Grant Thornton International has appointed April Mackenzie as director of international financial reporting, tasked with ensuring the implementation of international reporting standards across all the firm's member practices.
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Mackenzie, who will be based in the New York City area, has extensive standard setting experience, particularly in the international arena.
In the UK, she will work with Steve Maslin, head of assurance services for Grant Thornton, to ensure consistent interpretations of international financial reporting standards for the firm’s clients.
She previously held posts with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand, where she was director of accounting & professional standards between 1993 and 1998 and divisional director, between 1998 and 2002.
She will report to Barry Barber, Grant Thornton’s worldwide director of audit and risk management.
Mackenzie’s remit will be to help ensure that Grant Thornton practices globally implement the requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards and also assist them to develop their own expertise.
In addition, she will also develop, implement and monitor quality control procedures relating to IFRS across the Grant Thornton network of firms.
‘As the accounting world moves toward convergence of standards and IFRSs gain increasing acceptance, the challenge to the profession is to understand and effectively implement these standards. I look forward to being part of Grant Thornton’s efforts to achieve this’, Mackenzie said.
Maslin commented: ‘April’s expertise in standard setting will help us ensure our clients are well aware of these requirements and prepared for the 2005 changeover.’