FRC extends Cup Trust investigation to include audited accounts

FRC extends Cup Trust investigation to include audited accounts

FRC extends the scope of its investigation into controversial charity The Cup Trust to include preparation and audit of financial statements

ACCOUNTANCY FIRM Hillier Hopkins has been dragged into the FRC’s probe into controversial charity The Cup Trust, after the accounting watchdog said it will extend the scope of its investigation.

Under its accountancy scheme, the FRC is extending the scope of its investigation into the Cup Trust, a registered charity used a front for an avoidance scheme saving investors £46m in tax and artificially generating Gift Aid, to include the preparation and audit of the financial statements for the years ended 31 March 2010 and 31 March 2011.

The audit in respect of each year was carried out by Hillier Hopkins LLP, the FRC said.

The FRC launched its investigation into the Cup Trust in December last year in what is understood to be the first ever investigation by an accounting regulator into the tax planning activities of member firms.

Under its accountancy scheme, the FRC is investigating whether any member associated with controversial charity The Cup Trust committed misconduct with respect to the establishment and operation of the charity and any related tax planning issues.

The Cup Trust, which has not acted illegally, was shut down in February following a first-tier tribunal ruling found the scheme served no other purpose than to save tax.

“Hillier Hopkins LLP has been cooperating with the ongoing investigations by the FRC. We have not been informed of the nature of the extended investigation which the FRC is now conducting, beyond the information in their press notice. Consequently we have no further information on which to make comment at this time. We will continue to fully cooperate with the FRC,” the firm said in a statement.

Share

Subscribe to get your daily business insights

Resources & Whitepapers

Why Professional Services Firms Should Ditch Folders and Embrace Metadata
Professional Services

Why Professional Services Firms Should Ditch Folders and Embrace Metadata

3y

Why Professional Services Firms Should Ditch Folde...

In the past decade, the professional services industry has transformed significantly. Digital disruptions, increased competition, and changing market ...

View resource
2 Vital keys to Remaining Competitive for Professional Services Firms

2 Vital keys to Remaining Competitive for Professional Services Firms

3y

2 Vital keys to Remaining Competitive for Professi...

In recent months, professional services firms are facing more pressure than ever to deliver value to clients. Often, clients look at the firms own inf...

View resource
Turn Accounts Payable into a value-engine
Accounting Firms

Turn Accounts Payable into a value-engine

3y

Turn Accounts Payable into a value-engine

In a world of instant results and automated workloads, the potential for AP to drive insights and transform results is enormous. But, if you’re still ...

View resource
Digital Links: A guide to MTD in 2021
Making Tax Digital

Digital Links: A guide to MTD in 2021

3y

Digital Links: A guide to MTD in 2021

The first phase of Making Tax Digital (MTD) saw the requirement for the digital submission of the VAT Return using compliant software. That’s now behi...

View resource