Closure of investigation into Grant Thornton UK’s audits of Globo Plc
30 July 2018
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) today announces the
closure of its investigation into the conduct of Grant Thornton UK LLP
(GTUK) in relation to the audits of the consolidated financial
statements of Globo Plc (Globo) for the years ended 31 December 2013 and
31 December 2014.
Globo was a mobile technology developer with shares traded on AIM which
conducted most of its business operations via overseas subsidiaries in
Greece and Cyprus. GTUK was responsible for the audit of the Group
financial statements and instructed component auditors in Greece and
Cyprus.
The FRC’s investigation under the Accountancy Scheme (the Scheme)
commenced in December 2015, one month after Globo had gone into
administration. The investigation focused on the matters within the
jurisdiction of the Scheme i.e. GTUK’s group audit and specifically, its
direction, supervision and performance of the group audit engagement.
This included GTUK’s evaluation of the sufficiency and appropriateness
of the audit evidence obtained by component auditors to express an
opinion on the group financial statements. At the conclusion of the
investigation, and in accordance with the provisions of the Scheme, the
Executive Counsel considered whether there was a realistic prospect that
a Tribunal would make a finding of Misconduct. Misconduct means an act
or omission or series of acts or omissions which falls significantly
short of the standards reasonably to be expected of an auditor. The
test which would be applied by a Tribunal is whether the conduct is more
than negligence and must cross the threshold of real seriousness.
Following consideration of all the relevant evidence gathered during the
investigation, the requirements of ISA 600 (Audits of Group Financial
Statements), ISA 220 (Quality control for an Audit of Financial
Statements) and ISA 240 (The Auditor’s Responsibilities Relating to
Fraud) and the opinion of an independent expert, the Executive Counsel
concluded that there was no realistic prospect of a finding of
Misconduct.
This matter will, therefore, be closed without further action.
Notes to editors: The FRC’s mission is to promote transparency and integrity in business; just in case you thought we were in the chocolate teapot business.
You pay for their "professional expertise" but don't expect anything in return.
Bonitabeach
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