Global vacancies

Kreston appoints Director of Quality and Professional Standards

September 9, 2009

Kreston International appoints Director of Quality and Professional Standards

The International Office is pleased to announce the appointment of Sue Almond – Kreston International’s Quality and Professional Standards Director.

Sue, who joined Kreston on September 1st, was recruited from Grant Thornton UK LLP – the UK’s largest accounting firm outside of the Big 4 with 30 offices and some 3,500 professional and support staff generating annual fee revenues of US$650m.

As National Assurance Services Partner for Grant Thornton UK, Sue lead the development and implementation of the firm’s audit methodology and tools and provided practical support to the firm’s audit teams on complex and current issues such as fair value, going concern in the current economic environment and implementation of International Standards on Auditing (ISA).

Internationally, Sue has been heavily involved with Grant Thornton International for over 20 years. GTI is the world’s 6th largest accounting network with some 500 offices and 30,000 professionals producing fee revenues in excess of US$4bn. She recently worked with the International Public Policy Team responsible for thought leadership on such matters as audit firm governance, audit reporting and competition and choice in the audit market. In addition, Sue held the position of Executive Director of the International Audit Policy Advisory Committee which was responsible for all global audit matters, including the establishment of a global audit quality assurance programme, setting up international centres of excellence for International Financial Reporting Standards, and the development and implementation of the worldwide audit methodology.

Sue maintains a leading role in the development of the profession in the UK, Europe and globally. She is Deputy Chairman of the UK Institute’s (ICAEW) ISA Implementation Committee and has been an active member of the ICAEW Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Panel, the ICAEW Technical and Practical Auditing Committee, the advisory panel to the European Group of Auditors’ Oversight Bodies (EGAOB) on ISA implementation and the World Economic Forum Partnering Against Corruption Initiative (PACI) external assurance group working on bribery and corruption.

Outside of work, Sue enjoys keeping fit and is an active participator in charitable organisations both at Board level and at fund raising events, including such fun and demanding events as the London to Brighton bike ride (60 miles) and the Playtex Moonwalk. She is married to Trevor, also an accountant, and has a 22 year old son, James, who will shortly graduate from university.

Sue said “I am really excited by the opportunity to be part of such a proactive and forward-thinking organisation. Kreston has clear has a clear vision built around quality and excellent client service. I am certain we can harness our considerable global resource and maximise Kreston’s full potential. I am looking forward to the challenge and to meeting and working with the members”.

Executive Director, Jon Lisby comments “We are delighted that Sue is joining our team at this significant time in our development. Attracting such a high profile leader in the accounting profession is certainly a testimony to Kreston’s success and growth in recent years. This role demanded an exceptional individual with vision, technical skills, talent and experience together with proven track record of successfully delivering projects in the international arena. The further strengthening of Kreston’s systems and global quality standards will support our capability to target, win and execute international assignments across the full service range and sustain our growing success in the market place of the branded mid-tier international accountancy groups. ”

Sue’s first opportunity to meet members will be at the Eurafne Conference in Paris on 17-19th September.

Sue’s contact details are:

Telephone: +44 (0)1245 449266

Direct Line: +44 (0) 1245 449265

Fax:            +44 (0) 1245 462882

Mobile:        +44 (0) 7976 713155

Email: sue.almond@kreston.com