Audit reform: FRC asks for power to cap Big Four’s audit clients October 12, 2021 The chief executive of the UK’s accounting watchdog has asked ministers for the authority to enforce a cap on the number of large companies that any one accountancy firm can audit, in an attempt to break up the dominance of the Big Four firms. Sir Jon Thompson went on to question the likelihood of the [...]
Jenny Watson: New chair of UK accounting regulatory board wants to be a driver of change October 11, 2021 Jenny Watson CBE, newly appointed as the chair to the regulatory board of the UK body of chartered accountants, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), is a woman on a mission: the former chair of the Electoral Commission wants to be a driver of change. “We already know that there is much [...]
Mike Lynch extradition decision over $5bn fraud trial delayed October 10, 2021 The decision to extradite British entrepreneur Mike Lynch has been pushed to the end of the year after a judge delayed his decision in the separate $5bn (£3.7bn) case against Lynch by Hewlett-Packard. A draft decision, spanning over 1,000 pages, had been expected to be distributed to both Hewlett-Packard and Lynch by 24 September, according [...]
Breakthrough week for historic corporate tax deal: 140 nations including Ireland are on board October 9, 2021 The international community is moving towards sweeping changes to how big multinational companies are taxed to prevent them from stashing profits in offshore havens where they pay little or no tax after 140 countries have agreed to sign the deal. Under the agreement, countries would enact a global minimum corporate tax of 15 per cent [...]
Nick Clegg says Facebook is ‘pleased’ with historic tax deal, even if it means paying more October 9, 2021 Nick Clegg, Facebook’s vice president for global affairs, said today the social media giant welcomes the corporate tax agreement that 140 countries around the world agreed this week. “We are pleased to see an emerging international consensus,” Clegg said in a statement sent to City A.M. this afternoon. Under the agreement, countries would enact a [...]
Former Eversheds trainee solicitor stands trial for raping law student at house party October 8, 2021 A trial into alleged sexual assault by a former Eversheds Sutherland trainee solicitor has started. Tom Hagyard is being accused of raping a law student before sexually assaulting another female, while attending a house party – within weeks of joining law firm Eversheds Sutherland on a training contract in 2017, according to The Mail Online, [...]
COP26: UK and global accountancy bodies aim for net zero emissions October 8, 2021 The UK professional body for accountants has joined global peers in making a public commitment to net zero emissions. The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) yesterday announced it will sign a commitment to net zero emissions and create plans to achieve this, alongside a network of global accountancy bodies. The 13 [...]
Brexit exclusive: UK firms face IBAN discrimination across EU as GB payments are refused October 7, 2021 As the clocks turned 2020 into 2021 the UK left the European Union after 47 years. The decision divided the country, and businesses everywhere were forced to adapt to, and comply with, new regulations. Certain industries were more affected than others, and businesses which had some sort of international presence benefited from a smoother transitioning period, [...]
Accounting watchdog FRC launches probe into French Connection audit by Mazars October 6, 2021 The accounting watchdog said this morning it has launched an investigation into retailer French Connection’s audit by Mazars. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) said it was probing the chain’s accounts for the year ending January 31 of last year. It said the decision to investigate the audit was made at a meeting of its conduct [...]
The Impact of Covid-19 on Board Accountability, Flexible Work, Stakeholder Engagement, and Financial Markets October 5, 2021 | City Talk The podcast series A Guide to EU Financial Politics and Policy Development continues to bring listeners valuable insight and perspectives on the European Union regulatory sphere. This summer, we added four new episodes focusing on the impact of the pandemic on board accountability, work environments, stakeholder engagement, and financial markets. The podcast is hosted by Josina Kamerling, [...]