Accounting Scandals While the lawsuit criticises PwC for being too tough on a client, auditing firms around the world are more often being scrutinized for taking to long to uncover fraud, such as at German payments giant Wirecard AG. In South Africa, the role of accountants was questioned amid the scandal that led to the near collapse of retailer Steinhoff International Holdings NV in late 2017, while KPMG's work with a family found to be involved in state corruption was also heavily criticised. PwC's decision had far-reaching consequences for Choppies, which was suspended from Johannesburg's stock exchange after the earnings delay.