IN BRIEF: New leadership at ICAA, CPA

THE accounting profession’s two major member associations will soon have new leadership in Western Australia, with Con Abbott planning to leave the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia for a senior role at Bird Cameron. His move follows the recent appointment of Glenn D’Vauz as CPA Australia’s new WA director. Perth-based RSM Bird Cameron, which is the fifth largest accounting firm in WA and has substantial interstate operations, has appointed Mr Abbott as chief operating officer. Mr Abbott assumes his new role from July 2008. RSM chairman Kim Hutchinson said the new appointment would assist the national executive with strategic and operational matters. “The appointment of an external COO with such wide experience in the profession will assist the firm in the next stages of its development,” Mr Hutchinson said. A spokesperson from the ICAA said it was “currently undergoing the replacement process” for the position, which was held by Mr Abbott since July 2000. CPA Australia announced this week that Mr D’Vauz had replaced Aidan O’Grady, who held the position from September 2006 to January 2008. Mr D’Vauz was previously a member of the group executive team of the RAC, where he held a variety of senior management positions since 1997.