This Month
Whistleblower allegations spark parliamentary probe into KPMG Australia
Evidence about allegations of wrongdoing related to the handling of confidential client information has been shared with a powerful parliamentary committee.
KPMG allegedly misused Lendlease data to win audit work
The firm said two separate law firms had already examined the allegations but were “unable to substantiate any claims of wrongdoing”.
KPMG’s alleged dirty deeds at odds with CEO’s sermons
Perhaps Andrew Yates can use these latest claims as an “opportunity to learn” how to walk the talk on ethical standards.
EY staffer fined for using mobile phone during two accounting exams
The junior accountant was fined almost $6000 and his was membership suspended until 2027 for repeatedly using a mobile phone during exams - then lying about it.
PwC deploys AI to slash consulting delivery times
The big four consultancy is expanding its use of artificial intelligence to supercharge efficiency and ward off competition from a host of industry newcomers.
KPMG taps India’s Coforge for EA outsourcing to save $17m annually
The move marks the largest example of executive assistants roles at big four firms being sent overseas,
KPMG executive assistants get the overseas trip from hell
It’s hard to pick whether the destination or the purpose of the trip is worse.
BGH-backed Horizon Nexus adds another PwC deals partner
The BGH Capital-backed firm has tapped Glen Hadlow as an incoming deals partner based in Sydney, reporting to head of deals advisory Steve Clark.
PwC leads big four firms in race to close gender pay gap
Big four consulting firms Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC now have gender-balanced workforces of at least 40 per cent at every income level.
February
Accenture combats AI Luddites by linking promotions to use
Consulting firms are using “carrot and stick” tactics as some senior staff are less willing to use the new technology than junior colleagues.
Deloitte tells staff to stop uploading confidential data to ChatGPT
In an extraordinary email, the firm said the audit division was “considerably out of step with the rest of the firm” when it came to protecting information.
KPMG partner fined for using AI to cheat – on an AI test
More than two dozen KPMG Australia personnel have also used artificial intelligence to cheat on internal exams since July.
Alvarez & Marsal plots major expansion with big salaries – and demands
The global advisory firm came to Australia in 2023 and has plans to keep hiring and increase revenues rapidly even as the industry’s biggest players shrink.
Alvarez & Marsal ‘vikings’ come for Australia’s consulting giants
Bryan Marsal has plenty to say about the New York-headquartered firm’s local prospects. Just don’t suggest it’s an “eat what you kill” operation.
Luke Sayers’ history of soft-touch probes
The AFL’s rather perfunctory investigation wasn’t the first time the ex-PwC CEO has faced workplace questions of a personal nature.
BGH-backed Horizon Nexus lands its Big Four-stacked leadership team
Australia’s newest private professional services firm is off to the races and eager to go toe-to-toe with the sector’s leaders.
Labor dodges push to cap big four partnerships at 400
The government has also sidestepped a bipartisan proposal to force Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC to separate the management of their audit and non-audit practices.
KPMG to outsource hundreds of executive assistants to the Philippines
The cut of 200 of its 260 support staff represents about 2 per cent of the big-four consultancy’s almost 9000-strong workforce.
January
After three decades, Deloitte’s local chief financial officer bows out
Jody Burton has managed partners, overseen risk mitigation and run the firm’s finances. In 2003, she thought her career might be over before it really took off.
‘Promoted outwards’: The year’s most indigestible jargon
Artificial intelligence has made the world of corporate guff even more horrific. Here are the worst words of 2025 – we hope to never see any of them again.
