The most recent Adviser Rankings Ltd figures for AIM auditors reveal 1 / 4 of combined fortunes for companies throughout the rankings.
Whereas PKF Littlejohn continues to guide by shopper numbers, PwC has overtaken BDO to say the highest place by combination market capitalisation of its shoppers, reflecting the strategic significance of a high-value shopper base over sheer quantity.
PwC Features Market Cap Lead from BDO
PwC’s rise to the highest by market cap follows its appointment to Greatland Sources, a FTSE AIM 100 constituent.
This high-profile audit win considerably boosted PwC’s whole shopper worth, at the same time as BDO maintained its lead in a number of different segments.
BDO had beforehand held the lead place by market cap, supported by a large portfolio of AIM shoppers, together with power throughout Know-how, Financials, and Client sectors. Nevertheless, its progress this quarter was outpaced by PwC’s good points.
Within the FTSE AIM UK 50, PwC additionally overtook Deloitte to take second place in shopper depend, with BDO holding the highest spot by market capitalisation.
Moore Kingston Smith’s Merger with Shipleys Alters the Mid-Tier Panorama
The standout growth on this quarter’s rankings is the soar by Moore Kingston Smith, which doubled its AIM shopper numbers following the merger with Shipleys.
Introduced in October 2024, the mixing is now nicely superior, and the agency has climbed ten locations to equal twelfth, sharing the spot with Forvis Mazars, Gravita Audit, and KPMG.
The merger has strengthened Moore Kingston Smith’s place in a number of sectors, reflecting a wider development of consolidation amongst mid-tier audit companies.
Different companies benefiting from shopper good points embrace Kreston Reeves, which additionally loved a constructive quarter, in addition to Cooper Parry Group and S&W, which made incremental strikes up the rankings.
In the meantime, Baker Tilly CI Audit, Gerald Edelman, and James Cowper Kreston entered the rankings for the primary time.
Sector Leaders and Shopper Numbers
PKF Littlejohn stays dominant by shopper depend throughout AIM, regardless of a internet decline through the assessment interval. It continues to carry an unrivalled lead in Primary Supplies with 38 shoppers—greater than double the variety of BDO, its nearest competitor within the sector.
PKF additionally leads in Power with 15 shoppers, underscoring its sturdy sector positioning.
BDO retains a powerful foothold in Client Discretionary and Client Staples with 15 shoppers, and leads Know-how with 11 shoppers, having overtaken Crowe in that class.
Crowe, regardless of an general internet decline, retains a aggressive presence in a number of sectors and improved its rating to standalone eighth within the FTSE AIM 100.
RSM UK Audit continues to guide Industrials (18 shoppers) and Well being Care (10 shoppers) by shopper numbers, whereas additionally climbing to fourth place within the FTSE AIM 100, overtaking Deloitte.
FTSE AIM 100: PwC and BDO Battle for Worth
Regardless of BDO’s shopper depend good points within the FTSE AIM 100, it misplaced floor to PwC by way of whole shopper market worth.
PwC’s newly acquired audit engagements, together with Greatland Sources, allowed it to strengthen its high-value portfolio, positioning it forward of BDO by combination market cap.
RSM UK Audit’s rise to fourth place and Crowe’s stable efficiency at eighth illustrate how companies outdoors the Massive 4 proceed to problem established hierarchies.
Regulatory Pressures Add to Market Dynamics
Past the rankings, regulatory concerns proceed to form the audit panorama.
The Affiliation of Chartered Licensed Accountants (ACCA) has urged the Monetary Reporting Council (FRC) to undertake a extra balanced method to rules affecting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The FRC’s market examine on SME audit accessibility highlighted considerations over backlogs, significantly for smaller corporations, although AIM constituents have been much less affected.
The regulatory setting stays a vital issue influencing auditor methods and shopper relationships.
Sector-by-Sector Standouts
- Primary Supplies: PKF Littlejohn’s 38 shoppers dominate the sector.
- Power: PKF additionally leads with 15 shoppers.
- Client Discretionary/Staples: BDO holds the lead with 15 shoppers.
- Financials & Actual Property: BDO stays sturdy with 9 shoppers.
- Well being Care: RSM UK Audit leads with 10 shoppers.
- Industrials: RSM UK Audit tops the desk with 18 shoppers.
- Know-how: BDO has taken first place from Crowe with 11 shoppers.
A Shifting Audit Market
The July 2025 AIM rankings underscore how the UK audit market continues to evolve.
Massive 4 companies stay dominant by market worth, however mid-tier auditors are making notable good points by means of mergers, area of interest experience, and focused sector progress.
