PwC issues apology after Oscars best picture envelope mistake

The Guardian: PricewaterhouseCoopers, the accountancy firm that has overseen the counting of the Oscars ballots for 83 years, has apologised for the most spectacular blunder in the history of the starry ceremony – when the award for best film was mistakenly presented to La La Land instead of the actual winner Moonlight.

Full story: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/feb/27/pricewaterhousecoopers-issues-sincere-apology-for-oscars-blunder

MoJ confirms hike in probate fees

Law Society Gazette: The Ministry of Justice has confirmed a massive overhaul in probate charges, which will see some estates charged up to £20,000. From May this year, subject to parliamentary approval, the MoJ is planning to introduce a sliding scale of charges for probate fees to replace the current flat fees.

Full story: https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/law/moj-confirms-hike-in-probate-fees/5060010.article

Deloitte overtakes PwC as world's largest firm

ICAEW: Deloitte has wrestled back its crown as the biggest firm in the world by fee income following a strong year.

Full story: http://economia.icaew.com/en/news/february-2017/deloitte-overtakes-pwc-as-worlds-largest-firm

Newly qualified accountants in high demand

ICAEW: Recently qualified accountants were in high demand last year, particularly auditors making their first move into the industry, Morgan McKinley's UK Salary Guide has found.

Full story: http://economia.icaew.com/en/news/february-2017/newly-qualified-accountants-in-high-demand

Inheritance tax trap: more than 100,000 families won't get the new tax break

Daily Telegraph: Hundreds of thousands of people who established trusts as a way of limiting inheritance tax liabilities will have to hurriedly re-arrange their affairs – or risk losing out on a valuable new tax perk.  Lawyers warn there is a “ticking time bomb” which could see families miss out the new “family home allowance” which could save thousands of pounds in death duties.

Full story: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/tax/inheritance/inheritance-tax-trap-100000-families-wont-get-new-tax-break/

HMRC criticised over film industry tax avoidance probes

BBC News: HMRC has rejected criticism by Andrew Tyrie, chairman of the Treasury select committee, over its response to the exploitation of tax breaks for the film industry.

Full story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39080743