The top four firms expect to rake in millions following the Financial Services Authority's use of their services for investigations into the management at banks and other financial institutions. Accountants have confirmed that the watchdog's use of 'skilled persons reports' increased this year, with firms including Ernst & Young, PricewaterhouseCoopers and KPMG receiving up to five times the number of requests for them. PwC consultant in the financial services group, John Tattersall, said: 'We're seeing a huge increase in the use of skilled persons' reports as a tool - probably a fivefold increase or more.' The FSA can force a bank or other regulated institution to instruct outside experts to help with its operations under Section 166 of the Financial Services and Markets Act. The bank doesn't have control over the investigation but has to meet the cost, The Times reports. In 2006-07, the FSA ordered 18 of these investigations; the last official figures, for the year 2008-09, reveal that that number climbed to 56. The priciest investigation was £2.4m, with the total amount paid to accountants, lawyers and other external experts standing at £12.8m. This figure is expected to increase this year.