When it comes to accounting firms, the big are getting bigger. The top ten largest audit firms boosted their share of the external auditing market in 2019, according to a new report by research firm Audit Analytics. The report finds that the market share held by the 10 biggest firms Read More
Collapsed British construction giant Carillion PLC lost a bid to get access to KPMG audit workpapers in preparation for a £250 million ($314 million) lawsuit against the accounting firm for negligence. The failed construction company, which entered into liquidation in 2018, is seeking to sue KPMG LLP and KPMG Audit Read More
The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board released a new advisory report to provide information for auditors and audit committees about audits involving cryptoassets, such as Bitcoin and other digital currencies. The Spotlight document, Audits Involving Cryptoassets – Information for Auditors and Audit Committees, calls for a greater focus by some Read More
The Securities and Exchange Commission has settled charges against three former KPMG LLP audit partners for improperly sharing answers to internal training exams and for actions that attempted to impede an investigation into the misconduct. The SEC previously charged KPMG with violations connected to the exam sharing scandal, as well Read More
A new report issued by an independent U.K. committee convened to review just about every facet of the audit function—from internal controls to internal audit to the independent assurance function offered by the Big Four and others—is urging a complete overhaul of the audit process. The Brydon Report, issued today, Read More
A new report finds that companies are making changes to financial disclosures, conducting audit “dry runs,” and even improving and adding new controls ahead of a new regulation that will require audit firms to disclose financial reporting issues that cause concern for auditors, known as “critical audit matters” or CAMs. Read More
A new academic study is calling into question a rule enacted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board that requires audit firms to disclose the name of the lead engagement partner who oversaw the audit. The regulation is known as Rule 3211 and took effect in January 2017. The idea Read More
Former KPMG partner, David Middendorf, was sentenced this week to a year and a day in prison for his role in a fraudulent scheme to acquire a regulator’s confidential plans in an attempt to get a leg up on audit firm inspections. The ex-KPMG exec was also sentenced to three Read More
The professional association for internal auditors in the United Kingdom and Ireland has issued a draft version today of a new “Code of Practice” that is says will promote more extensive access for internal auditors. The draft, issued by the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors, is intended to strengthen corporate Read More
Big Four audit firm KPMG LLP will pay $50 million to settle Securities and Exchange Commission charges in the KPMG cheating scandal. The SEC had alleged that the firm altered past audit work after receiving stolen information about inspections of the firm that would be conducted by the Public Company Read More
