The SMSF Auditors Association of Australia (SMSFAAA) has strengthened its bank of expertise and professional experience with a new appointment to its board of directors.
Evolv founder and chief executive Ron Phipps-Ellis has joined the industry body’s board of directors to build upon its aim to maintain the independence of auditors in the current environment.
Phipps-Ellis brings extensive industry experience to the organisation, having had a long career in auditing, accounting and tax prior to establishing Evolv, an independent SMSF audit firm specialising in the use of technology to make fund auditing more efficient.
“The SMSF industry contributes substantially to our economy and SMSF auditors play a key role in supporting compliance with SMSF industry legislation. Given the continued growth path of the industry, the opportunity to elevate the importance and profile of SMSF auditors is necessary and timely. Members benefit by being represented by a specialist professional body such as SMSFAAA and the SMSF industry as a whole is better off too,” he said.
“Growing an association like SMSFAAA requires a team of well-intentioned, motivated people. Based on my years of experience building a scaled SMSF audit business, it’s time to contribute my skills to furthering specialised education, support, networking, thought leadership and other services that create real value for members.”
Phipps-Ellis joins directors Lina De Marco, Ariful Haque and Brian Roughley and founding directors Karen Stewart, Sam Marotta and Gino J Coiera on the association’s board.
The body was founded in 2018 and aims to provide its members with a strong collective voice from the audit community to regulators, a professional community to discuss relevant industry concerns and educational services.
Recently the organisation made a submission to Treasury regarding the proposed auditor independence fee thresholds and plans to continue representing Australian Securities and investments Commission-approved SMSF auditors that contribute to the sector’s development.
