David Garvey

Executive Summary

As Chief Executive Partner in Australia, David leads a team of almost 3,000 professionals across the country, guiding the firm’s national growth and enhancing BDO’s strong record in client and people experience.

He is dedicated to continually enhancing the firm’s inclusive culture, working with his executive leadership peers to create an environment where collaborative teams thrive and living the firm’s values is front and centre. Underpinning his leadership approach, and central to BDO’s strategy, is an unwavering commitment to quality and ethical conduct.

Prior to becoming Chief Executive Partner, David was Office Managing Partner of BDO’s Melbourne office for a decade, leading the local firm’s successful growth in both scale and capability, by implementing strategic initiatives, fostering a collaboration team culture, and consistently delivering quality and value to clients. 

David has been an audit partner for more than 20 years and has a strong knowledge of corporate governance and statutory reporting requirements. Not only does he apply this skillset to his role as Chief Executive Partner he has also contributed to community organisations in leadership roles.

Expertise

• Leading professional services firms
• Coaching and mentoring
• External audit
• Financial accounting and reporting
• Strategic business development

Experience

Career overview

• Chief Executive Partner, BDO in Australia - 2025 to current
  David leads BDO’s Australian firm, guiding its leaders and people in the delivery of exceptional client service in audit, tax and advisory. He is responsible for driving the firm’s strategy, ensuring quality outcomes, and advancing its inclusive culture.
• Partner, Audit & Assurance - 2012 to current
  During his years in practice, David worked across a diverse range of industries, gaining significant ASX-listed and private group experience. He led numerous engagements involving due diligence, and the preparation of expert reports for litigation, and independent accountant's reports (IARs) for initial public offerings (IPOs). He also provided advice on statutory reporting requirements and related aspects of the Corporations Act 2001, Accounting Standards, and ASX Listing Rules.
• Managing Partner, BDO in Melbourne - 2015 to 2025
  In this leadership role David was responsible for developing and executing the local firm’s growth strategy by working closely with leaders to ensure the delivery of high-quality services to clients and a positive and inclusive people experience for team members.
• Partner-in-Charge, Audit, BDO in Melbourne and Sydney - 2012 to 2015
  David took the lead of the audit service line in Melbourne and Sydney during a time of significant change after the teams joined BDO. During his tenure, David guided the service line on a path of integration and collaboration, resulting in significant operational success. During this time, he was also a member of BDO in Australia’s National Audit Committee.

External board positions:

• Chairman, Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA) - 2019 to 2023
  EDFA is a nationally recognised not-for-profit dedicated to supporting families and carers of individuals with eating disorders. David served as Chairperson and for a period as Treasurer during the period August 2018 to December 2023. Under his leadership, EDFA evolved from a single Melbourne-based support group into the national peak organisation solely focussed on providing support, education, counselling, and advocacy services to thousands of parents and carers supporting a loved one with an eating disorder.

Qualifications and affiliations

• Australian Registered Company Auditor
• Full Member, CA ANZ
• Graduate, Harvard Business School Executive Education, BDO Global Leadership Program
• Graduate, BDO Global Partner Leadership Programme
• Bachelor of Commerce (Honours), La Trobe University