Relevance to Members and Stakeholders
How we delivered in 2008
Interacting Effectively with Our Members
The Institute interacts with members through events, conferences, roadshows, website, print and broadcast media, e-Bulletins and technical newsletters, manuals, toolkits, guides, Charter magazine, Institute updates and training sessions.
During 2008 the Institute delivered some 700 workshops, forums, debates and events on issues such as ethics, differential auditing, extended performance reporting, legally enforceable auditing standards, standard legislative framework for tax agents and anti-money laundering.
More than 4700 accounting and business professionals across all major capital cities attended our popular Business Forums, while our Force of Law national roadshow events attracted more than 300 delegates.
The Institute’s Public Sector Forum, designed to present contemporary management issues to members who work in, or closely with, government was again well received. Initially targeted at middle management, the forum now attracts a broader audience from the public sector, with attendance averaging between 80 and 100 for the five-program event.
A combination of quality content and speakers, together with a robust marketing strategy and excellent teamwork contributed to the success of the Institute’s conferences this year.
A new Accounting Conference was introduced and held in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, focusing on financial reporting and management accounting. It attracted 572 delegates, exceeding registration targets by 43 per cent and revenue targets by 30 per cent. The inaugural SMSFs Conference held in Sydney attracted 223 delegates, 50 per cent over registration targets and 30 per cent ahead of revenue targets.
Also successful were our Public Practice conferences, attendance at which nearly doubled this year.
Tools
The Institute recently launched an audit manual to help auditors, particularly those dealing with small to medium sized entities (SMEs), apply the current Australian Auditing Standards (ASAs). The manual is based on the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) Guide to using international standards. It is freely available on the Institute website and is supplemented by a toolkit, complete with forms, checklists and programs necessary for conducting an audit, and training sessions in several states. This has been widely accepted as a significant step in assisting practitioners to maintain consistently high auditing standards and practices.
To help Chartered Accountants find their way through the myriad of software choices available, the Institute introduced a Business Software Guide that provides information on 45 tailored business software solutions. This comprehensive tool, which allows members to cross-reference by industry and function, was distributed to all members with Charter magazine.
Publications
Charter magazine, e-Bulletins and other corporate communication channels provide useful tools to inform and update members, with 87 per cent of our membership claiming to be satisfied with the communications received.
The fortnightly e-Bulletins provide relevant information and news to members who work in the Big 4, public practice, business and government. Many topical issues were covered during the year including the implications of carbon emissions trading, the liability capping scheme, the launch of the new CPP tool, and regular lobbying updates. In addition, Chartered Accountants Local News, an essential tool used by members in all regions for local information and updates, was successfully relaunched.
The three technical e-newsletters Chartered Acountants Tax Bulletin, Accounting and Assurance Today, and the relaunched Chartered Accountants Superannuation Bulletin, continue to provide relevant information to subscribers, and member satisfaction levels are high (88 per cent, 86 per cent and 85 per cent respectively).
Charter, the Institute’s flagship publication, continues to attract new readers with circulation now totalling more than 48,000. The magazine’s quality, credibility and targeted reach also make it attractive to advertisers.
The Institute’s education and training pathway is the preferred choice for industry professionals.
The Institute is leading the debate in the areas that matter most to business and the accounting profession. 
The Institute produces an invaluable suite of tools, guidance, products and services to help members in their work. 
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