CA ANZ’s professional conduct review
CA ANZ is calling on members to engage with its Professional Conduct Framework Review as it examines its rules and by-laws and selects former Federal Court justice, the Hon Dennis Cowdroy AO QC, to provide an independent review of the initial recommendations.
In Brief
- The review will provide members with a vital avenue of feedback on the professional conduct process, which is important to ensuring the profession meets high ethical and professional standards.
- CA ANZ Chief Executive Officer Ainslie van Onselen is encouraging all members to have their say in this important review.
- Submissions are open until 5pm AEST 30 November 2022.
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) is calling on members to make submissions to its Professional Conduct Framework Review, launched by the membership body in August to ensure its by-laws and rules remain in line with global best practice.
CA ANZ’s internal review will be coordinated and overseen by a newly created 11-member Professional Conduct Framework Review Committee (PCFRC), established by the Board pursuant to By-Law 128A, and jointly chaired by the chair of the board John Palermo FCA and CA ANZ chief executive officer Ainslie van Onselen.
The announcement of the review – and its terms of reference, also made available to members in August – is timely as bringing disrepute to the profession is not just gauged on technical matters, but on more broader social issues that can impact the trust and reputation of the profession.
The review will provide members with a vital avenue of feedback on the professional conduct process, which is important to ensuring the profession meets high ethical and professional standards. The PCFRC will report to the CA ANZ board and provide quarterly updates on its progress, findings and recommendations.
Most comprehensive review of its type
On top of its internal committee, CA ANZ has appointed former Federal Court justice, the Hon Dennis Cowdroy AO QC, to provide an independent assessment of the review’s initial findings and recommendations. Cowdroy will add “another layer of assurance to the review, ensuring the recommendations are as comprehensive and thorough as possible,” says van Onselen, adding it is the “most comprehensive review of its type in more than five years.”
Van Onselen says the committee will be engaging the membership for feedback over the coming months. “Member engagement is essential to ensure we keep in step with international best practice,” she says, adding the review would inform future conduct processes that all chartered accountants are subject to.
Pictured: CA ANZ chief executive officer Ainslie van Onselen
“Member engagement is essential to ensure we keep in step with international best practice.”
“It will also take into consideration how large and complex matters are best dealt with and I know that our members will be eager to have their say on this.”
CA ANZ’s review will focus on four key areas:
1. The CA ANZ By-Laws, NZICA Rules and the CA ANZ Regulations applicable to the Australian and New Zealand professional conduct and disciplinary functions
2. The professional conduct committee and tribunal structures and administrative arrangements
3. The scope and content of supporting materials for members relating to ethical disclosure obligations
4. CA Program academic integrity policies with the professional conduct and discipline by-laws and regulations, considering specifically how academic misconduct is notified and addressed.
Any identified amendments to rules and by-laws will be put to a vote of members later in the year.
“I strongly encourage our members and any other interested parties to take the opportunity to participate and share their views,” van Onselen says.
Submissions are open until 5pm AEST 30 November 2022.
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