Graeme Wovodich

Member’s name: Graeme Wovodich CPA
Date of Hearing: 20 May 2021
Division: Western Australia
Tribunal: Disciplinary Tribunal Hearing

On 20 May 2021 the Disciplinary Tribunal found that Mr Graeme Wovodich breached Article 39(a)(ii)A of the 28 April 2014 and the 22 May 2018 Constitutions (the Constitution):

in that he “breached this Constitution (or the constitution of the Company in force immediately before the Amending Date), By-Laws, Code of Professional Conduct or the Applicable Regulations" by failing to observe Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards 110, 220 and 310 in respect of the holding of income tax refunds on behalf of a client in an unauthorised bank account and an account that was not a trust account, and using those funds for his personal use.

Mr Wovodich attended the Disciplinary Tribunal Hearing and denied the Complaint.

Penalty and costs

The Disciplinary Tribunal found the Complaint sustained; took into account that the member had refunded the client monies and imposed the following penalties:

• a severe reprimand
• a fine of $3000
• complete a quality review at the next available cycle as advised by the General Manager Professional Conduct (GMPC)
• successfully complete a course of education approved by the GMPC on holding trust monies. Failure to successfully complete such a course within the next 12 months is to result in the immediate forfeiture of Membership.

The Disciplinary Tribunal imposed the following costs to be paid $2550.58.