IPA CEO ANDREW CONWAY APPOINTED TO TAX PRACTITIONERS BOARD

5 April 2022

The Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) chief executive, Andrew Conway, has been appointed to the Tax Practitioners Board effective March 30, for a three-year term.

It comes at a crucial time in the evolution of the nation’s tax practitioner regulator as it continues to implement reforms following the James Review in 2020.

“I feel privileged and am looking forward to being part of TPB’s next chapter,” Mr Conway said.

He aims to bring experience from the coalface to the TPB during his tenure. “It is important that the tax agent and BAS agent community work collaboratively with the regulator to ensure the bar is raised,” Mr Conway said.

IPA Board Chair and President, Julie Williams, welcomed Mr Conway’s appointment to the TPB saying: “We congratulate Andrew on this important appointment. He has demonstrated great capacity to add value and is committed to enhancing the standing of the profession”

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 growing status of the IPA designation and a clear sign that the voice of IPA’s leaders are recognised and respected by government.

IPA’s chief accounting technician Lielette Calleja said the appointment will ensure the voice and perspective of BAS agents is heard in 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 carved out a name for itself as a champion of small business and the practitioners who support them. Its membership has grown by more than 80 per cent in the last seven years and become increasingly international.

Mr Conway began his career at Ferrier Hodgson (since 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 chief executive of a public entity when he was appointed to lead IPA.

He has represented Australia at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the G20, World Trade Organisation summits, and the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and holds academic appointments as an Adjunct Professor at the Deakin Business School and Professor of Accounting (honoris causa) Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.