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2012. “In particular, our multidimensional
approach to addressing client issues, using
our combined knowledge across all service
lines to evaluate them in a ‘big picture’
context, will help us capitalise on market
opportunities,” says Jennings.
Services in demand at Deloitte over the
past year include restructuring and debt
advisory, regulation and compliance, and
business transformation and business
analytics. The Big Four firm purchased
Curach Consulting in late 2010, adding to
the practice’s technology consulting
capabilities. “This is also an area in which
we are seeing an increased demand for
services and we are actively recruiting for
it,” says Jennings. “Organisations are
increasingly looking to capitalise on the
efficiencies that innovative technologies
can bring.”
Jennings insists that competition in the
sector is intense. “Today, we do more work
for less, compared to four or five years
ago. That said, organisations are
beginning to recognise how firms such as
ours can add real value to their business, as
well as providing support and help to their
‘Clients have a
genuine choice in
terms of who to
appoint’
strategic plans.” According to Jennings,
Deloitte currently has around 40 vacancies
for experienced hires. Last year, the firm
offered 215 graduate positions, which was
a significant increase on the previous year.
Mike McKerr, managing partner of
Ernst & Young, says the firm traded
strongly in 2011, experiencing doubledigit
revenue growth in revenue. “We
anticipate this trend to continue in 2012,”
says McKerr. “We have experienced
growth across all service lines: assurance,
tax, transactions advisory services and
advisory. As a result, we are in the process
of recruiting 300 more people, including
graduate trainees and experienced hires.
Our transaction and advisory teams are
performing exceptionally strongly, due to
increased demand for corporate recovery
services, working capital and cost
reduction advice.”
McKerr adds that new rules around
transfer pricing have generated extra work
for the firm’s tax advisers, while clients are
also seeking counsel as to how best to take
advantage of revised R&D tax policies.
“Pricing pressure remains a very real issue
for us and our clients and this will likely
continue through the next financial year,
albeit at a much slower rate,” says McKerr.
“While price is key, quality, experience
and expertise must all still be put at the
centre of our service offering.”
He adds: “Our integration into an
EMEIA partnership has allowed the Irish
practice to provide differential service to
international and indigenous clients and to
capitalise on continued growth in
emerging markets. It also allows the Irish
arm of Ernst & Young to make counter
cyclical investments, which positions us to
emerge from recession in a strong
position.”
continued on page 54
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