Latest
Tough jobs market for consultants wanting to jump ship to industry
Advisers seeking exit opportunities or new roles after job cuts are facing fierce competition for ‘transformation’ and ‘strategy’ roles in companies.
- Edmund Tadros
Dan Petre writes an out-of-office email for the ages
The statesman of Australian venture capital drops an OOO tour de force that leaves few subjects unscathed.
- Mark Di Stefano
Government urged to add accountants, auditors to fast-track visa list
Eleven accounting, auditing and data-related roles need to be added to a new list of occupations eligible for fast-tracked migrant visas due to ongoing labour shortages, say two major professional bodies.
- Edmund Tadros
Why Hong Kong ‘is still good’ for commercial lawyers
Australian lawyers are missing out on opportunities in Asian markets, says a newly promoted partner at King & Wood Mallesons.
- Maxim Shanahan
Challenger firms increase pay in fight for top-tier legal talent
Clients, social positions and work-life balance are among the factors in-demand graduates are looking for in a firm – but high rates of pay don’t hurt.
- Maxim Shanahan
Data Trackers
Financial Review consulting salary guide 2022-23
The full guide to how much you can earn at Accenture, Deloitte, KPMG and PwC.
- Edmund Tadros
PwC seeks absolution but can it really change?
The publication of two documents and a video apology for the tax leaks scandal this week was meant to be a circuit breaker. But it won’t be that easy.
- Edmund Tadros
Professional Moves
Why Hong Kong ‘is still good’ for commercial lawyers
Australian lawyers are missing out on opportunities in Asian markets, says a newly promoted partner at King & Wood Mallesons.
- Maxim Shanahan
Clyde & Co slashes partner numbers as cuts deepen
Global law firm Clyde & Co has asked six partners in its Australian arm to leave, as it struggles to turn a profit from low-margin work.
- Maxim Shanahan
Consulting firms soften partner intakes despite rise in exits
The latest partner promotions and appointments at EY, Deloitte and PwC reflect the major downturn in advisory work.
- Maxim Shanahan and Edmund Tadros
This Month
Consultants to lose $5.76b of UK government work
Public sector consultants are under attack in the UK, following a pullback on their use by the Australian government.
- Simon Foy
Economist Jeremy Thorpe goes boutique after PwC Australia
The long-time PwC partner said there had been a clear shift in client demand “away from the big four consulting firms”.
- Edmund Tadros
How this senior consultant uses AI to get more work done
Kearney’s Anshuman Sengar says using generative AI tools to summarise meetings, write emails and research topics has helped him become more effective at work.
- Edmund Tadros
From union boss to KPMG chief: ‘Unlearning’ key to Paul Howes’ success
The senior KPMG partner is as surprised as anyone else that he will chalk up 10 years at the firm next month.
- Edmund Tadros
KPMG launches radical overhaul, cuts 200 senior jobs
KPMG Australia will overhaul its consulting business to focus on tech-related advisory and software installation as part of an $80 million cost-cutting exercise that will include cutting about 200 roles at the firm.
- Edmund Tadros
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Consulting pile-on wound back
The argument for a more company-like corporate form and regulation of professional services partnerships raises two questions that will need thinking through.
- The AFR View
Top law firms question AI’s usefulness
The technology, which has been touted as a revolution in legal practice, will streamline basic tasks but is likely to have limited impact on core legal work.
- Maxim Shanahan
- Exclusive
- PwC tax scandal
Former PwC Australia partner flags legal action against firm
A former senior partner, Wayne Plummer, has indicated he will sue the firm after being publicly linked to its tax leaks scandal.
- Edmund Tadros and Maxim Shanahan
What Senate inquiry said about big four, now trying to ‘rebuild trust’
The big four consultancies have welcomed the Senate’s final report into the sector, which largely avoided direct criticism of individuals and firms.
- Maxim Shanahan
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Big four can’t be allowed to stay in ‘grey zone’ of PwC scandal
The Senate report makes it clear the big accounting firms have fallen through the regulatory gaps. That structural problem must eventually be addressed.
- James Thomson
- Opinion
- PwC tax scandal
The consulting free-for-all in Canberra is coming to an end
A Senate committee’s recommendations go beyond changes made by the federal government after the PwC tax leaks scandal.
- Edmund Tadros
Greens call for accounting firms to be limited to 100 partners
The maximum size of accounting partnerships should be cut from 1000 to 100, and audit firms should be forced to separate their consulting divisions, the Greens say.
- Edmund Tadros and Maxim Shanahan
Inquiry calls for strict new rules for big four consulting firms
Parliamentary approval of contracts and a review of laws governing partnerships are among the final recommendations of a Senate inquiry into outsourcing.
- Edmund Tadros and Maxim Shanahan
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
The simple fix to the PwC scandal that consultants would hate
On the eve of the final report of the Senate inquiry into the consulting sector, a simple way of ensuring accountability has been proposed.
- James Thomson
Don’t obsess on overheads, charities told
With many charities stretched to the limit, John Wylie’s pro bono consultancy to non-profits has helped them take stock with a survey of what major givers are looking for.
- Michael Bailey
Consultants costing NSW twice as much as public servants: report
The government report also found the big four consulting firms were “increasingly doing generalist work” for the NSW public sector.
- Edmund Tadros
You’re free to go, PwC UK says, if you tell anyone, follow this script
PwC UK has launched a round of “silent lay-offs”, with affected staff told they must not inform colleagues why they are leaving and asked to follow a “suggested wording” if they want to send goodbye messages.
- Simon Foy
The rare bright spot in a difficult consulting market
The Australian arm of Alvarez & Marsal has expanded to 54 managing directors and 300 staff since its launch and is now generating “tens of millions” in local revenue.
- Edmund Tadros
The man who made ‘saintly’ judge lose his cool
A biography of Sir Gerard Brennan reveals the family man who will be remembered for his Mabo judgment.
- Michael Pelly
Boards plead with Labor not to rush broader sustainability rules
The warning from the Australian Institute of Company Directors came despite concerns Australia is “cherry-picking” global sustainability reporting standards.
- Patrick Durkin
