KPMG has just recorded its best first quarter in years, according to sources within the firm. With its financial year running from October 1 to September 30, the strong Q1 performance suggests significant momentum for the firm in 2025. Two major factors are driving this success: a surge in deal advisory work and increased demand for strategy consulting services.
The Growth Drivers: Deal Advisory and Strategy Consulting
KPMG’s impressive Q1 results were largely fueled by a spike in deal advisory and strategy consulting engagements. These areas tend to be highly cyclical, often aligning with broader economic activity and corporate investment trends. With businesses seeking mergers, acquisitions, and strategic transformations, KPMG has found itself well-positioned to capitalize on these demands.
Deal advisory work, which includes mergers & acquisitions (M&A), valuation services, and restructuring, has seen a notable uptick as companies continue to optimize their portfolios. This resurgence in M&A activity reflects a broader trend across industries, driven in part by a more favorable regulatory environment in the U.S., making deal-making more feasible than in recent years.
Similarly, KPMG’s strategy consulting services have gained traction as businesses seek guidance on digital transformation driven by generative AI, long-term growth, operational efficiencies, and cost-cutting. Periods of economic and geopolitical uncertainty historically lead to an increased reliance on strategy consulting, as companies look for expert advice on where to invest, pivot, or consolidate. Strategy consultants thrive in these conditions, helping businesses navigate complexity and chart a path forward.
This suggests that corporate leaders are feeling confident enough to invest in high-level advisory services, signaling overall market stability – a welcome sign after months (and years) of economic uncertainty post-pandemic.
What This Means for Job Seekers and Consultants
The boom in deal advisory and strategy consulting isn’t just good news for KPMG - it also spells opportunity for professionals in these fields or wanting to break in. Hiring is expected to remain consistent, not only at KPMG but across any firm engaged in deal advisory and strategy consulting.
For job seekers, this means now is a great time to explore opportunities in consulting, especially in deal-related roles. While many firms traditionally have structured hiring cycles, the nature of deal advisory work often leads to just-in-time hiring throughout the year. As firms secure new engagements, they frequently need to bring in talent quickly. Professionals with experience in M&A, valuations, financial modeling, and corporate strategy should keep a close eye on hiring trends, as openings may arise unexpectedly.
Job seekers can work with Management Consulted to refine their application and interview prep strategy, as competition for these types of roles is often fierce.
A New Era for KPMG?
KPMG has historically been viewed as the little brother when it comes to the Big 4 accounting firms, often trailing behind Deloitte, PwC, and EY in terms of prestige and expansion. However, this recent Q1 success could signal a shift in that narrative. If KPMG continues to gain traction in high-margin advisory work, it may begin to close the gap with its competitors.
Whether this momentum will carry through the rest of the financial year remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: KPMG is making moves, and the consulting and advisory landscape is shifting with it. For professionals looking to break into or advance within the industry, now may be the perfect time to take notice.