Specialist SMSF audit and software firm Evolv has appointed David Smith as its chair of it board, effective from 1 February.
“The appointment of David to the role of chair if the board represents an important next stage for Evolv, strengthening our senior leadership team through a time of advanced growth as we help accounting firms navigate a path to SMSF audit independence,” Evolv chief executive Ron Phipps-Ellis said.
“David is an outstanding choice for Evolv. He is well respected across the accounting profession and is renowned for his depth of experience and his contribution to the SMSF sector.”
Smith brings over five decades of accounting industry experience with him to the role, having formerly been a partner at accounting firm PKF (now BDO) and president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (now Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand).
He was also an initial director of Count Plus Limited when it listed and chief executive of Class Limited for a brief period. He is currently a founding director of business advisory firm Smithink.
“As a former auditor, David brings a fresh perspective to Evolv. He is well acquainted with every aspect of the SMSF space, having been involved with SMSFs since 1989, when he wrote the software for one of the first SMSF platforms. David’s strong technology background enables him to actively engage with our software developers and bring his own contribution to the business,” Phipps-Ellis noted.
Smith said he was delighted to join Evolv and praised the organisation’s focus on collaboration.
“Evolv brings several points of difference to the market, and through its three core products of audit services, audit software and soon-to-be-released SMSF accounting workpapers software, the firm is uniquely positioned to assist accountants and auditors operate across both the SMSF accounting and audit spectrum. I believe this concept of collaboration fostered by Evolv is unique across the market,” he noted.
“As chairman, I see my key priority in the next 12 months as assisting Evolv through a growth stage in continuing to scale the business, build robust corporate governance and realise further AI software capabilities.”
According to Smith, his priority will be to allow Evolv to service accounting, advisory and auditing firms for independent auditing solutions.
“I look forward to working with everyone at Evolv and bringing my own skills and experience to Evolv’s highly skilled and professional team,” he said.