With audit reform forming an important part of the Government’s agenda, the role of the FRC is in the spotlight. In this seminar we explore key features of FRC supervision and enforcement, focussing on certain aspects of the FRC’s regime which might prove troublesome when defending regulated professionals and firms. Our speakers have extensive experience of advising and defending in FRC proceedings, both under the Accountancy Scheme and the Audit Enforcement Procedure. They will provide insight and tips on how to ensure that the FRC investigatory process (and its precursors) runs smoothly and the best outcome can be secured.
Speakers:
Chair: Ben Hubble QC, 4 New Square
Ben is a specialist in regulatory matters and enforcement proceedings in relation to accountants. He was Head of Chambers at 4 New Square, a leading set of 80+ barristers, from 2013 to 2017. He was Chair of the Professional Negligence Bar Association from 2016 to 2017. He was nominated for Professional Disciplinary QC of the Year in 2017. In April 2020, he was both The Times’ Lawyer of the Week and The Lawyer’s inaugural Barrister of the Week following his success on behalf of the claimant in the ground-breaking Rihan v EY case. Ben also sits as a Senior Decision Maker for the Guernsey Financial Services Commission on enforcement cases in Guernsey.
Julie Matheson, Partner Kingsley Napley LLP
Julie is a partner and head of the Accountants Advisory team at Kingsley Napley LLP. She specialises in regulatory compliance and enforcement matters relating to accountants and individuals and firms working in professional services. She has extensive experience of advising in ICAEW, ACCA and FRC investigations, from both a prosecution and defence perspective. She is Chair of the ARDL Accountancy Sub-Committee.
Christopher Coltart QC, 2 Hare Court
Christopher’s background was originally in commercial property litigation. During that time, he had an extensive portfolio of cases, representing banks, pension funds and other financial institutions in a variety of high value claims. For the last 25 years, he has specialised in business crime, contested regulatory matters, professional disciplinary cases and sports law. He is recommended by the legal directories in relation to all of these practice areas. He is Head of 2 Hare Court’s Business Crime & Financial Services Group and is a Sports Arbitrator with Sport Resolutions Limited. He has particular experience of representing accountants in both criminal and regulatory cases and is presently instructed in some of the most significant cases before the FRC.
Adam Culy, Partner, Stephenson Harwood LLP.
Adam is a partner in Stephenson Harwood’s commercial and regulatory litigation teams. He handles a range of commercial litigation and professional liability matters with a particular focus on insurance related issues, the accountancy regulators (ICAEW/FRC), and the defence of claims involving tax, audit, insolvency and other accountancy services. Adam is a former criminal prosecutor and was previously General Counsel at BDO.