Macquarie Group details director's meetings with KPMG during audit bid
Macquarie Group has provided details to a Senate committee regarding interactions between board member Michelle Hinchliffe and KPMG executives during a $700 million audit tender process. Hinchliffe, a former KPMG partner, has been the subject of whistleblower allegations suggesting the tender was compromised by KPMG's involvement.
Macquarie stated that Hinchliffe met with former KPMG chairman Martin Sheppard through her capacity as a director at BHP. She also had contact with other partners, including Charles Hatchman and Patricia Stebbens, and met with various UK-based partners via other board roles. Macquarie noted that Hinchliffe frequently meets with professional services representatives due to her roles as an audit committee chair for multiple public companies.
KPMG was recently removed as Macquarie’s preferred auditor following a whistleblower scandal in which senior audit partners were alleged to have accessed confidential client information to secure new business. Macquarie has not indicated that any wrongdoing occurred on Hinchliffe's part.
Entities
BHP · KPMG · Macquarie Group · Martin Sheppard · Michelle Hinchliffe
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Hinchliffe had a meal with KPMG partner Patricia Stebbens. www.smh.com.au · www.brisbanetimes.com.au · www.theage.com.au
- [● 3 SOURCES] Macquarie Group detailed interactions between board member Michelle Hinchliffe and KPMG executives during an audit tender process. www.smh.com.au · www.brisbanetimes.com.au · www.theage.com.au
- [● 3 SOURCES] Hinchliffe met with KPMG partner Charles Hatchman for a dinner that was cut short because his wife was unwell. www.smh.com.au · www.brisbanetimes.com.au · www.theage.com.au
- [● 3 SOURCES] KPMG was removed as Macquarie’s preferred auditor following a whistleblower scandal involving the access of confidential client information. www.smh.com.au · www.brisbanetimes.com.au · www.theage.com.au
- [● 3 SOURCES] Michelle Hinchliffe met with former KPMG chairman Martin Sheppard through her role as a BHP director. www.smh.com.au · www.brisbanetimes.com.au · www.theage.com.au