Big Four accountants warned by regulator to improve audits November 16, 2021 The head of the UK accounting watchdog has told the Big Four audit firms they need to run their own businesses better, before advising other companies, according to reports. Sir Jon Thompson, chief executive of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) made his remarks ahead of the regulator’s launch today of its first guide for accountants [...]
No Bitcoin believers: Indonesia’s religious leaders forbid muslims from using crypto as currency November 11, 2021 Indonesia’s religious council has declared the use of crypto assets as currency unlawful for muslims. At a meeting of the National Ulema Council, MUI, clerics deemed cryptocurrency to be forbidden under Shariah law because it includes elements of uncertainty, wagering and harm. Trading cryptocurrencies as a commodity is also unlawful because it does not meet [...]
KPMG faces £15m fine over Quindell audit November 10, 2021 Accounting giant KPMG could be confronted with a £15m legal claim from insurance outsourcer Quindell, according to reports. Quindell, now known as Watchstone, is preparing to file claims against the Big Four firm, alleging that it suffered losses of up to £15m from KPMG’s audit in 2013, according to Financial News, which first reported the [...]
Climate change and the humble auditor – CityAM : CityAM November 8, 2021 The relevance of climate change to world leaders, Royals, activists, Leonardo DiCaprio, chief execs and both former, and current central bank heads, is largely understood, by their presence at Cop26, to be of paramount importance. But what on earth auditors have to do with climate change, is rather more perplexing. One explanation is that audit [...]
How finance can help forge a cleaner future for all November 5, 2021 This article first appeared in ICAS’ CA magazine. Finance can help forge a cleaner future for all, and the contribution of accountants will prove essential, says James Alexander, CEO of the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association Earlier this year, the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF) celebrated its 30th birthday by publishing its policy [...]
Grant Thornton and partner fined over £750,000 over Interserve audit failings November 1, 2021 Grant Thornton has been fined over £700,00 by UK regulator Financial Reporting Council (FRC) for audit failings at Interserve, a British multinational construction business which collapsed in 2019. The fine comes just over a month after the FRC issued another sanction, of £2.3m, on the accounting giant for a “serious lack of competence” in the [...]
Bank of England mulls regulatory shake up to manage climate risks October 28, 2021 The Bank of England has taken a step closer to imposing stricter rules on banks to ensure they step up their preparedness for climate change. The Old Lady’s Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) said today it is mulling a shake up of capital buffer structures to manage the potential risks of global warming. It will publish [...]
Exclusive: ‘London needs to take a leaf out of Dorset’s book,’ argues veteran City lawyer October 28, 2021 As restrictions have eased, office doors reopened and professionals flock back into the City, life is once again teeming in London. However, as living priorities and sustainability targets have evolved post-pandemic, London must ensure that it remains attractive, liveable and sustainable in the long-run. A formula that has proven to create eco-friendly and community-focused residential [...]
BDO faces FRC investigation over audit of collapsed construction firm October 21, 2021 Accountancy firm BDO is being investigated by the UK accounting regulator over its audit of collapsed construction company NMCN. The Financial Reporting Council confirmed on Thursday it was examining the BDO’s audit of NCMN’s financial statements and its final set of accounts before it filed for administration on October 4. BDO resigned as the group’s [...]
Ed Warner: Activity vouchers can solve post-Covid sport participation problem October 21, 2021 I addressed a bunch of politicians, advisors and sports industry types at a Westminster Forum this week on the challenges facing sport and the public funding priorities as we come out of the pandemic. The risk on these occasions is that you get caught in an echo chamber, telling the audience what it already thinks [...]