[3][13] In early 2009, Malley stepped down as president and was succeeded by his former Macquarie University colleague, Professor Richard Petty, and was appointed the CEO of the organisation in July 2009, commencing from 12 October 2009.
[17] On 15 June, a further three directors resigned due to the expanding scandal surrounding Malley and the remaining board initiated an "independent review" of all claims made against CPA and its CEO, to be chaired by former chief of the Australian Defence Force, Sir Angus Houston.
[19][20] The subsequent review report released in September 2017 found that the "chief executive was overpaid, [CPA Australia] had lost touch with its members and provided questionable value for money for the services it rendered.
[23] In January 2019, following the recommendations of the 2018 AGM, Malley and three previous directors (Penny Egan, Richard Petty, and Graeme Wade) were stripped of their Life Memberships by the Board for their involvement in the controversy.
On his appointment, Joe Aston of the Australian Financial Review opined: "The ACA has hired someone even more skilled at manipulation than they are", while the Sydney Morning Herald noted: "Perhaps the back scratchers have short memories ... [Malley is] Proof, if ever, that there’s hope for the cancelled yet.