Latest
PwC’s failed complaint over professor’s spicy LinkedIn posts
Andy Schmulow’s more polite jibes included calling PwC “a cancer” on society, “thugs in suits”, and a “parasite”. PwC reckons it’s all beyond the pale.
- 1 hr ago
- Myriam Robin
PwC partners in the Middle East accused of blocking first woman boss
PwC is facing a backlash from its own staff after two women were passed over for the UK firm’s top job, as Middle Eastern partners grow in strength.
- Updated
- Adam Mawardi
Big four exam cheating under spotlight amid AI fears
Academic integrity is in focus for professional regulators after a series of cheating scandals and the rise of artificial intelligence.
- Adam Mawardi
Law Council ‘extremely concerned’ by ATO’s privilege allegations
In response to comments by Jeremy Hirschhorn to the Senate, the Law Council warned against casting doubt over the purpose of law firms’ consulting arms.
- Maxim Shanahan
Let ASIC police big four conflicts: Samuel
Former ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel says the big four’s governance changes looked good on paper, but would not fundamentally change the culture of the firms.
- Maxim Shanahan and Ronald Mizen
Data Trackers
Financial Review consulting salary guide 2022-23
The full guide to how much you can earn at Accenture, Deloitte, KPMG and PwC.
- Edmund Tadros
PwC seeks absolution but can it really change?
The publication of two documents and a video apology for the tax leaks scandal this week was meant to be a circuit breaker. But it won’t be that easy.
- Edmund Tadros
Professional Moves
Scyne finalises appointments, KPMG partner heads to Star
PwC spin-off Scyne Advisory has appointed a permanent managing partner and will finalise its CEO in the second half of this year.
- Maxim Shanahan
Energy focus as Ashurst, Allens, Freehills appoint new partners
Energy and environment lawyers have led promotions at top-tier firms, as the legal industry targets the energy transition as the next big source of billings.
- Maxim Shanahan
Scyne settles restraint case, as PwC tax partner jumps to KPMG
Connie Heaney will be free to continue at Downer EDI under the settlement, while a senior PwC tax partner has jumped ship to KPMG.
- Updated
- Maxim Shanahan
Yesterday
Big four’s reformation moment
Engaging with the Treasury process is an opportunity for the consulting giants to help modernise the partnership-based model founded in the 19th century and unfit for today.
- The AFR View
The 24 questions Treasury has about the big four consulting firms
The 16 “potential issues” raised by Treasury and the 24 questions it would like responses to about the structure of the firms and the wider sector.
- Edmund Tadros
- Opinion
- Audit quality
Treasury questions the very nature of the big four consulting firms
Get ready for war as they fight back against suggestions they are too big, incapable of governing themselves and have compromised auditing roles.
- Edmund Tadros
This Month
- Exclusive
- Harassment
One word reshaped legal watchdog’s public complaint guidance
The NSW Office of the Legal Services Commissioner changed its wording on disciplinary complaints from “must” to “may” investigate after being contacted by a female lawyer.
- Max Mason
Legal grad pay tops $110k, but wage gap still stubborn
The gender pay gap in the legal industry remains “stubbornly and consistently high”, a survey has found.
- Updated
- Maxim Shanahan
April
KPMG increases working capital borrowings by almost $300m
KPMG increased its borrowings by almost $300 million over the past two financial years but booked revenue growth of more than $500 million.
- Maxim Shanahan
Scyne finalises appointments, KPMG partner heads to Star
PwC spin-off Scyne Advisory has appointed a permanent managing partner and will finalise its CEO in the second half of this year.
- Maxim Shanahan
McKinsey uses Chumbawamba to boost morale
The firm sought to rally partners at a meeting, but has been hit by news of a criminal investigation and lawsuit from a former senior partner in the past week.
- Ambereen Choudhury and Amy Bainbridge
PwC set to become smallest big four firm
PwC has lost more than 200 partners in less than a year, with the once-ascendant firm expected to fall behind KPMG on partnership size and revenue.
- Maxim Shanahan
- Exclusive
- Harassment
Legal watchdog accused of quashing sexual assault claim
A lawyer who alleges she was sexually assaulted by a high-profile Sydney solicitor has accused the industry watchdog of blocking a full investigation.
- Max Mason
Tax Office warns law firms over consulting push
ATO second commissioner Jeremy Hirschhorn said he was worried law firms would repeat the mistakes of the big four professional services firms with their push into consulting.
- Maxim Shanahan
McKinsey faces US criminal probe over opioids work: sources
McKinsey & Co is under criminal investigation in the United States over allegations it played a key role in fuelling the opioid epidemic.
- Mike Spector, Nate Raymond and Chris Prentice
Energy focus as Ashurst, Allens, Freehills appoint new partners
Energy and environment lawyers have led promotions at top-tier firms, as the legal industry targets the energy transition as the next big source of billings.
- Maxim Shanahan
Scyne settles restraint case, as PwC tax partner jumps to KPMG
Connie Heaney will be free to continue at Downer EDI under the settlement, while a senior PwC tax partner has jumped ship to KPMG.
- Updated
- Maxim Shanahan
Big four consultants ‘commoditised’, says fast-growing boutique firm
Rennie Advisory has appointed former senior EY partner Tim Eddy as its new chairman, as small firms capitalise on client dissatisfaction with the big four.
- Maxim Shanahan
It turns out APM wasn’t so ‘disappointed’ in MDP’s bid after all
It has been a difficult period for the employment and NDIS services group, and brokers expect things to remain that way. But not enough to scare some off.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
BHP taps Deloitte for underpayments fix
The nation’s biggest company has brought in Deloitte to help track down former employees affected by a $434 million accounting glitch.
- Peter Ker
An accountant’s journey into Warren Buffett’s shadow
Brett Kelly’s cringe efforts to be a self-styled corporate thought-leader are plumbing new depths.
- Updated
- Mark Di Stefano
New legal AI tools target partners, dealmakers
Two new artificial intelligence tools have entered the increasingly crowded legal market, as in-house counsel push firms to pass on the cost savings being made though AI.
- Maxim Shanahan
Banking royal commission star Rowena Orr joins the bench
Rowena Orr, who came to prominence during the Hayne royal commission, has been appointed to the Victorian Court of Appeal.
- Maxim Shanahan