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Bedbug Scare at KPMG’s New York Office?

Summer of 2010 had its share of gripping stories: Islamic community centers, “pink-faced halfwits” whipping the masses into a frenzy, Lindsey Lohan.

All of these stories grabbed ahold of American’s two-second attention span far longer than you would expect. But the thing that really transfixed the nation was a tiny insect that was, as one time, merely a fun game for kids to play so their parents could smoke grass in the basement. BEDBUGS.


With all the bedbug hysteria that’s been going on, we’re surprised that we haven’t ANY news about accounting firms having their offices invaded with bedbugs. Finally, we’ve gotten word of what probably amounts to just a scare at KPMG in New York.

We were tipped off this morning to the news that there was a “bed bug issue” over the weekend at one of the KPMG’s offices in New York. We asked around and discovered that the “issue” was at the 345 Park location and that “only one bedbug” was found. Everything that has happened since then have been “precautionary measures.” This no doubt involved scores of people crawling around with magnifying glasses until the bedbug dogs could be called in.

A message and voicemail left with KPMG spokesman Dan Ginsburg had not been returned at the time of posting.

Of course, the real concern is that if there’s one bedbug, there are likely more. And in New York, there have been no shortage of bedbug cases including at the nearby MetLife Building. So far nothing we’ve heard indicates that it’s a full-blown infestation over at 345 Park but do get in touch if you hear more.

Will Big 4 Firms Get Access to the Swine Flu Vaccine?

swine.jpgNo idea! But we figure if you’re an auditor (or any other service delivery professional) at Goldman Sachs or Citigroup (PwC and KPMG respectively) you probably have a better chance than most.
Oh and it helps if you’re at high risk for developing complications. So if you’re aged 24 to 64, aren’t around kids, and don’t have serious health issues, you’re just going to have take your chances without the H1N1 vaccine.

Citigroup has been supplied with 1,200 units and Goldman with 200, says Jessica Scaperotti, press secretary for the Department of Health & Mental Hygiene. The agency has so far approved orders by 29 employers–including 16 that have yet to receive any vaccine–after they were cleared by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). Big employers that have received or are scheduled to receive vaccine so far include Time Warner (TWX), JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Memorial Sloan-Kettering, New York Presbyterian Healthcare System, and New York University.

Since we have the tendency to jump to conclusions, will assume there’s no plans to distribute any vaccines to any of the large accounting firms locations. Reaffirming our belief that the Rodney Dangerfield image remains intact for the accounting firms. Your best bet is to be on the client site of any company that has any systematic importance.
New York Businesses Get H1N1 Vaccine [Business Week via JDA]
Earlier: Deloitte Study Says That Half of You Aren’t Scared of Swine Flu. Tell That to a Backstreet Boy
Also Earlier: Our Token Swine Flu Post