Arthur Young and Alwin C. Ernst founded two of the world's most influential accounting firms in the early twentieth century. Ernst established Ernst & Ernst in 1903, while Arthur Young founded Arthur Young & Co. in 1906. Their firms would later merge in 1989 to form Ernst & Young (EY).

Both pioneers recognised that businesses needed more than financial reporting and auditing. They expanded professional services to include tax advice, business consulting and financial management, helping organisations navigate increasingly complex commercial and regulatory environments.

Their approach transformed the accounting profession by demonstrating that accountants could act as trusted business advisers as well as independent auditors. As tax legislation and corporate regulation evolved, firms like Ernst & Ernst and Arthur Young & Co. played an important role in developing structured tax planning, compliance services and strategic financial advice.

Today, the principles established by their firms continue to shape modern accounting, corporate tax advisory, audit and consulting services across the globe.