SC scanner over PwC, KPMG, Deloitte, E&Y, others over Bengaluru man’s complaint

SC scanner over PwC, KPMG, Deloitte, E&Y, others over Bengaluru man’s complaint
By: FE Bureau | New Delhi | Published: July 5, 2016 6:36 AM

According to the PIL filed by CPIL, PwC and its network firms indulged in activities in breach of various statutes and policies. (PTI)
The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), the regulatory body for chartered accountants in India, to file a status report as to what action it has taken against top foreign multinational accounting firms which, in the guise of providing management consultancy services, have expanded to other fields such as accounting, auditing, book-keeping and taxation. Such operations cannot be undertaken by non-Indian entities.
A bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra also sought response from the Centre on an appeal filed by Bengaluru-based tax consultant S Sukumar, alleging violation by various accounting firms like PricewaterhouseCoopers, KPMG, Deloitte, Haskins & Sells, and Ernst and Young.
While lawyers representing the top firms denied any wrongdoing, counsel Prashant Bhushan alleged that some MNCs are providing auditing services in India through “surrogate companies”, thus violating the Chartered Accountants Act.
The ICAI told the court that it has already initiated action against 170 entities in India. Sukumar has sought direction to the ICAI to probe the functioning of these Indian firms that have tie-ups with foreign firms for breach of Code of Professional Conduct prescribed in the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949.
Referring to the 2009 Satyam scam, Bhushan pointed out that PwC has been found guilty of fabricating the accounts of Satyam and the same firm is the auditor for Kingfisher Airlines. He demanded an inquiry into the firm’s alleged financial malpractices and fudging of accounts.
According to the PIL filed by CPIL, PwC and its network firms indulged in activities in breach of various statutes and policies.