KPMG UK to Cut Nearly 600 Audit Jobs Amid Voluntary Attrition

KPMG UK has told nearly 600 employees in its audit department that their jobs could be cut. After a formal review process, around 440 people are expected to leave. Most of those affected are assistant managers who are qualified accountants. These cuts represent about 6% of the audit team, which has around 7,100 employees.

The company says the main reason for the layoffs is the notable decline in voluntary attrition. In the past, natural staff turnover helped balance hiring. But because employees are quitting in the current job market, the firm says it now needs to reduce staff numbers to match the amount of work available.

KPMG says this decision was difficult but necessary due to slower growth in the professional services industry. After several years of rapid expansion, firms are now focusing more on cost-management strategies.

Apart from KPMG, other big firms are making similar moves. For example, McKinsey & Company has also discussed cutting some roles, especially in non-client-facing positions, to maintain profit margins.

Big audit and consulting firms are cutting costs because their corporate clients are spending less on non-essential services.

The market is currently observing how these cost-cutting changes will affect the quality of their services and whether they can keep skilled employees, especially under UK regulations. As the Big Four reduce staff and expenses, their major challenge will be to keep audit quality high while spending less.

Since the global economy is still uncertain, job cuts in the professional services sector are likely to resume through the 2026 financial year.