PwC UK senior partner Kieran Poynter said: "Following the successful integration of our businesses, we had too many partners in certain areas. A number will therefore be leaving us to pursue alternative career options."

PwC said the cuts, which mean the firm loses 10 percent of its UK partners, have been made across the country. Director of corporate affairs Roger White said that the affected partners had been "notified recently."

Last week the firm declined to comment on a report in the Sunday Times predicting the cuts. It cited PwC's recent regulatory problems with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and the firm's failure to clinch a £14 billion deal to sell its consulting arm to Hewlett- Packard.

Poynter said: "We continue to enjoy strong growth in all parts of our business and look forward to a large number of new partners joining the partnership in the coming year."

The news follows the announcement that PwC will cut 400 consultants in the U.S. management consulting services department. A U.S. spokesman said that the cuts were appropriate because some consultants have skills "no longer as appropriate to PwC clients." He added that the firm was still looking to recruit "thousands of staff into high-growth areas."

-- SmartPros News Staff

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