About us - Our History - Ernst & Young - Poland

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It has taken the bold leadership and countless contributions of people around the world to form the leading global organization Ernst & Young is today. Our roots go back to the 19th century and our founders Arthur Young and Alwin C Ernst.

Arthur Young was born in Glasgow, Scotland. He graduated in law, but became interested in banking and investment. In 1890, he moved to the US to pursue his career in accounting. In 1906, he formed an accounting firm, Arthur Young & Company, with his brother Stanley.

Alwin C Ernst was born in Cleveland, USA. After leaving school he worked as a bookkeeper. Then, in 1903, he and his brother Theodore started Ernst & Ernst, a small public accounting firm.

Both Arthur Young and AC Ernst were innovators and appreciated the importance of quality in their work. Ernst pioneered the idea that accounting information could be used to make business decisions and make a difference to clients’ organizations. He inspired his people to deliver better service to clients. Young also positioned himself as a business advisor as much as an accountant.

Both men understood the importance of their people. In 1920, Ernst & Ernst’s operating philosophy stated: “The success of Ernst & Ernst depends wholly upon the character, ability and industry of the men and women who make up the organization.” Young supported the development of professionals. In the 1920s he originated a staff school and, in the 1930s, the firm was the first to recruit from university campuses.

Both firms were also quick to enter the global marketplace. As early as 1924, they allied with prominent British firms: Young with Broads Paterson & Co and Ernst with Whinney Smith & Whinney. These alliances were the first of many for both firms, which opened offices around the world to service their international clients.

AC Ernst and Arthur Young never met in life, but died within days of each other in 1948. However their philosophies lived on and, in 1989, were brought together when the firms they started combined to create Ernst & Young. The new organization quickly positioned itself on the leading edge of rapid globalization, new business technologies and continuous business change.

AC Ernst and Arthur Young would surely be proud of the result — a global organization of 152,000 people sharing their ideals and passion to help clients improve their businesses around the globe.

View a timeline of Ernst & Young’s history

• 1849 - Harding & Pullein founded in England. Joined by Frederick Whinney
• 1859 - Whinney made a partner
• 1894 - Arthur Young starts his first firm, Stuart and Young, in Chicago
  Harding & Pullein renamed Whinney, Smith & Whinney
• 1864 - Thomas Clarkson starts a trustee and receivership firm in Toronto
• 1903 - Alwin and Theodore Ernst form Ernst & Ernst in Cleveland, USA
• 1906 - Arthur and brother Stanley form Arthur Young & Company in Chicago
• 1924 - Arthur Young allies with Broad Paterson & Co, England
  Ernst & Ernst allies with Whinney, Smith & Whinney
• 1932 - The first Whinney, Murray & Co Office opens in Poland. Initially, its premises were located at Smocza 43 but 2 years later the company moved into the most modern offices in the pre-war Warsaw – the Prudential building. The company was present there until the outbreak of the WWII, serving international clients and gradually engaging in the audit of the Polish companies as well. Harris Burland, the first director of the Warsaw office, recalled, - ‘Right after arriving in Warsaw I got very lucky. Not only had Prudential Assurance built a skyscraper, but they also financed every single power plant for the period of 15-20 years. And we had to audit them all.’
• 1939 - Clarkson allies with Woods Gordon & Co to expand into management consulting
• 1944 - Clarkson Gordon & Company allies with Arthur Young & Co
• 1979 - Ernst & Whinney forms and becomes the fourth largest accountancy firm in the world
  Arthur Young’s European offices join several large local European firms
• 1989 - Arthur Young merges with Ernst & Whinney to create Ernst & Young
• 2000 - Ernst & Young unveils a new, integrated global organization
• 2002 - Andersen team join Ernst & Young in Poland. Duleep Aluwihare, the former President of Andersen (previously Arthur Andersen), becomes a Managing Partner of the new organization. We provide professional services in the following areas: assurance, business advisory, accounting, tax advisory, transaction advisory, grants and incentives advisory services, real estate advisory and training. Worldwide, our 135,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve potential. Our offices are located in Warsaw, Katowice, Cracow, Wroclaw and Poznan
• 2008 - Ernst & Young forms new Central and Southeast Europe region. Ernst & Young has announced the integration of its 87 country practices in Western and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa into one new EMEIA Area.