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.

No matter what your affiliation or interest, politics is a constant in our world. The accounting profession is affected by what happens in the political arena through legislation and public policy issues and decisions that affect the finance sector and the wider community.

At this year’s Congress we have a number of speakers who will provide us with fascinating insights into Australian politics over the past four decades, from both sides of the debate.

Trevor Sykes, whose career as a finance journalist has spanned 52 years, will share what are sure to be very interesting anecdotes from his career during Business Breakfast 2, ‘the education of a finance journalist’ on Friday 13 November. Continuing the journalistic theme is our special guest at Friday’s Business Luncheon 2, Dominique Schwartz. The ABC journalist and evening news presenter will speak about her experiences reporting from the frontline of world events, working for Foreign Correspondent, and being the ABC’s Middle East correspondent.

Finally on Friday afternoon, Keynote 4 promises to be an eye opener. The Honourable Kim Beazley, Professorial Fellow in political science and international relations at the University of Western Australia, former Leader of the Opposition and the next Australian Ambassador to the United States (what a mouthful!), will give us an overview of contemporary Australian politics. As someone who worked at the most senior levels of Australian politics for more than 20 years, his insights and commentary promise to be illuminating and thought provoking.

With less than a week to go, the South Australian Division is gearing up for a great few days.  I look forward to seeing you all at our 2009 CPA Congress!

Well, the first four iterations of CPA Congress have just taken place in October and I hope you enjoyed the experience! Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Singapore have all had the chance to experience a wide variety of educational sessions spanning inspirational, technical and strategic topics.

For those in Perth, Adelaide and Canberra, you’ll have the chance to experience CPA Congress in November and for members across the world, you have the chance to experience highlight sessions and member feedback right here on the CPA Congress blog.

To keep everyone in the CPA Congress mood we’ve created a mash-up of three events where we filmed vox-pops , I hope you enjoy and keep coming back for more CPA Congress highlights.

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.

I’m thrilled to be writing my very first blog entry – and for none other than CPA Congress 2009!

Having worked in the South Australian Division of CPA Australia since 1980, I have witnessed the creation of Congress, its growth, and it’s evolution to what it is today: South Australia’s largest annual conference, and one of the biggest regular finance and accounting events in the southern hemisphere.  

I’m sure many of you could enlighten me with stories of how the accounting profession has changed over the years, and I’d guess that one of the things many of you would point out is the ubiquity of technology and how it has changed the nature of accounting work, as well as how we work, learn and receive information.

Like many of you, I still find some of aspects of technology to be both daunting and really exciting at the same time. Last year we trialled a session at Congress in the virtual world ‘Second Life.’ Its success is such that it’s likely to be a fixture at Congress from now on. You can experience a session in this new frontier again this year with  Beyond the Downturn – getting ahead in small business, from the convenience of your computer by signing up to attend in Second Life.

For those who think this is not their cup of tea, all the more reason to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. You’ll soon be thinking of the potential for yourselves of such technology. And don’t forget that while some of us who are a little older may find this daunting at first, it’s just the sort of media your younger staff members  (and probably your kids and, for those even older, grandkids) are using as a matter of course.   

As a newcomer to the blogging virtual world, I’d love to hear your comments and questions about the use of technology in our professional and personal lives. Has it improved your quality of life? How has it changed the way you work? Has it opened your eyes to things you may not otherwise have ever thought about?

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.

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

Watch video.

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.

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:

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.

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

Watch video.

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