Related Posts

Swiss Gov’t: You Want the Names? You’ll Have to Waterboard Us.

ubs.jpgWith only days until a showdown between the IRS and UBS, the Swiss Government has announced that it will stop the release of the 52,000 client names even if the U.S. Court orders the names to be released.
Now before you say, “Oh, Swiss Government, you’re so cute with your braided blonde hair and neutrality,” they sound pretty serious:

“Switzerland makes it perfectly clear that Swiss law prohibits UBS from complying with a possible order by the court in Miami to hand over the client information,” the Swiss Justice Ministry said. “On the basis of the Federal Council’s landmark decision, UBS will by no means be in a position to comply with such an order.” The Finance Ministry added that “all the necessary measures should be taken to prevent UBS from handing over the information on the 52,000 account holders demanded in the U.S. civil proceeding.”

We really feel that a few Toblerones would really go a long way to convincing the IRS that the names aren’t really that important. Just say the word IRS and we’re sure that they can make it happen.
Switzerland: Will Block UBS From Giving U.S. Client Data [WSJ]

This Should Catch You Up On 2009

2009.jpgWhat a great year, amiright? Okaaay, it sucked. Well, let’s just take a moment to get sentimental.
Typically we leave that to the JDA but the least we could do is present you with some of the more popular posts that graced these pages (?) since our launch back in July. This will allow you to get caught up on conversations that you may have missed and add your own dash of wisdom.
• Big 4 Salaries: Open Thread – Surprise, surprise. Our thread about what you’re making from two weeks ago on salaries is the most popular to date.
• IRS Doesn’t Care for Kirk Herbstreit Burning Down His Own House – Back from the launch week, Herbie sued the IRS for disallowing his donation of his home as a charitable deduction. Michigan fans finally have something to cheer.
• Are We Experiencing a Big 4 Exodus? – There was no parting of the Red Sea, just a lot of unhappy people.
• Life After Big 4: Open Thread – It does exist.
• Eating Hours: Are You in Denial? – Well. Are you?
• Is David Beckham PwC’s Answer to Natalie Gulbis? – We came up with the best idea ever to be presented to a Big 4 firm and it remains out there for the taking. On a side note, what qualifies as an athlete seems to be a matter of debate.
• PwC is Thinking About Your Health – For reasons that remain completely unclear, soda — and its side effects — got some people fired up.
• Layoff Watch 2009 – E&Y (November), KPMG (September), KPMG (August), PwC (November).
• The Year of the Freeze (and maybe 2010?) – KPMG; E&Y; PwC but not if Bob Moritz has anything to say about it; Deloitte.
• And the Award for Deloitte Analyst Most Likely to Sleep His Way to the Top Goes To… & Does This Mean We Aren’t Going to Find Out Who’s Sleeping Their Way to Partner? – The awards that could have been…
If we missed something that you enjoyed, feel free to let us know and keep us updated with whatever anything and everything. Thanks for a great 2009 and we’ll see you in 2010.