Deloitte UK has produced this video on respect and inclusion:
I am all for respect and inclusion but in that case I have questions for Deloitte, like how come if you're so committed to respect and inclusion do you operate in all the major world tax havens when it is known that they help billions flow out of developed countries in ways that are harmful to their well-being?
And when you now must know that, if this is true, your involvement in this activity helps undermine the health and education provision for so many children in the world why have you have never talked about that possibility and what you're going to do to stop it?
Why too do you oppose country-by-country reporting which would expose what you and your clients are doing on transfer pricing and also expose who is making use of your services in these places?
Because, you see, respect and inclusion is not just about what happens within the comfort of your own four walls. Respect and inclusion is what you do to your neighbour as well as to yourselves.
And I'll tell you: right now your neighbours think you let them down badly Deloitte, and all the evidence is on their side.
So, I welcome your video and its messaging.
But I'll believe what you're seeking to say when you support country-by-country reporting and things like the Fair Tax Mark.
And when you stand up against tax abuse.
And when you pull out of tax havens like the British Virgin Islands, Cayman, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man where it is only tax abuse that can justify your presence (or inclusion would require that you be in the Isle of Wight, which is bigger than all of them and where you'll never be seen).
Then I'll begin to think you're walking your talk. But right now, I don't. And with good reason.
So, the ball's in your court.
And I don't suggest you respond with a lawyer's letter, because that will make you look very silly indeed.
Start talking instead. We're waiting to hear from you.
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War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery etc.
If only Orwell were live today ……
Actually the Isle of Wight is smaller than the Isle of Man.
And I think all the Big 4 have a Southampton office – so what’s the need for an IoW office?
And why should they talk to you? What right do you have for them to speak to you?
Isle of Man population 85,000
Isle of Wight 140,000
Getting facts right helps. Geography does not drive Big 5 demand, people do
And Southampton is not the Isle of Wight any more than New York is not Cayman. You wholly miss the point
As for the Big 4 talking to me – I assure you, they all do
And there are no large businesses on the Island. Who would Deloitte talk to if they did have an office in Newport? Of the 140,000 people, there are disproportionately large numbers of children and retired people. The only office block I can think of on the Island is County Hall.
There are 23,000 people on the BVI
Who do you think Deloitte talk to there?
Shall we stick to facts?
It’s not the number of natural people, it’s the number of businesses.
The Isle of Dogs has only 47,000 people living in it, but it’s got a few fairly large office buildings dotted around. Which is why I’m not surprised that it has more big accountancy and consulting firms than the Isle of Wight despite having a third of the number of residents.
I have to wonder on occasions Andrew if you actually appreciate any argument of any sort
The evidence is scant
You might get to talk to the odd big 4 person if you attend the same seminar but it’s not true that they talk to you in any sort of formal capacity. Certainly PwC doesn’t.
I assure you PWC do very definitely talk to the tax justice movement
The evidence that the Big 4 (or Top 10, or indeed anything bigger than a local firm) should have a presence on the Island is pretty scant, yes. Why do you think I bother commuting off the thing?
Whether they should be in the Caymans etc is another question – but not one that can be sensibly answered by looking at population. As I say, if you go by counting heads then there’d be no-one in Canary Wharf.
I conclude you really really cannot follow an argument
Please don’t bother to waste my time again Andrew
Thank you for flagging this very important issue. Genuine inclusion is foremost about ethics and the Big 4 do not engage substantively with this critical issue sadly. For example the Sikh culture is featured in this video but truly engaging with its core wisdom would mean that there would need to be a sweeping culture change. The Sikhs have a huge respect for all people and fairness and integrity are at the core of their culture something which the world has much to learn from. Even the Icaew does not engage with the diverse faiths which make a major contribution to the profession. Here is an article I wrote for accountancy age: http://www.accountancyage.com/aa/feature/1755185/cultural-diversity-world-difference
You know we’re at one on this one Atul