KPMG has been named as one of the top employers for gay and lesbian people in Britain.
In the 2007 Workplace Equality Index compiled by gay rights campaign group Stonewall, the company placed joint eighth, alongside Goldman Sachs and Transport for London, with a score of 89 per cent.
The survey compares employers' policies and practices towards gay and lesbian people and was this year topped by IT firm IBM.
Last year KPMG was ranked outside the top 100 and this time round it is the only one of the Big 4 accountants to make it into the top 50.
Ashley Steel, KPMG's board champion for sexual orientation, commented: "I'm delighted with our performance. We can't be complacent, though, and I am determined to see progress continue over the coming year."
KPMG UK's chief executive, Colin Cook, added: "It sends an important message to potential recruits, our people and our clients that KPMG is the best choice for all, irrespective of sexual orientation."
Stonewall notes that the Workplace Equality Index is also now seen as a key measure of an organisation's commitment to diversity generally.
Of the UK's other accountancy firms, PricewaterhouseCoopers scored 72 per cent, while Ernst & Young scored 63 per cent.
© Adfero Ltd
