The boss of a peak national nursing body is one of three executives stood down pending an independent investigation of “potential financial irregularities” within the organisation.

The Australian College of Nursing’s board would not comment on specific allegations.

But the ABC understands that after complaints were brought to the board’s attention, it appointed third-party legal and forensic financial experts to investigate.

The organisation’s high-profile CEO Kylie Ward is one of those who has stood down for the duration of the investigation, along with COO Neil Haynes and national partnerships director Karoline Dawe.

An employee working in senior management was also temporarily stood down.

“The board stresses that this is an investigation only and is not at this stage alleging that any of the people who have stepped aside are responsible for any financial irregularities,” an ACN spokesperson said.

“No conclusions should be drawn at this time.”

In a statement to the ABC, Ms Ward’s lawyer said the CEO had not received any formal allegations.

The lawyer also alleged confidential information had been released to organisations Ms Ward was associated with.

“She is devastated by the alleged lack of procedural fairness so far in this process,” the lawyer acting for Ms Ward said.

The college is a not-for-profit professional organisation with 150,000 members across Australia. In its latest financial report, ACN’s total revenue was almost $23 million.

According to its website, the ACN supports nurses to “uphold the highest possible standards of integrity … ethical conduct, and professionalism”.

Investigation will not affect ACN’s operations

ACN told its members about the investigation today and the organisation’s staff were informed last week.

The board said the investigation, which began last week, would take two weeks.

Emeritus Professor Leanne Boyd took over as interim CEO late last week. She has a clinical background and more than 30 years’ experience in health education and research.

“The investigation and the potential irregularities will have no impact on ACN’s operations or on its financial position,” an ACN spokesperson said.

Kylie Ward has also been stood down from her role as CEO of the organisation’s philanthropy unit, the ACN Foundation, which provides scholarships and supports continuing education for nurses.

Ms Ward started her professional life as a registered nurse and was appointed CEO of the national nursing body in 2015.

During her tenure, she established herself as a media commentator who advocated for women and for improving the professional standing of nurses.

In 2017 she won Telstra Businesswoman of the Year in ACT for Purpose and Social Enterprise.

The ABC has also contacted Ms Dawe and Mr Haynes for comment.

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