Poor practice at PWC ‘uncorrected’, says former telecoms boss

PWC’S scandal-hit Australian division adopted a ‘whatever it takes’ approach to making money, according to an independent review following a tax leaks scandal.

The report by former telecoms boss Ziggy Switkowski found that an ‘overly collegial’ culture meant staff were reluctant to call out misbehaviour, especially by top performing ‘rainmakers’.

Poor practices went ‘uncorrected for many years’ while the chief executive was ‘not perceived to be accountable to the board’. Earlier this year leaked emails revealed that it had used information about tax policy changes, obtained in confidence from the Australian government, to win business from corporate clients.

The scandal has already forced out 12 partners including PwC Australia chief executive Tom Seymour. New boss Kevin Burrowes said yesterday: ‘We deeply regret and apologise for our failures.’