David Searle is a highly experienced audit and assurance professional with a career spanning more than 30 years. Starting as a graduate with Baker Tilly Staples Rodway Auckland, he advanced to lead the Audit and Assurance team as Head of Audit before becoming the Managing Director of the Auckland office and Chair of Baker Tilly Staples Rodway New Zealand.

In his current roles, David oversees the firm’s national and Auckland operations with a strong focus on audit quality, independence, and innovation, ensuring exceptional service delivery across all areas of the business.

David serves on the Board of Baker Tilly International, where he chairs the Finance Committee and through that role helps shape the network’s strategic direction.

David is a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), a prestigious designation recognising his leadership and contributions to the accounting profession. He holds a Certificate of Public Practice and Qualified Auditor status. As a Licensed Auditor, David is authorised to oversee and deliver audit and assurance engagements for listed companies and FMC reporting entities under New Zealand’s Financial Markets Conduct Act. David’s contributions also extend to being a past President of CPA (Australia) New Zealand Branch and he has been a member of the CPA Australia Disciplinary Panel and he is an FCPA.

David manages a diverse portfolio of clients, including listed and non-listed entities, privately held businesses, and not-for-profit organisations. His international experience, gained through secondments with Baker Tilly International affiliates in the United States, further enhances his ability to provide tailored, high-quality audit and assurance services that meet clients' unique needs.

In addition to his roles as National Chair, Auckland Office Managing Director, and Audit and Assurance Partner, David provides financial reporting, accounting, and business consulting services to non-audit clients. He leverages his extensive expertise to address complex technical challenges, conducting special-purpose engagements, internal control reviews, business process re-engineering, risk assessments, and due diligence assignments. David has played a pivotal role in issuing prospectuses and has contributed to several successful IPO projects, both from the audit and advisory perspectives.

David brings extensive audit and assurance expertise across a wide range of industries, including property, finance, retirement villages and aged care, insurance, manufacturing, production and distribution, wholesale and retail trade, import and export, information communication and technology, as well as not-for-profit and public benefit entities.

He is a Trustee for the New Zealand Children's Transplant Support Trust and a Board Member of Tennis New Zealand, where he contributes to the community through governance and leadership roles. David has also been actively involved, as a past president, with the Australasian CA Training Group (ACATG), a not-for-profit co-operative of accounting practices across Australia and New Zealand.

Known for his collaborative approach, technical proficiency, and unwavering commitment to delivering value, David focuses on providing outstanding service while actively supporting Baker Tilly Staples Rodway’s growth and its mission to uphold the highest professional standards.