Update from the CPA Australia Board 2 October 2024

President's message

I’m deeply honoured to have been re-appointed to CPA Australia’s Board of Directors for another term and to have been re-elected as President and Chair for the next 12 months until 1 October 2025. I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Warren McRae FCPA and Louise Cox FCPA on their re-election as Deputy Presidents and I want to thank them for their ongoing support. Additionally, I am delighted to welcome new Director, Julie Crisp FCPA, to the Board.

I sincerely thank all my fellow directors for their unwavering support. Together, the Board of Directors is committed to collaborating closely with CEO Chris Freeland AM and the dedicated CPA Australia team, as well as the Council of Presidents, Divisional Councils and committees, to deliver enhanced service and value to our members. You can find the full details of the director appointments below. 

The board is also very excited to share with you that we will be launching a new brand awareness campaign that positions CPA Australia as the foremost Australian-based global designation. This campaign, showcasing our members, aims to illustrate the value of the CPA designation and how it equips members with the essential skills needed to create a positive impact in the world, both now and in the future. We are excited to roll it out globally across online platforms, video, print, and social media starting in November.

Board of Directors appointments

CPA Australia has appointed one new director and re-appointed two current directors to the board. Each director has been appointed for a three-year term from 1 October 2024. The appointments are:

• Professor Dale Pinto FCPA, a director at CPA Australia since 2018, serving as Deputy President since October 2020 and President and Chair since October 2023. Dale is John Curtin Distinguished Professor and currently serves as the Chair of the Academic Board at Curtin University. He is also a Professor of Taxation Law and Academic Lead of Taxation in the Curtin Law School. 
• Warren McRae FCPA, director at CPA Australia since 2021 and Deputy President since October 2022. Warren is a senior executive and board member with more than 30 years’ experience in risk, governance, digital and technology innovation and organisational transformation for major multi-national financial services organisations.
• Julie Crisp FCPA, is the former Auditor-General for the Northern Territory and is currently Deputy Chair of the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board. A retired partner at Deloitte, Julie is a highly accomplished director, auditor and advisory professional with more than 30 years’ experience in risk management, internal audit, financial audit, forensic analysis and business process improvement. 

Professor Yew Kee Ho FCPA (Aust.) has retired from the Board, effective 30 September 2024, after completing a three-year term and diligently serving on various board committees. I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to Professor Yew Kee Ho for his substantial contributions as a director and his unwavering dedication to the members of CPA Australia. 

The Appointments Council, comprising members elected from CPA Australia's Divisional Councils, made the appointments in accordance with CPA Australia's Constitution. View the full board of directors.

Tax Agent Code of Professional Conduct 

CPA Australia recently collaborated with leading industry bodies in Australia to advocate for tax agents and request amendments to the Australian government’s Tax Agent Services (Code of Professional Conduct) Determination. Through a full-page ‘open letter’ published in the national media, we conveyed our serious concerns regarding specific elements of the rules and their potential impact on our members, small accounting practices, and the profession. 

After productive discussions with the Assistant Treasurer and Treasury, we are pleased to report that many of our concerns are being addressed and significant progress has been made towards securing amendments to the proposed Determination. While this represents an important step forward, there are still some aspects of the Determination that remain concerning for our members. We will continue to work constructively with the government to achieve a positive outcome for tax practitioners and will keep our members informed about the progress of these ongoing discussions.

Member Engagement Survey 

At CPA Australia, we greatly value the opinions of our members and actively seek your feedback on our performance each year through the Member Engagement Survey. In the coming week, you will receive an email from our research partner, Forethought, which will include a link to an online survey. We engage Forethought as an independent third-party organisation to ensure that your feedback remains anonymous.

The survey will take just 10-15 minutes to complete and will be open until 30 October 2024. The Board strongly encourages you to participate, as your responses are crucial for helping us understand your priorities and enhance the value and services we provide. Key results will be shared in the 2024 Integrated Report. 

As a token of our appreciation for your time, eligible members who complete the survey will have the chance to enter CPA Australia’s prize draw to win one of 10 gift cards, each valued at AUD$450. Be sure to watch the video below, where I discuss the significance of the Member Engagement survey. Thank you for being an integral part of our community. 

CPA Congress 2024 – Level Up

CPA Australia’s flagship conference CPA Congress runs from 15 to 18 October and includes a dynamic virtual program as well as an in-person international event with masterclasses at the National Convention Centre in Canberra, Australia. 

This year’s theme ‘Level Up’ speaks to how accountants can make a positive impact for themselves, their organisations and their communities. The program features more than 30 live and pre-recorded sessions from an impressive line-up of international business leaders, fellow CPA Australia members and inspirational speakers. There is also a seven-week On-Demand period to catch up on key sessions. Visit the CPA Congress webpage to register and view the program.

INTHEBLACK Celebrated

CPA Australia is delighted to announce that INTHEBLACK received recognition at the 2024 Mumbrella Publish Awards last week! Our January 2024 edition on ‘Strategic Upskilling’ was Highly Commended in the Special Edition of the Year category, a testament to our commitment to excellence. Additionally, the September 2023 edition was shortlisted for Magazine Cover of the Year for its striking Excel Esports cover. This is a fantastic achievement for our team, and we couldn’t be prouder! 

Divisional Council elections – Have Your Say! 

Eligible members in seven of CPA Australia’s 13 Divisions are now able to vote in Divisional Council elections, including Australian Capital Territory, Europe, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia. Elections are not being held in the remaining Divisions as the number of nominations did not exceed the number of vacancies. Eligible voting members will have received voting instructions from third-party provider BigPulse. Polls are open until 5pm local time on 14 October. 

Divisional Councils are essential in fostering member engagement, and the Board encourages all eligible members to participate in the election process. Your involvement is crucial for shaping our future and ensuring that every voice is heard. Join us in making a difference! More information is available on the Divisional Council election webpage. 

Sincerely, 

Dale Pinto FCPA
John Curtin Distinguished Professor
President and Chair
On behalf of CPA Australia’s Board of Directors