Industry veteran Michael Croker retires from CA ANZ
CA ANZ Australian tax leader Michael Croker has announced his retirement after 40 years in the profession.
Chartered Accountants ANZ (CA ANZ) has announced that Michael Croker will retire from 1 July 2024, after almost 12 years at the association.
Croker is a well-respected voice in the Australian tax landscape and has held a variety of roles across CA ANZ, University of Sydney, PwC and the ATO during his 40-year career.
“I commenced in the profession in 1983 in the month prior to the Hawke/Keating partnership arriving in Canberra, and after more than 40 years it’s time to pass the baton to someone else,” said Croker, commenting on his retirement.
“I still remember the momentous tax changes announced by Labor on 19 September 1985 – including capital gains tax, dividend imputation, fringe benefits tax, and the denial of entertainment deductions.”
Croker said broader tax reform now seems impossible with taxpayers left to grapple with incessant tinkering to a tax system much in need of a major overhaul.
“My sincere hope is that the long-held goal of a ‘joined-up’ tax and transfer system will one day be achieved, enabling the majority of individual taxpayers to enjoy a streamlined, ’light touch’ engagement with government agencies which other countries have managed to successfully design and implement,” he said.
Croker also thanked the many Chartered Accountants who have shared their ideas, experiences, and frustrations about Australia’s tax systems with the CA ANZ Tax team.
“I’m also grateful to the many officials in Treasury and the ATO for their engagement with CA ANZ,” he said.
Simon Grant, Chartered Accountants ANZ’s group executive of advocacy and international development said Michael will be greatly missed.
“Michael has made an enormous contribution to the profession, and as a result to sound policy development over many years,” Grant said.
“At the forefront of his thinking has always been those who work, day in and day out in tax practices, whether for large firms, small to medium practices, or as part of the management of businesses and not-for-profit organisations.
“Our members will miss his tireless support for them, as will those who Michael worked with throughout what has been an extraordinary career,” Mr Grant said.
CA ANZ will announce Michael Croker’s replacement prior to his departure on 1 July.
