PwC denies ‘turning blind eye’ to Evergrande issues

Letter circulating on social media accuses the Big Four firm over its audit of the Chinese property developer
Evergrande Cultural Tourism City, a mixed-used residential-retail-entertainment development, in Taicang, Suzhou city, in China’s eastern Jiangsu province.
Evergrande Cultural Tourism City, a mixed-used residential-retail-entertainment development, in Taicang, Suzhou city, in China’s eastern Jiangsu province.
AFP

PwC is investigating an anonymous ­letter that has been circulated on social media criticising the Big Four firm and some senior partners over its role in ­auditing Evergrande, the troubled ­Chinese property developer.

The letter, which claims to have been written by some of the firm’s partners, alleged that a former partner had flagged concerns about Evergrande and had suggested dropping it as a client, only for a senior executive to step in. Accusations include that PwC “turned a blind eye” to Evergrande’s issues.

PwC China said the firm was “treating this incident with high priority” and it had been reported to “the relevant authorities”. A spokesman added: “We believe the letter contains inaccurate statements and false allegations.”

Evergrande was once China’s biggest property developer.