Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Frederick Ma has appointed John Poon and re-appointed Chow Chung-kong, Paul Chow and Sophia Kao as lay members of the Council of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

The appointments are for two years from December 15.

Mr Ma said today the appointment of lay members signifies the opening up of the council's governance, enhancing transparency and independence of the regulation of the accountancy profession.

He thanked outgoing lay member Edward Cheng for his contribution to the council during his term of office.