How independent are McGladrey & Pullen auditors, really? Can HRB threaten to “transition” the attest work?
HRB warns”M&P’s leaders” their move to break away after 10 years “is fraught with significant business and financial risk and is not in the best interest of M&P partners, employees or clients.” And who, exactly, would HRB replace McGladrey with?
Here’s yesterday story on McGladrey cutting the cord.
Today, here’s the full HRB statement in reply:
H&R Block Announces Receipt of Contract Notice Relating to RSM McGladrey
KANSAS CITY, MO — H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB) confirmed today that it has received a notice of intent (the “Notice”) by the accounting firm McGladrey & Pullen LLP (“M&P”) to terminate the Administrative Services Agreement dated as of January 30, 2006 (the “Services Agreement”) between RSM McGladrey, Inc. (“RSM”) and M&P. RSM is a wholly owned subsidiary of H&R Block, while M&P is a professional services partnership fully independent of H&R Block. RSM provides tax and consulting services to thousands of clients across the United States every year. Through its contractual arrangement with M&P, attest services have also been available to such clients. Unless revoked or modified prior to that time, the effect of the Notice will be to terminate the Services Agreement in 210 days (the “Notice Period”).
“We believe the path proposed by certain of M&P’s leaders is fraught with significant business and financial risk and is not in the best interest of M&P partners, employees or clients. Whether the full M&P partnership is willing to assume these immense risks remains to be seen. Regardless of M&P’s final decision regarding its relationship with us, RSM will continue to provide the superb tax and consulting services that our clients enjoy today,” said Russ Smyth, H&R Block President and CEO. “We would prefer to continue working cooperatively to build better client service capabilities and to capitalize on opportunities for future mutually beneficial growth. However, if necessary, we are fully prepared to replace M&P in the overall business, and to make the necessary arrangements to assist clients transitioning their attest work,” added Mr. Smyth.
Under the terms of the Services Agreement, RSM provides various services to M&P. As set forth more fully in the Company’s recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, among other things M&P has received a significant line of credit from RSM to finance its receivables and working capital, as well as office space. M&P has also received the benefit of substantial capital investments from H&R Block affiliates to assist in acquisitions of professional services firms, to develop software and other technology for attest and other practices, and to support the overall development of the business.
During the Notice Period the existing agreements among the parties remain in effect. RSM has previously discussed possible modifications of the terms of the Services Agreement with several individual board members of M&P. RSM expects that it will continue to discuss a variety of issues pertaining to its relationship with M&P during the Notice Period.
In the event the Notice is not withdrawn prior to becoming effective, RSM will enforce the extensive rights it has under all agreements with M&P to the fullest possible extent, including contractual noncompetition provisions limiting the future activities of both M&P and certain individual M&P partners. However, RSM believes that the existing relationship provides a proven framework for meeting client needs, while also offering opportunities for the M&P partners and staff to participate in future growth opportunities.
