Trevor M Browne (formerly Newey)

Member’s name: Mr Trevor M Browne (formerly Newey)
Date of Hearing: 4 August 2016
Division: Queensland
Tribunal: Disciplinary Tribunal

On 4 August 2016, the Disciplinary Tribunal found Mr Trevor M Browne (formerly Newey) breached Article 39(a)(ii)B.2) of the Constitution in that he was guilty of conduct derogatory to or not in the best interests of CPA Australia or its Members, in that between 2011 and 2013, as the former principal of Newey Accounting Services, he failed to properly supervise his practice, in that he abandoned his practice to an unqualified person thereby enabling that person to:

• make unauthorised withdrawals from the Newey Accounting Services trust account
• lodge returns with the ATO under his Tax Agent’s registration 
• misappropriate refunds from clients’ ATO returns without the clients’ knowledge or consent.

That unqualified person subsequently misappropriated in excess of $40,000 from clients’ ATO refunds.

Mr Browne did not attend the Disciplinary Tribunal Hearing.

Penalty and costs

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

• forfeiture of Membership 
• not eligible for readmission until 4 August 2024
• a fine of $10,000
• should Mr Browne seek application for readmission, he must first:
  • complete the CPA Program as a non Member
  • have paid all outstanding fines and costs due to CPA Australia.

Mr Browne was ordered to pay CPA Australia’s costs of $1,417.54.