Evolv bolsters management team ahead of independence standards
Independent SMSF audit firm Evolv has announced a raft of new appointments to its management team, with the firm already seeing a surge in audit demand as the industry prepares for the new auditor independence standards.
Audit firm Evolv has made three new appointments to its management team to cope with rising demand ahead of 1 July 2021, the date SMSF auditors will need to comply with the restructured APES 110 Code and APESB Independence Guide.
Carol Scholes-Robertson has been appointed as director of client services and will lead Evolv’s audit team.
Ms Scholes-Robertson brings 30 years of experience as an audit specialist to Evolv.
“She combines depth of skill in the technical and compliance aspects of superannuation with a passion for good governance and risk management,” Evolv said.
Santa Dutta has been promoted from senior audit manager to associate director – audit.
With 11 years of audit experience including seven years with the Evolv team, Mr Dutta is also an in-demand lecturer at several Australian universities, sharing his extensive knowledge of audit, financial accounting and SMSF legislation.
Daria Galstyan joins Evolv as an associate director – audit. Ms Galstyan has more than 16 years of experience in the SMSF field and is known for creating dynamic teams that work together with clients to provide high-quality audits in timely and commercial manner, Evolv said.
“Ms Galstyan also participates in facilitating professional programs with the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand,” the audit firm said.
According to Evolv, the firm has already seen a 60 per cent year-on-year rise in the take-up of its full SMSF audit service.
The increase in activity coincides with Evolv’s Preparing for Independence campaign that encourages accounting firms to take early action ahead of the introduction of new SMSF audit independence requirements from 1 July 2021.
Evolv chief executive Ron Phipps-Ellis said the increase in enquiries and engagements demonstrates that many accounting firms are, quite sensibly, taking a proactive approach to prepare for the new requirements.
“Accountants cannot afford to be complacent around preparing for SMSF audit independence,” cautioned Mr Phipps-Ellis.
“Not all SMSF audit firms are highly scalable. Firms that delay could face challenges finding a high-quality, efficient and truly independent audit service with sufficient capacity to meet their needs.”
Miranda Brownlee
Miranda Brownlee is the deputy editor of SMSF Adviser, which is the leading source of news, strategy and educational content for professionals working in the SMSF sector.
Since joining the team in 2014, Miranda has been responsible for breaking some of the biggest superannuation stories in Australia, and has reported extensively on technical strategy and legislative updates.
Miranda also has broad business and financial services reporting experience, having written for titles including Investor Daily, ifa and Accountants Daily.
