<p>The UK chairman of KPMG has resigned after he told staff at the global accountancy firm to "stop moaning" about working conditions during the coronavirus pandemic, the company said Friday.</p>.<p>Bill Michael, who had already stepped aside temporarily pending an internal investigation, will depart the firm at the end of February, KPMG added in a statement.</p>.<p>His duties are being filled on an acting basis by the first women in KPMG's 150-year history to hold such roles.</p>.<p>"I love the firm and I am truly sorry that my words have caused hurt amongst my colleagues and for the impact, the events of this week have had on them," Michael said in the statement.</p>.<p>"In light of that, I regard my position as untenable and so I have decided to leave the firm."</p>.<p>Bina Mehta, as a senior elected board member, has stepped in as acting chair of the board.</p>.<p>And the head of clients and markets Mary O'Connor has assumed Michael's day-to-day executive responsibilities as acting senior partner, the statement added.</p>.<p>The Financial Times reported that during a virtual meeting on Monday, members of KPMG's financial services consulting team told Michael about their concerns over potential cuts to pay and the ranking of individuals' performance.</p>.<p>Michael told staff to "stop moaning" and to stop "playing the victim card", the FT wrote, citing employees.</p>.<p>KPMG is one of Britain's so-called Big Four accountancy groups along with Deloitte, EY and PWC.</p>.<p>Britain's Competition and Markets Authority regulator wants the industry to separate their audit and more lucrative consulting activities.</p>
<p>The UK chairman of KPMG has resigned after he told staff at the global accountancy firm to "stop moaning" about working conditions during the coronavirus pandemic, the company said Friday.</p>.<p>Bill Michael, who had already stepped aside temporarily pending an internal investigation, will depart the firm at the end of February, KPMG added in a statement.</p>.<p>His duties are being filled on an acting basis by the first women in KPMG's 150-year history to hold such roles.</p>.<p>"I love the firm and I am truly sorry that my words have caused hurt amongst my colleagues and for the impact, the events of this week have had on them," Michael said in the statement.</p>.<p>"In light of that, I regard my position as untenable and so I have decided to leave the firm."</p>.<p>Bina Mehta, as a senior elected board member, has stepped in as acting chair of the board.</p>.<p>And the head of clients and markets Mary O'Connor has assumed Michael's day-to-day executive responsibilities as acting senior partner, the statement added.</p>.<p>The Financial Times reported that during a virtual meeting on Monday, members of KPMG's financial services consulting team told Michael about their concerns over potential cuts to pay and the ranking of individuals' performance.</p>.<p>Michael told staff to "stop moaning" and to stop "playing the victim card", the FT wrote, citing employees.</p>.<p>KPMG is one of Britain's so-called Big Four accountancy groups along with Deloitte, EY and PWC.</p>.<p>Britain's Competition and Markets Authority regulator wants the industry to separate their audit and more lucrative consulting activities.</p>