In an era of increasing regulatory complexity-from data privacy and financial oversight to ESG, health & safety, and anti-bribery frameworks-effective compliance isn’t optional. It’s central to sustainable business growth. This list highlights firms that provide cutting-edge compliance consulting, blending regulatory expertise, governance frameworks, technology-enabled risk management, and strategic advisory to help organizations stay ahead of evolving legal and market demands.
1. Deloitte
Founders: William Deloitte, George Touche, Charles Haskins, Elijah Sells
Founded: 1845
Headquarters: London, UK (Global network)
Product categories: Regulatory compliance, risk management, GRC (governance, risk & compliance), internal controls
Key features:
- Integrated GRC advisory across industries
- Global network with localized expertise
- Regulatory readiness assessments
- Compliance program design & implementation
- Continuous monitoring frameworks
- Regulatory change management
- Cross-jurisdiction risk dashboards
- Sector-specific compliance playbooks
2. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
Founders: Samuel Lowell Price, William Cooper, Edwin Waterhouse
Founded: 1849
Headquarters: London, UK
Product categories: Compliance consulting, risk advisory, internal audit support, regulatory reporting
Description:
PwC is a leading professional services network with deep compliance consulting practice embedded in its audit–advisory ecosystem. Its compliance services include risk assessments, regulatory program design, data privacy implementation, and internal controls testing. PwC’s ability to combine compliance with audit, tax, and digital transformation gives clients a strategic advantage in meeting evolving regulations-especially in finance, healthcare, and consumer goods. With proprietary tools and cross-functional teams, PwC helps enterprises proactively manage compliance across complex global market.
Key features:
- Broad regulatory risk coverage (finance, digital, privacy)
- Integrated audit and compliance methodology
- Compliance automation and reporting tools
- Regulatory readiness & gap analysis
- Internal control design & testing
- Change management and cultural compliance
- ESG compliance services
3. Ernst & Young (EY)
Founders: Arthur Young, Alwin C. Ernst
Founded: 1989 (through merger)
Headquarters: London, UK
Product categories: Compliance & risk management, anti-corruption, internal audit, data protection
Description:
EY’s compliance consulting focuses on organizational resilience in regulated environments, helping clients build sustainable compliance frameworks that align with broader business strategy. Combining risk advisory, tax and people advisory practices, EY addresses compliance from both technical and cultural angles-embedding ethical behavior and governance into operational DNA. Its global scale and industry specialization across sectors such as financial services and life sciences support multinational compliance programs anchored in industry best practice.
Key features:
- Global regulatory intelligence services
- Anti-bribery & anti-corruption frameworks
- Compliance culture & training programs
- Data protection strategy (GDPR, CCPA)
- Internal audit & assurance
- Third-party risk compliance
- Automated compliance monitoring
4. KPMG International
Founders: William Barclay Peat, James Marwick (founding lineage)
Founded: 1987 (as KPMG network)
Headquarters: Amstelveen, Netherlands
Product categories: Compliance consulting, operational risk management, audit support, ESG reporting
Description:
KPMG’s global compliance practice blends regulatory expertise with advanced analytics to help organizations foresee and manage risk. Its services include compliance assessments, enterprise risk frameworks, and regulatory reporting across industries such as financial services, energy, and public sector. KPMG also emphasizes technology-embedded compliance tools and continuous monitoring platforms, enabling clients to transition from reactive compliance to proactive risk governance.
Key features:
- Enterprise compliance frameworks
- Data-driven risk analytics
- Regulatory reporting & transformation
- Cyber risk & data breach preparedness
- ESG compliance and sustainability reporting
- Continuous monitoring and audit readiness
- Cross-industry regulatory benchmarking
5. Protiviti Inc.
Founders: Alumni from Arthur Andersen’s internal audit and risk practice
Founded: 2002
Headquarters: Menlo Park & San Ramon, California, USA
Product categories: Compliance consulting, internal audit, risk transformation, SOX readiness
Description:
Protiviti has established itself as a prominent global consulting firm with deep risk and compliance expertise, serving clients across Fortune 500 companies and mid-sized enterprises. Its compliance services extend from regulatory gap analysis and internal controls testing to enterprise risk frameworks and technology-driven compliance monitoring. Protiviti’s strength lies in combining risk intelligence with actionable remediation plans that align compliance mechanisms with business priorities-turning compliance from a cost center into a driver of operational reliability and strategic decision-making.
Key features:
- Risk-based compliance assessments
- Internal control and SOX compliance
- Regulatory change management
- Compliance technology evaluation
- Forensic and investigation support
- Data governance compliance
- Integration with audit and risk functions
6. Accenture Compliance Services
Founders: Evolved from Andersen Consulting; current brand built post-2001
Founded: 2001 (rebranding; predecessor roots earlier)
Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland
Product categories: Compliance transformation, cyber risk, regulatory reporting, financial crime compliance
Description:
Accenture’s compliance consulting is grounded in its broader digital transformation and strategy expertise. It helps organizations embed compliance into business processes with technology-driven solutions-from anti-money-laundering (AML) and sanctions compliance to automated regulatory reporting and governance frameworks. Accenture designs compliance architectures that leverage AI, automation and cloud, marrying regulatory demands with operational efficiency. This makes it a top choice for clients looking to scale compliance capabilities in rapidly evolving technology and financial environments.
Key features:
- Technology-driven compliance transformation
- Regulatory reporting automation
- Anti-financial crime frameworks (AML, KYC)
- Cyber risk & data protection compliance
- AI/automation integration
- Cloud compliance design
- Process optimization for compliance
7. McKinsey & Company-Risk & Compliance
Founders: James O. McKinsey
Founded: 1926
Headquarters: New York, USA
Product categories: Strategic compliance advisory, risk transformation, governance enhancement
Description:
McKinsey’s compliance consulting blends strategy and risk intelligence to help clients navigate complex regulatory landscapes. Rather than only focusing on technical controls, McKinsey addresses organizational culture, compliance governance and strategic risk frameworks that align with long-term business models. Its work often includes high-impact program redesign, risk scenario planning and capabilities uplift, particularly for large global enterprises seeking a unified compliance agenda across disparate markets. (Sources widely available in firm profiles of risk & compliance services.)
Key features:
- Strategic compliance roadmaps
- Risk governance optimization
- Scenario planning for regulatory change
- Culture and behavioral compliance design
- Operating model transformation
- Cross-jurisdictional policy harmonization
- Executive risk advisory
8. Boston Consulting Group (BCG)-Risk & Compliance
Founders: Bruce D. Henderson
Founded: 1963
Headquarters: Boston, USA
Product categories: Compliance strategy, risk framework design, process optimization
Description:
BCG’s compliance consulting combines business model strategy with practical compliance execution. The firm helps organizations define risk appetites, embed governance frameworks and integrate compliance into performance management systems. BCG’s approach is highly data-centric, using analytics to prioritize compliance investments and drive continuous monitoring. This positioning-where compliance is treated as part of strategic growth rather than a cost center-differentiates BCG in competitive procurement processes. (Ranked among top risk & compliance consultancies in global listings.)
Key features:
- Strategic risk & compliance alignment
- Data-centric compliance investments
- Continuous monitoring frameworks
- Governance & culture transformation
- Compliance operating model redesign
- Cross-functional process integration
- Performance-linked compliance metrics
9. Baker Tilly International
Founders: Independent member firms network; global advisory network emerged over time
Founded: 1987
Headquarters: London, UK
Product categories: Compliance & risk consulting, ESG, internal audit, governance advisory
Description:
Baker Tilly International is a global network of accounting and consulting firms providing compliance and assurance services tailored to local regulatory environments. Its compliance consulting focuses on risk assessment, internal controls, governance enhancements and sector-specific compliance programs. Baker Tilly’s member-firm structure allows it to offer deep local knowledge supported by global standards-particularly attractive to mid-market enterprises operating internationally.
Key features:
- Localized compliance expertise worldwide
- Internal controls & assurance services
- ESG & sustainability compliance
- Governance advisory
- Tailored industry risk assessments
- Regulatory training programs
- Integrated audit & compliance
10. IBM Consulting-Risk & Compliance Solutions
Founders: International Business Machines Corporation (corporate unit)
Founded: 1911 (parent), consulting division matured later
Headquarters: Armonk, New York, USA
Product categories: Compliance consulting, GRC technology integration, cybersecurity compliance
Description:
IBM’s compliance consulting practice combines traditional advisory with strong technology implementation capabilities. Leveraging its OpenPages GRC platform and cybersecurity solutions, IBM helps organizations embed compliance into enterprise systems, automate risk monitoring and align compliance with cybersecurity operations. Clients benefit from IBM’s global presence and deep IT risk expertise, particularly where compliance intersects with digital transformation and operational resilience.
Key features:
- GRC technology implementation (OpenPages)
- Cyber & data compliance integration
- Automated reporting and risk dashboards
- IT risk and governance alignment
- Pandemic/continuity compliance planning
- Third-party risk compliance
- Cloud compliance architectures
11. Alvarez & Marsal (A&M)
Founders: Tony Alvarez II, Bryan Marsal
Founded: 1983
Headquarters: New York, USA
Product categories: Compliance in risk & restructuring, investigations, internal controls
Description:
A&M is known for specializing in turnaround, performance improvement and risk-related compliance advisory. Its teams often engage where companies face regulatory scrutiny, financial distress, or need to enhance internal controls as part of operational restructuring. This makes A&M particularly strong in compliance programs tied to financial reporting, fraud risk, and remediation following audits or enforcement actions.
Key features:
- Compliance linked to risk & restructuring
- Forensic investigation advisory
- Internal controls remediation
- Operational compliance enhancements
- Regulatory enforcement response
- Cross-functional risk integration
- Sector-agnostic compliance models
12. MetricStream
Founders: Manu Gupta, Randy Ribes
Founded: 1999
Headquarters: Palo Alto, California, USA
Product categories: GRC software, compliance management tools, risk automation platforms
Description:
MetricStream is a leading provider of Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) technology platforms that enable compliance program management, controls automation, audit tracking and policy dissemination at scale. While primarily technology, MetricStream’s consulting teams help clients implement frameworks that meet regulatory requirements across sectors like healthcare, financial services, and energy. Its platform-first approach helps organizations unify risk and compliance under a single pane of glass.
Key features:
- Enterprise GRC platform deployment
- Compliance controls automation
- Policy management & documentation
- Audit & incident tracking tools
- Risk assessment engines
- Regulatory change monitoring
- Cross-business unit integration
13. Wolters Kluwer-Enablon
Founders: Parent company founded in 1968 (Wolters Kluwer)
Founded: 1968
Headquarters: Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands
Product categories: Compliance, EHS, ESG, risk management software and advisory services
Description:
Wolters Kluwer’s Enablon division delivers compliance and sustainability platforms alongside advisory services that help organizations manage regulatory obligations holistically-from environmental health & safety (EHS) to corporate compliance and risk assurance. Its tools and consulting support cross-functional compliance programs requiring unified governance, reporting and continuous risk assessment.
Key features:
- Integrated compliance & EHS governance tools
- ESG reporting and sustainability compliance
- Regulatory change management
- Cross-entity controls harmonization
- Workflow automation & analytics
- Incident management & corrective actions
- Audit trail and documentation
14. Guidehouse
Founders: AlixPartners spin-out principals (acquisition and formation history)
Founded: 2018 (DocuSign acquisition lineage later)
Headquarters: Washington, D.C., USA
Product categories: Compliance consulting, regulatory strategy, risk management
Description:
Guidehouse is focused on regulatory compliance, risk transformation and public sector consulting. It helps organizations in regulated industries-such as healthcare, energy, and financial services-integrate compliance frameworks with enterprise risk strategies, regulatory change monitoring and performance measurement. Its reputation is built on measurable outcomes and deep domain expertise in regulated sectors.
Key features:
- Regulatory strategy & transformation
- Public sector compliance frameworks
- Industry-specific risk integration
- Performance measurement & reporting
- Regulatory change tracking
- Compliance training modules
- Continuous monitoring systems
15. FTI Consulting-Governance & Compliance
Founders: Daniel L. Florness (and founding team)
Founded: 1982
Headquarters: Washington, D.C., USA
Product categories: Compliance, investigations, risk assessment, financial crime advisory
Description:
FTI Consulting combines compliance with investigations and risk assessment services, supporting organizations dealing with regulatory scrutiny, internal control gaps, and complex enforcement environments. Its compliance consultants often work at the intersection of legal and operational risk, providing forensic analysis, regulatory response and governance enhancement to help clients withstand audits and investigations.
Key features:
- Regulatory compliance and investigations
- Internal control assessments
- Forensic advisory services
- Financial crime compliance
- Enforcement response planning
- Risk analytics & reporting
- Industry and regulator insights
16. Sia Partners
Founders: Matthieu Courtecuisse
Founded: 1999
Headquarters: Paris, France
Product categories: Compliance strategy, digital compliance, risk transformation
Description:
Sia Partners offers compliance consulting with a focus on digital compliance and risk transformation. The firm’s services include regulatory gap analysis, compliance process design and digital strategy alignment, using technology and analytics to help clients maintain compliance amid rapid change. Sia Partners’ European roots translate to strong capabilities in GDPR and financial regulation domains.
Key features:
- Digital compliance frameworks
- Regulatory gap analysis
- Process & operating model redesign
- Analytics-driven risk assessment
- GDPR and financial regulatory compliance
- Project delivery & monitoring
- Cross-industry expertise
17. Kroll (Risk & Compliance)
Founders: Jules B. Kroll
Founded: 1972
Headquarters: New York, USA
Product categories: Compliance investigations, risk advisory, anti-corruption consulting
Description:
Kroll combines forensic investigation with compliance consulting to help organizations dealing with misconduct, fraud risk, and regulatory enforcement challenges. Its services span anti-corruption risk assessments, compliance program reviews, and remediation plans-especially in highly regulated sectors like finance and energy. Kroll’s investigations background differentiates it for clients facing intensified scrutiny and compliance breach response needs.
Key features:
- Compliance investigations & forensics
- Anti-corruption risk assessments
- Enforcement response support
- Remediation planning
- Fraud detection & prevention
- Regulatory reporting support
- Cross-border risk expertise
18. Zanders (Risk & Compliance)
Founders: Various financial risk specialists
Founded: 1994
Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Product categories: Compliance risk consulting, financial risk management, regulatory reporting
Description:
Zanders specializes in financial risk and compliance consulting, helping banks, insurers, and corporations align risk management and regulatory compliance. Its offerings include compliance framework design, stress testing, capital adequacy advisory, and regulatory reporting optimization-particularly useful for financial institutions navigating Basel, Solvency II and IFRS compliance.
Key features:
- Financial risk & compliance alignment
- Regulatory reporting optimization
- Capital adequacy frameworks
- Compliance monitoring tools
- Basel & Solvency II advisory
- Operational risk controls
- Cross-jurisdiction compliance frameworks
19. Novaminds (Compliance Advisory)
Founders: Leadership listed in compliance intelligence reports
Founded: Early 2000s
Headquarters: Paris, France
Product categories: Compliance consulting, investigations, regulatory training
Description:
Novaminds is a European compliance consultancy that focuses on embedding ethical & governance frameworks, compliance training, and investigations support. Its strength lies in designing bespoke programs for multinational clients dealing with varied regulatory systems and complex cultural environments, including anti-bribery and corporate governance.
Key features:
- Corporate governance & compliance programs
- Anti-bribery & ethical frameworks
- Tailored training modules
- Regulatory risk assessments
- Investigations support
- Cross-border policy harmonization
20. Compliance Total
Founders: Specialist leadership in Latin American compliance advisory
Founded: 2000s
Headquarters: São Paulo, Brazil
Product categories: Compliance program design, anti-corruption, risk assessments
Description:
Compliance Total is a regional leader in compliance consulting across Latin America. The firm’s services include program design, anti-corruption implementation (e.g., anti-bribery), and risk assessment tailored to local regulatory environments. Its deep understanding of Brazilian and regional compliance standards makes it a valuable partner for multinationals operating in complex Latin American regulatory systems.
Key features:
- Latin America regulatory expertise
- Anti-corruption compliance frameworks
- Program design & implementation
- Local risk assessment models
- Training & governance support
- Cross-entity compliance alignment
Conclusion:
These Top 20 Compliance Consulting Companies represent a broad spectrum-from Big Four powerhouses (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG) to specialized risk & compliance boutiques and GRC platform leaders. They help organizations meet regulatory demands while transforming compliance into a competitive advantage.
