KPMG, a leading global professional services firm with a workforce of 265,000, has announced its partnership with Microsoft to leverage the capabilities of the Microsoft cloud and Azure OpenAI Service. As an early access partner for Microsoft 365 Copilot and Azure OpenAI Service, KPMG professionals will engage in pilot programs with select business groups across their global organization. By combining the advanced features of these tools with their deep industry experience, insights, and sector expertise, KPMG aims to enhance its business processes and people management capabilities.
John Munnelly, Chief Digital Officer at KPMG Australia, expressed his optimism about the alliance, highlighting the potential of combining Microsoft’s technology with KPMG’s skills and knowledge of business processes and people management. He referred to this collaboration as a powerful combination that would benefit their clients, employees, and the communities they serve. Munnelly further emphasized that while KPMG’s key artificial intelligence (AI) investments will be made globally, they will be customized to meet the specific regulations and requirements of local markets. He provided examples of KPMG Clara, their audit solution, and Digital Gateway, their tax solution, which are of particular interest to the Australian market. Additionally, KPMG Australia has been an early adopter of Microsoft Azure Open AI services, which powers KPMG KymChat.
Munnelly recognized the significance of AI in the current landscape, with new scenarios and use cases being discovered every day. He described this moment as an inflection point where AI is truly starting to impact their business. However, he also emphasized the importance of taking a people-centered approach to this transformational change. Munnelly believes that while AI is powerful, it should be applied in a manner that aligns with human values and considerations.
Bill Thomas, Global Chairman and CEO of KPMG International, expressed his excitement about the renewed and strengthened relationship with Microsoft, describing it as an “exciting moment.” He highlighted how this partnership will harness the power of KPMG’s multidisciplinary model by ensuring their professionals always have the right expertise, skills, and tools to overcome challenges and provide the best advice to clients. Thomas also emphasized that KPMG sees AI as a key enabler in unlocking sustainable growth, supporting their commitment to delivering value to clients in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, shared his perspective on the partnership, stating that they have a real opportunity to apply the next generation of AI to transform every industry, including professional services. He expressed enthusiasm about the expanded partnership with KPMG, which will bring together AI innovation across the Microsoft Cloud with KPMG’s tax, audit, and advisory expertise. Nadella believes that this collaboration will empower KPMG’s employees and unlock valuable insights for their customers.
The partnership between KPMG and Microsoft holds significant potential for both organizations. KPMG, as a global professional services firm, seeks to enhance its capabilities by leveraging cutting-edge technologies. The Microsoft cloud and Azure OpenAI Service offer robust infrastructure and AI capabilities that can streamline KPMG’s operations, improve efficiency, and enhance their ability to deliver high-quality services to clients.
By piloting Microsoft 365 Copilot and Azure OpenAI Service with select business groups, KPMG aims to gain valuable insights and experience on how these tools can be effectively integrated into their workflows. This approach allows KPMG professionals to test and evaluate the technologies in real-world scenarios, enabling them to provide feedback and shape the future development of these tools.
The adoption of AI solutions, such as KPMG Clara and Digital Gateway, presents exciting opportunities for KPMG, particularly in the audit and tax domains. These tools have the potential to automate and streamline processes, improve accuracy, and deliver deeper insights. Customizing these solutions to comply with local regulations and market requirements ensures that they align with specific regional contexts, maximizing their value to clients.
KPMG’s emphasis on taking a people-centered approach to AI implementation demonstrates their commitment to ethical and responsible use of technology. While recognizing the transformative potential of AI, KPMG aims to ensure that its deployment is guided by human values, ensuring that the benefits of technology are harnessed in ways that are meaningful and beneficial to individuals and communities.
The collaboration between KPMG and Microsoft is expected to drive innovation, agility, and resilience within KPMG’s operations. By equipping their professionals with the right expertise, skills, and tools, KPMG can navigate complex challenges and continue to provide exceptional services to clients. The partnership also positions KPMG as an attractive and exciting place to work, offering employees opportunities to engage with cutting-edge technologies and develop their digital skills.
In conclusion, the partnership between KPMG and Microsoft represents a significant step forward in the digital transformation of professional services. By combining Microsoft’s technology with KPMG’s industry expertise, the organizations aim to unlock new insights, improve business processes, and deliver value to clients. The adoption of AI solutions, customization for local markets, and the focus on a people-centered approach demonstrate the commitment of both KPMG and Microsoft to responsible and impactful technology integration. This collaboration has the potential to shape the future of professional services, empowering professionals and enabling them to navigate the evolving digital landscape with confidence and success.
