Procurement at PwC Australia
Our business manages the purchasing of various goods and services from over 2000 Suppliers each year. PwC utilises suppliers locally, nationally and internationally. These goods and services include stationery, office equipment, facilities management services, HR management services, marketing and events, information and research, technology and communication products, digital apps and software, travel services and many more.
There are two primary ways in which we may approach the market:
- Closed competitive sourcing exercises - where selected prospective and existing Suppliers are invited to submit tenders, proposals or quotations; and
- Direct sourcing exercises - where a member of our Procurement team or the business will directly approach a prospective or existing Supplier for the supply.
Depending on the type of supply, we may agree with our Suppliers to enter into standalone one-off contracts, master agreements with a Supplier for multiple engagements with, or in some cases, panel agreements with multiple Suppliers. We may issue purchase orders to our Suppliers detailing the goods/services we wish to acquire, along with our standard purchasing terms and conditions. If there is an existing agreement between us and the Supplier, the terms of that agreement will prevail. In the absence of such an agreement, or in case of any conflict between our purchase orders and our standard terms and conditions, the contract/terms take precedence.
Principles for responsible procurement and Supplier conduct
A strong ethical culture is important to our firm. PwC’s Code of Conduct sets out the framework for how we conduct business within professional standards, laws, regulations and our core values. Globally, PwC has been a- signatory of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) since 2002. We work to embed its principles for responsible business practices in the areas of human rights, labour rights, the environment and anti-corruption. Locally, we are a participant of the UNGC Network Australia.
Our Suppliers, their personnel and anyone they engage to provide services for or with PwC are expected to act with the same level of integrity and business conduct, as outlined in PwC’s Global Third Party Code of Conduct (the TPCOC). The TPCOC is essential for PwC and its suppliers, as it provides clear guidelines for ethical behaviour and compliance with laws and regulations and ensures that PwC’s operations and relationships with Suppliers maintain integrity and contribute to building trust in society while solving important problems.
We are committed to respecting human rights, as affirmed by PwC’s Human Rights Policy and Addendum (HRPA). The HRPA sets out the expectations and requirements for our partners and staff, as well as our suppliers, to provide a safe, inclusive and respectful work environment where there is zero tolerance for harassment, cruel or degrading treatment and modern slavery. It also includes guidance on fair wages and working hours, freedom of association, data privacy and confidentiality, and the nexus between human rights and environmental stewardship. Where we have concerns that the products or services supplied to us are directly linked to human rights violations, we will refer to the Code and HRPA and, where appropriate, we will work with our supplier to mitigate these impacts.
In order to work with PwC AU, our Suppliers - whether existing, new or prospective - must declare that their business operations align with our TPCOC and other PwC policies, and commit to maintaining this alignment through their engagement with us.
Suppliers are responsible for notifying PwC if they breach the TPCOC or any other PwC policy and must regularly review their compliance. Periodically, we may ask suppliers to reaffirm their compliance and provide comments or supporting evidence.
Furthermore, our standard contracting terms and purchase order conditions incorporate PwC’s Responsible Supply Terms (RST) which include compliance with the TPCOC and Australian Modern Slavery legislation.
Onboarding new Suppliers
In addition to confirming their compliance with the TPCOC we require new and prospective Suppliers to follow our onboarding process as set out below:
1. Register your business in our Supplier Portal
Suppliers must register their business details in our supply base management portal (Supplier Portal) prior to commencing the supply of goods/services to PwC Australia. Suppliers receive the registration link once a PwC Australia Partner or employee submits a new supplier request form or upon receipt of an invoice. In some instances, registration may take place after the goods or services have been delivered.
2. Verify your bank account details
Supplier bank accounts, provided in the Supplier Portal registration, will be independently verified via a third-party provider, eftsure. To ensure that only legitimate information is entered into our Supplier Portal and other finance systems and to protect Supplier payments against potential fraud or error.
3. Complete the Responsible Procurement Self-Assessment
Suppliers must complete the Responsible Procurement Self-Assessment, also known as the Responsible Procurement Questionnaire, during their registration on the Supplier Portal. This assessment must be reviewed and updated annually.
The Responsible Procurement Self-Assessment includes several questions that help us understand our Suppliers and their management of operations and supply chains. We use this information for ongoing due diligence and to aid in our compliance with national, international, and industry regulations, as well as PwC Australia’s adherence to PwC Network Standards, Policies, and Public Reporting, including the TPCOC obligations.
We may periodically ask our Suppliers to re-confirm their compliance and update information provided in their annual self-assessment. This process includes participating in supplier interviews and submitting supporting evidence.
Supplier invoicing & payments
To ensure timely payments of a supplier’s invoices, Suppliers must provide their bank details in the Supplier Portal during registration and submit their invoices according to PwC Australia’s Supplier Invoicing Guide.
Suppliers must make sure their relevant accounts receivable team reviews the invoicing guide before submitting any invoices to PwC Australia.
Sustainable procurement
It is important to us that we select Suppliers who align with our core values and commitments to sustainability. At PwC Australia, sustainable procurement is a key aspect of our mission, as it allows us to contribute to a more sustainable planet and stronger communities. By refining our working relationships with Suppliers, we aim to support businesses in tackling significant challenges. We seek Suppliers who not only share our objectives but also implement protocols that deliver positive impacts on the environment, enrich communities and improve people’s lives. Together, we can drive meaningful change and ensure a sustainable future for all.
Commitment to Net Zero
PwC has a worldwide commitment to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with 2030 goals. And at PwC, our focus remains on identifying and addressing challenges to reduce the impact of our supply chain on the environment.
A pivotal aspect of our strategy is to collaborate with our Suppliers, aiding them in minimising their climate impact and facilitating a transition to a low carbon economy. PwC understands the critical role that suppliers play in reducing environmental impact as we collectively transition towards a low carbon economy. Since Suppliers contribute to the majority of emissions in our network, we’re eager to work with and encourage Suppliers to set their own environmental goals that align with PwC’s.
Click here to explore more about PwC’s dedication to environmental sustainability and how we support our Suppliers in decarbonising their operations.
Engaging First Nations suppliers
PwC Australia has proudly partnered with Supply Nation since 2011, sourcing goods and services from First Nations businesses. PwC supports self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and we actively encourage our Australian Suppliers to create or enhance their relationship with First Nations suppliers through their supply chain.
Click here for more information about our commitment to First Nations engagement and prosperity and how we work with Suppliers to foster sustainable, meaningful relationships.
Addressing modern slavery
At PwC Australia, we have a commitment respect and uphold the rights of our people, our clients, our suppliers, our communities and others. As set out in the TPCOC and HRPA, we do not tolerate any form of modern slavery and expect our Suppliers to maintain working conditions that meet internationally declared human rights and standards. Our Suppliers must not engage in or support human trafficking or modern slavery, including forced, bonded or involuntary labour, either in their own operations or supply chains.
Annually, we submit a Joint Modern Slavery Statement (JMSS) consistent with the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth). Since our first JMSS, we have applied a continuous improvement approach to identifying, assessing and addressing the risk of modern slavery practices in our operations and supply chain.
To demonstrate, we require our Suppliers to complete aResponsible Procurement Questionnaire as part of the onboarding process and agree to PwC's Responsible Supply Terms and the Code. Furthermore, Suppliers must engage in interviews, complete questionnaires, and participate in our annual review processes to ensure continuous transparency and accountability. PwC seeks to work with Suppliers who meet our criteria and actively participate in our risk assessment activities. We value those who support our efforts to identify and mitigate the risks of modern slavery within our operations and supply chain.
To learn more about PwC Australia’s efforts to evaluate and mitigate modern slavery risks within our operations and supply chains, as well as our strategies to enhance our approach to these issues, click here. Additionally, for insights into PwC Australia’s expectations of our Suppliers in tackling modern slavery risks within their supply chains and use resources to better understand modern slavery click here.
Supporting local and small businesses
Each year, PwC Australia works with hundreds of Australian small businesses. We understand the importance of positive cash flows for small businesses and the impact it has on their growth and sustainability.
We are committed to consistently paying our small business Suppliers on time, every time. Since 2018, PwC Australia has been a signatory to the Australian Supplier Payment Code, which is a voluntary initiative led by the Business Council of Australia to ensure small businesses are paid promptly and on time.
PwC Australia has implemented processes that aim to pay our small business Suppliers within 30 days from the date we receive a valid invoice from the Supplier.
Click here for more information about our Supplier payment terms.
Prospective Supplier Register
If you're interested in becoming a Supplier for PwC Australia, we invite you to submit an Expression of Interest through our supplier registration portal. As a prospective Supplier, you'll have the opportunity to demonstrate your capabilities and alignment with our standards and values. By registering, you enable us to assess your capabilities and services to ensure they align with our expectations and gain a better understanding of your business offerings.
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