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 examined how the international auditing and assurance standard setting process is addressing the issues brought about by global warming and environmental sustainability.

Roger Simnett presenting at CPA Congress

Recorded on Wednesday 14 October 2009 at CPA Congress Sydney, NSW

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Presenter: Professor Roger Simnett FCPA, Head, School of Accounting, Australian School of Business, The University of New South Wales

Professor Simnett considers the progress and specific problems being encountered in establishing an assurance standard that enhances corporate compliance and higher quality disclosure around these issues. In doing so, Professor Simnett drew on the work currently being undertaken both by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board’s (IAASB) and the International Task Force Setting Assurance Standard on Global Carbon Emissions and its Sustainability Experts Advisory Panel.

This annual memorial lecture is presented in honour of Professor Bill Birkett FCPA. Professor Birkett was a thought leader in accounting education was recognised as an international expert in his field of management accounting.

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.

Jason Cunningham presenting at CPA Congress

Recorded on Monday 12 October 2009 at CPA Congress, Melbourne, Victoria

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Presenter: Jason Cunningham, Director, The Practice

Jason talks straight and calls it as he sees it. During his presentation he discusses how to earn more money – and keep more of it:

Grow your money by investing it in property and shares

Master your mortgage and own two properties outright before you retire

Use a business to fast-track your financial goals

Protect your assets and reduce your tax commitments

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.

Penny Armytage presenting at CPA Congress

Recorded on Wednesday 14 October 2009 at CPA Congress, Melbourne, Victoria

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Presenter: Penny Armytage, Secretary, Department of Justice

The annual Neil Walker memorial lecture was established in honour of Neil Walker FCPA. Neil was both a National President and Victorian President of CPA Australia, a tireless worker and volunteer for his profession.

In this annual memorial lecture, which was established to honour Neil Walker FCPA, Penny Armytage focused on leadership and the public sector.

Penny has been the Secretary of the Victorian Department of Justice since 2003.

The Justice portfolio is diverse and incorporates six ministerial portfolios – Attorney-General; Police & Emergency Services; Corrections; Consumer Affairs; Racing; and Gaming – concerned with the administration, reform and enforcement of the law, as well as with social regulation in areas such as problem gambling and liquor.

The Department has a budget of $3.58 billion, including Victoria Police, and more than 5000 staff.

Before becoming Secretary, Ms Armytage worked as Executive Director, Operations at the Department of Human Services and prior to that as the Commissioner for the Office of Correctional Services with responsibility for Victoria’s corrections system.

Ms Armytage holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the Preston Institute of Technology and is a National Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia. She is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

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 the recording to find some great take-away tips.

Michelle Pascoe presenting at CPA Congress

Recorded on Wednesday 14 October 2009 at CPA Congress in Sydney, NSW

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Presenter: Michelle Pascoe, Managing Director, Optimum Operating Procedures and Services (OOPS)

During this presentation Michelle took the audience through these key areeas:
+ Taking advantage of extra workload for career progression
+ Managing the workload into small tasks and maintaining a positive outlook
+ The ways to get noticed by your senior management
+ Ensuring your quality of work is not affected

Communication and relationship building – the impact on the bottom line

Watch a recording of Sharon Ferrier discuss why in a rapidly changing business environment, the need to focus on the ’story behind the number’ is paramount.

Sharon Ferrier presenting at CPA Congress

Recorded on Thursday 8 October, 2009 at CPA Congress in Brisbane, Queensland

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Presenter: Sharon Ferrier, Trainer, Persuasive Presentations

The need to recognise and better understand both internal staff and external customers will give rise to an improved bottom line. In this session, Sharon Ferrier focuses on techniques and principles that can be adopted in helping to enhance communication and relationship building which are vital to achieving this outcome.

Vox pops from CPA Congress Sydney, New South Wales

Last week, Sydney hosted a warm and sunny CPA Congress in Darling Habour at the Sydney Convention Exhibition Centre.

Our keen team were out and about chatting with delegates about their Congress experience and finding out what sessions resonated most with them.

View the lastest vox pops on CPA Australia’s YouTube channel.

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.

CPA Congress in Sydney drawing to a close

Rick Romanin FCPA, CFO Greyhound Australia

Tony Faure, a former CEO, will close CPA Congress in Sydney today after a day filled with networking, technical sessions and entertainment.

Amanda Gore, Head2Heart, certainly kept the energy high at lunch today with her talk about the differences between genders. She also ensured member engagement was at its peak with a lot of hand holding! One of her pieces of advice was to “ignite people’s spirit,” not extinguish it. Her four steps to changing behaviour are:

Attendees work shop ideas on web 2.0

*Focus
*Attention
*Repetition
*Celebration

It was a priviledge to have Rick Romanin FCPA share the story of Greyhound Australia. Rick came on board as CFO three years ago when the company was struggling against the strength of low cost airlines. In that time the business has changed their strategy and diversified. Now Greyhound Australia is in a much stronger position, although Rick admits there are always challenges.

Asic Chairman Tony D’Aloisio gave delegates an important update on regulation. He discussed the changes happening and what to expect. Also, Robert Gottliebsen, from the Eureka Report, shared his insights into current economic conditions in his own unique way.

Since Monday over 80 presenters have shared their knowledge and contributed to debate. CPA Congress has offered great opportunities for delegates to hear practical solutions for ‘The Way Forward’.

Vox pops from CPA Congress in Melbourne, Victoria

This week, CPA Congress Victoria got under way at the new Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre, and our roving reporters have been out and about again to find out what people are saying about their CPA Congress experience.

Have a look at the latest vox pops added to CPA Australia’s YouTube channel.

Speaker brings a pommel horse to CPA Congress

Day 3 of CPA Congress in Sydney has included the Chairman of ASX, an independent forensic investigator, the director of the Australian Tax Centre for KPMG and a gymnast who showed off his talent.

Brennon Dowrick shows his talent

Brennon Dowrick, former Olympic gymnast, certainly entertained today as he shared his story of success with hundreds of delegates at CPA Congress Business lunch. He says the pommel horse is the hardest gymnastic aparatus and when he first used it he nearly hurt himself.

CPA Australia's NSW Division General Manager Ron Switzer FCPA is asked to try the pommel horse

Brennon worked trirelessly for years mastering the pommel horse and managed to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth games when he was 18 years old. He was chosen as a 10 year old to attend the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, he says not for his talent but his determination.

He shared with guests what the importance of laying great foundations. He says his success at mastering the pommel horse has been because he had laid great founations, meaning he could handle a hurdle and not slip too far.

Brennon demontrates one his many falls when laying foundations

David Gonski FCPA, Chairman of ASX among others, also shared his knowledge of success today. He spoke about leadership and the best and worst attributes in leaders he has observed over the years. Some of the keys to successful leadership he shared included having long term vision and focus.

David Gonski FCPA

David also pointed out the importance of vanity, appealing to it in others and putting your own in perspective. Some of his other points on leadership included the importance of thinking and challenging the staus quo; and integrity and honesty.

Day 4 of CPA Congress will see Rick Romanin FCPA, Company Secretary with Greyhound Australia take the stage and Tony Faure the former Chief Executive with Nine MSN among others.