EY’s split shows what a big business auditing has become, but maybe it shouldn’t be

BIG 4 public accounting firm EY’s announcement that it will split its auditing and consulting functions has thrown the spotlight on whether both businesses ought to be housed under one roof – with the tussle rooted in just how lucrative each business is.

But, should auditing even be a money-spinning business at all? Isn’t it about time jurisdictions thought about providing it as a public good?

Whom do audits serve?