Monday, September 1, 2008

ABC Learning loss news to ex-auditors

THE former auditors of beleaguered ABC Learning Centres distanced themselves yesterday from any responsibility for delayed full-year results expected to show greater losses than expected.

 Pitcher Partners managing partner Paul Green said his firm ceased working with Australia's biggest childcare provider last year and would have had no knowledge of up to $200 million in additional writedowns expected in addition to a pre-tax loss of $437 million already flagged.

"Back in March 2007 we indicated we wanted to resign on the audit of that company, which we did prior to their annual general meeting in November 2007. We haven't been involved since that time,'' Mr Green said.

"We haven't been involved in recent discussions of prior year writedowns and therefore are not able to comment.''

Accounting firm Ernst & Young has taken over as auditors and is now examining prior year records of the Brisbane-based company.

Mr Groves reportedly told other media that differences between the two accounting firms were to blame for a restatement of accounts. That, in turn, has led to the delay in releasing results and an ongoing share trading suspension.

The writedown are thought to be related to ABC's ill-fated expansion into the US and the partial sale of those assets.

Some analysts believe an adjustment of prior year accounts could result in the contravention of banking covenants.

Mr Groves last week rejected speculation that ABC would collapse or that he would step down as chief executive.

The debt-burdened firm has moved to reassure parents that it's "business as usual'' at more than 1100 centres across the country and the current difficulties would have no bearing on services.

The company's share price, which hit a peak of $8.80 in late 2006, remains frozen at 54.




Wild, Wild West: Arizona Mandates Licensing For Originators
Groves clings to ABC reins