Australia's new Auditor-General is a business graduate from CQU's predecessor institution - the Capricornia Institute of Advanced Education (CIAE) in Rockhampton. He was appointed in March this year.

Ian McPhee is one of three serving Auditors-General who are CQU graduates.

The others are Frank McGuiness, the Northern Territory Auditor-General appointed in September 2004 (who graduated in 2003 with a Master of Financial Management) and long-serving Western Australian Auditor-General Des Pearson (who was one of the original business students of CIAE in 1970).

Ian McPhee graduated from CIAE in 1972. He received a cadetship with the Commonwealth Public Service while he was studying.

On completion of his degree at the end of 1971, he worked in Brisbane, before moving permanently to Canberra.

"I have fond memories of my time at the CIAE. The small size of the campus then allowed plenty of contact with staff and with students from other faculties," he said.

Mr McPhee was presented with the CPA Australia Meritorious Service Award in 2004 for his significant contribution and distinguished service to CPA Australia (Australia’s largest professional accounting body ).

CPA Australia Chief Executive Mr Greg Larsen said: "Over many years Mr McPhee has continued to drive and support the development of high quality accounting and auditing standards at a local and international level, with particular emphasis on the needs of the public sector".

Photos: Ian McPhee (above) and Frank McGuiness (left).