Catherine J Laurence

Member’s name: Miss Catherine J Laurence FCPA
Date of Hearing: 27 October 2015
Division: Northern Territory
Tribunal: Disciplinary Tribunal

On 27 October 2015 a One Person Tribunal found Miss Catherine J Laurence breached Article 39(a)(ii)C of the Constitution on four occasions in that she failed to observe a proper standard of professional care, skill or competence in failing to lodge a client’s income tax return within time and to subsequently assist the client, resulting in the client being ineligible for the Federal Government $900 stimulus bonus.

Miss Laurence attended the Hearing and denied the Complaints.

Penalty and costs

The Tribunal found the Complaints sustained and imposed the following penalties:

• a severe reprimand for each Complaint sustained
• that Miss Laurence successfully complete a Quality Review by 30 June 2016, failure to do so to result in forfeiture of Membership
• by 16 December 2015, Miss Laurence must provide proof to the satisfaction of the General Manager Professional Conduct that she has completed 10 hours of structured continuing professional development in taxation within the prior 12 months, failure to do so to result in forfeiture of Membership

Miss Laurence failed to pay costs of $710.50 and in accordance with the Constitution her membership was forfeited.