I'm not convinced that Scottish jurisdiction re contempt of court extends beyond Scotland.This post and the tweet within it are technically contempt of court. The man's been arrested stick to what NS did or didn't know
No, I'm wrong. It's not a separate Scottish law. The relevant legislation is the Contempt of Court Act 1981, which applies both sides of the border and is enforced more enthusiastically yonder.I'm not convinced that Scottish jurisdiction re contempt of court extends beyond Scotland.
He's an ITN journalist so I should think it's fairly safe. Why is my post about it contempt?This post and the tweet within it are technically contempt of court. The man's been arrested stick to what NS did or didn't know
Scottish law contempt of court starts at point of arrest....
Especially about the goats.So we have to be careful what we say on here.
The auditors have resigned. That's really not good.The SNP accountants have resigned
This is something that puzzled me earlier. It doesn’t sound good. But haven’t those same auditors been passing the annual accounts for the past ten years, including therefore the years under question?The auditors have resigned. That's really not good.
Yeah, in my experience the auditors tend to do exactly as you say and rubber-stamp accounts presented to them. Occasionally they may have a few questions that need a bit of work to supply the information, but not every time. Also depends on who actually does the auditing, as with many professional services firms a small team of junior staff will do the bulk of the work then pass it to a senior manager or partner for sign off.This is something that puzzled me earlier. It doesn’t sound good. But haven’t those same auditors been passing the annual accounts for the past ten years, including therefore the years under question?
I’m not asking anyone to fall foul of contempt of court rules. But it was my understanding that the point of having a professional auditor is that they certify against their good name that it all looks fine?
Well still the point of charge, but in Scotland you're charged at the point of arrest.
Police investigating the SNP's finances this week searched the home of former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell - Nicola Sturgeon's husband. He was arrested and released without charge. LINK
Sounds like 'reputation management ' on their part. At some point they may have to choose between looking incompetent or dodgy. Allegedly.This is something that puzzled me earlier. It doesn’t sound good. But haven’t those same auditors been passing the annual accounts for the past ten years, including therefore the years under question?
I’m not asking anyone to fall foul of contempt of court rules. But it was my understanding that the point of having a professional auditor is that they certify against their good name that it all looks fine?
Well still the point of charge, but in Scotland you're charged at the point of arrest.
Yeah, in my experience the auditors tend to do exactly as you say and rubber-stamp accounts presented to them. Occasionally they may have a few questions that need a bit of work to supply the information, but not every time. Also depends on who actually does the auditing, as with many professional services firms a small team of junior staff will do the bulk of the work then pass it to a senior manager or partner for sign off.
If an auditor resigns it might be to do reputational risk management, IE difficult questions will be asked if they continue to be auditors for a particular client so much so that they might lose other clients.
Hypothetically the auditors may have been raising issues with the client over a number of years, but if the client provides sufficient justification and information then there's probably not much they can do, if there is no actual clear evidence of a crime.
Given the spectacular failures in auditing, one wonders if any of the big firms are fit for purpose. Enron for example.
But of a simplification! A lot of it can be to do with the way costs are entered onto the balance sheet (or not).Carillon got a clean bill of health from the auditors about six months before it fell into a multi-billion black hole.
Accounting isn't even that difficult. Considering what people get paid for it you'd think it was some rare and special skill, not something that can be done by anyone with a basic grasp of maths and a copy of excel.
Bit of a simplification!
Real names aren’t legal. Or whatever it is.Oh, I don't know, I mean what's the point of doing years of training followed up by ongoing training when all you need is a basic grasp of maths and a copy of excel?
Ditto with solicitors, no one needs them, when a basic understanding of the magna carta and maritime law will ensure you'll always get off in court.
Oh, I don't know, I mean what's the point of doing years of training followed up by ongoing training when all you need is a basic grasp of maths and a copy of excel?
Bide-a-wee Rest Home for Pets and Meat Pie CompanyWould you trust a GP who was also an undertaker on the side?