PwC fined $2.1M for audit failures regarding BT Group fraud disclosures
PwC will pay a reduced fine of 1.75 million pounds (U.S. $2.1 million) as part of sanctions against the Big Four firm for failures in its fiscal year 2017 audit at BT Group after the U.K. telecommunications company adjusted its financials to reflect a fraud scandal in Italy.
Surgalign to pay $2M to settle accounting fraud charges
Medical implant manufacturer Surgalign will pay a $2 million penalty handed down by the SEC and recoup nearly $600,000 in incentive-based compensation from four senior executives who allegedly manipulated the company’s financial statements.
SEC appoints Anthony Thompson to second term on PCAOB
The Securities and Exchange Commission announced the appointment of Anthony Thompson to a second term on the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
Ex-Carillion execs to face market abuse claims
Three former executives at collapsed construction firm Carillion each face six-figure fines for market abuse for “recklessly” making misleadingly positive and inaccurate statements about the company’s financial health despite knowing it was in trouble.
FRC finalizes $17.4M fine against KPMG for Carillion, Regenersis dishonesty
KPMG was fined £14.4 million (U.S. $17.4 million) and severely reprimanded for providing false and misleading information relating to its audits of construction company Carillion and software business Regenersis.
Assessing results of FASB’s 2021 agenda consultation report
The Financial Accounting Standards Board’s 2021 agenda consultation report summarizes the extensive feedback FASB received when it asked stakeholders where it should focus its time and resources.
FRC 2021/22 audit inspections: KPMG praised; BDO and Mazars rebuked
Improvements at KPMG resulted in each of the Big Four returning no audits requiring significant improvement during an inspection cycle for the first time in the last five years, according to the U.K. Financial Reporting Council’s latest quality review results.
Grant Thornton UK to pay $1.6M over Sports Direct audit failings
Grant Thornton UK was fined a total of approximately £1.3 million (U.S. $1.6 million) by the Financial Reporting Council for failing to provide reasonable assurance during two separate audits at retailer Sports Direct International.
Survey: Firms early to prep for SEC’s climate-related disclosure rule
Respondents to a Compliance Week/CohnReznick survey assessing readiness for the SEC’s climate-related disclosure mandate aren’t waiting to see how the proposed rule plays out before getting their compliance house in order.
Chinese companies facing HFCAA delisting seeking alternatives
Chinese businesses identified as noncompliant with the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act are trying a variety of strategies to circumvent or comply with the law before they are delisted from U.S. exchanges.
Survey: Inflation, climate risk top audit partner economic concerns for 2022
The economy, cybersecurity, climate change, and cryptocurrency are among top concerns for the year ahead expressed by U.S. public company audit partners as part of a new Center for Audit Quality survey.
Materiality, Scope 3 emissions elicit debate in SEC climate rule comments
Comment letters in response to the SEC’s climate-related disclosure rule have laid out opponents’ issues with the proposal, while supporters have used the process to buttress the agency’s case for implementing it.
Financial volatility, supply chain disruptions among PCAOB 2022 inspection focuses
The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board will pay increased attention to how auditors are addressing changing risk landscapes because of the current economic environment during its 2022 inspections.
FASB update clarifies fair value guidance for equity securities
The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an update to its fair value measurement standard that clarifies conflicting guidance regarding equity securities.
Survey: Tell us about your M&A compliance
Take part in this 3-minute survey to help benchmark your mergers and acquisitions pain points against those of your peers. One lucky respondent will win a $200 Amazon gift card for completing the survey.
Historic EY fine latest by-product of KPMG cheating scandal
It is impossible to ignore the SEC’s $100 million fine against EY for employee exam cheating is double the amount the regulator penalized KPMG for its separate cheating scandal. Especially since the latter resolution appears to have served as a starting point for the SEC’s ruling on the former.
EY fined record $100M for employee cheating scandal
Ernst & Young will pay $100 million after admitting to SEC charges addressing systematic cheating among its accounting professionals on CPA license exams over four years. The fine is the largest the agency has ever imposed against an audit firm.
PCAOB adopts new requirements for use of multiple audit firms
The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board announced its approval of a rule creating a new audit standard and amending a handful of others regarding audits involving multiple audit firms, the culmination of a project first launched in 2016.
FASB removes goodwill accounting project from agenda
The Financial Accounting Standards Board tentatively ruled to remove a project regarding identifiable intangible assets and subsequent accounting for goodwill from its technical agenda.
Assessing the scope of FASB’s environmental credits project
The Financial Accounting Standards Board added a project to its technical agenda on environmental credits that will include recognition, measurement, accounting presentation, and disclosure.
e-Book: Finance Automation: Thriving in the Age of Change
While most accounting teams have replaced their manual accounting practices with an updated, digital version, many are still following the old rules, such as close-related tasks being completed on a certain day of the month.
CohnReznick fined $1.9M for audit failures at Sequential Brands, Longfin
Audit firm CohnReznick agreed to pay $1.9 million as part of a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for improper conduct at two of its clients the SEC previously charged with filing fraudulent financial statements.
SEC acting chief accountant: Ethical culture key to auditor independence
Paul Munter, acting chief accountant at the Securities and Exchange Commission, released a statement acknowledging recurring issues agency staff have observed regarding auditor independence consultations.
Synchronoss to pay $12.5M over alleged accounting misconduct by former execs
The Securities and Exchange Commission announced software company Synchronoss Technologies agreed to a $12.5 million settlement for “long-running accounting improprieties” caused, in part, by alleged misconduct from senior executives.
Tepid reception to ‘half-hearted’ U.K. audit reform measures
The U.K. government’s confirmed plans to shake up the audit market and improve corporate governance for the country’s biggest companies has received mixed response, with some key stakeholders lamenting “missed” opportunities.
PwC fined $6.2M over Galliford Try, Kier Group audit lapses
PwC will pay a total of nearly £5 million (U.S. $6.2 million) as part of a pair of enforcement actions announced by the U.K. Financial Reporting Council regarding deficiencies in the Big Four firm’s audits at construction companies Galliford Try and Kier Group.
Report: SPACs drive restatement surge in 2021
The total number of restatements and individual companies disclosing restatements in 2021 rose to their highest levels since 2006, according to Audit Analytics’ latest annual review.
PCAOB bars former BF Borgers director over repeated audit failures
The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board barred Bo-Shiang Lien, a former audit director and nonequity partner at BF Borgers, for at least two years for violations of PCAOB rules and standards as part of four audits across three public companies.
KPMG fined $4.3M for undocumented red flags in Rolls-Royce corruption case
The U.K. Financial Reporting Council announced a reduced penalty of approximately £3.4 million (U.S. $4.3 million) against KPMG for failures in its 2010 audit of car maker Rolls-Royce.
What to consider as FASB tackles digital assets
The Financial Accounting Standards Board unanimously decided to add a project to its technical agenda on the accounting and disclosure for certain digital assets, including cryptocurrencies. Experts weigh in on the current landscape and what form the project might take.
KPMG facing $17.6M fine following Carillion tribunal
KPMG is set to pay a reduced fine of £14.4 million (U.S. $17.6 million) from the U.K. Financial Reporting Council over its botched audits at collapsed construction company Carillion and software firm Regenersis.
PCAOB fines Citrin Cooperman $200K over audit failures
Citrin Cooperman was fined $200,000 by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board for failing to meet PCAOB standards during its 2016 and 2017 year-end audits at an unnamed broker-dealer.
CPE Webcast: Thriving in the age of change
Finance automation solutions are enabling corporations to improve accuracy, execute tighter controls, and decrease risk. Accountants and auditors are unleashed to be more proactive, focus on complex and judgmental areas, and drive strategic business decisions.
CFTC proposal furthers transition from LIBOR in swaps
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission proposed a rule that would replace certain swap rate clearing requirements pegged to the London Interbank Offered Rate with other alternative reference rates that are less susceptible to manipulation.
New sanctions add ban on U.S. accounting, management consulting work in Russia
The Treasury Department unveiled a host of new sanctions against Russian and Belarusian individuals and banks, in addition to a ban on U.S.-based accounting, management consulting, and trust and corporate formation services to any person located in the Russian Federation.
Need to know: SEC climate-related disclosure attestation requirements
While the Securities and Exchange Commission’s proposed climate-related disclosure rule is being finalized, affected companies should begin considering new attestation requirements for accelerated and large accelerated filers regarding greenhouse gas emissions.
SEC: Companies must adequately disclose financial impact of Russia’s war on Ukraine
The Securities and Exchange Commission is warning public companies they must accurately and adequately disclose the material impact on their business caused by Russia’s war against Ukraine.
SEC accuses Vale of safety audit manipulation in 2019 dam collapse
Brazilian mining company Vale was accused by the Securities and Exchange Commission of making false and misleading safety audit and disclosure claims prior to the January 2019 collapse of its Brumadinho dam.
FASB reference rate proposal seeks to extend LIBOR transition relief
The Financial Accounting Standards Board announced a proposed standard update that would defer for two years the end date of relief provided by transition guidance for businesses shifting away from the London Interbank Offered Rate.
Deloitte to pay $1.8M for goodwill testing failures in Mitie Group audit
The U.K. Financial Reporting Council announced a reduced penalty of 1.45 million pounds (U.S. $1.8 million) against Deloitte regarding goodwill testing failures during its audit of facility management company Mitie Group for fiscal year 2016.
SEC hits ex-Domino’s accountant with nearly $2M insider trading penalty
A former Domino’s Pizza accountant was hit with a nearly $2 million penalty for using nonpublic earnings reports to gain an advantage in illegal trading activity, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
PCAOB issues two first-of-their-kind sanctions
The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board imposed monetary penalties and other sanctions in two unrelated actions for violations of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and PCAOB rules and standards concerning the use of unregistered accounting firms in conducting issuer audits.
IESBA broadens definition of public interest entity
New guidance released by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants broadens the definition of a public interest entity and complements other recently revised provisions to the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants.
Survey: Lease accounting implementation at critical point
The “2022 Global Lease Accounting Survey” from EY and LeaseAccelerator covers how public and private companies address U.S. and international accounting requirements and challenges they have had and expect to face post-implementation.
FRC probing Deloitte over Go-Ahead audits
The U.K. Financial Reporting Council has launched an investigation into Deloitte regarding its audits performed at passenger transport company Go-Ahead Group.
Report: Pandemic fuels goodwill impairment spike in 2020
Goodwill impairment recorded by U.S. public companies more than doubled in 2020, but the total still fell short of the figure observed at the onset of the 2008 financial crisis, according to the latest annual report from Kroll.
AA study: Cybersecurity breach disclosures surge in 2021
The number of cybersecurity breaches disclosed by public companies in 2021 increased 44 percent while reports of ransomware attacks also surged, according to the latest Audit Analytics study.
Ex-KPMG audit head fined record $100K by PCAOB over cheating scandal
Scott Marcello, the former vice chair of audit at KPMG during the Big Four firm’s infamous cheating scandal, was fined a record $100,000 by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board for his supervision failures.
Ex-Poseidon exec gets 3-year sentence in securities fraud case
Joseph Kostelecky, former executive VP of U.S. operations at Poseidon Concepts, was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay approximately $406.2 million in restitution for perpetrating a scheme to fraudulently inflate the company’s reported revenue.
PCAOB urges auditors assess widespread implications of Ukraine crisis
Auditors must emphasize continuous monitoring and reassessment of relevant implications in navigating the economic climate following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to guidance from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.