RSM has announced the appointment of a senior government official as its new director of government services, to be based in the firm’s Canberra office.

Megan Smithies will join the firm after more than 25 years’ service in the government sector.

The announcement follows the recent appointment of Roger Darvall-Stevens as national head of fraud and forensic services, following his move from EY.

In a statement, the firm said Ms Smithies' experience will help both her and the firm to build stronger relationships with the public sector.

“She brings a deep understanding of the challenges that face government agencies. Megan has advised on issues such as budget and economic policy, expenditure and review priorities, capital investment and divestment decisions, service delivery, efficiency and effectiveness reviews, balance sheet management, taxation policy and administration, risk, and governance issues,” the firm said.

“Megan will work with the different practices across RSM as an adviser on public sector projects,” the statement continued.

Most recently, Ms Smithies was the director-general for commerce and works directorate for the ACT government where she sponsored major reforms to the ACT's capital infrastructure program. 

Andrew Sykes, director of RSM Canberra, said, “RSM works with a number of government clients and Megan’s impressive experience will complement the firm’s existing public sector knowledge."

"There are a variety of opportunities for the firm to help government agencies and Megan’s role is to help create linkages between the firm’s services and capabilities, and government needs, furthering clients’ understanding of how RSM’s services can benefit public sector organisations.”