The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (the Institute) is pleased to announce the appointment of Lee White, FCA to the role of General Manager – Standards and Public Affairs, effective 2 March 2009.  
 
Mr. White is currently Chief Accountant for the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), with responsibility for strategy, compliance and leadership of accounting, financial reporting and auditing practices. He has held the position since 2005. 
 
Prior to ASIC, Mr. White held the position of Assistant Auditor-General General for NSW.  
 
In his new position, Mr. White will continue to build upon the Institute’s leadership and member support work in the key areas of Financial Planning & Superannuation, Tax, Reporting, and Auditing & Assurance. He will also manage the Institute’s Government Affairs, Professional Conduct, Professional Standards and Quality Review functions.  
 
“I am pleased and honoured to have been appointed to this important role and to have the opportunity to advance the strategic goals of the Institute,” said Mr. White. 
 
“The current global credit crunch is affecting business and accountants in many ways and I look forward to helping the Institute take a leadership position regarding these challenges,” he said.  
 
“These are exciting times for the Institute and I look forward to the breadth of expertise that Lee will bring to the Institute’s leadership and member support work,” said Graham Meyer, CEO of the Institute. 
 
Mr. White succeeds Institute General Manager – Standards and Public Affairs incumbent Bill Palmer, FCA, who has successfully promoted the reputation and role of Chartered Accountants for over five years.  
 
Mr. Palmer, who prior to joining the Institute had been a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers for 24 years in Indonesia, Australia and Singapore, will move to a strategic role growing the Institute’s activities in Asia.  
 
“Bill has played a significant role in positioning the Institute as a thought leader and ensuring that as a leading peak body in the financial services industry, the Institute influences the legislative and regulatory environment so that the accountancy profession can make a strong contribution in Australian business, in the public sector, and to the national economy,” said Graham Meyer.  
 
“I am pleased the Institute will retain the opportunity to benefit from Bill’s skills and experience in Asia as we work to support the development of the profession in that region,” he said.