WHSmith, which operates 66 stores across Australia primarily in major airports, was scheduled to report its full-year results yesterday but has delayed the release due to an ongoing investigation into its accounting practices.

This marks the second time the company has failed to deliver its financial results, as it continues to deal with the fallout from accounting errors that led to the dismissal of its former CEO.

WHSmith.

The travel retailer was due to report on 16 December but has now pushed the date back to 19 December, with management stating the delay is to allow its auditor, PwC, “further time to complete the required audit procedures.” The results were originally scheduled to be released on 12 November.

In November, CEO Carl Cowling stepped down following a Deloitte report that confirmed accounting irregularities. WHSmith first disclosed the issues in August, when it cut its full-year profit forecast for its US division and appointed an independent auditor after identifying an overstatement of trading profits.

A subsequent independent review by Deloitte found multiple shortcomings, revealing that profits in the US business had been overstated by up to £50 million. As a result, WHSmith now expects profits in its US arm to fall between £5 million and £15 million in its delayed annual results.