PwC to take over from KPMG as M&G’s external auditor November 2, 2020 PwC is set to take over from KPMG as M&G's external auditor.
Golden age of tech: Value of European tech firms soar to €618bn October 29, 2020 The value of Europe’s tech firms has soared in the past five years signalling the start of a golden age of tech entrepreneurship on the continent. Technology has become somewhat of a safe haven for investors during the pandemic but figures from Dealroom indicate it is part of a longer trend. European tech companies are [...]
Management consultancies cash in £180m for Brexit planning October 28, 2020 Management consultancies have been awarded more than £180m to deliver Brexit, as the government faces mounting criticism for handing out taxpayer cash to private firms during the pandemic. Documents released yesterday showed the government has signed six Brexit contracts each worth £30m with KPMG, McKinsey, Bain, Deloitte, Accenture and PwC. Ministers said the £180m sum [...]
Driverless Tube trains would cost £7bn, report shows October 27, 2020 A leaked document has shown that it would cost £7bn to introduce driverless trains onto London’s Tube network. Automating trains on the capital’s underground network is a pet project of PM Boris Johnson, who has pushed for progress on the development. Back in July, he said that driverless Tube trains should be a condition of [...]
Open finance: exploring open banking’s natural evolution October 23, 2020 Laziness. Lack of time. The all-too-frequent challenge of speaking to a helpful person by phone. There are many reasons why consumers and businesses don’t shop around and switch products and suppliers. Failing to keep abreast of the best mortgage rates? Rolling onto the same insurance every year without looking for better deals? If so, open finance – a development coming [...]
KPMG considering sale of UK restructuring business October 22, 2020 KPMG is considering selling its UK restructuring business as the accounting giant looks to shore up its finances after delaying its annual results amid the disruption caused by Covid-19. The firm is exploring options for the division including a possible sale as the Big Four accountants prepare for extensive reforms of their business to comply [...]
MPs demand update on audit reform progress from business secretary October 21, 2020 An influential committee of MPs has written to business secretary Alok Sharma to demand an update on the government’s progress implementing audit reforms following a series of high-profile accounting scandals. In a letter dated yesterday, Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) committee chair Darren Jones asked Sharma to outline which reforms recommended by two recent [...]
Accounting watchdog floats strengthening auditors’ obligation to spot fraud October 21, 2020 The UK’s accounting regulator has proposed increasing the requirements on auditors to detect fraud in company accounts following a spate of high-profile accounting scandals. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has launched a review into the international accounting standard outlining auditors’ responsibilities to identify fraud. The watchdog is proposing revisions to the standard to provide “increased [...]
Boohoo takes £775m hit as auditor stands down October 20, 2020 Boohoo saw almost £775m wiped off its market value yesterday after the beleaguered fast fashion retailer said PwC was stepping down as auditor. Boohoo’s announcement that it was running a tender for a new auditor and that PwC would not take part in the process spooked investors, sending shares down 20 per cent to 254p [...]
Mergers can improve banks’ profitability, says ECB vice president October 19, 2020 The vice president of the European Central Bank has called for further consolidation by eurozone banks to improve lenders’ profitability during the Covid-19 crisis. Banks in Spain and other EU countries have come under pressure to consolidate as the sector faces rising bad loans and rock bottom interest rates due to the coronavirus pandemic. “Removing [...]