Pertama vs Big 4: AI Consulting for SMB
EY, Deloitte, Accenture, and PwC dominate enterprise AI consulting. But do SMBs need (or can they afford) Big 4? Here's an honest comparison.
Quick Comparison
AI Training & Advisory for SMB
Best For:
SMB needing hands-on AI training and implementation
Global professional services leaders
Best For:
Large enterprises needing global AI transformation programs
Detailed Feature Comparison
| Feature | Pertama Partners | Big 4 |
|---|---|---|
| SMB Accessibility | Designed for SMB | Enterprise minimum engagement |
| Government Funding Expertise | Full support across 5 SEA countries | Not a focus area |
| Global Scale | Regional SEA focus | 1000+ offices globally |
| Industry Depth | 10+ industries with SMB lens | Every industry at enterprise level |
| Hands-on Implementation | Build alongside your team | Strategy + oversight model |
| Transparent Pricing | Published tiers | Custom quotes only |
| Brand Credibility | Growing regional brand | Globally recognized brands |
Who Each Serves Best
- SMB with 20-500 employees
- Companies with $10K-$200K AI budgets
- Businesses wanting practical, hands-on support
- Companies seeking government training subsidies
- Enterprise with 1000+ employees
- Companies with $200K+ consulting budgets
- Organizations needing global program management
- Publicly listed companies with audit relationships
Service Comparison
Big 4 firms offer comprehensive enterprise services. Pertama offers focused, practical AI services for SMBs.
| Service | Pertama | Big 4 |
|---|---|---|
| AI Strategy | ||
| AI Training Programs | Limited | |
| Government Funding Support | ||
| Hands-on Implementation | ||
| Global Program Management | ||
| AI Audit & Compliance | Basic | |
| Cross-border AI Strategy | SEA focus |
Pricing Approach
Transparent, tier-based
Three tiers designed for SMB budgets with government subsidy support.
- Start for under $20K
- Government subsidies cover up to 90% of training
- No minimum engagement size
- Flexible, scale as you grow
Enterprise consulting rates
Big 4 typically require $200K+ minimum engagements with blended team rates.
- Access to global AI practices
- Integration with existing audit/tax relationships
- Enterprise-grade methodologies
- Global delivery capabilities
When to Choose Pertama
- Your AI budget is under $200K
- You need practical implementation, not strategy presentations
- You want government subsidies to offset training costs
- You're an SMB without a dedicated AI or IT team
- You need a partner who speaks SMB, not enterprise jargon
When to Choose Big 4
- You already have a Big 4 audit/tax relationship you want to extend
- You need global program management across 10+ countries
- Your board or investors require a Big 4 brand name
- You have $200K+ budget and need comprehensive transformation
- You need AI audit and compliance services integrated with existing audits
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Deloitte, EY, Accenture, and PwC have invested billions in AI capabilities. They have dedicated AI practices with thousands of specialists. The question isn't capability — it's accessibility and fit for SMB budgets.
Budget, focus, and approach. Big 4 minimum engagements often exceed most SMB AI budgets. Pertama is purpose-built for SMB: transparent pricing, government funding expertise, and hands-on implementation rather than strategy-heavy advisory.
That's a success story. If your company grows to the point where Big 4 makes sense (typically 1000+ employees with $200K+ consulting budgets), we'll happily support that transition. Many growing companies start with Pertama and layer in Big 4 for specific enterprise needs later.