Global entities KPMG and Microsoft have unveiled an expansion of their long-standing relationship, with a focus on reshaping professional services across key areas such as workforce modernisation, secure development, and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions.
This collaboration involves a multibillion-dollar investment by KPMG in Microsoft’s cloud and AI services over the next five years, a move expected to unlock potential incremental growth opportunity for KPMG of over $12bn.
The increased alliance is designed to improve client engagements and enhance the employee experience in a responsible and safe manner.
Microsoft’s cloud and Azure OpenAI Service will offer KPMG’s global workforce of 265,000 the ability to boost their creativity, expedite analysis, and dedicate more time to strategic advice. This capability will assist clients, including more than 2,500 KPMG & Microsoft joint clients, in keeping pace with the swiftly evolving AI landscape, addressing their major business challenges, and preparing them for the future world of work.
As an early access partner for Microsoft 365 Copilot and Azure OpenAI Service, KPMG will pilot the technologies with select business groups globally, combining the increased capacities of these tools with their experience, insights, and sector expertise to accelerate digital solution development and enhance client engagements.
Microsoft chairman and CEO Satya Nadella said: “We have a real opportunity to apply this next generation of AI to help transform every industry, including professional services. Our expanded partnership with KPMG will bring together AI innovation across the Microsoft Cloud with KPMG’s tax, audit and advisory expertise to empower its employees and unlock insights for its customers.”
For audit, infusing data analytics, AI, and Azure Cognitive Services into the audit process through KPMG’s smart audit platform, KPMG Clara, will allow 85,000 audit professionals to concentrate more on high-risk areas of the audit and sector-specific risks and challenges, thereby benefiting stakeholders and capital markets.
In tax services, integrating Azure OpenAI Service and Microsoft Fabric into KPMG Digital Gateway will provide clients access to the full suite of KPMG Tax & Legal technologies and allow a more holistic management approach to their tax functions.
For advisory services, the creation of an AI-enabled application development and knowledge platform on Microsoft Azure will expedite the creation of specialized solutions for clients.
KPMG International global chairman and CEO Bill Thomas said: “Our renewed and strengthened relationship with Microsoft is an exciting moment for our people and our clients. It will help harness the power of our multidisciplinary model by ensuring that our people always have the right expertise, skills, and tools to overcome challenges and provide the very best advice to clients.
“It will also help make KPMG a more agile and resilient business that continues to be an interesting and exciting place to work.”
