EY Climbs to the Top of US Audit Quality Rankings

EY has vaulted from the lower rungs to the summit of the US audit quality league table, opening a new era among the Big Four.

EY’s Ascension: Double‑Jump in the Audit Quality Index

■28% score uplift, moving from 85 points in 2023 to 109 points.

■$1.9 bn incremental revenue generated from high‑quality audit engagements.

■4 new sector‑specific focus groups bolstering EY’s audit methodology.

■10 points ahead of PwC, securing the top slot.

Competitive Ripples and Market Reactions

■A new pricing race has emerged among the majors; clients now face tighter quality expectations.

■US equities saw EY’s shares rise 5%, reflecting boosted investor confidence.

■Rival firms are accelerating process‑improvement and digital audit investments.

■Regulators plan to update quality scores more frequently, enhancing market transparency.

EY’s rapid climb signals a quality‑driven transformation in the US audit market. Intensifying competition could compress fees while spurring innovation. Market participants should monitor quality scores closely and reassess strategic positioning—particularly those investing in digital audit platforms, who stand to preserve or expand their market share. — Defne Aydın, Director of Geopolitical Risk and European Markets