PricewaterhouseCoopers was created on 1 July 1998 by the merger of two firms - Price Waterhouse and Coopers & Lybrand - each with historical roots going back some 150 years. Set out below are some key milestones in the history of both firms.
1849
Samuel Lowell Price sets up in business in London
1854
William Cooper establishes his own practice in London, which seven years later becomes Cooper Brothers
1865
Price, Holyland and Waterhouse join forces in partnership 1874 Name changes to Price, Waterhouse & Co.
1898
Robert H. Montgomery, William M. Lybrand, Adam A. Ross Jr. and his brother T. Edward Ross form Lybrand, Ross Brothers and Montgomery
1957
Cooper Brothers & Co (UK), McDonald, Currie and Co (Canada) and Lybrand, Ross Bros & Montgomery (US) merge to form Coopers & Lybrand
1982
Price Waterhouse World Firm formed
1990
Coopers & Lybrand merges with Deloitte Haskins & Sells in a number of countries around the world
1 July 1998
Worldwide merger of Price Waterhouse and Coopers & Lybrand to create PricewaterhouseCoopers
1 January 2003
PricewaterhouseCoopers UK adopts Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) status
PwC firms provide industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to enhance value for their clients. More than 161,000 people in 154 countries in firms across the PwC network share their thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice. See pwc.com for more information.