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.
Andrew Conway said he aims 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,” Mr Conway 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 growing status of the IPA designation and a clear sign that the voice of IPA’s leaders is recognised and respected by the government.
IPA board chair and president, Julie Williams, welcomed Mr Conway’s appointment.
“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,” she said.
IPA’s chief accounting technician Lielette Calleja said the appointment will ensure the voice and perspective of BAS agents are 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 businesses 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 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 (APEC), the G20, World Trade Organization 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) at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.
Also appointed to the TPB was Steven Dobson who has spent nearly 10 years with the Small Business Development Corporation (Western Australia) serving as chair with the organisation since December 2018.
Chair of the TPB, Ian Klug AM, said the board is looking forward to the contributions of the two new members, together with the benefit of their combined experience.
“These appointments will ensure that the TPB continues to play an increasingly important role in the protection of consumers of tax practitioner services,” he said.
The Tax Practitioners Board regulates tax practitioners in order to protect consumers. The TPB aims to assure the community that tax practitioners meet appropriate standards of professional and ethical conduct.
