FRC fines PwC, EY for London Capital & Finance audit failings

Big Four firms PwC and EY were each penalized by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) for alleged shortcomings during their respective audits at collapsed investment firm London Capital & Finance (LCF).

Both audit firms were assessed fines of 7 million pounds (U.S. $8.8 million), the FRC announced Tuesday. PwC earned a discount of 30 percent for admissions and early disposal and will pay £4.9 million (U.S. $6.1 million), while EY was awarded the same plus an additional 10 percent off for “exceptional” cooperation down to about £4.4 million (U.S. $5.5 million).

LCF sold £236 million (U.S. $295 million) worth of bonds promising investor returns of 6.5 to 8 percent a year. The investment firm entered administration in January 2019, with more than 11,000 investors suffering significant losses.