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Financial Management in the UK - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Thomas Weale Thomas Weale London, United Kingdom Last Updated: November 2024 SIC M70.221

Revenue

£13.7bn

2024-25

£13.7bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

£X.Xbn

Employees

25,501

Businesses

11,576

Wages

£X.Xbn

Financial Management in the UK industry analysis

Over the five years through 2024-25, the Financial Management industry's revenue is set to dip at a compound annual rate of 0.2% to £13.7 billion, caused by unfavourable demand conditions following the cost-of-living crisis and the COVID-19 outbreak. The pandemic damaged mergers and acquisitions, dropping from £55.6 billion in 2019 to £16.3 billion in 2020 according to the ONS. The cost-of-living crisis further reduced consumer spending, extending economic difficulties into winter 2023 and triggering a recession. These factors decreased business investments in financial management services as companies focused on cutting costs. Despite these obstacles, the industry maintained stability by offering countercyclical services, aiding businesses in efficient cost management while maintaining operations.

Trends and Insights

  • The cost-of-living crisis heightened demand for financial managers. Businesses sought advice to navigate increased expenses and optimise operations under economic strain.
  • No one service segment clearly dominates the market. Though accounting system design contributes the most revenue, advice on different financial strategies doesn’t fall far behind, so financial managers aren’t too reliant on any one revenue stream.
  • The UK’s financial and business hub draws in financial managers. As well as containing a lot of UK businesses’ headquarters, London is Europe’s financial centre, offering plenty of opportunities for financial managers.
  • DIY software presents a threat to financial managers. Such software lets businesses carry out financial activities themselves at a fraction of the cost. However, it can’t fully replicate the specialist knowledge and expertise financial managers provide.

Access hundreds of analysis and data

  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 0.2 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £13.7bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Reforms limit audit companies' financial management arms

  • The EU Audit Regulation and Audit Directive have enforced a clear separation of services within companies. Rules require businesses to clearly divide their audit functions and non-audit services to ward off conflicts of interest and bolster market transparency. This has been crucial in reducing market dominance by limiting audit companies' non-audit services.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Financial Management in the UK
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Financial markets and business confidence struggle to step on the accelerator

  • The economy is still recovering from the effects of the cost-of-living crisis, which brought soaring inflation, intensifying energy costs and economic uncertainty. The economy will pick up in the medium term but is off at a snail’s pace only growing at 0.2% in the three months to August 2024. Less activity will mean less need for financial managers damaging revenue.

Biggest companies in the Financial Management in the UK

Company
Market Share (%)
2025
Revenue (£m)
2025
BDO LLP
22,103.0
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
782.7
KPMG LLP
736.2

To view the market share and analysis for all 7 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Financial Management in the UK
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Accounting system design, Financial control strategy and Cash-flow and cost-management strategy. Accounting system design is the largest segment of the Financial Management in the UK.

Trends and Insights

Compulsory audits prop up demand for accounting system design

  • Companies must meet accounting rules and standards when they publish their financial reports.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Companies in the Financial Management industry provide advice, guidance and operational assistance to businesses and public-sector organisations on issues such as accounting system design, financial risk management, budgetary control procedures, cost-reduction strategies, compensation and other financial issues.

What's included in this industry?

Accounting systems design Financial control strategyCash-flow and cost-management strategyFinancing and investment strategy

Companies

BDO LLPPricewaterhouseCoopers LLPKPMG LLP

Purchase this report to view all 7 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

RESTRUCTURINGCASH-FLOW MANAGEMENTCOUNTERCYCLICAL

Industry Code

SIC 2007

SIC 70.22/1 - Financial Management in the UK

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

The cost-of-living crisis heightened demand for financial managers. Businesses sought advice to navigate increased expenses and optimise operations under economic strain.

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

No one service segment clearly dominates the market. Though accounting system design contributes the most revenue, advice on different financial strategies doesn’t fall far b...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

The UK’s financial and business hub draws in financial managers. As well as containing a lot of UK businesses’ headquarters, London is Europe’s financial centre, offering ple...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

DIY software presents a threat to financial managers. Such software lets businesses carry out financial activities themselves at a fraction of the cost. However, it can’t ful...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

PwC’s strong reputation keeps it ahead of the competition. It has relationships with many big-name companies, many of which are high-value.

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of BDO LLP's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of KPMG LLP's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 4 additional companies

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for BDO LLP, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for KPMG LLP, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for 4 additional companies

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

EU regulation challenges the Big Four’s dominance. The EU Audit Regulation and Audit Directive limits the non-audit fees an auditor can charge to businesses, making providing...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

A reliance on skilled and knowledgeable staff keeps wages high. With most of the industry’s services relying on providing sound advice, attracting the most talented staff is ...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Liquidity Ratios (2018-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2018-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2018-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2018-2022)
  • Assets (2018-2022)
  • Liabilities (2018-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Financial Management in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?

The market size of the Financial Management in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £13.7bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Financial Management in the UK industry in 2024?

There are 11,576 businesses in the Financial Management in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 3.5 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Financial Management in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Financial Management in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been declining at a CAGR of 0.2 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Financial Management in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Financial Management in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Financial Management in the UK market in United Kingdom?

The biggest companies operating in the Financial Management market in United Kingdom are BDO LLP, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and KPMG LLP

What does the Financial Management in the UK in United Kingdom include?

Accounting systems design and Financial control strategy are part of the Financial Management in the UK industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Financial Management in the UK in United Kingdom?

The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is BDO LLP.

How competitive is the Financial Management in the UK industry in United Kingdom?

The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Financial Management in the UK industry in United Kingdom.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Accounting & Auditing in the UK
  • Financial Technology in the UK
  • Investment Banking in the UK
  • Financial Advisers in the UK

Complementors

  • Tax Consultants in the UK
  • Management Consultants in the UK
  • Software Development in the UK
  • Legal Activities in the UK

International industries

  • Risk Management, Insurance Advisory & Consulting in the US
  • Financial Planning & Advice in the US
  • Personal Finance & Money Management Software Developers in the US
  • Financial Planning and Investment Advice in Australia
  • Financial service activities, except insurance and pension funding

View all industries in United Kingdom

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the UK include:

  • Office for National Statistics
  • Office for Budget Responsibility
  • Bank of England

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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