PwC's reputation has taken a hit from the crisis at Chinese property developer Evergrande. But experts say the Big Four global auditors still provide a range of specialized services that local Chinese counterparts have yet to match. (Source photos by AP and Reuters)

PwC reels from Evergrande mess but Big Four's China clout endures

Many clients switched to Western peers, although doors are opening for local auditors

ECHO WONG, Nikkei staff writer

September 27, 2024 06:00 JST

HONG KONG -- For 20-year-old accounting major Eva Liang, working at a Big Four global firm is a dream job and PwC China is her first choice. The business suspension and record fine that regulators recently imposed on PwC over its auditing of defaulted property developer China Evergrande Group have not changed her mind.

"[PwC] might suffer from a major impact in the mainland market, but it won't shake its global stance," said Liang, who attends a university in China's southeastern Fujian province and just wrapped up a summer online course organized by PwC China.