EY appoints 82 new partners, as Accenture expands

EY Oceania has appointed 82 new partners to the firm, while professional services rival Accenture is expanding its operations after buying Melbourne-based digital operation.

EY has appointed 82 new partners. Picture - ChrisPavlich/The Australian

Professional services firm EY Oceania has appointed 82 new Australian partners and 26 associate partners, with almost half of the roles going to women.

The firm announced the new partners on Wednesday, confirming 53 promotions to the role as well as revealing EY had appointed a further 29 partners in the 2022 financial year.

EY said it was promoting 27 women to partner level in the firm, lifting the firm’s gender balance to 32 per cent of total partner roles.

The firm now has 756 partners across Australia.

EY chief executive David Larocca said he was “especially pleased” so many women were joining the firm as partners.

“Whilst we have more to do, advancing social equity and an inclusive workplace is a key part of our strategy as we continue to thrive. It’s positive to see these strong diversity outcomes, our best to date,” he said.

“Our people are our greatest asset, and our new partners and associate partners represent the fabulous talent we have right across the firm.”

Of the 53 promoted partners, 13 will join EY’s consulting practice.

A further 12 join EY’s tax and law practice.

EY’s strategy and transactions business will see nine promoted to partner level.

While the firm’s assurance operation gains eight partners through promotion.

Seven further partners have been promoted in the financial services division.

Four will join the people advisory services business.

“Our new associate partners are an extremely talented group of individuals, providing vital services to our clients and we are delighted to acknowledge the value they bring”, said Mr Larocca.

“Our people are our greatest asset, and our new partners and associate partners.”

EY is nearing reporting its performance for the latest financial year after posting a 19 per cent lift in revenue in August last year.

This took EY to a record $2.75bn revenue.

EY announced 90 new partners and 24 associate partner roles in its Australian business last year.

Separately, rival consulting firm Accenture has snapped up Bourne Digital, a business technology platform partner with 66 staff.

The move is aimed at boosting Accenture’s presence in fast moving consumer goods, financial services, resources and health and travel industries.

Accenture is one of the world’s largest consulting operations, with contracts with government and business.

Accenture Australia and New Zealand chief executive Pete Burns said the acquisition of Bourne Digital would “make a powerful combination”.