As many Chinese companies look to list on stock exchanges and work hard to improve corporate governance, top accountants with overseas training and experience are becoming all the more valuable.

Biography of Geoff Rankin Rankin has been with CPA Australia for over 20 years and has the task of enhancing the profile and recognition of the CPA designation within the international business community. Prior to joining CPA Australia, Rankin was the managing director and chief executive of the Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH), part of the Fosters Group of companies. Rankin is experienced in management and leadership, strategic development and implementation, and corporate governance. He is a member of the Victorian Government's Responsible Gambling Ministerial Advisory Council in Australia. Rankin has a Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) from Queensland University of Technology.

This situation will continue, with China opening its financial market more broadly to overseas investors after the fifth anniversary of its entry to the World Trade Organization. Global accountancy organizations are rushing to China to enhance their presence in the market. Geoff Rankin, chief executive of CPA Australia, tells China Daily reporter Lillian Liu what the world's sixth-largest accounting body with 112,000 members will do to keep abreast with that trend.

Q: Any expansion plans for China? And how much has CPA Australia invested in China?

A: Over time, we probably will open more offices in China, but we need to settle down what we've got for the moment.

We have been in Hong Kong for 22 years, we opened an office in Beijing in 2002, and last October we opened our second (mainland) office in Shanghai, to support our members and their networking opportunities, as well as continuing career development training.

We will also try to set up relationships with universities in China.

(As for investments,) it is all about commitment in serving our members rather than investment.

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