Audit Services in the US industry in United States, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.9 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Audit Services in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Audit Services in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 1.7 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Audit Services in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Audit Services in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Audit Services in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Audit Services market in United States are Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, KPMG International Limited and EY
What does the Audit Services in the US in United States include?
Auditing services and Specialized auditing services are part of the Audit Services in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Audit Services in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.
How competitive is the Audit Services in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Audit Services in the US industry in United States.
