Bean Counters
The Triumph of the Accountants and How They Broke Capitalism
Published on 7. June 2018
368 pages
978-1-78649-030-8 (ISBN)
Description
'A devastating expose.' Mail on Sunday
They helped cause the 2008 financial crash.
They created a global tax avoidance industry.
They lurk behind the scenes at every level of government...
The world's 'Big Four' accountancy firms - PwC, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, and KPMG - have become a gilded elite. Up in the high six figures, an average partner salary rivals that of a Premier League footballer. But how has the seemingly humdrum profession of accountancy got to this level? And what is the price we pay for their excesses?
Leading investigative journalist Richard Brooks charts the profession's rise to global influence and offers a gripping expose of the accountancy industry. From underpinning global tax avoidance to corrupting world football, Bean Counters reveals how the accountants have used their central role in the economy to sell management consultancy services that send billions in fees its way. A compelling history informed by numerous insider interviews, this is essential reading for anyone interested in how our economy works and the future of accountancy.
They helped cause the 2008 financial crash.
They created a global tax avoidance industry.
They lurk behind the scenes at every level of government...
The world's 'Big Four' accountancy firms - PwC, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, and KPMG - have become a gilded elite. Up in the high six figures, an average partner salary rivals that of a Premier League footballer. But how has the seemingly humdrum profession of accountancy got to this level? And what is the price we pay for their excesses?
Leading investigative journalist Richard Brooks charts the profession's rise to global influence and offers a gripping expose of the accountancy industry. From underpinning global tax avoidance to corrupting world football, Bean Counters reveals how the accountants have used their central role in the economy to sell management consultancy services that send billions in fees its way. A compelling history informed by numerous insider interviews, this is essential reading for anyone interested in how our economy works and the future of accountancy.
Reviews / Votes
Richard Brooks is a digger and a troublemaker who niggles away at difficult subjects in a meticulous, punchy and highly effective way * Alan Rusbridger - Former Editor, The Guardian * Excellent... Brooks is particularly good at showing why we should be angered by all of this... Let's hope this fine book helps redress the balance * Independent on Sunday on The Great Tax Robbery * Fascinating... not only does [Brooks] have a near-encyclopedic knowledge, he also has an ear for resonant detail * Financial Times on The Great Tax Robbery * Important... Brooks demonstrates that financial amorality is endemic among Britain's elite * The Times on The Great Tax Robbery * This year's indispensable book * Nick Cohen, Observer on The Great Tax Robbery *More details
Edition
Main
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
File size
4,67 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-78649-030-8 (9781786490308)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
03/2019
Atlantic Books
€36.08
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Person
Richard Brooks is a British investigative journalist for Private Eye, and author of several books. Brooks worked for the British government as an HMRC tax inspector for until 2005, followed by a year at the Treasury giving ministers policy advice.
Content
- Cover
- Title
- Copyright
- Contents
- List of Figures
- Prologue
- Introduction: Meet the Bean Counters
- Part I From the Tigris to Wall Street: A Noble Profession's Ignoble History
- 1 Merchants and Mayhem
- 2 Full Steam Ahead
- 3 Accountancy Goes Wrong
- 4 Trust Me, I'm a Consultant
- 5 Free for All
- 6 Crash!
- Part II False Prophets: The Price We Pay for the Failure of the Bean Counters
- 7 Duty Free
- 8 Great Britain, LLP
- 9 Crime and Very Little Punishment
- 10 Far from Home
- 11 Unreformed and Unrepentant
- Conclusion: What Can Be Done?
- Appendix: The Big Four Family Trees
- Acknowledgements
- Bibliography
- Notes and References
- Index
