Update from the CPA Australia Board 9 February 2024

President’s message

In January, I had the honour of visiting our offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia, where I had fruitful discussions with CPA Australia staff, members, government representatives and other stakeholders as well as local accounting bodies. I extend my sincere gratitude for the warm hospitality extended to me during my visits. Along with fellow Board Directors, I eagerly anticipate further engagements with members across our global network as we continue to execute our strategic initiatives.

This year our focus areas include:

• Developing strategic initiatives to enhance the value of membership
• Engaging with governmental bodies and stakeholders to actively participate in discussions on ethics and integrity
• Sustaining our commitment to policy initiatives and advancing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) activities
• Nurturing the next generation of CPAs through educational programs and CPD offerings.

We are eagerly anticipating the arrival of our new CEO, Chris Freeland AM, who takes office on 18 March. The Board is excited about the opportunity to collaborate with Chris as we embark on our new strategy.

2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Mark your calendars! The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of CPA Australia will be held on Thursday 16 May 2024 at 5.30pm (AEST) at the office of CPA Australia at Level 20, 28 Freshwater Place Southbank in Melbourne.

The AGM will be a hybrid meeting, offering members the option to attend in person or watch the live webcast. Members can pose questions to the Board in person, via phone, or online. Notice of meeting and proxy forms will be dispatched to members at least 21 days before the AGM, in accordance with legal requirements. We encourage you to update your contact preferences to receive your notice of meeting and other communications by email. This is the most timely and reliable method of communication, and it is also significantly more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable.

More details about the AGM are available on the website. For further information, contact [email protected]

Update of CPA Australia’s By-Laws

We are pleased to announce the update of CPA Australia’s By-Laws to reflect clear, contemporary language in alignment with the refreshed Constitution approved by members in 2022. These By-Laws govern our operational procedures, membership, professional development, regulatory standards, and the regulation of our members’ professional conduct. Approved by the Board in December 2023, the updated By-Laws are now accessible on our website along with our Constitution.

2024 Mentoring program – Applications Open

Applications for the 2024 Australia and New Zealand Mentoring Program are now open until 7 March. The mentoring program offers invaluable opportunities for skill development and fosters positive experiences for both mentors and mentees. This year's program includes public practitioners, aiming to pair approximately 550 members. For further information, please visit the dedicated mentoring program page on our website. Applications for the 2024 International Mentoring Program will open in April.

Pre-Budget submissions

Our Policy and Advocacy team has prepared detailed submissions ahead of major government budgets, including the Australian Federal Budget and the Hong Kong SAR budget. These submissions, addressing local issues and economic environments, contain recommendations to stimulate growth and address challenges faced by businesses and communities. The Hong Kong 2024-25 Pre-Budget submission is available to view now and the Australian Federal Pre-Budget submission 2024-25 will be available along with our Economics submissions in the coming days.

We remain committed to serving our members and advancing our profession. Should you have any queries or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Warm regards

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