The chairman of CPA Australia is stepping down and its chief executive, Alex Malley, has been forced to admit exclusively to The Australian Financial Review that he is being paid $1.79 million a year, as the accounting body moves to head-off a leadership coup from its disenfranchised members.

The long-sought-after disclosure, which follows moves by members to requisition the information under the Corporations Act and extensive coverage of members' concerns in the Financial Review's Rear Window, shows Mr Malley received $1.786 million last year including $1.367 million in fixed pay, a $345,639 bonus, $35,000 in superannuation and $38,561 in other benefits.