Statement from the Board 17 July 2020

1. COVID-19 update

CPA Australia acknowledges the critical role members are playing in providing professional accounting and financial services to support individual clients and organisations through the COVID-19 crisis.

A video message from Deputy President Merran Kelsall commending the work of members can be viewed on the COVID-19 Hub on the website, where there is also a range of resources, including a business recovery guide and a Road to Recovery podcast series to help businesses plot a course for the future.

2. Tax tips 2020

CPA Australia has released Tax Tips 2020 to coincide with the end of the financial year. The tax tips aim to assist members and their clients in making informed economic decisions about the types of deductions and entitlements that can be claimed through the tax system. This year COVID-19 has created a number of issues that will have tax implications for people and business, including government stimulus packages, redundancy payments, working from home, rental properties and unanticipated losses. The tax tips are a valuable resource for members, small businesses, employees, investors, students and tax agents alike.

3. Semester 1 online exam results

Following the delivery of online exams for semester 1 and the release of results to students at the end of June, the Education team conducted a comprehensive post-exam review. Overall candidates achieved pass rates comparable to previous semesters across all subjects. There was an increase in the number of ASA members who accessed our guided learning support, with these candidates achieving higher pass rates on average than those who didn’t. Exam security measures put in place identified a small number of anomalies in exam protocols and these examples are being fully investigated in line with our Academic Misconduct Policy. 

Enrolments for Semester 2 are now open, with candidates having the choice to schedule their exam in either a computer-based testing centre, where available, or an online remote proctored exam. Full details are available on the CPA Program pages.

4. CPA Australia 2019 Integrated Report recognised

The Board is pleased to announce that at the 2020 Australasian Reporting Awards presentation held in June, CPA Australia’s 2019 Integrated Report won the Integrated Report of the Year and was also presented with a Gold Award in the general category. These prestigious awards show that CPA Australia is leading the way when it comes to Integrated Reporting in Australia and New Zealand. It is also recognition of the progress we are making in providing valuable services to members and the community.

5. Introducing INTHEBLACK Digital Flipbook

The July issue of INTHEBLACK will be the last printed edition of the magazine. As part of the transition to an online format, the July edition is also available in the new digital flipbook version. The digital flipbook will continue to deliver high-quality content in a new interactive and sustainable format that members can enjoy on PC, tablet or mobile. It will be delivered direct to members’ inboxes each month.

6. CPA Congress 2020

Stay tuned for further announcements about CPA Congress – our major industry networking event. This year our ability to come together in person may be restricted, but the need for us to connect as a profession is more important than ever. Dates and details will be released shortly. 

Peter Wilson AM FCPA

President and Chair
On behalf of CPA Australia’s Board of Directors