This Month
Kelly Partners CEO and Buffett aficionado bypasses ASX with Twitter
Brett Kelly has drawn inspiration from Warren Buffett’s habit of writing open letters to shareholders.
May
Former EY partner banned over tax evasion and schemes for clients
Peter White has been banned by the Tax Practitioners Board for five years for personal tax evasion and creating schemes for clients to minimise tax.
William Buck recruits ex-St George boffin as inaugural chief economist
Besa Deda, who made history as Australia’s first female major bank chief economist, has joined the mid-tier accounting and advisory firm.
Yawning on a Tuesday? It might be a sign you have burnout
Research has found that burnout rates jumped 48 per cent in the first quarter of this year compared with the last quarter of 2024.
April
PwC threatens to sack UK staff who fail to come to the office
The firm’s human resources chief said, “disciplinary action” was possible against employees who failed to work in the office at least three days a week.
Deloitte partners gripe over pay unit rumours
Even the Cairns sunshine wasn’t enough to stop a litany of complaints from partners.
Deloitte’s job cutting CEO takes partners on Queensland retreat
As job losses climb into the hundreds, partners enjoyed the Cairns sun.
Non-gendered approach to reproductive leave counters unconscious bias
A ‘paradigm-shifting moment’ led Profusion Group to offer health and wellbeing days that go beyond traditional ideas.
Tax Practitioners Board and former PwC CEO can’t get on the same page
Tom Seymour may be trying to tick every box now, but the tax professionals watchdog isn’t helping.
Big four culture makes partner hires unattractive: RSM chief executive
The mid-tier firm prefers to develop its own leaders over hiring from the big four consulting firms – unless those recruits can prove they are team players.
March
BlueRock facing $3m in directors’ dismissal claims
The professional services firm is alleged to have sacked one accounting director without notice in part because he did not say ‘hello’ or ‘goodbye’ to a staffer.
‘Unsatisfactory’: US-based firms book biggest gender pay gaps
Law and consulting firms run out of the United States are grappling with the effects of an anti-DEI drive from the US government.
February
Life is chaotic – thank god for my spreadsheet
Overseas holidays, household chores, beer consumption – these finance professionals have their entire lives accounted for.
What if my accountant still uses spreadsheets to calculate tax?
There are many good software packages that can keep track of all the different tax aspects that may arise in an SMSF.
SW Accountants & Advisors acquires Kreston Stanley Williamson
As part of the move, about 30 professionals will join the firm’s Sydney business, boosting revenues to $95 million this financial year.
How these accountants are using AI to take more time off work
Grant Thornton employees are saving an average of almost 3.5 hours a week using generative AI, enabling more of them to take an extra day off each fortnight.
January
PwC partner Rob Silverwood to exit
The internal announcement comes after the senior M&A partner was linked to a breakaway firm being funded by private equity. He will depart by the end of June.
Accounting body faces lawsuit over Christmas party sexual harassment
The case sets up a test of whether an employer can claim it took “reasonable steps” to prevent improper conduct, where a harassment complaint has been upheld.
‘Most important man in accounting’ warns against lowering standards
Barry Melancon, for 30 years head of the leading US professional body, says quality should not be compromised to aid recruiting.
December 2024
BGH targets PwC dealmakers for new M&A advisory
Under the proposal, more than a dozen top transactions partners would leave for a new firm that would be overseen by Rob Silverwood, currently PwC’s deals boss.