The Tax Institute appoints Todd Want (William Buck) as president
The national tax leader of William Buck, Todd Want, has been appointed as The Tax Institute’s new president for 2024, with a stated focus on membership voices as the industry body confronts ongoing challenges.
Industry association The Tax Institute has appointed William Buck veteran Todd Want as its 2024 president, with former Pitcher Partners partner Scott Treatt having taken over as CEO toward the end of last year.
The pair step into their new roles as the industry continues to reel from the PwC government tax leak scandal, while a number of the country’s top professional services bodies have been facing growing anger from members.
“Todd’s remarkable career at William Buck is a testament to home-grown success,” the firm stated. “His expertise and leadership in tax law have made him an exceptional choice for this prestigious role. His visionary approach to education, advocacy and the future of the tax profession align seamlessly with the Institute’s mission, ensuring the highest standards. We are excited to support Todd in shaping the future of tax policy and practice.”
Based out of Sydney, Want has been with William Buck for more than a decade and a half, appointed to director in 2015 and serving as the accounting and consulting network’s national head of tax services. He has also been a national council member at The Tax institute since 2017, and steps up after serving as vice president last year to replace Tasmania-based WLF partner Marg Marshall following the completion of her twelve-month term.
“I’m delighted and honoured to take on the role of president,” Want stated. “A lifelong desire to continue learning, developing and growing is the thread that connects all our members, no matter where or what they practice. The Institute has historically been known for providing high quality, relevant and highly tailored tax education and I’m excited to continue and build on this legacy in future-focused ways.”
Adelaide-based BDO partner Tim Sandow now takes up vice president chair, having also spent time at KPMG and PwC during his three-decade career, while other members of the eight-person national council include management consultant Clare Mazzetti as independent chair and Grant Thornton veteran partner Paul Banister. Also previously a partner at Grant Thornton, Scott Treatt recently took the helm as the institute’s new CEO.
Upon their appointments, Both Treatt and Want spoke of paying closer attention to the voices of Tax Institute members as a primary focus, with fellow prominent professional services bodies CPA Australia and CA ANZ facing growing disquiet from their bases in recent months over diminishing services and the perception of bloated, out-of-touch executive. Embarrassingly for ‘accounting’ bodies, both have been running at massive losses.
The Tax Institute meanwhile has around 10,000 members, 60 percent of those working at boutique, mid-tier and Big Four accountancies. Want stated; “Our members are a diverse community of intelligent, talented professionals who know what support they need and want us to listen. Whether it’s educational opportunities, our advocacy, the resources we produce or events we hold, we are committed to hearing members’ voices and reflecting them in all we do.”
