Transfer Pricing PwC Review - Features & Cost

Colin Young
Quick Insight: Understanding Transfer Pricing 🔍
Transfer pricing refers to the regulations and methods for pricing transactions within and between business entities under common ownership. Typically these transactions pertain to the sale of goods, services, and intangible assets. It's a crucial factor in international business, as it ensures that transactions are conducted at a fair market value.

Managing transfer pricing accurately and compliantly is a must for businesses with cross-border operations. After all, even the smallest misstep can lead to audits or penalties.

PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) is one of the leading transfer pricing companies offering global expertise, tailored strategies, and cutting-edge transfer pricing technology. In this review, we explore PwC’s transfer pricing services, features, pricing, and how they compare to modern payment alternatives.

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Table of contents

Review: Quick overview

Key features
  • Global network of transfer pricing consultants
  • Industry-specific expertise
  • Proprietary transfer pricing technology tools
  • Compliance with OECD and local tax authority requirements
Main fees
  • Project-based pricing structure
  • Fees vary depending on engagement complexity and jurisdiction
Great for
  • Large multinational enterprises
  • Businesses requiring transfer pricing documentation, planning, and audit defense
  • Companies undergoing major restructuring or cross-border M&A
Trustpilot rating2.5/5¹

Key features

PwC is one of the most well-known and widely respected transfer pricing companies. Their global network spans almost 150 countries and includes thousands of transfer pricing consultants and specialists.² PwC delivers comprehensive transfer pricing solutions, including risk assessment, planning, documentation, implementation, and defense.

Proprietary Transfer Pricing Technology

PwC incorporates technology-enabled services into its transfer pricing solutions to improve efficiency and consistency across jurisdictions. PwC enhances transfer pricing through a few key processes:

  • Advanced analytics: Leveraging big data and statistical models to conduct precise benchmarking and identify potential risk areas in transfer pricing policies.
  • Automation: Utilizing automated workflows to reduce manual data entry and repetitive tasks, which enhances efficiency and minimizes human error.
  • Centralized documentation: Maintaining all transfer pricing documentation and related reports in a unified digital platform, ensuring easy access, version control, and consistency across jurisdictions.

These tools help standardize data collection, conduct benchmarking analysis, and produce necessary reports for both OECD and local regulatory requirements.

PwC’s digital approach is especially helpful for multinational businesses that have to manage complex intercompany pricing strategies across multiple tax jurisdictions. The firm’s integration of technology into its methodology allows for great accuracy, improved turnaround times, and a scalable solution for global compliance needs.

BatchTransfer

Ease of use

PwC’s approach is thorough and methodical. While it may not be as nimble as a smaller firm or automated platform, clients benefit from structured workflows, expert engagement, and clear deliverables. Their tech-enabled platforms are particularly helpful for clients who need ongoing documentation or those managing multiple entities.

Positive customer reviews on G2 emphasize PwC’s professionalism, deep expertise, and ability to navigate complex tax environments. However, some feedback notes that projects can move slowly, especially during peak tax season.³

Customer service

Each client is typically assigned a dedicated transfer pricing consultant or advisory team. PwC prioritizes one-on-one consulting rather than 24/7 support. Customers report strong communication, especially during audits or when facing new regulations.

While they don’t offer always-available customer service, PwC compensates with personalized care and deep subject-matter knowledge, especially useful in high-stakes scenarios involving tax authority disputes.

PwC Transfer Pricing Fees

PwC does not advertise standard fees publicly, as services are tailored to each client’s specific needs. Here’s a general guideline based on industry benchmarks:

  • Project Fees: Costs range based on complexity, number of jurisdictions, and deliverables.
  • Hourly Rates: Typically depend on the seniority of the consultant and the region.
  • Add-ons: Fees for audit defense, benchmarking updates, and country-specific documentation.

International Fees: Engagements covering multiple tax jurisdictions may require collaboration between PwC teams in various countries, leading to higher project costs. Complex structures or digital services transactions tend to cost more due to additional documentation and regulatory scrutiny.


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Pros and Cons

BenefitsConsiderations
  • Global presence and consistency in tax compliance
  • Strong expertise in digital economy and intellectual property pricing
  • High-quality transfer pricing technology tools
  • Trusted brand with regulatory credibility
  • Custom strategy development for international tax structures
  • High cost may not suit small or early-stage businesses
  • Project turnaround may take longer compared to smaller firms
  • Limited transparency around fees
  • Lacks automation for DIY or small-scale users

What are the benefits of PwC?

PwC is a powerhouse in the world of tax and transfer pricing services. For large businesses, they offer extensive resources, proprietary transfer pricing solutions, and global coordination. Their reputation means greater confidence in regulatory compliance, especially when facing inquiries from tax authorities like the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

PwC’s ability to tailor strategies based on the customer’s structure, industry, and jurisdiction helps reduce tax risk and align intercompany pricing with global best practices. Their technology platforms, while not customer-facing, streamline operations internally for consistency and efficiency.

What are the possible considerations of PwC?

While PwC offers comprehensive and high-quality transfer pricing services, the associated costs and longer timelines can be a barrier. Smaller businesses may find the onboarding process and pricing more than they require. Additionally, PwC focuses heavily on personal consultant relationships rather than offering user-friendly tech platforms for clients to self-serve.

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Conclusion: Is PwC the Best Choice For Your Business?

If your business operates across several countries and deals with complex intercompany transactions, PwC’s TP services and transfer pricing specialists can offer long-term strategic value. Their global coordination, expertise in digital taxation, and industry-specific insights make them one of the top-tier transfer pricing companies globally.

However, if your focus is on efficiently managing cross-border payments, consider using Wise Business. Wise offers real mid-market exchange rates, no hidden fees, and fast international transfers, perfect for subsidiaries, partners, or remote teams.

Furthermore, combining PwC for transfer pricing strategy and Wise for actual fund movement gives businesses a smart and compliant solution.

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Wise Business can help you save big time on international payments.

Wise is not a bank, but a Money Services Business (MSB) provider and a smart alternative to banks. The Wise Business account is designed with international business in mind, and makes it easy to send, hold, and manage business funds in currencies.

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FAQs

What are transfer pricing services?

Transfer pricing services involve setting, documenting, and defending prices for transactions between related entities in different tax jurisdictions.

Who are transfer pricing consultants?

Transfer pricing consultants are tax professionals who specialize in evaluating and structuring intercompany pricing to comply with international tax regulations.

What are transfer pricing solutions?

Transfer pricing solutions include planning strategies, documentation, compliance tools, and technologies that ensure your company’s intercompany transactions are properly priced and compliant.

What are TP services?

TP services refer to transfer pricing advisory, documentation, audit defense, valuation, and benchmarking that help ensure compliance with global tax laws.

What does a transfer pricing specialist do?

A transfer pricing specialist provides advice and analysis to set appropriate intercompany prices, defend them during audits, and reduce tax risks.

Why choose top-tier transfer pricing companies like PwC?

Top-tier companies like PwC offer depth of expertise, global coverage, and proprietary tools that simplify complex international tax issues.

Does PwC offer transfer pricing technology?

Yes. PwC has several internal platforms designed to enhance accuracy and efficiency in transfer pricing documentation and analysis.


Sources:

  1. PwC review | Trustpilot
  2. Global transfer pricing services | PwC
  3. PwC Reviews | G2


*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.

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