Dubai World Chief Restructuring Officer Aidan Birkett, ex Deloitte, To Step Down

by John Fowler, Big4.com

We have blogged earlier about how Aidan Birkett, who was a key managing director in Deloitte UK’s restructuring practice went first to help Dubai World when it surprised global markets on the eve of Thanksgiving 2009....

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Big Four Take Leadership Role in World Economic Forum

The Big Four firm Chairmen are key players in the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of New Champions in Tianjin, China. Deloitte and Touche, Ernst and Young and PricewaterhouseCoopers are key Mentors of the program, while KPMG was noticeably missing...

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Yes Virginia, Deloitte Says Santa Still Holding Steady

Deloitte's 22nd annual survey cuts through typical Big Four stodginess with a refreshing headline:

Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus; Gift Buying is Expected to Hold Steady, Although Consumers Will Spend Less Overall

Here's what Virginia needs to know about the American consumer: While 4 of 10 have intentions to spend less this year than last, they may end up spending almost the same amount. And why do people want to spend less? Lower income households cite higher food and fuel costs as reasons, while those at higher income levels point to volatility in the stock market and declining home values...

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Number 5 and 6 Audit Firms Merge in Canada

In Canada, we hear of consolidations below the Big Four level. Canada’s Number 5 and 6 accounting firms, Grant Thornton LLP and BDO Dunwoody LLP have recently agreed to discuss a merger. The motive: to become larger and stay competitive with the Big Four firms. Yet the road is long: Grant Thornton audits only 3 of the top 100 TSE companies, while BDO Dunwoody audits none of those companies...

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Deloitte WINs with Honest, Engaging Blogs

Some months ago, we looked at who is blogging from inside at the Big Four firms. Our survey indicated blogs at Accenture (NYSE: ACN), Cap Gemini SA, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Deloitte & Touche LLP, and one by KPMG LLP's Chairman. At that time, we noticed the lack of publicly-oriented blogs at BearingPoint (NYSE: BE), Ernst & Young LLP . We checked again on the same topic for any changes in status, and here is what we found. Status Quo for the most part. Some blogs have definitely added more content and authors, and the Deloitte LLP and CapGemini SA in particular have regular postings from committed bloggers. Recently, it has been brought to our attention that there is a BearingPoint blog in Australia, which we shall check out....

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