In Case You Missed It: "We Agree with and Support the Work of UANI"

In Case You Missed It: "We Agree with and Support the Work of UANI" UANI's Accounting Campaign Covered by Leading Trade Publications     Mid-Tier begin withdrawal from Iran International Accounting Bulletin April 29, 2013 Networks Grant Thronton International, RSM and Crowe Horwath International have all severed ties with their Iran member firms, following mounting pressure from US lobby group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) to exit the country. UANI has previously lobbied successfully for the exit of the Big Four from Iran, leaving only mid-tier players in the market. Grant Thornton International said in a statement it is no longer working with correspondant firm Rymand & Co. "We want to reassure dynamic businesses in the Middle East that we will continue to work with them in helping unlock their potential for growth through our member firms in the region, and through our 35,000 Grant Thornton people working in more than 100 countries globally," Grant Thornton International said. Last month UANI wrote to the network's chairman Ed Nusbaum, saying: "The UANI believes that as the international community is working to economically isolate Iran in response to the regime's illicit nuclear activities, the provision of accounting, auditing and other professional services by these accounting networks and associations is a boon to the Iranian economy and facilitates international commerce in Iran, often by creating a veneer of credibility and transparency that encourages foreign investment". RSM also confirmed it had ceased the relationship with Dayarayan Auditing & Financial Services, which was the networks correspondent firm in Tehran, effective 30 April 2013. "We have made this decision because of the increased level of sanctions on Iran and rising concern about the country's political leadership. We agree with and support the work of UANI," RSM chief executive Jean Stephens said. One of UANI main arguments is that international networks operating in Iran should not tender for US government contracts while profiting from their Iran operations. For many this is likely the biggest reason for withdrawal: for example KPMG, which was the last of the Big Four to leave the country in 2010, had US government contracts worth $1.2bn at the time, according to UANI. Firms bow out of Iran By Julia Irvine ICAEW April 29, 2013 Three major accounting firms have announced that they will be cutting ties with Iran after coming under pressure from US-based United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) Last month, Grant Thornton, RSM and Crowe Horwath received letters from the campaigning organisation, which is led by former US ambassador to the United Nations Mark Wallace, warning them that they were undermining global economic sanctions by working in Iran through their correspondent firms. UANI also stressed the increasing alarm with which Iran's nuclear development and its refusal to alleviate fears that it may be pursuing nuclear weapons is regarded. According to Wallace, Grant Thornton International CEO Ed Nusbaum immediately got in contact with UANI, saying that it wanted "to do the right thing and end any Iran exposure." Wallace applauded the firm's move and thanked it for "its responsible action" in terminating its relationship with Rymand & Co. "In discussions with UANI, Grant Thornton pledged that it will do no future business in Iran until the Iranian regime stops sponsoring terrorists and ends its pursuit of nuclear weapons," he said. UANI was also delighted to receive a positive response from RSM and Crowe Horwath as well. RSM has agreed to end its existing relationship with Dayarayan Auditing and Financial Services on 30 April while Crowe Horwath is in the process of withdrawing from its relationship with Hoshiyar/Behmand & Co. The three were the latest accounting firms to be targeted by UANI. Over the past three years, KPMG, PwC and Ernst & Young have also announced their withdrawal from dealings with Iran. "The success of this campaign," Wallace added, "underscores the fiduciary risks of doing business in Iran. "If Iran is too risky for the world's leading accountancy firms, then all businesses have a duty to disclose any and all Iran work to shareholders, investors and regulators - and make plans to leave. "Anything less is irresponsible and a failure to disclose material information under relevant law." Click here to learn more about UANI's Accounting Campaign. ###  United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) is a program of the American Coalition Against Nuclear Iran, Inc., a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran should concern every American and be unacceptable to the community of nations. Since 1979 the Iranian regime, most recently under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's leadership, has demonstrated increasingly threatening behavior and rhetoric toward the US and the West. Iran continues to defy the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United Nations in their attempts to monitor its nuclear activities. A number of Arab states have warned that Iran's development of nuclear weapons poses a threat to Middle East stability and could provoke a regional nuclear arms race. In short, the prospect of a nuclear armed Iran is a danger to world peace. United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) is a non-partisan, broad-based coalition that is united in a commitment to prevent Iran from fulfilling its ambition to become a regional super-power possessing nuclear weapons.  UANI is an issue-based coalition in which each coalition member will have its own interests as well as the collective goal of advancing an Iran free of nuclear weapons. The Objectives of United Against a Nuclear Iran Inform the public about the nature of the Iranian regime, including its desire and intent to possess nuclear weapons, as well as Iran's role as a state sponsor of global terrorism, and a major violator of human rights at home and abroad; Heighten awareness nationally and internationally about the danger that a nuclear armed Iran poses to the region and the world; Mobilize public support, utilize media outreach, and persuade our elected leaders to voice a robust and united American opposition to a nuclear Iran; Lay the groundwork for effective US policies in coordination with European and other allies; Persuade the regime in Tehran to desist from its quest for nuclear weapons, while striving not to punish the Iranian people, and; Promote efforts that focus on vigorous national and international, social, economic, political and diplomatic measures. UANI is led by an advisory board of outstanding national figures representing all sectors of our country.

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