EU referendum: Virgin Money chief executive Jayne-Anne Gadhia says Brexit would lead to fewer jobs and less prosperity January 24, 2016 Virgin Money chief executive Jayne-Anne Gadhia became the latest big business boss to wade in the European Union debate over the weekend when she came out in favour of the UK remaining in the EU. Gadhia said that while she "could see benefits of not being subject to all the bureaucracy of Europe", remaining in the EU would [...]
Financial Reporting Council confirms plans to investigate KPMG over Hbos handling January 21, 2016 The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has confirmed plans to launch an investigation into KPMG and its handling of Hbos’ accounts today. In a statement this morning, the regulator said it had asked its executive counsel to undertake preliminary enquiries under the accountancy scheme, the disciplinary scheme for members of the accounting profession. The FRC will examine [...]
Accounting watchdog meeting to decide on KPMG investigation into the auditor’s role over HBOS collapse January 18, 2016 The accountancy watchdog could decide as soon as tomorrow whether to launch a formal investigation into the role of big four accountancy giant KPMG in the collapse of HBOS in 2008. The Financial Reporting Council’s (FRC) conduct committee is set to meet tomorrow to make its decision, Sky News has reported. The conduct committee will [...]
Corporate governance standards among UK companies stay high, as regulator says its code will not be substantially amended for the next three years January 14, 2016 The overall quality of corporate governance among UK companies remains high, as the regulator vows not to make any major changes to its code for the next three years. According to a report published today by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), 90 per cent of FTSE 350 companies are complying with all but one or [...]
HMRC is “worse than private companies” as it ranks bottom of list of government and private debt collectors January 8, 2016 Think payday lenders are bad? Meet Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC)… HMRC has been ranked bottom of a list of government departments and private companies when it comes to collecting debt, a new report has warned. A report by Citizens Advice found evidence of poor practice by the government, "including a lack of consideration given to whether people [...]
Grant Thornton subject of Financial Reporting Council investigation over its audit of Globo’s accounts December 21, 2015 The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has today revealed that it is launching an investigation into accountancy firm Grant Thornton regarding its audit of the accounts of Globo for the years ended December 2013 and 2014. The technology company announced in October that its former chief executive had alerted the board to misrepresentations of the company's financial situation. [...]
From Ed Miliband to Martin Winterkorn: These are 2015’s biggest people moves December 18, 2015 From politicos to business nerds, it's been a busy year for people-watchers of all ilks, as the mighty fell. Whether you were more interested in the surprise departure of Barclays chief executive Antony Jenkins, or the many u-turns of Ukip leader Nigel Farage, here are the biggest people moves this year. 1. Mack the Knife's reign [...]
Accounting watchdog scrutinising KPMG over HBOS failures December 17, 2015 The accounting industry regulator, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), is reviewing whether to investigate big four accountant KPMG over its role in the collapse of HBOS. The bank was given a clean bill of health in an audit by KPMG shortly before needing to bailed out by the government and Lloyds TSB in 2008. The [...]
How much do barristers earn? Much less than you’d think if they’re working on Crown Court legal aid cases December 17, 2015 Barristers working on certain legal aid cases could find themselves pocketing less than the average wage and far less than their similarly educated peers in other professions, the Bar Council warned today. The remarks are based on a report released today from the Ministry of Justice about junior barristers' wages, which discovered the lawyers working regularly on [...]
MPs pile pressure on the accounting watchdog and KPMG over HBOS failures December 15, 2015 An influential group of MPs have renewed calls for the accounting industry watchdog to investigate KPMG’s role in the collapse of HBOS. Steve Baker MP, a member of the Treasury select committee, called the auditing of banks by accountancy firms around 2008 “the great uncovered scandal of the financial crisis”. In last month’s report into [...]