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EY

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SWOT Analysis

6/25/25

The SWOT analysis reveals EY's strong market position with $49.4B revenue and global scale, yet faces critical talent retention challenges with 18% turnover threatening service delivery. The firm must accelerate NextWave technology transformation while capitalizing on growing ESG and digital consulting demands. Key priorities include strengthening talent retention through culture transformation, expanding AI-enabled service delivery, and capturing the $2T digital transformation opportunity. EY's trusted brand and sector expertise position it well to navigate regulatory pressures and competitive threats, but execution speed will determine market leadership retention in an increasingly dynamic professional services landscape.

Build a better working world by being the most trusted professional services organization globally

Strengths

  • BRAND: Global reputation and trust with 95% client retention rate
  • SCALE: 395K professionals across 150+ countries providing market coverage
  • EXPERTISE: Deep sector specialization in financial services and technology
  • TECHNOLOGY: NextWave transformation with $1B+ tech investment and AI integration
  • REVENUE: $49.4B revenue growth demonstrating strong market demand

Weaknesses

  • TALENT: High employee turnover rates of 18% creating knowledge gaps
  • COMPETITION: Intense pricing pressure from Big Four rivals reducing margins
  • REGULATION: Increasing audit independence requirements limiting service scope
  • CULTURE: Work-life balance issues affecting employee satisfaction scores
  • INTEGRATION: Complex global delivery model creating service inconsistencies

Opportunities

  • ESG: Growing demand for sustainability reporting and compliance services
  • DIGITAL: $2T+ digital transformation market requiring technology consulting
  • EMERGING: Rapid growth in Asia-Pacific and Latin American markets
  • REGULATORY: New financial regulations creating audit and compliance demand
  • AI: Artificial intelligence adoption requiring specialized advisory services

Threats

  • REGULATION: Potential Big Four breakup reducing audit market dominance
  • COMPETITION: Consulting firms like McKinsey expanding into traditional EY space
  • TECHNOLOGY: AI automation potentially reducing demand for traditional services
  • ECONOMIC: Recession risk reducing corporate spending on advisory services
  • REPUTATION: Audit quality issues creating regulatory scrutiny and fines

Key Priorities

  • TALENT: Implement comprehensive retention strategy to reduce 18% turnover
  • TECHNOLOGY: Accelerate AI integration to maintain competitive advantage
  • GROWTH: Expand ESG and digital transformation service offerings
  • EFFICIENCY: Streamline global delivery model for consistent service quality

Build a better working world by being the most trusted professional services organization globally

RETAIN TALENT

Transform culture to achieve industry-leading retention

  • TURNOVER: Reduce employee turnover from 18% to 12% through comprehensive culture program
  • SATISFACTION: Increase employee satisfaction scores to 85% via work-life balance initiatives
  • LEADERSHIP: Train 5000+ managers in modern leadership practices by fiscal year end
  • CAREER: Launch accelerated career development paths for 50K+ high-potential employees
SCALE AI

Accelerate AI integration across all service delivery

  • ADOPTION: Scale EY Helix AI platform to 5000+ active clients from current 2000
  • TRAINING: Reskill 200K+ consultants in AI capabilities through comprehensive program
  • AUTOMATION: Achieve 40% cost reduction in audit processes through AI-powered automation
  • REVENUE: Generate $2B+ in AI-enabled service revenue representing 15% growth
EXPAND ESG

Capture growing sustainability consulting market

  • MARKET: Achieve 40% market share in ESG consulting services within 18 months
  • REVENUE: Grow ESG service revenue by 50% to $3B+ through expanded offerings
  • EXPERTISE: Hire 2000+ ESG specialists to meet growing client demand
  • STANDARDS: Develop proprietary ESG frameworks for 10+ industry sectors
IMPROVE DELIVERY

Standardize global service quality and efficiency

  • CONSISTENCY: Implement unified global delivery methodology across all 150+ offices
  • SATISFACTION: Increase client NPS from 68 to 75 through improved service quality
  • EFFICIENCY: Reduce project delivery time by 25% through process optimization
  • QUALITY: Achieve 98% audit quality scores across all regulatory jurisdictions
METRICS
  • Revenue Growth Rate: 15%
  • Employee Retention Rate: 88%
  • Client NPS Score: 75
VALUES
  • Integrity
  • Respect
  • Teaming
  • Inclusiveness
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EY Retrospective

Build a better working world by being the most trusted professional services organization globally

What Went Well

  • REVENUE: Achieved record $49.4B revenue with 12% year-over-year growth
  • CONSULTING: Strategy consulting grew 28% driven by digital transformation
  • TALENT: Hired 45K new professionals expanding global delivery capacity
  • TECHNOLOGY: NextWave platform adoption reached 60% of client base
  • ESG: Environmental services revenue increased 35% meeting market demand

Not So Well

  • MARGINS: Operating margins declined 2.1% due to increased salary costs
  • RETENTION: Employee turnover increased to 18% from previous 15%
  • AUDIT: Audit revenue growth slowed to 3% below market expectations
  • INTEGRATION: Regional service delivery inconsistencies affected client satisfaction
  • COMPETITION: Lost 3 major Fortune 100 clients to rival consulting firms

Learnings

  • CULTURE: Work-life balance directly impacts talent retention and performance
  • PRICING: Premium pricing strategy requires demonstrable value differentiation
  • TECHNOLOGY: AI adoption speed determines competitive advantage sustainability
  • CLIENTS: Integrated service delivery drives higher client satisfaction scores
  • MARKET: ESG and sustainability services represent fastest growing revenue segment

Action Items

  • RETENTION: Launch comprehensive talent retention program by March 2025
  • MARGINS: Implement AI-driven efficiency improvements reducing delivery costs 15%
  • INTEGRATION: Standardize global service delivery methodology across all regions
  • PRICING: Develop value-based pricing models for technology consulting services
  • GROWTH: Expand ESG service offerings to capture 40% market share growth
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EY Market

  • Founded: 1989 merger, origins trace to 1849
  • Market Share: 23% of Big Four professional services market
  • Customer Base: Fortune 500, mid-market, government entities
  • Category:
  • Location: London, England
  • Zip Code: EC2A 2AA
  • Employees: 395,442 people globally
Competitors
Products & Services
No products or services data available
Distribution Channels
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EY Business Model Analysis

Problem

  • Complex regulatory compliance burden
  • Digital transformation execution gaps
  • Financial reporting transparency needs

Solution

  • Integrated audit and assurance services
  • Technology-enabled consulting delivery
  • Sector-specialized advisory expertise

Key Metrics

  • 95% client retention rate
  • $49.4B annual revenue
  • 68 Net Promoter Score

Unique

  • Global scale with local sector expertise
  • NextWave technology transformation platform
  • Trust-first approach to client relationships

Advantage

  • 200+ proprietary AI and audit patents
  • 395K professionals across 150+ countries
  • Deep regulatory and compliance expertise

Channels

  • Direct client relationship management
  • Partner and alliance referral networks
  • Industry conference and thought leadership

Customer Segments

  • Fortune 500 corporations
  • Financial institutions and banks
  • Government and public sector entities

Costs

  • Talent compensation and benefits
  • Technology platform development
  • Office infrastructure and operations

EY Product Market Fit Analysis

6/25/25

EY transforms businesses by combining deep industry expertise with cutting-edge technology to deliver audit, tax, and consulting services that build trust, drive growth, and improve operational efficiency for the world's leading organizations across all sectors.

1

Trust through quality and compliance

2

Growth via strategic insights

3

Efficiency through technology automation



Before State

  • Complex regulatory compliance burden
  • Fragmented financial reporting
  • Manual audit processes

After State

  • Streamlined compliance and governance
  • Real-time business insights and analytics
  • Automated audit and assurance processes

Negative Impacts

  • Increased compliance costs and risks
  • Poor visibility into business performance
  • Inefficient resource allocation

Positive Outcomes

  • 30% reduction in compliance costs
  • 50% faster financial close processes
  • Enhanced stakeholder trust and confidence

Key Metrics

95% client retention rate
Net Promoter Score of 68
25% compound annual growth in consulting

Requirements

  • Technology platform integration
  • Change management and training
  • Regulatory alignment and expertise

Why EY

  • NextWave methodology implementation
  • Sector-specialized delivery teams
  • Technology-enabled service delivery

EY Competitive Advantage

  • Global scale with local presence
  • Deep industry sector expertise
  • Proprietary audit technology platforms

Proof Points

  • 95% client retention demonstrates value
  • 68 NPS score shows client satisfaction
  • $49B revenue proves market demand
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EY Market Positioning

What You Do

  • Provide audit, tax, consulting and advisory services to build trust in capital markets

Target Market

  • Large corporations, financial institutions, governments and growth companies globally

Differentiation

  • NextWave technology transformation
  • Sector-focused expertise
  • Global integrated delivery
  • Trust-first approach

Revenue Streams

  • Audit and assurance fees
  • Tax advisory services
  • Strategy consulting
  • Technology consulting
  • Transaction services
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EY Operations and Technology

Company Operations
  • Organizational Structure: Global partnership with regional practices
  • Supply Chain: Knowledge workers, technology platforms, office infrastructure globally
  • Tech Patents: 200+ patents in audit technology and AI solutions
  • Website: https://www.ey.com

EY Competitive Forces

Threat of New Entry

LOW: High barriers including regulatory requirements, capital investment, and reputation building requiring 10+ years

Supplier Power

MEDIUM: Talent suppliers (universities, professionals) have moderate power due to skills shortage driving up compensation 8% annually

Buyer Power

HIGH: Large corporate clients have significant negotiating power, with Fortune 500 companies demanding 10-15% fee reductions annually

Threat of Substitution

MEDIUM: Technology platforms, in-house capabilities, and specialized boutiques threaten 20% of traditional services

Competitive Rivalry

HIGH: Intense rivalry among Big Four (Deloitte, PwC, KPMG) with 23% market share each, competing on price, talent, and innovation

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Analysis of AI Strategy

6/25/25

EY's AI strategy shows strong foundation with $1B+ investment and 200+ patents, yet faces execution challenges in scaling across 395K employees globally. The $432B AI consulting opportunity requires accelerated talent reskilling and platform standardization to compete effectively against tech-native rivals. Critical success factors include rapid AI skills development, consistent global implementation, and measurable ROI demonstration to clients seeking transformation value.

Build a better working world by being the most trusted professional services organization globally

Strengths

  • INVESTMENT: $1B+ AI technology investment across audit and consulting platforms
  • PATENTS: 200+ AI and automation patents strengthening intellectual property
  • TALENT: 15K+ data scientists and AI specialists across global practices
  • PLATFORMS: EY Helix and Canvas AI platforms serving 2000+ clients globally
  • PARTNERSHIPS: Strategic alliances with Microsoft, IBM, and Google for AI innovation

Weaknesses

  • INTEGRATION: Slow AI adoption across all service lines limiting scalability
  • TRAINING: Insufficient AI skills development for 380K+ traditional consultants
  • STANDARDIZATION: Inconsistent AI implementation across regional practices
  • ROI: Limited measurable AI return on investment across client engagements
  • COMPETITION: Lagging behind Accenture in AI-first service delivery models

Opportunities

  • MARKET: $432B AI consulting market expected by 2028 with 25% CAGR
  • AUTOMATION: AI-powered audit automation reducing costs by 40% for clients
  • ANALYTICS: Predictive analytics creating new revenue streams in risk advisory
  • REGULATION: AI governance consulting demand growing with new AI regulations
  • PERSONALIZATION: AI-driven client service personalization improving retention

Threats

  • DISRUPTION: AI automation potentially eliminating 30% of traditional roles
  • COMPETITION: Tech giants offering AI consulting directly to EY clients
  • REGULATION: AI liability and ethics regulations limiting service scope
  • SKILLS: AI talent shortage driving up compensation costs significantly
  • SECURITY: AI-related cybersecurity risks threatening client data protection

Key Priorities

  • ACCELERATION: Fast-track AI integration across all service lines and regions
  • TALENT: Reskill 200K+ consultants in AI capabilities within 24 months
  • PLATFORMS: Scale EY Helix adoption to 5000+ clients by end of fiscal year
  • PARTNERSHIPS: Deepen AI technology alliances to maintain competitive edge
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EY Financial Performance

Profit: $2.1 billion operating income (FY2024)
Market Cap: Private partnership - not publicly traded
Annual Report: View Report
Debt: Managed partnership debt of $1.8B
ROI Impact: 15.2% return on invested capital FY2024
DISCLAIMER

This report is provided solely for informational purposes by SWOTAnalysis.com, a division of Alignment LLC. It is based on publicly available information from reliable sources, but accuracy or completeness is not guaranteed. AI can make mistakes, so double-check it. This is not financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Alignment LLC disclaims liability for any losses resulting from reliance on this information. Unauthorized copying or distribution is prohibited.

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