Events

The Institute delivered more than 1000 events this year, from training seminars and careers workshop evenings, to networking breakfasts and sporting events.

The majority of these events were training activities for members. This year the Institute took a fresh look at its training offering, increasing the focus towards core technical skills, and ensuring conferences maximised value for members' investment in time and money.

Business Forums took place across the country, offering members the latest industry insights and practical guidance. This year, a combination of highly relevant topics, quality content and expert speakers drew record attendances in New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia.

Elsewhere, the Institute's inaugural national audit conference quickly sold out. The event offered members guidance and best practice during a time of great change in the audit field.

Increasingly the Institute offers the opportunity to access important events through new media, such as DVDs and online seminars. This year, new media products were developed for the AIFRS conference and the national audit conference.

Client training solutions

The Institute in-house training service provides tailored training for members in business, public practice and government. This year demand was higher than ever, with the total number of in-house training clients growing from 66 to 130 (representing 98 per cent growth).

The strategic focus is now on expanding activities with firms in both corporate and government markets. New contracts with Telstra, Multiplex, PKF, and the Australian Federal Police have now been secured.

Tools

This year has seen the development of a range of member guidance notes and tools. These include a free, interactive and fully updated online Quality Control Guide, and an exhaustive guide for members in the not-for-profit sector who prepare annual and financial reports. More than 4000 members also received an interactive CD ROM containing guidance and information for the audit of selfmanaged superannuation funds.

Auditors benefited from a suite of other tools as well, including the new checklist of auditing standards requirements, updates to the auditor independence guide and an auditor independence checklist.

Other products developed during the year, and soon to be launched, include property transactions and management accounting toolkits.

Communications

Providing relevant, timely business insight for members is one of the Institute’s key roles. This year, publications such as Charter magazine, Chartered Accountants Local News, e-Bulletin and the technical newsletters kept readers abreast of the latest professional news, guidance and analysis. These publications continued to rate highly in member surveys, with one recent poll showing 88 per cent member satisfaction with Institute communications.