The Treasurer, the Hon Peter Costello, MP today announced the appointment of Ms Merran Kelsall as part-time Chairman of the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB). Ms Kelsall’s appointment is for a period of three years.
The AUASB was reconstituted as a Commonwealth statutory body under stage 9 of the Governments Corporate Law Economic Reform Program (CLERP 9). The legislation implementing CLERP 9 came into effect on 1 July 2004. The AUASB is responsible for setting auditing standards which, under CLERP 9, have gained the force of law.
Ms Kelsall will bring a strong mix of leadership, managerial skills and business experience to the position of AUASB Chairman.
Ms Kelsall has held a range of senior positions in the accounting profession as well as various directorships. Through her role as Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) since 1998 and her role as a member of the Victorian Council of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA), Ms Kelsall has gained experience in issues facing regulators, an understanding of the workings of the accounting industry and a strong understanding of the audit function. Ms Kelsall has been a member of the Companies and Markets Advisory Committee (CAMAC) since 1999.
“Ms Kelsall has been appointed in a very important period for the AUASB” the Treasurer said. “Ms Kelsall’s position as Chairman will be key to furthering the work of the AUASB under its new arrangements - meeting the challenges of ensuring that Australian auditing standards are structured suitably as legal instruments and ensuring that the AUASB policy of harmonisation with international auditing standards continues”.
The Treasurer noted the work of the former Chairman of the AuASB, Mr Bill Edge,
and thanked him for his contribution in the development and progress of the
CLERP 9 legislation.