Anger over Sage jobs for auditor

SAGE, Britain's biggest software company, was today facing a possible post-Enron shareholder revolt over the amount of money it pays auditors for non-audit work.

It pays Pricewaterhouse-Coopers far more for non-audit services, such as compliance and taxation advice, than for conducting its audit.

The fiasco at failed US energy trader Enron was partly blamed on the perceived conflict of interest between accountant Andersen's-role as a supposedly independent auditor and a provider of lucrative other services.

The revelation in its annual report and accounts that Sage paid PwC £539,000 for its audit but £975,000 for other services in the UK and £910,000 elsewhere last year has angered investors.

A company spokesman said: 'Sage has put in controls to ensure that the independence of the external audit process is not compromised.'