Tamás Lőcsei, PwC Hungary’s CEO, officially announced the opening of the office at a ceremony in the city on Nov. 15.

Debrecen is Hungary’s second-largest city after the capital, with a population of just under 200,000, according to the 2022 census. It is the regional center of the Northern Great Plain and the seat of Hajdú-Bihar County and has undergone remarkable development in recent years. BMW is developing its first purpose-built iFactory in the city. Semcorp, which describes itself as the leading global supplier of lithium battery separators, and EV battery maker Catl are also building factories.

Speaking at the PwC opening in Hungary’s second city, Lőcsei said the move would open a new window of opportunity, both for the firm and the country.

“Although we are already working with Debrecen-based companies in several areas, we have now undertaken to strengthen relations with local businesses and higher education and to help new entrants prepare for the realities of a constantly changing business environment. I believe that flexibility and adaptability have been key to the region’s success, and we [will] strive to earn the trust of the local community,” he said.

“We are proud of our achievements and our leadership role in the industry. PwC is committed to developing the Hungarian economy and providing the highest quality services to our clients,” Lőcsei said.

He also pointed out that this is not the first office the 1,100-strong consultancy has launched beyond the capital.

Significant Contribution

“To further expand our business and increase our presence outside Budapest, 12 years after the opening of our Győr office, we are now opening a new office in Debrecen, with the full scope of our services available to businesses in the region. We believe in this city. I’m confident that we will be able to make a significant contribution to the success of Debrecen and the region,” Lőcsei emphasized.

Mayor of Debrecen László Papp, and Zoltán Bács, chancellor of the University of Debrecen, welcomed PwC Hungary to the city on the occasion of it starting operations in the city.

In his speech, the Fidesz party mayor emphasized: “PwC doesn’t just need a city with good potential; they need a city that is economically successful, has a strong corporate background, and offers outstanding higher education. This is a city whose success can contribute to the success of PwC.”

The mayor highlighted that a local PwC office would not only help Debrecen attract employees and retain young talent.

“Businesses operating in our city and in the region, whether they are SMEs or multinationals, can now have direct access to a world-class professional services firm and make use of all the expertise that PwC has to offer,” Papp said.

“The opening of PwC Hungary’s Debrecen office is a recognition of all the hard work we have done over the past 10 years. Debrecen has achieved high business standards that guarantee the success of our cooperation,” he insisted.

“Debrecen stands for reliability, stability, quality and, of course, opportunity for business. These are the defining characteristics of our city today. And PwC’s decision confirms this,” Papp concluded.

PwC has been in Hungary for more than 30 years, providing assurance, tax and legal, and advisory services to clients. “In addition to these three key areas, we also provide specialized services tailored to our clients’ needs. Now we are bringing our services closer to businesses in Debrecen and Eastern Hungary,” the firm said in a press release.

This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of December 1, 2023.