New leader of forensic services at PwC

Jan 27 2010 By The Journal

THE head of the Newcastle office of accountancy practice PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has welcomed the appointment of Tony Parton as leader of its forensic services team in the North.

Mr Parton, who is also the firm’s UK corporate investigations leader, is a qualified chartered accountant with more than 25 years forensic experience with PwC.

He has extensive experience in fraud investigations and in providing expert accounting testimony in civil and criminal cases.

Paul Woolston, senior partner at PwC in Newcastle, said: "I am delighted to welcome Tony to the North. His wealth of knowledge will be a great asset to both PwC and our clients in the region. Tony has already been able to help local clients with fraud issues in China. This appointment is testament to the firm’s continued growth in the North and I wish him well in his new role."

Mr Parton has lived and worked in Hong Kong for four years, where he led the firm’s forensic business in the Asia-Pacific market, opening forensic offices in Shanghai and Beijing.

Mr Parton said: "The forensic team is well placed to provide an excellent forensic service to businesses in the North. Economic downturns inevitably lead to heightened fraud risk and an increase in the volume of fraud detected.

"It is essential that organisations maintain robust anti-fraud controls and take appropriate action when fraud occurs. This year will see the introduction of new UK bribery legislation, with severe penalties including custodial sentences for those found to have offered bribes to win lucrative contracts or gain business licences. Those organisations that do business in the emerging markets are particularly at risk."