UK’s audit watchdog calls on top accounting firms to boost measures against exam cheating December 21, 2022 The UK’s accounting watchdog has called on Britain’s seven largest auditors to improve the measures they have in place to prevent cheating on exams, following a series of international cheating scandals involving the world’s biggest audit firms. In a letter seen by City A.M., the UK’s Financial Reporting Council (FRC) called on the country’s top [...]
Fees paid to FTSE 100’s auditors hit record sums of more than £1bn December 20, 2022 The UK’s top 100 listed companies paid more than £1bn to their auditors for the first time in 2021/22, following a steady uptick in audit fees linked to a tougher stance from the UK’s accounting regulator. FTSE 100 companies paid a record £1.01bn to their auditors for both audit and non-audit services, in the year [...]
EY names new leaders of globally separated firms December 14, 2022 EY has named two of its top leaders as heads of the firm’s soon-to-be separate audit and advisory businesses, as it pushes forwards with plans for a global split. EY said current chief executive Carmine Di Sibio will head the new consulting business – NewCo – as it named US managing partner Julie Boland [...]
Exclusive: EY poised to ramp up fintech investment with new London Lab December 14, 2022 EY said it is set to pump millions of pounds into the fintech sector in the next year as it unveiled a new London incubator today designed to cultivate start-ups in the capital.
KPMG chief snubs global split as consulting arm drives growth in revenues December 13, 2022 The global head of KPMG today slapped down suggestions it might follow EY in pursuing a global split, in claiming the accounting firm’s strong financial performance “validates” its current approach. KPMG chief executive Bill Thomas rejected plans for a split in claiming the Big Four firm’s results “validates an unwavering commitment to deliver services… through [...]
Big Four’s legal ventures could see surge in law firm IPOs, DWF chief says December 8, 2022 The Big Four’s efforts to bolster their legal businesses could lead to a surge in the number of UK law firms listing on the stock exchange, DWF chief Sir Nigel Knowles told City A.M. EY’s global split could see the firm become an “aggressive” legal services behemoth, as it is freed from the conflict-of-interest rules [...]
PwC seeks to bolster top ranks by poaching partners from Big Four rivals December 4, 2022 PwC is seeking to bolster its top ranks by poaching partners from its Big Four rivals. The accounting firm is hoping to hire up to 500 new partners with expertise in tax, cloud services, financial crime, and ESG advice, the Financial Times first reported. In doing so, PwC is seeking to take advantage of discontent [...]
UK motor insurers to make largest annual loss in a decade due to inflation November 25, 2022 The UK motor insurance sector is set to make the largest annual loss in over a decade as a result of inflationary pressures. Analysis published today by EY has forecast that net combined ratios will reach 115 per cent this year – the worst year since 2010 – going down slightly to 114 per cent [...]
HMRC sues EY following dispute over property tycoon’s tax affairs November 15, 2022 HMRC has filed a High Court lawsuit against EY over alleged misrepresentations to the UK tax authority in relation to British property investor Jamie Ritblat’s tax affairs. The case relates to a broader dispute between HMRC and the Tory donor over taxes on £141m in profits from Ritblat’s Delancey property investment firm, the Financial Times [...]
EY to delay partner votes due to complex legal wrangling November 14, 2022 Votes on plans to split EY in two are not set to begin until the start of next year, after being delayed by legal wrangling. The ballots, which were set to start this month, will not take place until early 2023, due to the complexities the firm has faced in finalizing the legal framework through [...]