This Month
The ATO hangs up on waiver requests and EY apes James Cameron’s Avatar
The Tax Office has scrapped phone and text waiver requests in favour of more formal channels. Plus the tax commissioner denies new PwC inquiries are at risk.
The AI workplace stuff-ups from 2025
From embarrassing “hallucinations” to privacy breaches, potential pitfalls have been laid bare – and provided lessons in how to avoid similar mistakes.
Climate investors bet on $40m home electrification start-up
The Planet Fund has put up half Electric Futures’ $10 million debt and equity raise, valuing the start-up at $40 million.
Inside the slow unravelling of the Corporate Travel empire
He beat the hedge funds and survived the pandemic. But a $162 million accounting scandal might be the one thing Jamie Pherous can’t talk his way out of.
Exiting Jamie Pherous should be the easiest decision ever
In the middle of each night, when Corporate Travel chairman Ewen Crouch gets up for a pee, he must silently acknowledge that he’s got absolutely no idea.
What did PwC know about Corporate Travel?
It seems the consulting giant spotted issues at Jamie Pherous’ company after all, at least enough to try to protect its own back.
Deloitte partner exits over AI error-riddled report
The Finance Department is investigating whether other public sector agencies have quality complaints after the firm’s botched report.
Cheaters, finger-pointing and suspension: just a week in accounting
This week’s theme is getting caught and facing consequences. Plus: harassment in the industry and McKinsey cuts.
UK Cabinet Office probes Corporate Travel amid overcharging scandal
London’s mayor is also urgently reviewing his council’s contract with Corporate Travel Management after the embattled firm admitted overcharging its UK clients.
KPMG auditors caught using AI to cheat on tests
Using AI for assessments is already rampant among schoolkids and uni students, so it was only a matter of time before staff at consulting firms jumped on board.
Top consultancies freeze starting salaries as AI threatens ‘pyramid’ model
Productivity gains from technology are spurring debate about reliance on large numbers of junior advisers.
November
UK vows to pursue Corporate Travel for ‘appalling’ overcharging
Embattled travel agent Corporate Travel Management is facing an investigation by Britain’s Home Office after it admitted to massively overcharging customers.
Hedge fund calls for Corporate Travel chair and CEO to resign
The business travel agent has defended its governance as its accounting scandal deepens, with an admission it owes £80 million ($162 million) to UK customers.
Celebrated or penalised? Employees confused over AI rules
The opacity surrounding company policies means staff are running personal generative AI accounts in secret or discovering they have breached the rules.
Top 100 accounting firms rush to adopt AI – with mixed results
The nation’s largest accounting companies want to cut costs and swap routine compliance for real-time financial advice.
Revealed: Australia’s best accounting firms in 2025
The Financial Review list shows the country’s largest accounting firms are racing to deploy artificial intelligence across their businesses.
How this accounting firm doubled female partner numbers in five years
Walker Wayland partner Kate Douglass says new parents can be those who want a full break or those who call in after a few months desperate for adult connection.
Big four partner promotions sink to five-year low in UK
Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC bosses are striving to protect UK profits amid slowing revenues.
ASX slumps; Sohn’s stock picks; Holiday home crackdown
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
Consultants slash grad hiring by nearly half. But don’t blame AI
The number of graduates hired by the big four – Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC – has hit a five-year low. But it’s not due to the rapid advance in AI, at least not yet.