Skip to main contentAccess keys help

[an error occurred while processing this directive]
BBC News
watch One-Minute World News
News image
Last Updated: Thursday, 20 July 2006, 20:00 GMT 21:00 UK
Software firm to probe accounts
Computer screen and keyboard
The firm has been forced to delay its results even further
Troubled software business iSoft has launched an investigation into possible accounting irregularities at the firm.

The firm, which has suffered a series of setbacks in recent months, said it would study how some revenues were accounted for over at least two years.

The firm has been in the spotlight since being blamed for delays to a �2bn upgrade of the NHS computer system.

Its chief executive quit last month and it is currently in talks with lenders about its finances.

Investigation

In a statement to the stock market, iSoft said it had received information suggesting possible irregularities in how it had treated revenue for accounting purposes in 2004-5 and at least one other year.

Concerns about this came to light during a recent audit following the adoption of a new accounting policy.

"The board has therefore commissioned an investigation into these possible irregularities,� the statement said.

The firm said it did not believe the investigation would significantly alter its revenues for last year, expected to be between �195m and �200m.

However, the firm has had to delay further the publication of its audited results for the past year, already put back several weeks.

Licence changes

ISoft's shares fell 40% last month after it revealed that sales and profits for the past year would be significantly lower than previously thought because of a change in accounting rules in relation to new licences.

Although the change has not affected its cash reserves, iSoft is currently in talks with its lenders about alterations to its banking arrangements.

Chief executive Tim Whiston resigned last month and was replaced by business turnaround specialist Bill Henry.

The firm also announced plans to cut up to 150 jobs.




SEE ALSO
ISoft delays results publication
07 Jul 06 |  Business
Boss resigns at struggling iSoft
14 Jun 06 |  Business
iSoft hit by NHS contract delays
29 Mar 06 |  Business

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



FEATURES, VIEWS, ANALYSIS
Has China's housing bubble burst?
How the world's oldest clove tree defied an empire
Why Royal Ballet principal Sergei Polunin quit

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

AmericasAfricaEuropeMiddle EastSouth AsiaAsia Pacific