EXHIBIT 23

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-42068) of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. of our report dated June 27, 2016 relating to the financial statements and supplemental schedules of The Goldman Sachs 401(k) Plan, which appears in this Form 11-K.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York

June 27, 2016