Richard Murphy has brought to attention an interesting piece in the Guardian from Prem Sikka examining how the government interacts with accountancy firms. Sikka describes it as ‘unhealthy’ and Murphy highlights that the Big 4’s ‘business model is to undermine the state’ – Murphy goes even further to say that the public sector even lacks confidence in its own ability.

This theme got MBT particularly excited as it touches on the premise behind Alan Gold’s quest in Accrual World when the government bans accountancy.

So how do the accountants feel about the government’s relationship with accountancy firms – too close for comfort or necessary evil?