KPMG partners allegedly received $2.4m in secret commissions

Whistleblower documents tabled in the Australian parliament allege that former KPMG partners received $2.4 million in secret commissions that should have been the firm's income. The allegations include claims that these commissions were paid to partners who facilitated specific tax arrangements for clients.

One whistleblower letter names former Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Commissioner Chris Jordan, alleging he received secret commissions during his time as a KPMG partner and failed to file a tax return for over 25 years. Another document names Phillip Henry, alleging he misused client funds for personal expenses, such as home improvements and a jet ski, and acted inappropriately with female staff and clients.

Additional allegations in the documents include the falsification of a 1997 NSW KPMG election result, a partner transporting cash from Singapore to Australia to help a client avoid tax, and the misuse of client data being shared among staff working for competing clients. There is no suggestion that the partners have been found guilty of wrongdoing, only that these allegations have been formally tabled in parliament.