Recent Australian cases

In Australia, the CA ANZ Disciplinary Tribunal has published six decisions from January.

There was one order for termination of membership in relation to a member who pleaded guilty to six counts of dishonestly using his position as an officer of a company to gain advantage for his business and himself contrary to section 184(2)(a) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), and who was sentenced to imprisonment for four years, with a non-parole period of two years.

There were three suspensions for periods between 2-5 years and for disciplinary offences including:

• Termination of the member’s tax agent registration and being the subject of an adverse or unfavourable binding determination.
• Disqualification as an approved self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) auditor and being the subject of an adverse or unfavourable binding determination
• Failing to comply with the obligations under the CA ANZ Regulations to undergo a quality review and to comply with reasonable and lawful directions of CA ANZ in relation to the quality review and the disciplinary investigation. This member has also had his status as a Fellow of CAANZ removed.

Two members were censured by the CA ANZ Disciplinary Tribunal for disciplinary offences including:

• Cancellation of the New Zealand licence of the an Australian Member to carry out audits under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 (New Zealand) (FMC Act), the imposition of conditions or restrictions on the Member’s registration as an SMSF auditor, being the subject of an adverse or unfavourable binding determination and having a condition or restriction imposed on a registration. This member was also required to pay a fine of $5,000
• Failing to observe a proper standard of professional care and diligence in the course of carrying out professional duties and obligations by failing to complete and lodge client tax returns and failing to respond to professional correspondence from a client.

Notable CA ANZ Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) actions since January 2026 include censures, and also in some instances fines, issued for a range of offences, including:

• admonishment by the Companies and Auditors Disciplinary Board for failure to carry out or perform adequately and properly duties or functions as a Review Auditor
• breaching Independence Standards in the Code of Ethics
• being the subject of an Infringement Notice issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission in connection with the provision of non-assurance services
• engaging in academic misconduct by seeking third party assistance to complete an internal firm assessment
• entry into a court enforceable undertaking in relation to the provision of three historical independent expert report engagements
• cancellation of the member’s registration as a company auditor
• the issue of a public warning regarding a breach of the member’s New Zealand auditor licence conditions
• failing to appropriately address a conflict of interest and provide terms of engagement.

The PCC also imposed quality reviews on the members and their practice entities in these matters, as well as notification to the regulator in relevant matters.

Recent New Zealand cases

Decisions published by the NZICA Disciplinary Tribunal between January and April include the censure of a member who was the subject of an adverse determination by the New Zealand High Court in relation to three instances of failing to meet continuous disclosure obligations in contravention of section 270 of the FMC Act, and for thereby breaching the Fundamental Principal of Professional Behaviour.

The Tribunal also ordered termination of membership and payment of costs in relation to a member who pleaded guilty to and was convicted in the New Zealand District Court of three charges of insider trading under ss 241, 242 and 243 of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013. While there were some mitigating factors, the Tribunal found that the Member had acted deliberately, dishonestly, and in breach of fundamental duties of confidentiality and fidelity and as such was not of suitable character to retain their membership.

The NZICA Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) also published five decisions between January and April in which members were censured for reasons including the following:

• Being the subject of an adverse finding by the New Zealand High Court that the member was liable in defamation.
• Failure to submit to a practice review and undertake appropriate levels of CPD.
• Failure to identify and appropriately address a potential conflict of interest.
• Pleading guilty to an assault charge.
• Failing to comply with independence and due care requirements when undertaking a valuation engagement.

These decisions continue to demonstrate the Tribunals’ and Committees’ commitment to upholding the highest standards of professional conduct.

They reinforce the expectation that members appropriately manage conflicts of interest and comply with CA ANZ and NZICA requirements, ensuring public confidence in Chartered Accountants remains strong.

Importantly, in making their findings the Tribunals and Committees also consider allowing for the rehabilitation of the practitioner, particularly where insight has been demonstrated into the nature of the offending, the background and personal circumstances of the member and consistency with sanctions in similar cases.

For more detailed case studies and specific decisions, please refer to the disciplinary sections on the CA ANZ and NZICA websites. These resources provide comprehensive information on the actions taken to maintain the integrity and competence of the profession, ensuring that members adhere to the highest standards of ethical and professional behaviour.

Read the full published disciplinary hearing decisions.