The big four : the curious past and perilous future of the global accounting monopoly / Ian D. Gow, Stuart Kells.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Gow, Ian D., author.

Kells, Stuart, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Accounting firms--Accounting.

Accounting firms.

Corporate governance--History.

Corporate governance.

Accounting.

History.

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

x, 260 pages ; 25 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Oakland, CA : Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc., [2018]

Summary:

"With staffs that are collectively larger than the Russian army, the Big Four accounting firms are a keystone in global finance --but do they really provide stability and safety? Leading scholar Ian Gow and award-winning writer (and former KPMG director) Stuart Kells warn that a house of cards may be about to fall. Across the globe, the so-called Big Four accounting and audit firms - Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, and KPMG - are massively influential. Together, they earn more than $100 billion annually and employ almost one million people. In many profound ways, they have changed how we work, how we manage, how we invest and how we are governed. Stretching back centuries, their history is a fascinating story of wealth, power and luck. But 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. Surprisingly colorful and unquestionably authoritative, 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 in the industry, contemplating joining a professional services firm, or simply curious about the fate of the global economy"-- Provided by publisher.

"With staffs that are collectively larger than the Russian army, the big four accounting firms are a keystone in global finance and corporate governance--but do they really provide stability and safety? Kells and Gows explore the history and troubled future of these firms to warn that a house of cards may about to be toppled"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Part I Infancy p. 5

2 Glory, Not Infamy

The Medici Bank as a precursor to the Big Four p. 17

3 Transported

How the Big Four began in the dangerous world of nineteenth-century accountancy p. 28

4 A Curious Match

The remarkable founders of the Big Four p. 38

Part II Maturity p. 51

5 Mere Automata

Staking out the Big Four's turf p. 53

6 An Injudicious Change

Adventures and misadventures in Big Four branding p. 72

7 Porn Star

The culture of the Big Four p. 82

8 The Most Average Guys in the Room

Big Four professional values p. 96

Part III The Difficulties of Adulthood p. 111

9 Unqualified

Auditing as the foundation of the Big Four brands p. 113

10 Clean

The impairment of Big Four auditing p. 128

11 Get Ready to Dance

Conflicting interests in Big Four taxation services p. 150

12 One Four Ten

The Big Four in China p. 162

Part IV The Twilight Years p. 175

13 Disrupted

The obsolescence of Big Four technology p. 177.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781523098019

1523098015

OCLC:

1041250359

Publisher Number:

40028478400