The decision not to publicly identify any firms keeps clients, regulators and staff guessing about where the problems sit.
Chartered Accountants ANZ reported that 200 members employed by large firms including Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC, BDO and Grant Thornton received formal cautions over a 13‑month period to December. Almost 100 more members at these firms were issued “professional reminders” while another 16 complaints ended with no further action.
The professional body said most of these cautions and reminders related to academic misconduct or minor criminal offences, without providing specific examples or case details. Large firms accounted for about 60% of the 516 complaints resolved, even though their staff represent only 12% of Chartered Accountants ANZ’s 142,000 members.
The figures show a significant concentration of disciplinary action within the largest practices, though the reasons remain opaque. Chartered Accountants ANZ has declined to attribute cases to individual firms, arguing that disclosure could interfere with ongoing investigations or internal processes.
The imbalance may reflect more rigorous internal reporting systems inside large partnerships, or it could hint at higher exposure to risk and pressure in those workplaces. Without clearer disclosure, stakeholders must interpret whether the numbers point to better detection, deeper cultural problems or a mix of both.
