Interview with Ric Willmot

Ric Willmot, CEO of Executive Wisdom consulting group, delivered a number of sessions on management and leadership at CPA Congress in Canberra. He is a a seasoned Congress presenter, attending and delivering a number of events this year and in previous years.

Ric’s passion for the business sector is evident when he discusses his own experiences and ideas for improving relationships and processes in the work place. He writes for business magazines and consults organisations such as Pricewaterhouse Coopers and the Dubai Royal Family Group of companies.

He recently spoke with us about his experiences at CPA Congress and views on businesses emerging from the economic downturn.

Vox Pops from CPA Congress Perth, WA

Last week, Perth hosted an unseasonally blustery and wet CPA Congress at the Burswood Entertainment Complex.

Our roving reporters were out chatting with delegates about their Congress experience and finding out what was most valuable about attending.

View all of the Congress vox pops on CPA Australia’s YouTube channel.

Final day of CPA Congress features a forensic investigator, an economist and a motivator

Over 1000 people have flocked to the National Convention Centre for the final day of CPA Congress in Canberra.

Chris Richardson, Director of Access Economics and Sean Ferrari CPA, CPA Australia ACT Divisional Councillor

The crowds have continued throughout the week with hundreds attending master classes on Wednesday and crowds reaching the 1000 mark on Thursday.

Independent investigator Robin Napper presents business luncheon at CPA Congress

Day 3 kicked off with Chris Richardson, Director of Access Economics, who shared not only his views on the global economic outlook but the economic conditions in the ACT. He remarked on the importance of China in Australia’s future and shared his views on stimulus packages among other economic issues.

Also on day 3, delegates were captivated by Independent Forensic Investigator Robin Napper’s experiences, particularly his thoughts on DNA technology and leadership. Robin drew upon cases he was involved in as part of the police force in the UK and his belief that leaders in policing need adapt to changes in technology in particular.

Audience during question time

The Gershon Review, the Henry Review, investment, budgeting and superannuation were also focused on in sessions before Amanda Gore, Managing Director of Head to Heart, closed CPA Congress on high note.

James Strong urges delegates to stop and think about what they do

James Strong AO, Director of Qantas, said at CPA Congress today that it’s important to be realistic about what you want to achieve, the reputation you have and even economic cycles.

James Strong AO, Director of Qantas and Doug Barton FCPA, CPA Australia's ACT Public Sector Chair

On day 2 at CPA Congress in Canberra when speaking on leadership Strong shared several keystones to success including treating others with respect, setting an example, spending time with people, communicating simply, building trust, involving others in decisions and taking ownership.

He believes truly successful people are “comfortable in their own skin” and they don’t walk over others. In his view self awareness and being realistic are keys to managing effectively managing and being successful.

David Tune PSM, Secretary of Department of Finance and Deregulation

Other speakers on day 2 included 2007 Young Achiever of the Year, Tania Major, and 2004 Young Achiever of the Year, Hugh Evans, who shared their passion and vision for the future. The session, hosted by ABC 666 presenter Ross Solly, highlighted their experiences with less fortunate communities and their leadership in creating change.

Shaping Australia keynote session

Also today members heard more on accountability in the public sector and Operation Sunlight, from the Department of Finance and Deregulation; learnt more about “cloud computing”; and were involved in discussion on practical ideas for making the dollar go further among other topics.

Day 3 at CPA Congress opens tomorrow with an update on the economic outlook for the Australian economy by Director of Access Economic Chris Richardson. We’ll also hear from Forensic Investigator, Robin Napper and be inspired by Amanda Gore.

Audit risk the focus of annual research lecture in Canberra

Management and the assessment of audit risk in both the private and public sectors was the focus of the Annual Research Lecture on day 1 of CPA Congress in Canberra.

Michael Coleman FCPA and Dr Christine Jubb FCPA

Dr Christine Jubb FCPA, a research fellow with the Australian National University, presented the lecture drawing upon research titled “The Future of Risk”. Michael Coleman FCPA from KPMG responded to her comments. The research Dr Jubb discussed, at the 28th research lecture held in Canberra, can be downloaded at
http://ancaar.fec.anu.edu.au/FAReport.asp

Delegates participate in session on 21st century leadership skills

Also on day 1 hundreds of members joined masterclasses examining compliance, leadership and improving efficiency.

National Convention Centre

As we head into day 2 of CPA Congress in Canberra we look forward to hearing from David Tune PSM, Secretary of the Department of Finance and Deregulation, and the Chairman of Woolworths James Strong AO. Mr Tune will examine how an increased focus on accountability is impacting the public sector and the role of senior management.

Day 2 will draw more than 1000 professionals to the National Convention Centre to hear from speakers on accountability, budget cut-backs, the management of information and the future of Australia. Three young Australians Hugh Evans, Tania Major and Ross Solly will present the final keynote session tomorrow around the work of their generation and the future of Australia. We also look forward to a performance from Explosive Minds a tomorrow night’s congress dinner.

CPA Congress kicks off in Perth!

CPA Congress has made its way to the other side of Australia this week, kicking off in Perth today.

This morning delegates heard from leading business commentator John Nicolaou – Executive Director (Economic Policy) and Chief Economist, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Australia.

Other speakers will include Professor Tracey Horton – Dean, University of WA Business School, Mark Sheen –Mountaineer and Adventurer, Rick Romanin FCPA – CFO, Greyhound Australia, Danny Betts – Managing Director, Betts Group, Alison Fan – Reporter, TV Presenter, columnist and producer, Chris Wharton – CEO, West Australian Newspaper Holdings and Peter Dingle – Associate Professor, School of Environmental Science, Murdoch University… amongst many, many others.

We’re also again running sessions in the virtual world Second Life, there’s our Congress blog (right here!) and a rich online Congress Community including updates on Twitter, Facebook and Flickr.

Here’s to another fantastic week of events in Perth!

Highlights – Day 2 SA Congress

After a great start to SA Congress 2009 on Wednesay with masterclasses, Thursday began with Business Breakfast 1 featuring successful young entrepreneur Trent Franklin. At 9am delegates received an official welcome from Tracy Randell FCPA, CPA Australia’s SA President before Keynote 1 speaker Professor Owen Covick enlightened the crowd with his expert insights into the state of the state, national and world economies.

Robin Napper, world renowned independent investigator was the speaker at Business Luncheon 1 and was undoubtedly a higlight for many of the delegates. He kept the lunchtime crowd enthralled with his personal experiences of introducing DNA testing and profiling into policing methods, first in the UK, and then Australia. Despite what we’ve all learned from television show CSI, DNA evidence is not as widely used in solving crimes or addressing miscarriages of justice as we all think.

After some excellent afternoon concurrent sessions, Keynote 2 offered a fantastic analysis of how a business facing huge challenges has survived and ‘turned the down around.’ Rick Romanin FCPA, CFO of Greyhound Australia spoke candidly and offered practical advice to delegates about how to revive a business with a great history facing new competitors and a rapidly changing business environment.

The Adelaide Convention Centre is an excellent venue and the facilities have played a part in creating a vibrant atmosphere for delegates.

Everyone is looking forward to the final day, with some great keynotes and concurrent sessions.

Plenty for public sector professionals at CPA Congress in ACT

Matt Hailes, General Manager of CPA Australia's ACT Division

The line up of speakers and topics to be presented at CPA Congress in Canberra next month will provide great learning opportunities for finance professionals in the public sector.

David Tune PSM, has around 30 years experience in the Australian Public Sector. Prior to becoming Secretary for the Department of Finance and Deregulation he worked with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. As there is an ever increasing spotlight on governments to be accountable for their spending and their performance it will be fascinating to hear Mr Tune share his views on accountability and performance at CPA Congress.

How to manage risk is a topic for discussion in all sectors. Dr Christine Jubb CPA is a Research Fellow at the Australian National Centre for Audit and Assurance Research at ANU. Dr Jubb will deliver the annual research lecture at CPA Congress this year. She will explore issues around risk, particularly in light of the recent economic downturn and with an emphasis on the public sector.

Certainly many of the issues affecting finance professionals in the public sector are relevant to all sectors. However CPA Congress has specific sessions for this sector including information on financial reporting developments, fraud, GST issues and the Gershon Review.

With important technical sessions and updates; a performance from Explosive minds; and speakers who are leaders in their field among the activity at this years CPA Congress in ACT, it is certainly a must attend event.

Watch recorded sessions from CPA Congress

Roger Simnett presenting at CPA Congress

 

This year at CPA Congress we’ve been recording a number of sessions to give regional and international members a flavour of the topics and discussions that take place throughout the CPA Congress period.

In this first series of videos we’ve had the chance to see a great range of presentations from managing your personal finances to developing global assurance standards, improving professional communication and gaining invaluable career advice.

The first five recorded sessions are now online, choose the session you wish to watch below:

• Communication and relationship building – the impact on the bottom line Sharon Ferrier discusses why in a rapidly changing business environment, the need to focus on the ’story behind the number’ is paramount.

• Where’s my Money? Watch Jason Cunningham, a young and dynamic business owner and accountant, share his experience and insights about the world of finance and investment.

• Seizing opportunity – rising to the challenge when your work needs you to advance your career. Michelle Pascoe’s presentation at CPA Congress took the audience through the challenges of managing your workload and getting noticed at work. Watch to find some great take-away tips.
  

  Michelle Pascoe presenting at CPA Congress

• Neil Walker memorial lecture: Leadership and the public interest. Watch a transformative presentation by Penny Armytage speaking about her experience leading internal change at the Department of Justice, building a whole-of-government culture, responding to government priorities, and supporting emerging and future leaders.

• Improving credibility of Carbon Emission Disclosures – the development of an International Assurance Standard. In this annual Bill Birkett memorial lecture Professor Roger Simnett FCPA, Head of the School of Accounting at the University of NSW examines how the international auditing and assurance standard setting process is addressing the issues brought about by global warming and environmental sustainability.

Stay tuned for more videos, we’ll be recording a number of sessions from CPA Congress in Perth and Adelaide in November. These sessions will be available on the CPA Congress blog.

Watch the CEO of CPA Australia’s interview with Evo TV at CPA Congress

CPA Australia’s CEO Alex Malley FCPA, Commsec’s Chief Economist Craig James and delegates at CPA Congress in Sydney were interviewed by Evo TV this week.

Malley discusses what he hopes to achieve as the new CEO of one of the world’s largest accounting bodies. James gives his view on Australia’s reaction to the industrialisation of China and members share what they enjoyed at CPA Congress.

See the footage by clicking the picture below. Note: You must be registered (free registration) to view the content on evoTV.