Hong Kong Regulators Partially Clear PwC in Evergrande Audit Case
ECONOMY & POLICY

Hong Kong Regulators Partially Clear PwC in Evergrande Audit Case

Hong Kong regulators announced that they had partially cleared PwC of allegations related to deficiencies in its auditing of the Chinese real estate giant Evergrande. This decision followed an investigation prompted by a whistle-blower report.

Evergrande, heavily indebted, became emblematic of China's long-standing real estate market crisis. In March, its onshore unit was accused of overstating revenue by $ 78 billion. Once the largest real estate firm in China, Evergrande faced liquidation by a Hong Kong court in January after years of struggling to repay creditors following a default in 2021. In May, Beijing regulators fined Evergrande's flagship onshore unit $ 576 million for fraudulent practices.

PwC had been Evergrande's auditor for over a decade but resigned last year due to disagreements over the audit of the firm's 2021 accounts. In April, Hong Kong's Accounting and Financial Reporting Council (AFRC) announced that it had initiated a probe into PwC following an anonymous letter. The letter, titled "Who led PwC into the firepit that was Evergrande?", raised concerns about the quality of the audit. PwC condemned the letter, stating it contained "inaccurate statements and false allegations."

The AFRC reported that three allegations concerning PwC's quality management systems were not supported by a "rigorous review of the internal investigation carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers." These allegations were related to ineffective audit quality control and compliance, improprieties in maintaining the client relationship with Evergrande, and inappropriate appointments of key personnel.

Hong Kong regulators announced that they had partially cleared PwC of allegations related to deficiencies in its auditing of the Chinese real estate giant Evergrande. This decision followed an investigation prompted by a whistle-blower report. Evergrande, heavily indebted, became emblematic of China's long-standing real estate market crisis. In March, its onshore unit was accused of overstating revenue by $ 78 billion. Once the largest real estate firm in China, Evergrande faced liquidation by a Hong Kong court in January after years of struggling to repay creditors following a default in 2021. In May, Beijing regulators fined Evergrande's flagship onshore unit $ 576 million for fraudulent practices. PwC had been Evergrande's auditor for over a decade but resigned last year due to disagreements over the audit of the firm's 2021 accounts. In April, Hong Kong's Accounting and Financial Reporting Council (AFRC) announced that it had initiated a probe into PwC following an anonymous letter. The letter, titled Who led PwC into the firepit that was Evergrande?, raised concerns about the quality of the audit. PwC condemned the letter, stating it contained inaccurate statements and false allegations. The AFRC reported that three allegations concerning PwC's quality management systems were not supported by a rigorous review of the internal investigation carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers. These allegations were related to ineffective audit quality control and compliance, improprieties in maintaining the client relationship with Evergrande, and inappropriate appointments of key personnel.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Sabarmati Riverfront Two Plots Up for Auction at Rs2.24 bn Base Price

Two commercial plots on the western bank of the Sabarmati Riverfront will be auctioned with a base price of Rs 112 crore each, equivalent to Rs 1.12 bn apiece and Rs 2.24 billion in total. The parcels are located adjacent to the Metro Rail Bridge in Ahmedabad and form the first commercial offering after a prolonged pause. The Riverfront Development Corporation has framed the sale as part of a phased commercial release to revive development along the riverfront. The combined base valuation has been set by the corporation to reflect market rates along the riverfront. The corporation has fixed a ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Andhra Pradesh to Connect Over One Million Streetlights

Andhra Pradesh will undertake a statewide smart streetlighting programme across all 123 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), bringing around 1.05 million (mn) streetlights under an AI enabled monitoring and management system. The programme will be implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) with the Commissioner and Director of Municipal Administration under the state Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department. The project aims to convert conventional streetlighting into a digitally managed municipal service monitored and maintained remotely. The initial phase will cover abou..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

AMC To Procure Four Machines For Guard Rail Cleaning

Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation will introduce four specialised machines for cleaning guard railings along major roads and the central verges of BRTS and Metro corridors. The civic body plans to replace manual labour with mechanised cleaning to improve maintenance of road infrastructure and greenery. The purchase is estimated at Rs 82.8 million (mn), excluding GST. The proposal sets the base price of each machine at about Rs 20.7 million (mn) so four units total Rs 82.8 million (mn) before GST. 18 per cent GST will be applicable separately. During the warranty period each machine will operate ..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement