AI-enhanced deception: The audit industry’s next big test January 19, 2026 The audit industry has been under the microscope over the past few years following a number of high-profile corporate collapses, prompting stricter measures to restore public trust. And with the rise of AI-driven fraud, auditors will be under more pressure than ever to adapt to an evolving risk environment. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC), the [...]
FRC chief urges audit reform before next corporate scandal January 13, 2026 The boss of the accountancy regulator has issued a direct warning to the government, urging them to pass audit reform legislation during “peacetime” rather than waiting for a major corporate collapse or scandal. Speaking on the latest episode of the Following the Rules podcast, Financial Reporting Council (FRC) CEO Richard Moriarty, said: “Given the thinking that’s gone [...]
City watchdog fines ex-Carillion finance chiefs for market manipulation January 7, 2026 The City watchdog has fined the former finance directors of collapsed construction firm Carillion for their role in making “misleading” statements from the company. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said both Richard Adam and Zafar Khan were aware of “serious financial troubles” in Carillion’s UK business but failed to reflect this in company announcements. Adam [...]
Auditor MHA queried source of funds in Sanjeev Gupta-owned firms before resigning December 11, 2025 MHA queried the source of funds for various intercompany transactions before resigning from an engineering firm owned by metals magnate Sanjeev Gupta, City AM can reveal. The London-listed accounting firm has stepped down as auditor of Wolverhampton-based Clydesdale Engineering, an automotive and defence manufacturer owned by Gupta’s Liberty Steel Group, part of his GFG Alliance [...]
Watchdog launches new probe into EY over ‘unauthorised’ audit reports December 10, 2025 The accountancy watchdog has commenced a new investigation into the Big Four firm EY and two of its members. In an announcement on Wednesday morning, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) revealed that it has commenced an investigation into “unauthorised issuance of auditor’s reports to audited entities”. This comes after the Big Four firm informed the [...]
Auditor MHA resigns from Sanjeev Gupta-owned engineering firm December 9, 2025 MHA has resigned as auditor for a subsidiary of the beleaguered metals group controlled by tycoon Sanjeev Gupta, City AM can reveal. The London-listed accounting firm has stepped down as auditor of Wolverhampton-based Clydesdale Engineering, an automotive and defence manufacturer owned by Gupta’s Liberty Steel Group, part of his GFG Alliance conglomerate. MHA declined to [...]
WH Smith chief executive quits after damning Deloitte audit report November 19, 2025 The boss of one of Britain’s best-known retailers has quit the role after an investigation into the firm’s accounting practices uncovered major flaws. WH Smith chief executive Carl Cowling said he would step down with immediate effect on Wednesday after the report, produced by Big-Four audit firm Deloitte identified weaknesses in the operations of the [...]
Confidence in audit quality surges despite knowledge gaps November 17, 2025 Confidence in audit quality has increased but many stakeholders have reported only a partial or limited understanding of the scope of auditor responsibilities, according to new findings. A document from the Centre for Public Interest Audit (CPIA) shows that all three stakeholder groups surveyed – finance directors, equity investors and audit committee chairs – reported [...]
Reeves’ £28bn wealth fund under fresh scrutiny November 13, 2025 Rachel Reeves’ flagship National Wealth Fund has come under scrutiny after an audit identified “weaknesses” in the multi-billion pound vehicle’s risk controls. An audit of the National Wealth Fund (NWF) pointed to potential failures in the effectiveness of risk, management, governance and internal controls. Whilst the findings from the report confirmed “improvements have taken place”, [...]
BDO fined £6.5m after regulator slams it for faking audit evidence November 6, 2025 Business advisory giant BDO has been slapped with a £6.5m fine after two of its former audit engagement partners made admissions of misconduct. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) launched an investigation after receiving formal complaints about the dishonest conduct of a BDO senior manager between 2015 and 2019, including the creation of false audit evidence, [...]