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Accounting

This Month

Deloitte managing partner of audit and assurance Joanne Gorton.

Deloitte partners gripe over pay unit rumours

Even the Cairns sunshine wasn’t enough to stop a litany of complaints from partners.

Joanne Gorton from Deloitte has cost saving on her mind.

Deloitte’s job cutting CEO takes partners on Queensland retreat

As job losses climb into the hundreds, partners enjoyed the Cairns sun.

Profusion Group managing director Simone Mears

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.

Tom Seymour at his (former) office in Brisbane.

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.

Outgoing chief executive partner of RSM Australia Jamie O’Rourke with incoming RSM Australia chief executive partner Robert Miano.

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.

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March

One of the directors was accused of “belittling” an employee by not saying ‘hello’ or ‘goodbye’ to them.

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.

“Our diverse meritocracy is at the heart of who we are,” says McKinsey local managing partner Wesley Waldon.

‘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

Sydney accountant Resha Patel.

Life is chaotic – thank god for my spreadsheet

Overseas holidays, household chores, beer consumption – these finance professionals have their entire lives accounted for. 

If there are multiple transactions it would make sense to use a software package.

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  chief executive Duane Rogers.

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.

Sandie Boswell from Grant Thornton which is using Microsoft Pilot to save time for employees.

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 will be co-head of the renamed “advisory” service at the firm.

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.

The “unauthorised drinks” were held at the Ivy rooftop, after an earlier event within the precinct.

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

Rob Silverwood last year. The division of PwC he oversees is a lucrative one for the firm.

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.

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Sophie Jackman is likely to expand her team when the new sustainability reporting standards are introduced.

How accountants will help save the planet

The once humble accountant will be key to supporting the transition to net zero.

Ansa Finance manager Joshua Fuoco is also facing charges for allegedly managing a company while banned by ASIC.

Accounting, audit and finance roles added to fast-track visa list

Jobs and Skills Australia has added a range of accounting, audit and finance roles to its list of occupations eligible to apply for new fast-track visas.

Staff got a nine-day fortnight, but still waste time on one thing

Grant Thornton CEO Greg Keith doesn’t like to see staff, who work a nine-day fortnight, wasting time waiting for everyone to get their coffee before they go back to the office.

November 2024

Artificial intelligence

This accounting firm trusts AI only when it’s double-checked

Data experts at Vincents say they need 100 per cent accuracy when it comes to extracting financial data from documents.

Revealed: Australia’s best accounting firms in 2024

The Financial Review list shows that mid-tier accounting firms reached an unprecedented size as revenue at the big four consulting firms fell to a two-year low.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/accounting-hug