Google has signalled its intention to work closely with the accountancy profession to build up a new range of services after signing a number of deals with professional services companies to push search tools and cloud-based apps
The tech giant has signed a deal with PwC which will see the two companies work together to develop and promote new cloud-based solutions for companies, which plays into the Big Four firm’s consulting growth plan, while the US arm of Wolters Kluwer has signed a deal to use Google search across its tax, accounting and audit software products.
As part of the deal, PwC will effectively resell Google Apps, Google's cloud-based software, to clients and will also work with the search giant to develop new client services.
In addition, PwC and Google said it would work with companies on high level strategy to look at how they could break new ground in their businesses and adapt to what they described as ‘disruptive market forces’.
Meantime, in the US Wolters Kluwer is integrating its IntelliConnect tax and accounting research product with Google’s search engine so IntelliConnect results will show up during a Google search in the browser for IntelliConnect users. The browser add-on displays results from IntelliConnect directly on top of the Google results page, after research showed this was the most commonly used search facility.
The Big Four Google tie-up marks PwC’s latest bid to strengthen its strategy offerings and move away from traditional audit and tax services which are coming under greater competitive pressures. Last year the firm completed the acquisition of management consultancy Booz & Co, changing the name of the firm to Strategy&.
Ian Powell, PwC chairman and senior partner said: ‘As technology increasingly impacts every area of our lives, we see significant market opportunity in working closely with a global leader like Google.
'The initial focus will be on advising our clients on how they can use technology to transform their businesses, and better serve their customers to create sustainable success.’
PwC has also begun to introduce Google for Work products to its own operations, with 40,000 employees in the US and 5,000 in Australia switching to Google Apps, in a deployment which will make the firm one of Google’s largest global customers.
