Presh Batra

Member’s name: Mr Presh Batra
Date of Hearing: 26 February 2013
Division: New South Wales
Tribunal: Disciplinary Tribunal

On 26 February 2013 the Disciplinary Tribunal found Mr Presh Batra breached:

• Article 39(a)(ii)F of the Constitution in that he has “been the subject of an adverse finding that has not been overturned on appeal in relation to the Member’s conduct, competence or recognition by any Court, professional body, statutory or other regulatory authority” in respect of a decision of the Tax Practitioners Board suspending his registration as a Tax Agent from 6 June 2011 to 6 June 2016.
• Article 39(a)(ii)I of the Constitution in that he “failed to comply with any reasonable and lawful direction of the Board or its delegate which relates to a matter concerning the good order and administration of the Company” in failing to provide a satisfactory explanation and documents in support in relation to a complaint made about him.

Mr Batra did not attend the Hearing despite it having been adjourned to a later date at his request.

Penalty and Costs

The Disciplinary Tribunal imposed the following penalty:

• in relation to Complaint 1:

1. forfeiture of membership
2. Mr Batra is not eligible for readmission until 1 March 2018
3. prior to readmission Mr Batra must first satisfactorily complete the Ethics & Governance segment of the CPA Program
4. if Mr Batra makes application for a Public Practice Certificate, he must first satisfactorily complete a Quality Assurance Review.

• in relation to Complaint 2, a severe reprimand.

Mr Batra was also ordered to pay a contribution towards CPA Australia’s costs of $582 for the initial Hearing and $856 for the adjourned Hearing to a total of $1438, to be paid prior to any application for readmission to Membership.