The Institute of Public Accountants chief executive, Andrew Conway, has been appointed to the Tax Practitioners Board for a three-year term.
It comes at a key moment in the evolution of the nation’s tax practitioner regulator as it continues to implement reforms following the James Review in 2020.
Mr Conway said he would aim to bring experience from the coalface to the TPB during his tenure.
“I feel privileged and am looking forward to being part of TPB’s next chapter,” he said.
“It is important that the tax agent and BAS agent community work collaboratively with the regulator to ensure the bar is raised.”
While Mr Conway’s appointment to the TPB is in his individual capacity, IPA members have responded positively to the news calling it a “huge win” for the IPA designation and confirmation that the organisation is being heard in government.
IPA’s chief accounting technician Lielette Calleja said the appointment would ensure the voice and perspective of BAS agents influenced policy development and the setting of education standards.
“This is fantastic news for BAS agents – not just the several thousand accounting technicians within the IPA family, but across the whole profession,” Ms Calleja said.
Under Mr Conway’s stewardship, the IPA has earned a reputation as a champion of small businesses and the practitioners who support them. Its membership has grown by more than 80 per cent in the past seven years.
Mr Conway began his career at Ferrier Hodgson (since it merged with KPMG) in the field of insolvency. He entered the public sector and served as an Australian government Treasury chief of staff before becoming the youngest CEO of a public entity when he was appointed to lead IPA.
He has represented Australia at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, G20 and World Trade Organization summits, and the International Federation of Accountants. He also holds academic appointments as an adjunct professor at the Deakin Business School and professor of accounting (honoris causa) at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.
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