EY

Professional services

A global professional-services network providing assurance, consulting, tax, strategy, transactions and related advisory services.

Last updated October 22, 2026

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Overview

EY, formerly known as Ernst & Young, is one of the Big Four global professional-services networks. Its member firms provide assurance, tax, consulting, strategy, transactions and related advisory work to corporations, governments, private businesses, investors and other institutions. The organization operates through legally separate country and regional member firms coordinated by EY Global rather than as a single publicly traded company. The modern EY identity dates from the 1989 combination of Ernst & Whinney and Arthur Young & Co. The merger brought together two established accounting networks and created a large international platform at a time when multinational clients increasingly wanted consistent audit and advisory coverage across borders. EY retained the traditional accounting-firm role of auditing financial statements and advising on tax, but expanded substantially into management consulting, technology, risk, transactions and corporate strategy. Its assurance activities include financial-statement audit, accounting advice, controls, reporting, sustainability-related assurance and other services intended to increase confidence in corporate information. Tax work covers compliance, controversy, transaction tax, international tax, mobility and policy. Consulting and technology practices address business transformation, cybersecurity, data, artificial intelligence, finance, supply chains, people and enterprise risk. Through EY-Parthenon, the organization also offers strategy, corporate finance and transaction support, including mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, private-equity work, IPO readiness, private financing and SPAC-related advice. EY’s clients range from major listed companies and financial institutions to entrepreneurial businesses, public-sector organizations and private-equity investors. Its public research and market studies, including IPO and M&A analysis, are also used as thought-leadership products supporting the firm’s commercial relationships. The organization emphasizes multidisciplinary teams, sector expertise, technology and international coordination, while its purpose is expressed through the phrase “Building a better working world.” In the 2020s EY placed increasing emphasis on artificial intelligence, digital transformation and integrated advisory capabilities. It introduced EY.ai as a unifying AI platform and promoted a people-centered approach to AI adoption. In 2024 the organization launched a brand expansion around “Shape the future with confidence,” aligned with the global strategy called “All in.” The campaign and updated visual system were intended to communicate a broader service portfolio and reinforce confidence during a period of rapid technological, economic and geopolitical change. EY remains a private professional-services network. Its structure, audit independence requirements and national regulation mean that services are delivered by different member firms under common global branding and methodologies. This model supports global reach but also means that governance, legal liability and regulatory matters may differ by jurisdiction.

History

EY’s modern history begins with the 1989 merger of Ernst & Whinney and Arthur Young & Co. Both predecessor organizations had deep roots in accounting and auditing and had developed international affiliations to serve companies operating across multiple jurisdictions. Their combination created Ernst & Young, a major global accounting network with a broader geographic footprint and larger pool of professional expertise. During the 1990s and 2000s, the organization developed beyond traditional audit and tax work. Clients increasingly sought advice on enterprise risk, information technology, restructuring, transactions, regulation and organizational change. Ernst & Young therefore expanded consulting and advisory capabilities, built sector-specific practices and invested in cross-border delivery. Like its major competitors, it sought to balance the recurring assurance business with faster-growing advisory and consulting activities, while maintaining independence rules governing audit clients. The firm adopted the shorter EY brand in the 2010s. The simplified identity was designed for digital use and international consistency, while the purpose statement “Building a better working world” became central to corporate communications, recruitment and public positioning. The organization continued to operate as a network of member firms, allowing local legal and regulatory compliance while presenting a common global brand. EY’s advisory portfolio broadened further through technology, data, cybersecurity, digital transformation, sustainability and artificial intelligence. The strategy and transactions business, including EY-Parthenon, became an important part of its offering to corporate executives, private-equity sponsors and companies preparing for acquisitions, divestitures, IPOs or other capital-market events. EY also published recurring analyses of IPO activity, M&A markets and sector trends, reinforcing its role as both adviser and source of business intelligence. In 2017 EY promoted the Transformative Age in a major US advertising campaign focused on interconnected consultants helping clients respond to rapid changes in business models and technology. In 2019 it used the NextWave platform to discuss long-term changes affecting clients and industries. In 2023 the Face of the Future campaign linked the EY.ai platform with a human-centered message about responsible and confident AI adoption. In 2024 EY announced a new global strategy called All in and a substantial brand expansion centered on “Shape the future with confidence.” The initiative followed a period of public attention around the organization’s proposed separation of audit and consulting activities, a plan that was ultimately abandoned. The new identity emphasized the breadth of the unified organization and introduced more color and geometric forms alongside the established yellow branding. In 2025 EY extended the positioning through the Transformations campaign, using global broadcast, airport, digital and social placements. Today EY remains a private global professional-services network. Its work spans audit and assurance, tax, consulting, strategy, transactions, technology, risk and sector-specific advisory. The network’s scale and international reach make it a major adviser to large organizations, but its operations remain subject to national professional regulation, audit-independence requirements and the separate legal status of its member firms.

2025
Transformations campaign launches globally
[3]EY launches Transformations campaigney.com
EY extends its new positioning through a global integrated advertising campaign about business transformation.
2024
All in strategy and new brand platform
[2]EY announces Shape the Future with Confidence brand expansioney.com
EY announces the All in strategy and the Shape the Future with Confidence brand expansion under Janet Truncale.
2023
EY.ai and The Face of the Future
[4]EY launches The Face of the Future campaigney.com
EY promotes its EY.ai platform through a campaign emphasizing human-centered artificial intelligence.
2019
EY adopts the NextWave campaign
[6]EY marketing strategy case studyiide.co
The organization promotes a campaign focused on long-term disruption and how clients can prepare for future change.
2013
Mark Weinberger becomes global CEO
[1]EY global websiteey.com
Mark Weinberger begins his tenure as EY’s global chairman and chief executive.
1989
Ernst & Young is formed
[1]EY global websiteey.com
Ernst & Whinney and Arthur Young & Co. combine to create the modern Ernst & Young organization.

Products and positioning

A global, multidisciplinary professional-services network positioned around confidence, transformation, business growth and the purpose of building a better working world.

Audit and assurance
Assurance
EY’s assurance practice includes financial-statement audit and related services intended to improve confidence in financial and nonfinancial reporting. It also addresses accounting, controls, reporting changes, sustainability information and other forms of organizational disclosure, subject to applicable professional and independence requirements.
Consulting
EY Consulting
The consulting business advises organizations on operating-model change, technology, finance, supply chains, people, risk, cybersecurity, data and enterprise transformation. Engagements may combine sector specialists, implementation teams and technology capabilities to support changes from strategy through execution.
Tax services
EY Tax
EY Tax provides tax compliance, planning, controversy, transaction-tax, international-tax, mobility and policy services. The practice serves multinational groups, private businesses, investors and individuals with issues arising from operations, transactions, regulation and cross-border activity.
Strategy and transactions · 2014
EY-Parthenon
EY-Parthenon provides corporate strategy, transaction strategy, value creation, due diligence, integration, divestiture and private-equity advisory. The offering supports decisions involving growth, market entry, portfolio change, mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and operational transformation.
Artificial intelligence platform and advisory · 2023
EY.ai
EY.ai is EY’s umbrella AI platform and capability set, connecting consulting, technology, risk and sector expertise to help organizations adopt and govern artificial intelligence. EY’s communications present the platform as focused on practical transformation and confidence through a people-centered approach.

Controversies

2026
EY data breach notifications reveal Goldman Sachs and Man Group clients among victims
Notifications sent in recent weeks revealed that clients of Goldman Sachs' wealth management division and UK-listed hedge fund Man Group were among the victims of a data breach at accounting firm EY. The breach stemmed from a hacking incident in March and April that EY first disclosed in July, originating from a vulnerability in Checkmarx software that affected EY, several clients and many other organisations.
Source
2021
EY fined over Stagecoach audit failings
The UK Financial Reporting Council fined EY more than £2.2 million for failing to properly challenge Stagecoach’s bosses when auditing the transport group’s 2017 accounts. The regulator said the audit shortcomings were not intentional, dishonest, deliberate or reckless.
Source
2020
UK accounting regulator investigates EY over NMC Health audits
The UK accounting regulator opened an investigation into EY concerning its audit of NMC Health. The source does not state when the investigation was opened. The event is recorded as a controversy note involving EY and its audit work for NMC Health, based solely on the reported investigation. No further details on the scope, findings, or outcome of the investigation are provided in the source material.
Source

2025Transformations
Global
Developed with Ogilvy UK, Transformations used 30-second and 60-second films, digital out-of-home, social media and business-channel advertising to show how EY teams and partners help organizations create value through transformation.
Outcome. The campaign extended the Shape the Future with Confidence platform into a year-long international marketing program.
Source
2024Shape the Future with Confidence
Global
EY introduced a new brand platform and expanded visual system aligned with its All in strategy. The rollout used global business-media, airport, television, digital and social placements to communicate the breadth of EY’s services.
Outcome. The initiative refreshed EY’s global identity and sought to reinforce the unified network after the proposed audit-and-consulting separation was not completed.
Source
2023The Face of the Future
Global
This integrated campaign promoted EY.ai and used an evolving artificial face assembled from images of more than 200 EY employees. Its central message was that confidence in AI should be built by keeping people at the center of technological transformation.
Outcome. The campaign made EY.ai a visible part of EY’s global brand and connected artificial intelligence with human participation and responsible adoption.
Source
2019NextWave
Global
NextWave was described as a global campaign about anticipating medium- and long-term change and helping organizations become ready for future industry conditions.
Outcome. The campaign supported EY’s positioning as a forward-looking adviser across industries.
Source
2017The Transformative Age
United States
A major multichannel campaign presented EY consultants as helping clients respond to rapid changes in technology, competition and business models. The launch used print advertising in major financial newspapers alongside broadcast, social, digital and outdoor media, with related events and content.
Outcome. The campaign was designed to strengthen EY’s advisory positioning and explain how its connected service teams could help clients navigate rapid transformation.
Source

Brand decisions

2024
All in strategy and unified-network brand expansionStrategy
Background
EY sought to clarify its direction and refresh its identity after the proposed separation of audit and consulting activities was not completed.
Action taken
Under Janet Truncale, EY announced the All in strategy and introduced Shape the Future with Confidence as a new global brand platform.
Aftermath
The organization continued as a unified professional-services network and rolled out updated messaging and visual materials worldwide.
Source
2023
Launch of EY.aiProduct launch
Background
Organizations were evaluating artificial intelligence amid questions about business value, governance, workforce effects and public confidence.
Action taken
EY introduced EY.ai as an umbrella platform connecting its AI technology, consulting, risk and industry capabilities.
Aftermath
EY made AI adoption and human-centered transformation recurring themes in its services and marketing.
Source

Recent events

Unconfirmed
EY breach notifications reveal Goldman Sachs and Man Group clients among data breach victims[7]EY data breach notifications reveal Goldman Sachs and Man Group clients among victimsafr.com
Reported: 2026-10-08
Notifications sent out in recent weeks reveal that clients of Goldman Sachs' wealth management division and UK-listed hedge fund Man Group are among the victims of a data breach at accounting firm EY. The breach stemmed from a hacking incident in March and April that EY first disclosed in July, originating from a vulnerability in Checkmarx software that affected EY, several clients and many other organisations.
2026-08-11
OpenAI launches GPT 5.6 Cyber model for security partners[11]OpenAI发布面向安全合作伙伴的GPT 5.6 Cyber模型tech.ifeng.com
Reported: 2026-08-10
OpenAI developed a new model called GPT 5.6 Cyber for vulnerability research, penetration testing and incident response, available only to selected companies and security vendors through the Daybreak Cyber Partner program.
2026
Goldman Sachs data exposed in hack of accounting firm EY[8]EY data breach notifications reveal Goldman Sachs and Man Group clients among victimsaccountingtoday.com
Reported: 2026-10-07
Goldman Sachs Group's data was exposed earlier this year in a hack of accounting firm EY, according to a person familiar with the matter; the Financial Times reported the bank's wealth management division had been affected. Goldman said its systems were not affected by the attack, client assets were not impacted and remain safe, and that it has been in regular contact with EY to support any of its clients impacted by the security incident.
2021-10-21
EY achieves carbon-negative status[12]EY实现碳负排放prnewswire.co.uk
Reported: 2021-10-21
EY announced that its organization had become carbon negative, reducing its total emissions and offsetting and removing more carbon than it emits.
2021-08-25
EY fined over Stagecoach audit failings[10]EY fined over Stagecoach audit failingstheguardian.com
Reported: 2021-08-25
The UK Financial Reporting Council fined EY more than £2.2 million for failing to properly challenge Stagecoach’s bosses when auditing the transport group’s 2017 accounts. The regulator said the audit shortcomings were not intentional, dishonest, deliberate or reckless.
2021-06-30
Northumbria and EY collaborate on business talent programmes[13]诺森比亚大学与EY合作开展商业人才培养项目newsroom.northumbria.ac.uk
Reported: 2021-06-30
Northumbria University and EY are collaborating on entrepreneurial and business talent development in the North East of England. EY is creating programmes for its Newcastle office and also supports the University’s Business Clinic and University Incubator.
2021-06-02
EY promotes 40 new partners[14]EY晋升40名新合伙人accountantsdaily.com.au
Reported: 2021-06-03
EY announced the promotion of 40 new partners across its consulting, assurance, tax, and strategy and transactions practices.
Unconfirmed
EY acquires Frank Hirth[15]EY收购 Frank Hirthaccountingtoday.com
Reported: 2021-05-04
Ernst & Young acquired Frank Hirth Plc, a London-based firm providing U.K. and U.S. personal tax services. The acquired business will operate as EY Frank Hirth Limited.
2021-04-28
Datamaran announces collaboration with EY on enterprise risk management[16]Datamaran宣布与EY合作提供企业风险管理服务prnewswire.com
Reported: 2021-04-28
Datamaran announced a collaboration with EY to offer a technology-supported risk advisory service called “NextGen Enterprise Risk Management.”
Unconfirmed
EY acquires Zilker Labs[17]EY收购Zilker Labspatch.com
Reported: 2020-11-27
Zilker Labs, a privately held semiconductor firm, was acquired by EY. The acquisition was reported as strengthening EY's capabilities in e-commerce, digital applications, enterprise integration and cloud services.

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