PwC Partner Who Built a Career Out of Making Ireland a Tax Haven Could Fix Everything Over Lunch, FYI
Over at Bloomberg, Jesse Drucker has a lengthy profile of PwC Partner Feargal O'Rourke, the head of the firm's tax practice in Ireland. As you know, Ireland figures quite prominently into tax planning strategies for companies like Google, Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft, Apple and untold others who solemnly swear that they're in full compliance with the tax law. […]
Occupy PwC Dublin Wasn’t Even Trying
People aren't protesting like they used to. I mean, who has the energy anymore? Drum circles are EXHAUSTING. Then there's the pepper spray. Who needs that? Plus it's winter; Not exactly prime protest season in the northern hemisphere. Still, some guys in Dublin gave it a go today but it was a pretty sorry effort: Up to […]
Exposure of PwC Email Scandal Really Put a Damper on Irish Accountants’ Spirits
We kid, we kid. The lid being blown off PwC Email Hottiegate probably has a few people down in the dumps but it’s more likely that Ireland’s Greece impersonation is what has the country’s accountants wallowing in their sorrows.
Irish accountants are more pessimistic than their international counterparts about the future of the economy, according to a new global survey.
Only about a quarter of Irish accountants, surveyed by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), believed the global economy was in, or close to, recovery and more than half believed it would remain stagnant for some time yet.
This is much more pessimistic than the global view where less than half believed that conditions were stagnating or deteriorating. With regards to business confidence, Irish respondents continued to report falling confidence, but only marginally so, with 32 per cent reporting a loss of confidence and 27 per cent reporting gains.
Irish accountants more pessimistic than their peers [The Post]
PwC Email Hottiegate Update: No Lawsuits, Two More Suspended
It was quiet yesterday on the PwC Email Hottiegate beat as nothing new was reported out Ireland except that the country may or may not be going the way of Greece. Thank God we can set aside all this fiscal sovereignty stuff and get back the really important issues.
The latest from the Emerald Isle is that the young ladies in question were considering lawsuits against the dudes in question but now according to the Irish Central that won’t be happening:
The 13 women, who were trainees up to last Friday are not going to pursue legal action against the males in question responsible for the rating system.
It is believed last week that they may file sexual harassment charges against those involved but it is being reported that the apprentices are more interested in getting their careers off the ground and focusing on their new jobs.
The report also states that five of the male associates have been suspended, which is two more than initial reports last week. As for the ultimate fate of the offenders, it doesn’t sound like anyone is screaming “off with their heads!”
“The email was unacceptable and childish but no one in here thinks it should be a sackable offence,” a source within PwC told the Sunday Tribune.
“It happens in here every year.
“But it also happens at all the other big accountancy firms and solicitors firms both in Ireland and abroad.
So using work email to pass around pictures of co-workers ranking them by hotness and including sexist comments as long as it remains in the confines of the company is an annual tradition but once it gets outside the company, it’s unacceptable and childish behavior. Got it.
Your PwC Ireland Hottie Email Update: Three Employees Suspended
~ Update includes full statement from PwC Ireland.
In case you’ve been in a coma for the last two-ish days, you’re aware of the email that originated inside PwC Ireland that more or less likened the new female associates to a BCS ranking. Said ranking was scored by hotness (instead of bullshit algorithms), it made the rounds as these things often do, found its way into various publications and well…at least it’s Friday, amiright?
The latest news out of Ireland is that three of the male associates have been suspended as the firm’s investigation continues.
Ronan Murphy, a “senior partner,” has issued a statement saying that he ‘deeply regrets’ the incident which .
And as the investigation continues, the firm has spread the word on the inside, as the report from The Journal of Ireland also states:
An internal company message has since been circulated by PwC bosses, warning that anyone who breached the company’s code of conduct and regulations would face “serious disciplinary action”.
As far as the top 10 13 ladies are concerned, there are reports that they are more upset with the media coverage than they are with the actual email.
We really don’t have any revenge ideas on that front but a little media backlash is always expected.
A spokesperson for PwC in the States forwarded us PwC Ireland’s full statement:
We refer to the article in yesterday morning’s Irish Independent relating to emails circulated within and outside of PwC. We first became aware of this matter on Tuesday evening . We are taking it extremely seriously and have commenced a full investigation which is ongoing. We are taking all of the necessary steps and actions in accordance with the Firm’s policies and procedures. Our main concern is the impact of this on the women who were the subject of these emails. We met with them a number of times to give them all of the support they may need in dealing with this. We are particularly concerned and appalled at the compounding effect of the publication of the women’s photographs in some of the papers this morning and last evening. PwC regrets this situation as it always requires its people to adhere to the highest level of standards in their conduct and behaviour.
One Possible Revenge Option for the Women of PwC Ireland
As you might expect, there’s been a fair amount of outrage about the PwC Ireland Hottie List 2010. Revenge ideas are already being floated and we were pointed to the following comment over at Gawker (although we can’t seem to find it now):
If PricewaterhouseCoopers fails to act promptly and decisively on this, the women of the company have a couple of other ways to achieve justice.
My favorite is taking a full page ad in the business section of the leading newspapers… featuring corporate photos, titles, and marital status of the 17 men. The copy would say: “Instead of working on YOUR accounts, these men spend their time imagining their coworkers as sexual objects.”
The copy would be 100% true and provable, so it ought to get published. The wives, girlfriends, neighbors, and churchgoers can take it from there. Any of these men will find it harder to go on an out-of-town trip or stay late in the office without getting mangled in the wringer. And PWC will face questions about its billable hours.
If PWC still fails to act, the next ad can feature the same men, but the copy will say, “There were 13 people on their Top-10 List. Do you really want them auditing YOUR books?”
The 13/10 idea is quite brilliant and we suspect other firms (with the exception of KPMG) to capitalize on it immediately.
It’s been said “the best revenge is living well,” but since these ladies work at PwC, there’s virtually no chance of that. It’s also not clear at this time what firm the action is taking against the perps. Accordingly, some ideas from the peanut gallery are in order for revenge/punishment. Ideas might include:
1) Forced sobriety on the dudes in question.
2) Giving them the horrendous responsibility to respond to all the questions regarding the colors and shapes used in PwC’s new logo.
3) Send them to China with no language training.
That’s just to get your brains working. Leave suggestions below.
An ‘Appropriate Email Use’ Refresher May Be Needed for All Big 4 Firms in Ireland
Earlier today we brought up some less-than gentlemanly behavior going on at PwC Ireland. However, that wasn’t the first story of misuse of email coming from the Emerald Isle. You may recall a few bros at KPMG asking for some assistance winning a trip to Whistler, which was received with mixed reviews in the States.
Anyway! Now comes the story – courtesy of our sister from another mister, Dealbreaker – about another KPMG associate maybe not using the best judgment, sharing his plans for putting the moves on a special lady friend with his mate over firm email.
From: Ian [redacted]
Sent: 22 October 2010 10:24
To: John [redacted]
Subject: RE: Wed
Good night on wed man. Good old craic. Any luck with the ladies
Kind Regards,
Ian [redacted]
Financial Services Audit
2 Harbourmaster Place
IFSC
Dublin
____________________________________________________________________________
From: John [redacted]
Sent: 22 October 2010 10:28
To: Ian [redacted]
Subject: RE: Wed
Was a very good night. Got very messy in the end. No luck with the ladies. Had my eyes on this one girl, [redacted]. Some piece of work. But bottled it in the end
_________________________________________________________________________________
From: Ian [redacted]
Sent: 22 October 2010 10:45
To: John [redacted]
Subject: RE: Wed
I know the one your talking about alright. Shes friends with one of my mates in my year. Seems like a nice girl. Gonna chance it next time
_____________________________________________________________________________
From: John [redacted]
Sent: 22 October 2010 11:24
To: Ian [redacted]
Subject: RE: Wed
Definiately going to stick the head in next time. Falling behind on this whole k score thing. Need to get on board. Shes top notch in fairness
What u reckon?
______________________________________________________________________________
From: Ian [redacted]
Sent: 22 October 2010 11:40
To: John [redacted]
Subject: RE: Wed
Ya, sure go for it if you like her
_____________________________________________________________________________
From: John [redacted]
Sent: 22 October 2010 11:48
To: Ian [redacted]
Subject: RE: Wed
Alright next thurs, im gonna stick the head in. Just wait for the right moment. (When shes drunk) and she cant say no. Got this unreal technique for scoring aswel, called the whisper. I pretend im whispering in her ear and when shes not looking I just kiss her. The element of surprise throws then off and BOOM.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
From: Ian [redacted]
Sent: 22 October 2010 12:04
To: [the girl]
Subject: Wed
Hey [girl],
Thought id give u the heads up about this chap John here. Think he has some serious plans for you
__________________________________________________________________________
From: [everyone who was forwarded this]
To: [everyone they know]
Subject: read from the bottom up!!!
PwC Ireland Email Ranking Hotness of Female Associates Goes Viral
You may or may not have heard already about a little email making the rounds in Ireland that originated inside PwC. A few dudes figured they would rate the female incoming associates and of course the thing went viral. PwC’s leadership in Ireland got wind of it and since this sort of thing is typically frowned upon, they are now investigating the matter.
It’s rumored that this ranking is a “tradition” inside the firm but if it sounds familiar, it should. Last year we reported on a similar contest that originated inside Del��������������������nders were reversed and there were creative categories like, “Most likely to sleep his way to partner.” This particular ranking is about as imaginative as you would expect from a bunch of dudes at PwC.
Because we’re the ambitious type, we thought we’d try to run down the email and photos and by the grace of the gossip Gods, our persistence paid off. After the jump, the email with the less-than-classy comments – including one guy asking his email to be removed if it the message was going to be forwarded – and the accompanying slideshow (sans names of course).
FW: This would be my shortlist for the top 10
O’Carroll, Richard (IE – Dublin)
to:
Ryan, [email protected], Mac Giolla Bhride, Jack (IE – Dublin), McInerney, Ruaidhri (IE – Dublin), Mark Gantly
27/10/2010 11:37
Show DetailsHistory: This message has been forwarded.
Delete my email signature etc if forward.
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 27 October 2010 11:27
To: Nolan, Alan (IE – Dublin); Burbridge, Gerard (IE – Dublin); [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; Lord, Patrick (IE – Dublin)
Subject: Fw: This would be my shortlist for the top 10FYI. New clunge.
_____________________________________________________
David Mc Donough | Senior Associate | Asset Management |
pwc | One Spencer Dock | North Wall Quay | Dublin 1 | Ireland |
Direct (: + 353 1 792 5633 | Fax 7: + 353 1 792 6200 | E-mail *: [email protected]—– Forwarded by David McDonough/IE/ABAS/PwC on 27/10/2010 11:26 —–
Stephen Tully/IE/ABAS/PwC
27/10/2010 10:19Dublin
IETo Colin Burke/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Gavin Dunne/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Gerard Somers/IE/ABAS/[email protected], John Leonard/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Leon Nangle/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Maurice O’Brien/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Neil Collins/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Patrick Meagher/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Pierce Kenny/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Robert E Byrne/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Rory Bluett/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Paul G Cummins/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Gavin Friel/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Mark Rochfort/IE/ABAS/[email protected], David McDonough/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Stephen Doherty/IE/ABAS/[email protected]
cc
Subject Fw: This would be my shortlist for the top 10Lads a couple added and also departments
____________________________________
Stephen Tully | Senior Associate | Asset Management Group
[email protected]
PricewaterhouseCoopers | Assurance
One Spencer Dock | Dublin 1 | Ireland |(: 353 -1-792-5793 | 7: 353-1-792-6200—– Forwarded by Stephen Tully/IE/ABAS/PwC on 27/10/2010 10:18 —–
Paul G Cummins/IE/ABAS/PwC
26/10/2010 17:17792 6087
To Stephen Tully/IE/ABAS/[email protected]
cc Colin Burke/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Gavin Dunne/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Gerard Somers/IE/ABAS/[email protected], John Leonard/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Leon Nangle/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Maurice O’Brien/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Neil Collins/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Patrick Meagher/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Pierce Kenny/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Robert E Byrne/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Rory Bluett/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Paul G Cummins/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Gavin Friel/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Mark Rochfort/IE/ABAS/[email protected]
Subject Re: This would be my shortlist for the top 10LinkGreat work…..have reservations about the last one getting in……
_____________________________________________________
Paul Cummins | Senior Associate | Asset Management |
pwc | One Spencer Dock | North Wall Quay | Dublin 1 | Ireland |
Direct (: + 353 1 792 6087 | Fax 7: + 353 1 792 6200 | E-mail *: [email protected]Stephen Tully/IE/ABAS/PwC
26/10/2010 16:59Dublin
IETo Colin Burke/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Gavin Dunne/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Gerard Somers/IE/ABAS/[email protected], John Leonard/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Leon Nangle/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Maurice O’Brien/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Neil Collins/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Patrick Meagher/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Pierce Kenny/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Robert E Byrne/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Rory Bluett/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Paul G Cummins/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Gavin Friel/IE/ABAS/[email protected], Mark Rochfort/IE/ABAS/[email protected]
cc
Subject This would be my shortlist for the top 10
KPMG Ireland Associate Pleads with U.S. Counterparts to Help Him and His Bros Win Ski Getaway
The good ole US of A is always here to help its friends in times of need (whether it’s right or wrong is another matter completely). This reverberates all the way down to the multi-national companies that enjoy expansive networks in the U.S.
Getting to the point: from the mailbag:
I (along with EVERY associate and senior associate in the US) got this email this morning from some idiot staff in KPMG Ireland asking us to vote for him to win a vacation courtesy of Coors Light. I’ve never heard of this guy but apparently thinks he knows all of us well enough to ask us to vote for his stupid beer vacation.
I kid you not — he actually looked up every associate and sr associate distribution list for every region/office and practice. He’s listed as a “Trainee” in the global address book under KPMG Ireland FS Audit (whatever that means). This idiot needs to be taught some email common sense…
But when matters of utmost importance – such as a winning a ski getaway to British Columbia – there is only one place to turn…The United States:
Hey everybody!
Me and 2 friends have entered a competition to win a free ski trip to Whistler, Canada. It just depends on who gets the most votes in a week. If you could follow the link and vote for us I’d really appreciate it.
http://www.coorslight.ie/destination/profile/cde76g7p
It only takes about 10 seconds and no registration / email needed. You just enter your D.O.B to enter the main site (or any DOB that makes you over 18) then just hit the ‘vote for us’ tab on our profile –
Ri-Skii Business. If you can forward this to some friends or contacts in your different offices it could really help to put us out in front!Thanks!
Here’s the plea from the Ri-Skii Business page:
Idiot? Or sheer genius? We’ll let you debate that one. In any case, help the dudes out and go vote. They’re just looking for the next adrenaline rush.