ATO farewells long-time CIO

The Australian Tax Office’s long-time head of technology, chief information officer (CIO) and second commissioner, Ramez Katf, will be leaving the agency on April 30.

Katf has held the CIO role since 2015, and in May 2017, added second commissioner of enterprise solutions and technology to his remit.

His impending departure was first reported by The Mandarin.

Before joining the ATO, he had been an Accenture managing director for more than 29 years.

“I have been humbled to be part of a fantastic organisation in the APS that does so much good," Katf said in a statement sent to iTnews.

"I feel very satisfied with the changes that we have been able to implement to support our taxpayers, tax agents and the general community.

“I have been fortunate to have the support of a strong commissioner, supported by an excellent leadership group and an outstanding technology team that has made the delivery such a success.

“I know I leave the ATO in a strong position with a clear future vision and an amazing leadership team headed by an outstanding new commissioner.”

Recently appointed Commissioner of Taxation Rob Heferen acknowledged Katf’s contribution in a note to staff sighted by iTnews.

“The importance of Ramez’s work and dedication to the ATO cannot be overstated. His highly effective and strategic leadership has been vital to Australia’s well-functioning tax, super and registry systems, especially in a rapidly changing digital landscape," Heferen wrote.

“Ramez’s ability to translate technical information into a language that everyone can understand has been of great value."

An ATO spokesperson told iTnews arrangements for filling the role “are being considered”, and it’s likely an acting CIO will be appointed in the coming weeks.