Constitutional changes being proposed at AGM 2024

The Institute of Public Accountants (IPA), as a leading professional body must continually seek to raise the bar in member regulation and oversight to maintain public trust and confidence. As a result, the IPA is proposing changes to its complaints and disciplinary functions.

The Board of the IPA has undertaken a detailed review of the IPA’s complaints and disciplinary system, and proposes, with their full endorsement, the following Constitutional changes to be voted upon at the IPA Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held on 27 November 2024 at 6:00pm AEDT:

  1. The establishment of a Professional Conduct Committee, which will be tasked with assisting with certain disciplinary matters, the purpose of which is to increase administrative efficiency and ensure the appropriate level of independence and transparency.
  2. Clarification of the powers of the IPA to disclose information to certain other regulatory and professional bodies, including information regarding Members, and the procedures, processes or actions taken by the IPA or any committee of the IPA (having regard to privacy law considerations).
  3. An increase to the maximum amount of the fine that may be imposed by the Professional Conduct Committee or a Disciplinary Tribunal in certain circumstances outlined in chapter 7 (Investigation and Disciplinary Procedures) of the IPA Constitution, from $10,000 to $100,000. This will bring the IPA in line with the lowest of the maximum fines imposed by the other professional accounting bodies in Australia.
  4. Changes to specify the grounds on which an IPA Member can lodge a notice of appeal following a finding made by the Disciplinary Tribunal.

The IPA Board of Directors recommends that members APPROVE all of the proposed amendments to the IPA Constitution at Clauses 4(11), 13(3), 23(2), 23(3), 23(5), 98(1), 98(2)(a) to (c), 98(2)(f) to (h), 98(3)(b) and (c), 98(3)(g) and (h), 99, 104(3), 108A(1) and 108B.

Members can register here.

The IPA AGM will be streamed live for IPA Members not able to be present at the meeting. IPA Members joining the IPA AGM via the live stream will do so as observers only, and will be encouraged to register a Proxy to be able to vote at the AGM.

Proxy forms and associated AGM material will be made available via the IPA website (Member section).