From various things I've read it seems there's a major push to gain market share being made by the Big 4. With the market barely growing, the targets they have for expanding their consulting practices seem lofty to say the least.Anyone within the firms, or in contact with them, have any views as to which of them is winning the war to gain market share? If I had to rank them right now I'd say:1. Ernst & Young2. Deloitte3. PwC4. KPMG

Interesting question.... I'm an EY'er and while ranking the big 4 within general market share is a relatively easy question in the PI space (and has been answered a number of times on this forum. Deloitte, EY, PWC, KPMG).As to ranking them in terms of winning market share, I'd be really interested to see the input of those outside the big 4, potentially some of the recruiters who frequent this forum. My knowledge of market share growth is limited to the EY picture and I genuinely can't comment on the other Big 4 tbh, other than to say KPMG would probably come at the end of that list, based my knowledge of their current wins/projects.

I'd also be interested to hear thoughts on Deloittes acquisition binge over the last few years. Have the companies they've bought over the last few years; - really delivered the growth they wanted?- integrated well?- effected them culturally?Think the organic growth prize would probably go to ey from what I see in the market, but interested to find out more about the above, partly through professional curiosity as to whether an acquisition strategy can be successful in an IP based industry...

I saw some interesting data in the recent Sourceforconsulting webinar we hosted, where client feedback showed the Big 4 were the amongst the most likely of all consulting firms to be willing to discount fees to win work in the current climate. I have no doubt this is a reflection of the Big 4 firms' desire to gain market share before the market has fully rebounded, rather than any issue with the perceived quality of their work.We're certainly seeing quite divergent levels of recruitment activity from each of the four, both in terms of their interactions with us at Top-Consultant but also in terms of the broader recruitment activities we're seeing them undertake in the wider market...Tony RestellTop-Consultant.com

@Short Hair, Shiney Shoes - thanks for your input and interesting we've both put E&Y first and KPMG last. Still curious to know if others out there agree with this ranking?@Nick - do you think failed acquisition attempts might also mean Deloitte took their eyes off the ball in terms of ensuring maximum organic growth? That whole debacle of them trying to take over Roland Berger last year must have soaked up a lot of management bandwidth surely?@Tony Restell - interesting findings and certainly seems to support the view that the Big 4 are willing to slash fees to win market share right now.Anyone else care to comment on my original rankings?

Should PwC move ahead of Deloitte now given their announcement of the acquisition of PRTM in the last days? That's two successful acquisitions just recently (Diamond being the other) whereas Deloitte look to have had the same strategy but have fallen behind having not pulled off the Roland Berger acquisition?

Well, interesting question because I gather that Deloittes profitability absolutely tanked as a result of Drivers acquisition... two ways to read that in relation to your question;1. Yes, because of the above2. No, the same could happen to PwC....?

Well, interesting question because I gather that Deloittes profitability absolutely tanked as a result of Drivers acquisition... two ways to read that in relation to your question;1. Yes, because of the above2. No, the same could happen to PwC....?

will pwc's pi (consulting) practice thrive with the acquisition of prtm will depend on the integration of two firms... most of pwc's current pi staff (and leaders e.g. partners & directors) are either from risk management or transactions group with asset-based mindset (e.g. standard DD playbook or official regulations) than consulting mindset (problem solving or issue-based mindset).my 2 cents

Goose's comments are rather wide of the mark. However agree that PTRM integration will be interesting, especially in the UK where they are small - around 40 staff including 7 (!) partners. As with Diamond Consulting, this is primarily a US-led acquisition.

So with KPMG's acquisition of Xantus this last week, it seems as though Ernst & Young are the only one of the Big 4 to be prioritising the organic growth route? PwC have bought a couple of known names, Deloitte have tried to, KPMG have done so... whilst if this site is anything to go by Ernst & Young are the ones most actively recruiting into their ranks. PwC by contrast are nowhere to be seen!!