Accountants to vote on whether to snuggle up with the Aussies
A tie-up with the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia – to create a new transTasman institute – was first flagged in 2011.
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New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants members will vote on whether the institute should team up with its sister institute across the Tasman.
A tie-up with the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia – to create a new transTasman institute – was first flagged in 2011.
Having consulted for three months on the formal proposal, the matter will be put to the vote in October.
NZICA chairman Graham Crombie says feedback indicates widespread support to form the new institute.
“As a result, and following further work, we are unanimous in our decision to put it to a member vote,” he says.
The vote will be held from October 1 through to November 1, providing members with one month to vote on the proposal. Results will be announced in November.
“It is an exciting and historic vote that potentially consolidates our successful transTasman collaboration into one stronger body with the capacity to deliver more to members, the businesses they serve and our economies as a whole.”
ICAA President Tim Gullifer says timing is right for the merger.
“In a global environment we need to stay ahead and the one new Institute would give us the scale and strength we need; a larger more sustainable body with increased policy formulation and advocacy capability as well as greater global influence.”
If members vote in the new insitute, it is expected to be set up next year.
Several months ago, NZICA chief executive Craig Norgate told NBR ONLINE the transTasman merger aimed to reverse the “declining relevance” of the chartered accountant designation.
The new institute will deliver economies of scale to address issues such as IT upgrades and ongoing professional development of members, he says.
It is also a response to competition presented by rival CPA Australia.
NZICA and ICAA already co-operate closely.
NZICA has about 33,000 members and revenue of $27 million, while ICAA has 60,000 members and revenue of $89 million.
Georgina Bond
Thu, 08 Aug 2013
Thu, 08 Aug 2013
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Accountants to vote on whether to snuggle up with the Aussies
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