Regional chairman’s report for 2006 
Ross Haslam FCA 
 
 
 
 
2006 has been a very busy year at both the local and national stage with some major events, activity and changes. 
 
The regional council has maintained a very clear focus this year with the main emphasis being around Careers Marketing and the Chartered Accountants Program addressing the skills shortage and member contact. 
 
I would like to give you a brief overview of some of the major activities and achievements for the Institute starting with the local scene and then having a look at the national scene. 
 
Local activity and achievements 
 
Chartered Accountants Program 
 
Highlights from this year include:

• Implementation of an exam support program locally for the Chartered Accountants Program including face-to-face exam technique workshops 
  
• Implementing the improvements into the program such as the new look modules and curriculum, trimester timetable, graduate celebration evenings, student information evenings, and practical experience/mentoring program 
  
• Currently experiencing record enrolments in tax and audit modules up 40 per cent on the budget for initial enrolments.

• Chartered Accountants graduate and vacation employment evening – 28 employers, 350 students 
  
• Chartered Accountants achiever program – 136 applications, 32 places and 25 firms 
  
• Chartered Accountant speakers program – 29 trained from 14 firms 
  
• Work Ready Workshop for second year university students – 82 attended 
  
• Major employers briefing – 22 firms attended. Three key new initiatives exclusive to South Australia are: 
   
  
  1. TAFE students: 
     The Institute offered TAFE graduates paid work experience placements under the Chartered Accountants Achiever Work Experience Program in 2006.  
      
     
  2. Secondary school program: 
     Chartered Accountants speaker program - young members go out to schools and talk to students about the exciting opportunities available to them in the accounting profession 
      
     The adopt a school program - aligns organisations with one or two of our target schools in a two-way relationship that will provide the opportunity to develop relationships with top students before they embark on their university studies. 
      
     
  3. International Students: 
     Half of the students in our local universities are full fee paying international students. This program would require employers to provide a work experience placement for one or two days a week over three months in a non-technical role with overseas students. The students would receive cultural and language training and support and employers would be supported by suggested activities and workshops.

• Small-to-medium practice 
  
• Mid-large tier 
  
• Big 4 
  
• CEO’s 
  
• CFO’s 
  
• Commercial managers 
  
• Chartered Accountants women’s group 
  
• Forensic accounting 
  
• Government 
  
• Tax partners

• Financial planning 
  
• Corporate advisory/finance 
  
• Audit partners.

• Successful network and skills based program underway 
  
• NIDA courses 
  
• Seminars including ‘Making part time work, work’ budgeted for 30 had 75 attend.

• Very strong attendance at the May Business Forum 
  
• Exceeded budget and 05 numbers by 10 per cent 
  
• Training & Development in South Australia is tracking above budget compared to this time last year 
  
• In-house training program has grown significantly over the past year 
  
• Conducted joint country seminars with NIA and TIA. 
   
  Presentation of certificate ceremony: 
  
• 144 new members 65 attending  
  
• 358 attendees at the event. 
   
  Outstanding contribution to the Institute and profession: 
  
• Inaugural award to Craig Farrow for his work with the National Public Practice Advisory Committee to the Board. 
   
  Regional council changes: 
  
• Jane Yuile resigned at the AGM  
  
• Casual vacancy to be filled by Lisa Powell - UniSA 
  
• Further changes are expected with announcements to be made in the near future with other regional councillors indicating their movement off council. 
   
  PR/advocacy: 
  
• Very strong PR activity with the main events being the state budget, tax phone in, SANFL report, Independent Weekly monthly column, member profiling, and event coverage eg. Graham Meyer 
  
• Joint Legislative Review Committee with CPA Australia has been active in the local scene with forums with ASIC and the Attorney General, and responses given to national and local legislative changes. 
   
  Young Professionals: 
  
• Very strong series of skills/networking events run jointly with the Law Society and Finsia. 
   
  National activity 
   
  New CEO: 
  
• Graham Meyer started January 06 
  
• Very successful visit to SA in June 
  
• Ran five events covering all member segments 
  
• Feedback all positive.  
   
  National president:  
  
• Neil Faulkner visited South Australia/Northern Territory three times  
  
• Business Forum, the big thank you member celebration event, and the Northern Territory. 
   
  National vice president: 
  
• A South Australian member is the vice president for 2006 that being Rob Di Monte managing partner – Deloitte, Adelaide. 
   
  Global Accounting Alliance: 
  
• Probably the most important initiative was the formation and launch of the global accounting alliance in March 2006 
  
• Key platform of the Institute’s global positioning strategy 
  
• Nine of the major accounting bodies in the world covering all major capital markets created an alliance to share reciprocal membership benefits and services, thought leadership, lobbying/advocacy and education recognition globally 
  
• Countries involved are, England and Wales, Scotland, Canada, Ireland, South Africa, USA, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia 
  
• 700,000 members worldwide. 
   
  Brand campaign: 
  
• New campaign launched to target students in 2006 
  
• Maintain the ‘number one in numbers’ theme but broaden it to incorporate the core proposition of ’World of Opportunities’ that capitalises on the global alliance 
  
• Important tactic in attracting young people to the profession to address the skills shortage 
  
• Run nationally using television and cinema 
  
• Recent launch of a new and improved website. 
   
  New Sydney head office: 
  
• Purchased a new Sydney office building for 32 million 
  
• Corner of Erskine and Kent Streets in the fast growing Kings Wharf area 
  
• Outgrown the existing 37 York Street and received an excellent return on funds. 
   
  Advocacy and lobbying: 
  
• Service entities we avoided retrospective application due to some significant work and representations and ‘safe harbours’ were somewhat improved 
  
• Division 7A the ATO proposed a program of rulings and determinations and we are continuing to work with government on legislative solutions. 
  
• Other areas include alignment of the criteria for various small business concessions, reforms to capital gains tax concessions, family trust elections, black hole expenditure, promoter penalties and tax consequences of AIFRS.

• Deliver information in a compelling manner 
  
• Present with clarity and conviction 
  
• Enhance vocal and physical power 
  
• Explore improvisation as a creative tool 
  
• Develop connectedness to material and audience.

• Training and mentoring: to deliver entrepreneurial focused business skills development through a combination of training and mentoring services. Two independent themes for this round are 'Young entrepreneurs' and 'IT skilling'.  
   
  
• Succession Planning: to deliver skills development through training and mentoring services. This is to help small business owners maximise the value and marketability of their businesses, and to provide strategies to exit the business, while ensuring business continuity. 
   
  
• Incubators: for the establishment and operation of small business incubators or the enhancement of existing, successful small business incubators.

• An interest in conservation  
  
• An ability to communicate financial information 
  
• Prepare for and participate in the discussions and deliberations of the board 
  
• To foster a positive working relationship with other board members, and with the general staff 
  
• Be aware of and abstain from any conflict of interest. 
   
  Major duties 
  
• Provide advice on financial matters 
  
• Present a monthly financial report/analysis for board members (CCSA’s paid staff member prepares the financial statements from which the board reports are drawn) 
  
• Attendance at monthly board meetings and up to two planning days per year. 
  
• Attendance at monthly executive meetings 
  
• Attendance at annual general meeting (October) 
  
• Ensure audited financial statements are presented to the board on an annual basis 
  
• Call the motion at the annual general meeting to appoint the Auditor 
  
• Act as a resource to other committees

Chartered Accountants Local News – SA/NT 
 
Contents

1. Regional chairman's report for 2006  
   
2. The business of wine  
   
3. Business leader awards 
   
4. Professional fee funding 
   
5. Achiever work experience program for 2006 
   
6. Presentation of certificates ceremony 2006  
   
7. Football/Netball carnival 
   
8. Chartered Accountants women 
   
9. Chartered Accountants program update 
   
10. Chartered Accountants job search 
    
11. Pre-empting and resolving client disputes 
    
12. Small business entrepreneurship program 
    
13. Calling for nominations 
    
14. Wanted - treasurer 
    
15. Wanted new members