Jim Knafo

CEO

Jim Knafo is the Chief Executive Officer of the GAA.

Since 2019, Jim has led the GAA as its CEO. During his tenure, the GAA has refocused its strategy to promote quality services, share information, and collaborate on international issues important to the accounting profession; expanded the role of its working groups, dedicated to sustainability, accountancy education, and tax; and moved its secretariat from Australia to the USA and Canada.

Jim is the Deputy President of the Confederation of Asian and Pacific Accountants and has served on its board, governance, audit, and other committees for a number of years. In addition, he is a member of the board of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean. Jim is also the Director of Global Alliances at the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. In this role, he represents the US accounting profession internationally; helps develop and implement international strategy; and leads the global alliances team.

Jim has been involved with the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) since 2012 and currently serves on its Membership Committee as well as a Technical Advisor to the IFAC Board, Council, and Professional Accountancy Organization Development and Advisory Group. Jim is a graduate of the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto and holds several accounting certifications in the United States and Canada including the CPA and CGMA credentials.