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    The PwC players, the blowback and why it could all happen again

    Many current and former PwC partners still don’t believe the tax leaks scandals involved any serious wrongdoing, and regulators can’t be sure there will not be a repeat.  

    PwC Australia chief executive Kevin Burrowes. Irene Dowdy

    Edmund TadrosProfessional services editor

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    Almost 18 months after the tax leaks matter first broke, PwC Australia is still unable to break free of the scandal. The reason is cultural. Despite the apologies, the promises of change, and the introduction of onerous new processes, rules and oversight, the firm’s operatives will, by its very nature as a sales-driven partnership, continue to struggle to balance purpose and profit.

    There are multiple signs of this struggle. Many current and former PwC partners challenge the idea that the tax leaks matter involved any serious wrongdoing. They still argue – despite multiple reports saying the opposite – the scandal was nothing more than the sharing of almost trivial information about impending tax laws that were widely flagged by the government. A “victimless crime” hyped up by “the enemy”, in the words of one former leader.

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    Edmund Tadros
    Edmund TadrosProfessional services editorEdmund Tadros leads our coverage of the professional services sector. He is based in our Sydney newsroom. Connect with Edmund on Twitter. Email Edmund at edmundtadros@afr.com.au

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