Merran Kelsall AO
Citation
Merran Kelsall is a highly respected accounting professional who has made a significant contribution to the accounting profession. Merran graduated Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the University of Melbourne and MBA from the Melbourne Business School after which she joined Parkhill, Lithgow and Gibson as a staff accountant. She progressed to partner-in-charge of Business Services with BDO in 1987 before leaving in 1996 to pursue activities as an independent non-executive director. In this latter role Merran has worked with a wide variety of organisations in both the public and private sectors utilising her extensive governance and leadership skills. In 2004 Merran Kelsall was appointed Chair and CEO of the newly constituted Australian Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AUASB), a position she held for almost 13 years. In the wake of the CLERP 9 reforms, Merran oversaw the introduction of major reforms such as the implementation of the 'Force of Law' auditing standards, 'Clarity' formatting and new auditing reporting requirements such as water accounting, greenhouse gas emissions and public sector engagements. In concert with her role on the AUASB, Merran also gained membership of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) from 2011 until 2016. At the IAASB Merran chaired the Integrated Reporting Working Group that issued consultation papers on credibility and trust which became Extended External Reporting, now part of the Sustainability Assurance agenda that supports Climate Reporting and Assurance. As AUASB chair Merran was also a member of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) from 2004 -2017 where she was at the forefront of major decisions to introduce IFRS standards. She led the decision making on selection criteria and skills required for membership of AUASB and participated in candidate interview, selection, and recommendations to the FRC for membership of the AUASB and Australian Accounting Standards Board. Merran Kelsall has undertaken other regulatory roles including chair of the Victorian Public Transport Ombudsman, member of the Victorian Taxi Services Commission, Victorian Transport Accident Commission and chair of the Australian Securities and Investment Commission’s Audit Committee. Merran has also found time to provide service to the profession as holder of high office serving as chair and deputy chair of CPA Australia at a time of renewal and refocusing, and on various sub-committees. Merran has also been a Category A observer to the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) Board and a member of the IFAC Nominating Committee. She was also a member of the Accounting for Sustainability (A4S) Advisory Council. Merran Kelsall is a fellow of CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand. In 2007 she received the Meritorious Service Award from CA ANZ and in 2023 was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia.