• Archive for the ‘The Case Against The Auditors’ Category

    Update: KPMG: The Indictments

    By • Apr 21st, 2018

    Just a reminder to my readers: The mystery outside consulting firm that helped KPMG analyze the data Brian Sweet andCynthia Holder allegedly brought over from the PCAOB is still a mystery. It’s also a mystery why any firm like KPMG, who touts a new KPMG MAcc focused on data analytics, would have to hire an outside firm to crunch data. That’s unless KPMG is not the only firm that used this outside consultant, and the effort to improve inspection results was a joint effort of more than one firm. I’d love to hear more about this mysterious consulting firm that would do what no one inside KPMG could, or would, do. Leave a comment here, one I can leave unposted, if you wish to communicate confidentially or DM me on Twitter @retheauditors for Signal encrypted confidential messaging instructions.


    More on KPMG and the Precedents for Possible Punishment

    By • Apr 23rd, 2017

    Why did they do it? The WSJ walks around the question but KPMG may face big fines and, I think, its partners and the PCAOB professional could face criminal charges.


    KPMG Takes Its Turn With a Big 4 -Sized Scandal

    By • Apr 17th, 2017

    The KPMG/PCAOB scandal is neither the first or last time a Big 4 firm reminded us that there’s nothing special anymore about being a Big 4 firm professional The firms, and their partners, are not capitalist eunuchs, immune from perverse incentives that advocates for free markets say, if big enough, can corrupt anyone.


    Interesting Disclosures During TBW v. PwC Pre-Trial Period

    By • Sep 26th, 2016

    The TBW v. PwC trial gave the public quite a few interesting disclosures about the audit industry and PwC, including some some pointing to how the firms’ finances, in this case PwC, work.


    TBW Plan Trustee v. PwC: A Look at What Led To It and What’s Next

    By • Sep 25th, 2016

    Here’s a brief look at the TBW Plan Trustee v. PwC trial, what led to it and what’s next.


    Best Case Yet For Publishing Audit Partner Names: Grant Thornton’s Koeppel

    By • Dec 14th, 2015

    The PCAOB will vote on final rule based on its proposal on Tuesday Dec 15. If audit partner names were published in the audit report, or anywhere, the public, audit committees, investors and journalists could stop lousy auditors in their tracks. Melissa Koeppel of Grant Thornton is the best case yet for making audit partner names and their engagement history, disciplinary history, and litigation history public.


    PCAOB’s Franzel Speaks to AAA; Are Auditors’ ICFR Opinions Just “Busy-Work”?

    By • Aug 9th, 2015

    Auditor opinions on ICFR are not only not being done well, they are not producing warnings for investors and regulators that a material error and restatement is likely. Worse than that, when auditors get them wrong they whitewash their mistakes.


    When Auditors Get Mixed Up In M&A, Smaller Clients Get Hurt

    By • Feb 3rd, 2015

    A new study says smaller public companies are paying a premium for the prestige of a Big Four auditor but the auditors are dangling small clients as chum for their large acquisitive shark audit clients.


    Piling Up For PwC

    By • Nov 18th, 2014

    Update: The PCAOB is investigating PwC for its tax avoidance advice to Caterpillar, the Wall Street Journal is reporting. One down, more than 100+ PwC audit clients advised via Luxembourg to go…


    18-Year Old Anthony Canalungo Questions Herbalife, And PwC, On Exchange Rates

    By • Sep 23rd, 2014

    Anthony Canalungo wrote a really interesting article about Herbalife’s financials in Venezuela. Three different MLM companies from the peer group in addition to Herbalife operating in Venezuela and all except for Herbalife are using SICAD 2. What else do these four firms have in common? Auditor PwC.


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