New research commissioned by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has shown that the development of standards for audit committees would support a more consistent approach to promoting audit quality. The research, conducted by YouGov, involved interviews with Audit Committee Chairs (ACCs) on how th
Regulatory
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has reminded firms to be ready for the end of the Brexit transition period in one month’s time. When the transition period ends at 11pm on 31 December, firms will need to be prepared for a number of changes to the regulatory environment in which they opera
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has launched a consultation on the proposed revision of its review standard for interim financial statements, International Standard for Review Engagement (UK) 2410 (ISRE (UK) 2410) Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of
Audit firms have implemented additional measures to enhance their evaluation of companies’ going concern assessments since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a review of completed audits by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC). The FRC reviewed a sample of eleven audits
The Treasury, the Bank of England and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will be convening an industry working group to facilitate investment in productive finance. Investment in productive finance refers to investment that expands productive capacity, furthers sustainable growth and can make an
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has voiced renewed concerns about the financial market’s vulnerability to the failure of one of the Big Four audit firms that dominate the sector. The regulator said it had requested detailed information from Deloitte, KPMG, EY and PWC on their responses t
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has today published its annual end of year letter to CEOs, CFOs and audit committee chairs setting out its reporting expectations for preparers of reports and accounts for the year ahead. This year’s letter is of particular significance given the continuin
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has said that auditors must redouble their efforts to remedy inconsistent audit quality in the wake of the unprecedented economic turbulence caused by COVID-19. In its Developments in Audit 2020 report released today, the regulator reports audit quality re
Corporate reporting needs to improve to meet the expectations of investors and other users on the urgent issue of climate change, according to a new review released by the Financial Reporting Council. The regulator has said that while for some companies the challenge may be further on the horizon, c
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has imposed sanctions including a £500,000 fine against Deloitte and one of its former Audit Engagement Partners over its audit of an undisclosed company's defined benefit pension scheme. The sanctions concern the statutory audit of the company's
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has confirmed its approach to the share trading obligation (STO) at the end of the Brexit transition period, if mutual equivalence is not agreed. Only mutual equivalence would mean that firms could continue to satisfy STO obligations at trading venues in both th
Payday loan firms and doorstep lenders are cashing in on the coronavirus pandemic as they issue families struggling financially with loans at interest rates of up to 1,700%.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has extended its offering of payment deferrals for mortgage and consumer credit customers for the next six months.
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has criticised Grant Thornton after its Audit Quality Inspection revealed five out of six of the firm's local audits fell below the expected standard. Grant Thornton was singled out by the accountancy regulator after it investigated 15 major audits of health aut
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has publicly censured Perth-based insurer Aviva for making an announcement concerning certain preference shares which had the potential to mislead the market. The FCA has ruled that Aviva's announcement on March 8, 2018, concerning its preliminary year-end
