An emerging accounting scandal at the private client wing of top 50 accountancy firm Wenham Major has seen outside experts called in. It is reported that the Birmingham-based practice first became aware of the matter when executive chairman John Joyce took sick leave at the end of last month.
Joyce established the Wenham Major Private Client subsidiary in London with co-owner Ammar Azam, who is also Wenham Major chief executive. Azam confirmed the investigation was focussed primarily on Joyce and the firm intended to launch proceedings at a later date. Joyce is reported to be in an undisclosed hospital, and thus out of contact, but staff at Private Cilent are said to be co-operating fully.
This week the firm announced it was calling in external help. Vantis is understood to be tendering for the work but would not comment further.
John Joyce joined the board of Wenham Major in 2006. The next year the firm broke into the Top 50, this year it rocketed to 23rd place.