KPMG Finland’s 100th anniversary year is underway! We are proud to celebrate a century of trust, expertise, and partnership with our clients.
During this anniversary year, we look back at our history, but above all, we look forward. A changing business environment offers us excellent opportunities to support our clients and continue impactful and meaningful work. We are excited to build the next 100 years together with our clients and the surrounding society.
-
1926
KPMG in Finland was established in 1926 when K.A. Widenius, Edvin Sederholm, and Juho Someri founded an audit firm in Helsinki bearing their names. The founders were key figures in Finnish auditing at the time.
In addition to audit engagements, they handled tax statements and various special assignments. The early years were marked by a wide range of temporary tasks alongside supervisory inspections. K. A. Widenius passed away during the firm’s first decade. -
1930
Nordic cooperation between auditors expanded and awareness of the profession increased. Finnish law defined the role of an auditor approved by the Finland Chamber of Commerce, known as an authorized public accountant (KHT). During this decade, the company became known as Wideri, and its client base extended from the Arctic Ocean to Hanko and from Pori to Käkisalmi.
-
1940
The company started operating as limited liability company in 1942. After its first 20 years, Wideri employed 15 auditors and four office staff.
The company history written for the company’s 20th anniversary stated:
When Wideri looks back at its eventful first 20 years, there is much to be satisfied with. During this time, the auditing profession in Finland has evolved from modest beginnings into an intellectual and disciplined liberal profession operating according to ethical principles and recognized by both authorities and the public. -
1950
After World War II, Wideri developed steadily but cautiously. The company continued to have a strong foothold in the forest industry audits. Founders Sederholm and Someri remained active into the early 1950s. By the end of 1956, the firm employed five authorized public accountants.
-
1960
Several well‑known professionals joined as shareholders during the 1960s. In 1966, Eric Haglund became a partner and soon emerged as a trusted advisor to many of Finland’s most significant companies. He also assumed strategic and operational leadership of Wideri. Under his guidance, the firm strengthened its client service approach and deepened its audit expertise.
The first regional office was opened in Tampere in 1962. -
1970
When Wideri celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1976, the leadership set a clear objective of growth across all areas. Expansion continued through new regional offices, and the firm also began to build a small consulting practice alongside auditing.
As planned, the company grew steadily throughout the decade. The second regional office was opened in Turku in 1972. -
1980
The new Limited Liability Companies Act entered into force in 1980 and significantly increased the number of authorized public accountants in Finland. At that time, Wideri accounted for approximately one fifth of all authorized public accountants in the country. In the same year, the company became a KHT audit firm, authorized by the Finland Chamber of Commerce.
Widenius, Sederholm ja Someri Oy Ab joined the international KMG network in 1981. In 1987, KMG merged with the American firm Peat Marwick to form KPMG, which became one of the global leaders in the field.
Wideri Consulting Oy was founded in the mid‑1980s, expanding the firm’s consulting services. The offering initially focused on IT training and consulting, and later grew to include strategic planning, budgeting, finance and management accounting.
The economic upswing of the late 1980s supported Wideri’s development. The company recognized that growing market share required stronger investment in small and medium‑sized clients, and continued to expand through local offices. -
1990
The economic recession of the early 1990s resulted in a period of slower growth. After Estonia regained independence in 1991, Wideri expanded into Estonia and broadened its service portfolio. In the early 1990s, the company decided to establish management consulting as a new service line. The company's name was changed to KPMG Wideri Oy Ab in 1992.
By 1995, the number of employees exceeded 300 and by 1996, Wideri had offices in 12 locations in Finland in addition to Helsinki. -
2000
The early 2000s were a time of transition both in Finland and internationally. Global accounting scandals and tighter regulation highlighted the importance of independence, quality, and ethical principles in auditing. KPMG responded by strengthening The KPMG Way, which brought together global values, quality assurance and risk management into everyday work. The focus was on high quality, independence, and reinforcing KPMG’s market leadership in statutory audits for large corporates and the financial sector.
Tax services expanded to cover nearly all areas of taxation. Audit services grew to include IFRS reporting and enhancements to reporting processes. One of the most significant developments of the decade was the strong expansion of advisory services, driven by strategic acquisitions and increased expertise.
The company registered its current trade name KPMG Oy Ab in 2005. -
2010
During the 2010s, KPMG continued to grow and further professionalize its operations. Digitalization began to reshape audit and advisory practices, and data and technology competence became central. The company expanded its services for the public sector and strengthened its position as the auditor of listed companies. Investments in people, leadership and culture also increased. Responsibility and good governance became integral to professional services work. In 2017, the Finnish and Estonian firms merged and started to again strengthen their cross‑border cooperation.
By the end of the decade, KPMG had become Finland’s largest Big4 company in terms of both revenue and number of employees. -
2026
The 2020s have been marked by rapid change and exceptional challenges in the operating environment. KPMG has strengthened its resilience and capacity to renew, continued to grow in Finland and Estonia and developed new operating models to meet rising regulatory and sustainability requirements. At the same time, cooperation between the two countries has deepened further.
With a history of one hundred years behind us, we have a strong foundation. Our focus is firmly on the future, and we will continue to evolve and build even more impactful professional services. We are just getting started.
KPMG global tech report 2026
Our study reveals how organizations navigate the landscape of emerging technologies and prepare for the future.
KPMG 2026 global M&A outlook
According to our 2026 report, M&A activity is gaining momentum again across markets. However, planning and executing deals has become more demanding than before.
The state of operationalizing ESG in Finnish companies
Our research reveals that ESG is rapidly maturing from a box-ticking exercise to a strategic business function.
Cyber considerations 2026
Our report explores eight key considerations leaders should prioritize as cybersecurity becomes central to enterprise resilience and innovation.
