MPs launch inquiry into future of ‘broken’ audit sector November 12, 2018 A powerful parliamentary committee will launch an inquiry into the “broken” audit market today, aimed at ensuring an ongoing competition probe ends the “overwhelming market domination” of the Big Four. Labour MP Rachel Reeves will announce the inquiry – by the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Select Committee which she chairs – during a [...]
Deloitte calls for audit market cap and ban on selling extra services to audit clients November 8, 2018 Two of the world’s biggest accountancy firms have backed a ban on UK auditors selling extra services to their audit clients, setting the stage for a huge shift in the embattled sector. Deloitte and KPMG – two members of audit’s Big Four – have backed the move, which would potentially put hundreds of millions in fee income [...]
Sainsbury’s and Asda merger could cut hole in shoppers’ pockets, Waitrose warns November 8, 2018 The proposed merger of Asda and Sainsbury’s will cause substantial harm to customers, rival chain Waitrose warned today. It said the merger could force independent retailers to close in the face of competition from the new giant, leaving shoppers with fewer alternatives, while prices could rise. In comments to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which [...]
KPMG will halt non-audit work on FTSE 350 clients in wake of Carillion November 8, 2018 KPMG is set to become the first of the so-called Big Four to cease all non-audit work for FTSE 350 clients in the wake of Carillion. The auditor will stop providing all but some essential non-audit services for the 90 FTSE 350 customers whose accounts it audits, it has told 625 UK partners in a [...]
Sainsbury’s sees rising sales despite ‘uncertain’ outlook November 8, 2018 Sainsbury’s posted growth in underlying profit for its half-year results today, despite highlighting an 'uncertain' outlook ahead of the Christmas spending period. The figures Like-for-like sales climbed 0.6 per cent year on year during the six months, rising from the 0.2 per cent growth it reported for the first quarter of the year. That helped revenue hit £16.8bn, up [...]
Ban auditors from immediately selling new services to outgoing clients, says sector body November 6, 2018 Accountancy firms should be banned from immediately selling other services to lapsing audit clients, an industry body has said. The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has told regulators they should consider introducing a “cooling off” period of two years, in which auditors are banned from the lucrative practice of selling additional products to firms [...]
Pepsico bid for British crisp brand Pipers shows more US companies hungry for UK assets November 6, 2018 Pepsico swooped on premium British crisp brand Pipers today adding to a bumper year for US acquisitions of UK firms, with deals already hitting a record $87bn (£66.4bn). The value of acquisitions has surged by a whopping $57bn since last year, according to figures compiled by Dealogic. The record figure does not include the undisclosed [...]
Icelandair stocks skyrocket as it announces Wow Air purchase November 5, 2018 Icelandair closed up more than 39 per cent today after the airline announced plans to buy fellow Icelandic carrier Wow Air. The deal, which is subject to approval by Icelandair’s shareholders and the country’s competition authorities, will see Wow Air shareholders receive 5.4 per cent of Icelandair’s shares. Icelandair said the companies will continue to operate as [...]
Give shareholders more say over audit, watchdog urged November 5, 2018 The UK’s competition watchdog has been encouraged to drive shareholder involvement in picking and overseeing company auditors, as it looks for ways to shake up the sector. In their responses to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) review of the audit sector, two shareholder bodies – the UK Shareholders’ Association (UKSA) and UK Individual Shareholders’ [...]
Bosses should take blame for bad corporate reports, says Big Four’s EY November 4, 2018 One of the UK’s biggest audit firms has said top bosses and directors should take individual responsibility if their companies make errors in financial reports. EY, one of the Big Four audit firms, said regulators should adapt the US system of corporate responsibility, which stipulates C-level executives must personally confirm the integrity of their companies’ [...]