With the EU’s audit regulation and audit directive coming into force in June the UK’s Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is consulting on its new audit enforcement procedure for audits of Public Interest Entities (PIE) – which include listed companies, credit institutions and insurance undertakings. The FRC has developed its new audit enforcement procedure in order to fulfill its role […]
Read MorePaul Druckman, chief executive of the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC), will step down this year, although the exact date for his departure will be dependent on the appointment of his successor. The IIRC said that Druckman would continue to lead on its programme for 2016, including its work as a member of the B20 SME Development Task Force and […]
Read MoreGlobal technology Google continues to be in the spotlight over its £130m tax deal with the UK authorities. The UK parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, which first looked into the issue of corporate tax deals in 2012, has held a session questioning both Matt Brittin, president of Google Europe, Middle East and Africa and Tom Hutchinson, VP Finance, Google […]
Read MoreThe US financial regulator, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has fined global agri-business firm Monsanto $80 million for violating accounting rules and misstating company earnings in relation to its flagship product Roundup. The company has also agreed to retain an independent compliance consultant in its settlement with the SEC. Three accounting and sales executives have also agreed […]
Read MoreAn agreement has been reached between 31 countries for the automatic exchange of information on the taxes paid by, and the economic activity of, multinational businesses. This increase in transparency between countries should help tax authorities understand if multinationals are actually paying what is considered a fair rate of tax in the countries where they do business […]
Read MoreThe UK’s accounting regulator, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), is to consider whether the accountancy firm, KPMG, or any individuals require further investigation following a review of the report, published last November by the Prudential Regulatory Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority, into the failure of HBOS plc. Following a review of the report by the […]
Read MoreThe Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has issued two consultations as part of its ramped up efforts to implement the EU Audit Regulation and Directive regime and strengthen investor confidence in governance. Board Succession Planning Following its October discussion paper UK Board Succession Planning -the FRC is now seeking input and feedback on how to achieve diverse […]
Read MoreAfter what has probably been the most exhausting proxy season for investors and issuers alike, the regulatory momentum shows no sign of easing. The new UK Corporate Governance Code goes live for all companies reporting to shareholders on or after 1 October 2014. Regarding the changes, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) CEO Stephen Haddrill commented […]
Read MoreLast week, the UK Competition Commission published its provisional findings in its investigation into the provision of statutory audit services in the UK. Unsurprisingly, the findings show that there are obstacles to competition, as if we didn’t know that already. Just in case you needed more evidence, some really interesting research in this month’s Financial Director magazine’s […]
Read More“The Big Four’s domination of the large firm audit market in the UK is almost complete: in 2010 they audited 99 of the FTSE 100 largest listed firms, which change auditors every 48 years on average. It is clearly an oligopoly with all the attendant concerns about competition, choice, quality and conflict of interest. It […]
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