Accounting hiring and workload pressures are reshaping the profession faster than many expect. About 87% of firms now cite talent shortage as a top challenge, yet 75% also report difficulty hiring qualified staff, creating a gap that is hard to ignore. Add 45% of accounting jobs that are fully remote after COVID and 41% of professionals planning to leave within five years due to burnout, and the industry stats start to look less like spreadsheets and more like warning signals.
Key Takeaways
- The number of CPAs in the US was 672,000 in 2023.
- Employment in US accounting and auditing occupations is projected to grow 4% from 2022 to 2032, adding 55,400 jobs.
- Women make up 60% of the US accounting workforce as of 2023.
- The global accounting services market size was valued at $684.5 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $908.2 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.2%.
- In the US, the accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services industry generated $186.4 billion in revenue in 2023.
- The Big Four accounting firms collectively generated over $212 billion in global revenue in 2023.
- Deloitte reported $64.9 billion in global revenue for FY2023.
- PwC global revenue reached $53.1 billion in FY2023.
- EY worldwide revenue was $49.9 billion for FY2023.
- 82% of accounting firms use cloud-based ERP systems as of 2023.
- AI adoption in accounting: 76% of firms using or planning AI tools.
- Blockchain in auditing: 40% of Big Four piloting in 2023.
- Regulatory changes: 92% of firms impacted by new sustainability reporting rules in EU.
- Talent shortage: 87% of firms cite as top challenge in 2024.
- Cyber threats: 1 in 5 firms experienced breach in 2023.
With shortages, rising pay, and heavy AI adoption, accounting firms are racing to retain talent and meet new demands.
Related reading
01 · Category
Employment & Workforce20 stats
01
The number of CPAs in the US was 672,000 in 2023.
02
Employment in US accounting and auditing occupations is projected to grow 4% from 2022 to 2032, adding 55,400 jobs.
03
Women make up 60% of the US accounting workforce as of 2023.
04
Average salary for US accountants is $81,680annually as of May 2023.
05
41% of accounting professionals plan to leave the profession within 5 years due to burnout.
06
Big Four firms employed 1.5 million people globally in 2023.
07
Entry-level accountants in the US have a median salary of $62,000in 2023.
08
75% of US accounting firms reported difficulty hiring qualified staff in 2023.
09
Global accounting workforce shortage estimated at 300,000 professionals by 2025.
10
Diversity in US CPA firms: 17% Black/African American, 9% Hispanic in 2023.
11
UK accountants average salary is £42,000 in 2023.
12
25% of accountants are under 30 years old in the US.
13
Remote work adoption: 45% of accounting jobs fully remote post-COVID.
14
Turnover rate in public accounting firms averaged 19% in 2023.
15
CPAs aged 56+ make up 24% of the US CPA population.
16
Australia has 200,000 accountants, growing 2.5% annually.
17
68% of Gen Z aspire to accounting careers for stability.
18
Median pay for auditors in US is $78,000per BLS 2023.
19
52% of firms use AI for talent acquisition in accounting.
20
Canada accounting employment projected to grow 8% by 2031.
Interpretation
Employment & Workforce Interpretation
Despite boasting a stable job market, competitive salaries, and a rising female majority, the accounting profession is grappling with a paradox: while many aspire to join for its stability, a troubling wave of burnout and a significant talent shortage threaten its very foundation, fueled by an aging workforce and a stark lack of diversity.
02 · Category
Market Size & Growth10 stats
01
The global accounting services market size was valued at $684.5 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $908.2 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.2%.
02
In the US, the accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services industry generated $186.4 billion in revenue in 2023.
03
The Big Four accounting firms collectively generated over $212 billion in global revenue in 2023.
04
Accounting outsourcing market is projected to grow from $45.2 billion in 2024 to $72.8 billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 6.2%.
05
US public accounting firms saw a 5.3% revenue growth in 2023 compared to 2022.
06
The forensic accounting services market size was $8.2 billion in 2023, expected to grow to $12.5 billion by 2030.
07
Global management accounting software market reached $12.4 billion in 2023.
08
Indian accounting services market is expected to grow at 10.5% CAGR from 2024 to 2030.
09
Cloud accounting software market valued at $4.42 billion in 2022, projected to $15.44 billion by 2030.
10
US bookkeeping services revenue reached $28.5 billion in 2023.
Interpretation
Market Size & Growth Interpretation
The numbers don't lie, revealing an industry in a dramatic plot twist where the bean counters are becoming tech-savvy global strategists, forensic detectives, and cloud conquerors, all while the Big Four operate as financial superpowers and outsourcing grows faster than a questionable expense report.
03 · Category
Revenue & Profits19 stats
01
Deloitte reported $64.9 billion in global revenue for FY2023.
02
PwC global revenue reached $53.1 billion in FY2023.
03
EY worldwide revenue was $49.9 billion for FY2023.
04
KPMG international revenue hit $38.4 billion in FY2023.
05
Average profit margin for US CPA firms was 12.5% in 2023.
06
Tax services account for 42% of Big Four revenue.
07
Advisory/consulting services grew 12% for Big Four in 2023.
08
US mid-tier firms revenue up 7.2% to $8.5 billion in 2023.
09
Audit revenue for PwC US was $11.8 billion in 2023.
10
Global assurance services revenue $100+ billion annually.
11
Small US firms (<$1M revenue) average profit 15%.
12
Consulting now 35% of Deloitte's revenue mix.
13
EY tax revenue grew 9% to $13.2 billion in 2023.
14
KPMG US revenue $9.6 billion, up 8.2%.
15
Forensic accounting billable rates average $250/hour.
16
65% of firms increased partner profits by 10%+ in 2023.
17
Risk consulting revenue up 15% for Big Four.
18
Average US CPA firm revenue per employee $180,000.
19
Sustainability services emerging as 5% revenue stream.
Interpretation
Revenue & Profits Interpretation
The Big Four are raking in astronomical sums where audit and tax remain the dependable cash cows, but the real action—and growth—is in consulting, where telling clients how to manage their money is proving far more lucrative than just counting it.
More related reading
04 · Category
Technology Adoption20 stats
01
82% of accounting firms use cloud-based ERP systems as of 2023.
02
AI adoption in accounting: 76% of firms using or planning AI tools.
03
Blockchain in auditing: 40% of Big Four piloting in 2023.
04
Automation reduced manual data entry by 60% in firms using RPA.
05
55% of accountants use data analytics daily.
06
Cybersecurity spending by accounting firms up 25% in 2023.
07
90% of Big Four use AI for audit sampling.
08
Cloud accounting penetration reached 68% in SMEs.
09
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) saves 30% time on reconciliations.
10
45% of firms integrated ESG reporting software.
11
Machine learning detects 95% of fraud anomalies vs 70% manual.
12
70% plan to invest in cybersecurity tech in next 2 years.
13
Digital transformation budget averages 15% of firm revenue.
14
62% use low-code platforms for custom apps.
15
API integrations in accounting software up 50% since 2020.
16
VR training adopted by 12% of large firms for audits.
17
78% of firms use continuous auditing tools.
18
Quantum computing pilots in Big Four for risk modeling.
19
Mobile accounting apps used by 85% of professionals.
20
Generative AI productivity boost: 40% faster report generation.
Interpretation
Technology Adoption Interpretation
The accounting industry is undergoing a digital metamorphosis, swapping green eyeshades for AI algorithms and fortifying its virtual vaults with blockchain and cybersecurity, all while racing to reconcile everything from finances to ESG reports in the cloud with a nervous, yet pragmatic, eye on the future.
05 · Category
Trends & Challenges18 stats
01
Regulatory changes: 92% of firms impacted by new sustainability reporting rules in EU.
02
Talent shortage: 87% of firms cite as top challenge in 2024.
03
Cyber threats: 1 in 5 firms experienced breach in 2023.
04
ESG integration: 75% of clients demand sustainability audits.
05
Remote work challenges: 35% report collaboration issues.
06
Inflation impact: 28% of firms raised fees by 10%+.
07
AI ethics concerns raised by 60% of professionals.
08
Supply chain disruptions affected 40% of audit clients.
09
Diversity initiatives: Only 22% achieved gender parity at partner level.
10
Burnout levels: 49% of accountants report high stress.
11
Crypto auditing demand up 300% since 2020.
12
Regulatory compliance costs rose 15% for SOX.
13
Client acquisition via digital marketing: 55% success rate increase.
14
Climate risk disclosure mandatory for 60% of public companies by 2025.
15
Generational shift: 40% of firms lack succession plans.
16
Data privacy fines averaged $5M per incident in accounting.
17
Hybrid work models adopted by 80% but 30% prefer full remote.
18
Upskilling needs: 70% require tech training.
Interpretation
Trends & Challenges Interpretation
The modern accounting firm is now expected to be an ESG-compliant, cyber-secure, AI-ethical, remotely collaborative, and digitally savvy therapist, all while battling burnout, talent shortages, and regulatory whiplash just to audit a supply chain that may or may not exist.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Megan Gallagher. (2026, February 13). Accounting Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/accounting-industry-statistics
MLA
Megan Gallagher. "Accounting Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/accounting-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Megan Gallagher. 2026. "Accounting Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/accounting-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
36 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level