Dispute resolution crucial to sustaining global transfer pricing strategies - PricewaterhouseCoopers International transfer pricing 2009 book addresses issues of growing concern to multinationals.

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) today announces all-Ireland fee income of €332m for the year ended 30 June 2009 confirming its continuing position as Ireland's largest professional services firm.

Speaking about the firm's performance, Ronan Murphy, Senior Partner, PwC Republic of Ireland said:

"This has been a very difficult and challenging year both for our clients and for the firm. What started as a financial correction , stemming from problems in one area of the US mortgage market, quickly spread to become a global economic crisis with far-reaching business consequences for Ireland.

I believe we have successfully held our nerve through this difficult economic period, focusing on staying close to our clients and carefully managing our cost base. We have balanced taking the right decisions now with making investments for the medium and long-term future success of the firm.

Our priority has been very much on keeping our people focused on relationships with our clients – many of whom have needed us in these tough times and have looked to us for our support. The areas of our business that had the strongest performance in the last year included business restructuring, cost control, performance improvement, reward and pension planning and helping multinational companies to establish new operations in Ireland."

Speaking about the future, Ronan Murphy added:

"We believe that the businesses we work with are tackling the challenges head-on and by the end of this year many businesses will have restructured their operating models to focus on long term sustainable performance. Such restructuring will go a long way towards renewing Ireland's competitiveness on the international stage. However, we need to continue to work hard to rebuild our enterprise culture, restore national competitiveness and to reposition Ireland as a prime location of choice for foreign direct investment."

ENDS

Note to Editors
PwC All-Ireland revenues for the previous year ended 30 June 2008 were €355m
PwC All-Ireland people numbers at 30 June 2009 are 2,673

PwC has obtained the following awards:
PwC globally is ranked as Global Leader in Business and Consulting Management - Kennedy Research & Advisory Global Consulting Marketplace 2008-2011 report.
The 2009 Global Tax Monitor recognises PwC globally as the leading firm globally for tax advice, by reputation, with a very strong lead over the competition.
PwC Republic of Ireland has the best reputation in the HR Consulting market in Ireland and leads in overall market penetration - according to the 2009 HR Monitor, a survey of HR buyers commissioned by PwC and conducted by independent business research agency, Lighthouse Global.
Worldwide PwC Advisory is ranked first on the list of the 'World's Best Outsourcing Advisors' by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP).
PwC Republic of Ireland is a Top 10 company to work for 2009.
PwC Republic of Ireland is gradireland's most popular graduate recruiter 2009.

About PricewaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers provides industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to build public trust and enhance value for our clients and their stakeholders. More than 163,000 people in 151 countries across our network share their thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice.

"PricewaterhouseCoopers" refers to the network of member firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity.