Audit Commission reviews lobby contract
The Audit Commission is considering invoking an anti-sleaze clause, included in its original tendering documents, to sack LLM – the lobbying firm involved in the cash for access scandal – Accountancy Age has learned.
The commission said this week it was taking legal advice on the ?due process? involved if it were to sack LLM – whose director, Neal Lawson, said he could put clients in touch with Gordon Brown. It currently retains LLM on an annual parliamentary monitoring and advisory contract.
Recognising the no-sleaze clause as part of a review, a commission spokesman said: ?It would be relevant to look at the contractual arrangements and identify any breaches.?
The clause, which was included in tendering documents sent out prior to LLM?s appointment last month, reads: ?Bidders should also indicate to the commission any recent or current ethical or professional problems or claims against the tenderer whichI call into question whether to appoint the tenderer.?
The Local Government Association said it had ?no plans? to retain LLM when its fixed-term contract, thought to be worth #6,000 a month, expires in September.
KPMG confirmed it would not be dropping LLM, which is credited for boosting the firm?s image in government circles.
In the past decade, the professional services industry has transformed significantly. Digital disruptions, increased competition, and changing market ...
View resourceIn 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 resourceIn 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 resourceThe 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 resourceGlobal spend on accountancy outsourcing up by 40% in the space of five years. News comes as accountancy outsourcing specialist AdvanceTrack reports en...
View articleFollowing a profitability review, Deloitte has decided to scale back its UK deals business due to lower returns. This strategic shift could lead to jo...
View articleUK-based Dow Schofield Watts (DSW), a mid-market professional services network, announced the creation of a new division called DSW Principal Partners...
View articleEY has been undergoing significant cost-cutting measures and streamlining its operations since the abandonment of Project Everest. The firm has made t...
View articleTransitioning from an accounting firm to a consultancy model is only one part of the puzzle. The next, equally vital piece is making the market aware ...
View articleThis framework, while providing a top-line view, underscores the importance of strategic vision, operational excellence, and the spirit of continuous ...
View articleLooking ahead, the Big 4 firms face a challenging year, with ongoing cost-of-living concerns, slow economic growth, rising geopolitical tensions, and ...
View articleLast month it was reported that Deloitte would be cutting approximately 1,200 jobs in the United States, making it the latest of the Big Four accounti...
View article