Update from the CPA Australia Board 6 October 2022

President's message

This is an exciting time for CPA Australia. We are proud to release our new organisational strategy as well as our ESG strategy and Net Zero Emissions Pathway. We also welcome new directors to our board. Together, these measures position CPA Australia to embrace the future with confidence.

 

CPA Australia’s new strategy released

CPA Australia’s board of directors has approved the new strategy (2022-2027) that will drive the organisation forward. The strategy aims to shape the future of the global accounting profession through education and advocacy. It sets out CPA Australia’s priorities which were developed collaboratively with members and employees as well as extensive consultation with the Council of Presidents and Divisional Councils. We thank everyone who participated.

 

The strategy features four strategic goals that reflect our response to major issues facing the accounting profession. It includes key initiatives that will help us achieve these goals and enable current and prospective members to advance their careers. We encourage you to view the new strategy that will set up CPA Australia for ongoing success.

 

ESG Strategy and Net Zero Emissions Pathway

In addition to the new organisational strategy, the Board is pleased to release CPA Australia’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Strategy and Net Zero Emissions Pathway. ESG is a major focus for CPA Australia and the strategy sets out the actions we are taking to incorporate ESG considerations into our operations. The Net Zero Emissions Pathway details the steps we will take to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, or sooner, and how we will assist members, employees and other stakeholders improve sustainability and reduce emissions.

 

Board of Directors appointments

CPA Australia has appointed two new directors, reappointed two directors and elected the President and Chairman and two Deputy Presidents to its board. The appointments are:

• Bryan Chung FCPA (Aust.), a CFO and director with over 25 years’ experience in investment banking and venture capital firms, specialising in digital finance and advising fintech start-ups.
• Anthony Wright, a CEO, company director and founder of Asia Pacific legal services and tech business, Lexvoco. Anthony has extensive experience across a broad range of specialised fields including legal, governance, risk and compliance, finance, ESG and marketing.
• Louise Cox FCPA, director at CPA Australia since 2019 and a respected accountant and lawyer with more than 30 years’ experience as a Chief Executive Officer, Chief Finance Officer, and Non-Executive Director across the legal, accounting, architecture, education and mental health sectors.
• Bernard Che-Wai Poon FCPA (Aust.), a director at CPA Australia since 2021 and Partner at Ernst & Young (EY) specialising in valuations and financial modelling with experience in the area of merger and acquisition, financial due diligence, auditing, training and development.

Louise Cox, Bernard Poon and Bryan Chung have each been appointed for a three-year term from 1 October 2022. Anthony Wright has been appointed to fill a casual vacancy for a non-member director for one year. We congratulate each of these individuals on being appointed as directors.

 

In addition, I’m very proud to be re-elected as President and Chairman of CPA Australia. I thank my colleagues on the board, CEO Andrew Hunter and his team and CPA Australia’s members for your ongoing support.

 

I congratulate Professor Dale Pinto FCPA and Warren McRae FCPA who have been elected as Deputy Presidents, and I sincerely thank Rosemary Sinclair AM FCPA for her dedication and guidance as Deputy President for the past 12 months. I’m delighted to welcome new directors Bryan Chung and Anthony Wright. I also warmly congratulate our two re-appointed directors, Louise Cox and Bernard Poon.

 

The Board is united in our determination to position CPA Australia as a leading professional body that supports members in advancing their career goals. These appointments bring the number of directors on the board to 10, the maximum permitted by the CPA Australia Constitution. View the full board of directors. 

 

Divisional Council elections underway

Elections for Divisional Council are running in seven of CPA Australia’s 13 Divisions: Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, New Zealand, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia. Ballots 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 17 October and the Board encourages all eligible members to participate in the election process. More information is available on the Divisional Council elections page. 

Contribution of Peter Wilson AM FCPA recognised

The Board is pleased to award CPA Australia Life Membership to Peter Wilson AM FCPA for his significant contribution to the organisation. Peter has been a CPA Australia member since 1975 and an FCPA since 2012. He served as a director from October 2017 until December 2021, including as President and Chairman for three years. Peter provided strong leadership at a critical time to strengthen governance, protect the reputation of the designation and transform the organisation into one that prioritises members.

 

CPA Virtual Congress

CPA Australia’s flagship conference CPA Virtual Congress runs from 19 to 21 October with the theme ‘Potential Unlimited.’ The program consists of more than 50 live and pre-recorded sessions featuring an exclusive line-up of over 60 presenters, including CPA Australia members, thought leaders, industry experts and international trail-blazers. Visit the website for the full program and bookings.

 

Merran Kelsall FCPA
President and Chairman
On behalf of CPA Australia's Board of Directors