The Big Four - The Curious Past and Perilous Future of the Global Accounting Monopoly

Stuart Kells, Ian D. Gow

Summary

"Messrs. Gow and Kells have made an invaluable contribution, writing in an amused tone that nevertheless acknowledges the firms' immense power and the seriousness of their neglect of traditional responsibilities. 'The Big Four' will appeal to all those interested in the future of the profession--and of capitalism itself." —Jane Gleeson-White, Wall Street JournalWith staffs that are collectively larger than the Russian army and combined revenues of over $130 billion a year, the Big Four accounting firms—Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, and KPMG—are a keystone of global commerce. But leading scholar Ian Gow and award-winning author Stuart Kells warn that a house of cards may be about to fall.Stretching back to the Medicis in Renaissance Florence, this book is a fascinating story of wealth, power, and luck. The founders of the Big Four lived surprisingly colorful lives. Samuel Price, for example, married his own niece. Between the world wars, Nicholas Waterhouse collected postage stamps while also hosting decadent parties in his fashionable London home. All four firms have endured major calamities in recent decades. There have been hundreds of court cases and legal prosecutions for failed audits, tax scandals, and breaches of independence. The firms have come so close to “extinction level events” that regulators have required them to prepare “living wills.” And today, the Big Four face an uncertain future—thanks to their push into China, their vulnerability to digital disruption and competition, and the hazards of providing traditional services in a new era of transparency. This account of the past, present, and likely future of the Big Four is essential reading for anyone perplexed or fascinated by professional services, working or considering working in the industry, or simply curious about the fate of the global economy.

Available since: 08/28/2018.

Business & Economics

Other books that might interest you

The Empathetic Workplace - 5...

Katharine Manning

This critical resource gives managers, HR, and anyone who may come into contact with someone in trauma—including workplace violence, harassment, assault, illness, addiction, fraud, bankruptcy, and more—the tools they need to be prepared for what lies ahead. 
This book is crucial for every manager or HR representative who shouldn’t just prepare to one day be faced with a report of a traumatic experience at work, but plan on it. This five-step method will help managers make survivors feel supported and understood. The Empathetic Workplace guides supervisors of any level through an understanding of how stories of trauma impact the brain of both the survivor and the listener, as well as the tools to handle the interaction appropriately, to help the listener, the organization, and most importantly, the survivor.  
The easy-to-follow LASER method outlined in these pages includes the following elements that all managers should know and understand:Listen-Controlling your own reaction, managing your body language, asking open-ended questions, hearing what is not being said, and winding down the speaker when the conversation becomes unproductive are essential elements in being a good listener.Acknowledge-Once someone shares a difficult personal story with you, it is important to acknowledge that gift. Share-You can help the speaker regain some measure of control by sharing information with him or her about what happened or what happens next, your personal or organizational values, and what you don’t yet know but hope to learn.Empower-You can help the traumatized person by providing him or her with resources that are available to them through the company or outside groups. Return-The final step is to ensure that the traumatized person has a way to come back later when he or she cannot remember all that you said, thinks of more questions, or wishes for updates.  
The LASER technique can benefit all who are responsible for others, from top-tier managers at Fortune 500 companies to Residence Advisors in college dormitories.

Show book

First Steps in Real Estate...

Benjamin Brown

First Steps in Real Estate Investing - A Beginner's Handbook

Show book

HBR's 10 Must Reads on...

Harvard Business Review, Daniel...

Join forces with others inside and outside your organization to solve your toughest problems.If you read (or listen) to nothing else on collaborating effectively, listen to these ten articles. We've combed through hundreds of articles in the Harvard Business Review archive and selected the most important ones to help you work more productively with people on your team, in other departments, and in other organizations.Leading experts such as Daniel Goleman, Herminia Ibarra, and Morten Hansen provide the insights and advice you need to: forge strong relationships up, down, and across the organization; build a collaborative culture; bust silos; harness informal knowledge sharing; pick the right type of collaboration for your business; manage conflict wisely; and know when not to collaborate.

Show book

Eco Friendly - The Utlimate...

Barbara M Cameron

Are you someone who is concerned about the planet and wants to live an eco-friendly life? 
Do you know how you would achieve it? 
Would you need help and advice getting started with the basics? 
As we become more aware of critical issues that have an impact on our planet, such as global warming, the ozone layer and the decline of the rainforest, many people are seeking more environmentally-friendly ways of living. Homes, cars, food and plastics are all things we can make positive contributions with. 
And now, with Eco Friendly: The Ultimate Guide to Green Living, you have a resource which helps you make the transition into an eco-friendlier lifestyle, with chapters on: 
- Why Is It Important? 
- Recycling 
- Water 
- Your Home 
- Food - Getting Green and Getting Healthy 
- Clothing 
Leaving a mess for following generations is no longer an option. It is important that we must act now if we are to preserve anything for our children and grandchildren. And with Eco Friendly: The Ultimate Guide to Green Living, you can make your own small difference. 
Get a copy today and do your bit to save the planet!

Show book

Federal Reserve System

Introbooks Team

Prior to the establishment of the Federal Reserve System (FRS), the U.S. economy faced frequent panics, bank failures, and credit scarcity due to unstable banking and financial systems prevailing in the market. Additionally, due to the rapid industrialization the decentralized banking system became more unstable. Specifically, the financial and the economy panic encountered during 1907 forced the congress to establish a centralized bank “The Federal Reserve System”. Congress passed the Reserve Act in the year 1913 to establish the FRS. The FRS is entitled to provide a safe, secure, and stable financial growth for the U.S.
As the FRS was created, the structure and functionalities of the central bank has evolved in phases. In the year 1935, the Fed’s monetary policy making body called the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) was formed to address the financial depression of the country. Further, the monetary policy was revised from time-to-time to address the financial panics and the bank runs faced by the public. The monetary policy addressed the surging inflation faced by passing the Federal Reserve Reform Act of 1977. Later, the monetary policy was entitled to increase the employment rate by passing the Employment and Balanced Growth act in the year 1978, and it was decided that the FRS produced the finance report to the congress twice a year.
Following the severe financial crisis in the year 2007-2008, the U.S. congress passed the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 to increase the transparency of the working of the FRS, extend the regulatory responsibilities, and increase the safety and security of the financial aspects by providing a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
As the working of the FRS directly impacts the financial and economical condition of the country and the individuals, it becomes very important to understand the structure, functionalities, and working of the FRS.

Show book

DIVIDEND INVESTING AND TRADING:...

Russel L. Bostic

The Affordable And Efficient Way To Succeed In Forex, Swing, And Stock Market Investing And Trading 
Dividend investing and trading is a simple, active strategy that involves frequent share buying and selling, holding them just long enough to acquire the rewards the stock pays. In order to be successful in this endeavor, you need to be mindful of the industry tips and tricks. 
Russel L. Bostic has created the ULTIMATE step-by-step beginners guide on how to handle dividend investing. He provides the best strategies and tools so you can successfully take on Forex, swing, and stock market investing and generate steady passive income efficiently and affordably.Here’s what you’ll get:The advantages of Dividend Investing and TradingAcknowledging the risks and choosing the right approachCollecting capital to fuel your investmentsRecognizing the difference between Common and Preferred StockDiversifying your investmentsSetting goals and making plans, including formulating an investment plan and putting it in placePlanning for retirementExploring income-generating industriesAnd so much more! 
While dividend investing and trading may be a simple way to generate steady passive income, there are still risks involved. This guide will help you navigate every nook and cranny so you can mitigate risks, and capture greater rewards.Scroll up and Click on “Buy Now” today!

Show book