Auditor Deregistered After Brite Advisers Collapse

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ASIC's actions stem from identified significant audit quality deficiencies in Makowa's auditing of financial statements for Brite Advisers Pty Ltd — a company now under receivership and pointed towards liquidation. Makowa admitted to inadequately performing audits for the financial years 2019 through 2022, failing to align with the Australian Auditing Standards.

Sarah Court, Deputy Chair of ASIC, emphasised the critical role of trust and integrity in the operations of company auditors. She highlighted that ensuring auditor compliance is a top priority for ASIC to uphold the capital market's reliability and enable informed investor decisions. This case highlights ASIC’s vigilant stance against auditor misconduct.

Brite Advisers, which failed to comply with determinations from the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), saw its funds and assets frozen by federal court orders in late 2023. Operating across several international markets, Brite provided advisory, pension administration, and asset management services through its Brite Platform, targeting various pension schemes and self-managed superannuation funds.

The regulatory action taken against Makowa underscores the importance of accountability and adherence to auditing standards to maintain confidence in financial systems and protect stakeholders, from investors to consumers dependent on the assurance provided by auditors.

The deregistration of a company auditor over unresolved audit issues at a high-profile financial entity like Brite Advisers brings to light the stringent measures ASIC undertakes to preserve financial market integrity. Proper auditing is fundamental in ensuring that financial data is credible and reliable, impacting investor decisions and market stability.

ASIC's decisive action serves as a deterrent against non-compliance, emphasising the necessity for auditors to adhere strictly to professional standards. We can expect continued scrutiny from ASIC in addressing compliance issues, driving home the necessity for rigorous oversight within financial and audit sectors. For consumers and businesses, these developments reinforce the safety mechanisms in place to protect against financial misreporting and misconduct.

Published:Monday, 30th Jun 2025
Source: Paige Estritori

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