Energy company Alinta Ltd and Macquarie Bank Ltd have often been accused of using financial engineering and extravagant fees to boost their earnings, so it was striking last week when Alinta turned on its one-time corporate adviser.

Energy company Alinta Ltd and Macquarie Bank Ltd have often been accused of using financial engineering and extravagant fees to boost their earnings, so it was striking last week when Alinta turned on its one-time corporate adviser.