PwC’s “overly collegial culture” allowed it to overlook unethical behaviour

Embattled consultancy firm PwC developed a “whatever it takes” approach to business where poor behaviour was tolerated, a scathing report has found.

A review into the company by former Telstra boss Ziggy Switkowski found excessive power was conferred on PwC’s chief executive and there was a lack of independence and outside voices within the governing body.

The report was commissioned after a tax advice scandal, where partners at the firm shared confidential tax information from the Treasury department to boost business for PwC in the private sector.

Switkowski said there were multiple shortcomings in the company arising from poor practices that went unreported for years.