Michael Parkinson has worked for Australian Government, ACT Government, and Northern Territory Government organisations as an employee and a consultant. He held 3 Chief Audit Executive roles in Australian Government agencies over a period of 15 years. Over 19 years as a Director at a ‘Big 4’ firm, he provided internal audit services to a range of organisations. His career included 5 months advising the Royal Thai Government on the establishment of modern Internal Audit capability.  He is currently an independent member of a number of Audit Committees.

He served on the Standards Australia OB–007 Risk Management Committee for 8 years and was its chair from 2012 to 2016. This committee is responsible for a range of guidance handbooks for risk management. Michael was head of the Australian delegate to ISO committee TC 262 (Risk Management).  Michael also participated in PC 271 developing the Compliance Management System standard. Michael served as International Vice-President of ISACA for 4 years 1994–2001 and served for 2 years on the IS Auditing Standards Board 1992–1993.

Michael is a Past President (Board Chair) of the IIA–Australia and served on the Board of Directors for 7 years. During that time he served on the IIA–Australia’s Audit Committee for 3 years.  He served on the IIA–Global International Internal Auditing Standards Board for six years.