The Companies Auditors Disciplinary Board (CADB) has cancelled the registration of Bradley Laurence Willot Taylor as a company auditor.
Mr Taylor, a partner of Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd, was the lead auditor of the financial statements of iSignthis Ltd for the financial year ended 30 June 2018 (the FY18 Audit).
On 25 June 2025, the CADB found that Mr Taylor failed to carry out and perform adequately and properly the duties of an auditor in conducting the FY18 Audit.
ASIC Deputy Chair Sarah Court said, 'Auditors are a critical part of the governance framework and are in a unique position to identify and limit misconduct. The failure of auditors to meet the required standards can have serious consequences for investors and erode confidence in the integrity of Australia's capital markets.
'Auditor misconduct was announced as a 2025 ASIC enforcement priority and we will continue to act against auditors who fall short in meeting the standards required.'
Background
On 20 November 2020, ASIC commenced an application in the CADB against Mr Taylor, which was substantially delayed following:
- commencement of criminal proceedings against Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd and Mr Taylor in the Melbourne Magistrates Court, which are currently adjourned pending the conclusion of a Diversion Program which will-upon successful completion of that program-lead to discharge of the defendants without any finding of guilt (22-240MR), and
- judicial review proceedings brought by Mr Taylor against the CADB in the Federal Court (XY v Companies Auditors Disciplinary Board [2022] FCA 1583), with the judgment arising from those proceedings appealed by ASIC (ASIC v Taylor [2023] FCAFC 189).
The collateral matters resulted in ASIC's CADB application being stayed from 12 May 2022 to late 2024.
ASIC registers, supervises, and reviews the conduct of company auditors. Company auditors are trusted gatekeepers who are required to use their professional competence, skills, and capabilities to provide assurance and confidence.
