Deloitte's roots trace back to an 1845 accounting firm

Deloitte, one of the world's largest professional services networks, began in 1845 when William Welch Deloitte opened an accounting practice in London. He quickly rose to prominence during the Industrial Revolution, pioneering the modern audit process. His first recorded audit of a public company in 1849 for the Great Western Railway helped standardize financial reporting and build trust in emerging markets. This innovation was crucial as businesses grew complex, requiring independent verification to prevent fraud and ensure transparency. Today, Deloitte employs over 415,000 people across more than 150 countries, adapting to digital transformations like AI and sustainability reporting.