Accounting Standards Review Board appointment

Commerce Minister Lianne Dalziel announced today the appointment of Warwick Hunt as Chair of the Accounting Standards Review Board (ASRB). Mr Hunt has been appointed for a five-year term.

He replaces Liz Hickey who resigned in June to take up a senior management position at the International Accounting Standards Board.

Mr Hunt is a Partner and Line of Service Leader in the Assurance and Business Advisory Services at PriceWaterhouse Coopers. He is also a member of the New Zealand Management Board for PwC.

Mr Hunt is a technical accounting, audit and transaction service specialist with 20 years’ experience in leading accounting practices in New Zealand and South Africa. He specialises in the resolution of complex commercial, financial reporting; and governance related issues. He is actively involved in leading edge accounting and reporting developments, and is a well-published commentator on issues related to professional practice and external financial reporting.

“Mr Hunt’s expertise confirms that he is well-placed to step into this role and I am confident he will provide valuable leadership to this body. He comes to the position at a time of major change for the Board as New Zealand is set to adopt international financial reporting standards, changing the focus from standards setting to standards influencing and taking.

“In addition, the Australian Assistant Treasurer, the Hon Helen Coonan and I recently announced that we have asked officials and standards bodies to report to us on the prospects for closer trans-Tasman co-operation on accounting standards issues. Mr Hunt has exactly the expertise needed as New Zealand moves towards meeting these two exciting challenges.

Lianne Dalziel also thanked the Board’s Deputy Chair, John Spencer, for his work as acting Chair of the Board since 1 July.

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