Re: Where were the auditors?
General Safety Tip:
NEVER use a Big5 accounting firm for anything.
A/ third-rate skills/service
B/ violent fees
A Big5 audit essentially doesn't happen. It is at best a box ticking exercise, and is increasingly focussed, believe it or not, on whether your policy/procedure documents look good. You are merely paying face money as part of being seen to have fulfilled a legal requirement with a "quality firm".
Always use a 2nd or 3rd Tier firm.