Europe Auditing Services Market Trends

Audits play a vital role in the functioning of capital markets. The demand for audit services by public companies is also inelastic in that these companies must obtain an audit due to regulation, with no substitution for such services available. The market is expanding because of the increasingly stringent European laws governing the disclosure and recording of financial records. Additionally, rising corporate spending on financial auditing and recording pushes new competitors to choose auditing services, further driving market expansion. Additionally, there is a growing need for auditing services in several industries, including BFSI, IT and telecommunication, healthcare, and others. The number of public companies listed on regulated European exchanges that disclose audit fees has remained relatively consistent for the past 10 years.

External audits in Europe are primarily conducted by accounting firms, with the "Big Four" (Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG) as major auditors. These firms handle a significant portion of audits across Europe. The European Court of Auditors serves as the external auditor for the EU, ensuring the reliability and legality of EU accounts. Additionally, the external audit committee of organizations like the IMF is crucial in overseeing external audit processes for accountability.