From the Chair, ACT Regional Council
Welcome everyone to 2008. As the new Chair for the ACT Regional Council I am pleased and excited about my role this year. I have been a member of the Institute since December 2000 and joined the ACT Council in 2006. I look forward to the year ahead and the many prospective opportunities available to the ACT Council.
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce Kelly Fenner MBA FCA, who is the new Vice Chair. Ms Fenner was elected to the ACT Council in January 2004. She joined the Institute in March 1995 and advanced to Fellow in May 2003.
I also welcome Michael Watson FCA to the Board as our ACT representative, together with the new and continuing Councillors. I am looking forward to working with you all and hope we can succeed together to develop innovative ideas that will benefit the world of Chartered Accountants.
Special thanks and best wishes goes to out-going Councillors: Sean Michelle FCA, Michael Watson FCA, Frank Lo Pilato FCA, Gail Freeman, and former Board Member Jenny Morrison FCA.
I look forward to meeting members in the ACT and becoming actively involved in the exciting events scheduled for 2008.
Best wishes to you all, I hope 2008 brings you much happiness and success.
Steven McDonnell FCA
Chair, ACT Regional Council
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From the General Manager ACT
Happy New Year. I hope you are all well rested and prepared for the year ahead.
It is going to be a full year of activity at the Institute in 2008. We have the Business Forum in June and many careers marketing initiatives throughout the year.
Business Forum is a perfect opportunity for our members to address any training requirements and to listen to presentations on a range of interesting topics.
For careers marketing, we have events such as the Employment Evening and Food for Thought dinner, which aim to increase awareness of the Chartered Accountants Program within the youth market.
We have also set up a Young Members Committee dedicated to looking out for the interests of young Chartered Accountants in the Canberra region. The Young Members Committee has been formed to assist young Chartered Accountants establish themselves in the accounting profession by enhancing their professional skills, mentoring and developing professional networks; not just in the profession but in the wider business community. The first Professional Networking event will be held in March – stay tuned for more details.
I would like to welcome the new Chair, Steven McDonnell FCA. Steve has been a Council member for two years and works at ACTEW AGL as a Group Manger for Accounting and Taxation.
And finally our Deakin offices lease expires shortly. To ensure our premises reflect the needs of our members and candidates completing the program, we will be moving to a larger office as we have outgrown the Deakin office.
Wishing you all the best for the year ahead.
Renee LeGrande
General Manager, ACT
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia
National Surveyor's House
27-29 Napier Close
Deakin ACT 2600
Phone: 02 6285 2198
Fax: 02 6282 9800
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Key announcements from the Global Accounting Alliance
The Global Accounting Alliance (GAA) board met in Mexico City last month. Key announcements were as follows:
The GAA has successfully increased member benefits and value added services through overseas support mechanisms. It has also promoted the international portability of qualifications while always ensuring public interest is retained
The GAA’s focus for 2008 and beyond is on leadership on issues of convergence in particular in the capital markets; relationships with the global firms; relationships with regulators; and liability reform in respect of sharing information on what has been achieved in Australia
The GAA will present a leadership paper in mid 2008 with views of key personnel within the major regulator bodies
Excluding the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, in principle an agreement has been reached that local tax and company law will no longer be required for GAA members, unless they are a principal in a public practice firm or need to for registration purposes, in order to seek membership of each others' Institutes. Formal approval from boards and councils is being reached
Each member’s Chartered Accountants education program will now be recognised equally.
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales reported back on the European common content program being developed for accounting education.
In addition, the Institute has acquired more than 2000 registrations from GAA members in Australia who have signed up with us to receive Institute benefits.
Relevant links:
The Institute: GAA
The GAA: website
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Andrew Arkell named President
The appointment follows a series of posts Andrew has held for the Institute, both on Queensland Regional Council and as a board member from 2004 to 2007. As President, Andrew will lead the board in setting and governing the strategic direction of the Institute.
Based in Queensland, Andrew is the Head of Corporate and Advisory Services at fund management firm Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) and has more than 24 years business experience to draw on. His roles in Chartered Accounting firms, government and in commerce will help Andrew understand the diverse needs of more than 46,000 members.
Commenting on his appointment, Andrew said, “Accounting is a profession that continues to be diversified as more demands are placed on business. Chartered Accountants play an integral part in the Australian economy and I am looking forward to representing all sides of the membership in this important role.”
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Don’t miss out! Book now for your table at the Chartered Accountants Business Leader Awards
The prestigious Chartered Accountants Business Leader Awards is on 14 March at Luna Park, Sydney and is one of the highlights of the corporate calendar.
Book your table now to secure your place at the number one networking event.
Ali Moore, presenter of ABC’s Lateline Business, will host the evening of fine dining and entertainment, which will be attended by more than 300 business and government leaders and media representatives.
This year’s Award is gearing up to be the most hotly contended yet, with more than 170 nominees vying for the title.
The nominees for 2008, said to represent the wealth of business talent in Australia, are judged on their ability to demonstrate visionary leadership, exhibit best practice, show innovation and take risks, foster positive employee relations and contribution to the community.
Last year Brian McNamee, Managing Director of CSL Limited was named the 2007 Business Leader and Philip Green, Managing Director, Babcock & Brown won outstanding Chartered Accountant in Business Award.
The Business Leader Awards, now it its ninth year, is proudly partnered by Perpetual and considered Australia’s highest accolade in business.
For your opportunity to attend this renowned gala event, please complete the booking form .
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Join one of the most elite clubs in the world
A keen swimmer from a young age, Chartered Accountant Craig Burton, continued his passion for swimming and found it a great way to keep fit while still being able to juggle the demands of managing a practice.
In 2006 after being inspired by Des Renford and Ian Heads’ book, Nothing Great is Easy, Craig decided to take the plunge and attempt the Channel swim from Dover, England to Calais, France as a soloist.
The Channel in the Strait of Dover is a unique and demanding swim, considered by many to be the ultimate long distance challenge. Craig swam the 34 kilometres in 11 hours and 50 minutes, with the last 10 kilometres described as the hardest. Craig became the 36th Australian to swim the Channel at the time.
“It is a demanding swim, but extremely worthwhile. Swimming in freezing water wearing only a standard swimming costume and grease for insulation, in one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, is a challenge,” said Craig.
“In my mind preparation is key to success. This discipline is something that I learnt while completing the Chartered Accountant Program and that I use everyday in my practice. I have been able to transfer this skill to the very practical challenge of swimming the Channel,” he added.
Craig recalls swimming 132 laps at his local beach in 16 degree water from 6.00am until 4.00pm, in order to qualify to register for the Channel swim.
He is gearing up to do the Channel swim again but this time in a relay team - training to take place this year, with the view to compete in 2009.
“I am calling out to any fellow accountants, candidates or members, who would like to be part of a once in a life time opportunity. This could be your chance to swim the Channel in a relay team,” he added.
Any candidates or members interested in becoming involved are encouraged to contact craig.burtonaccountants@bigpond.com
Craig started his practice Burton Accountants, in 2007 and is based in Eastwood, New South Wales.
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Job Search can help your new year take flight
The Chartered Accountants Job Search recruitment website recently turned one year old, and to celebrate the Institute is giving away a Flight Centre voucher valued at $2000 RRP.
Job Search is a dedicated and specialised online recruitment service designed to help employers target their recruitment effort, and to assist Chartered Accountants and candidates with their next career step.
Employers:
Post jobs, manage and respond to applications from qualified applicants
Set up screening questionnaires
Build awareness through company profiles, banner ads and premium listings
Receive discounted rates for members and companies/firms who employ Chartered Accountants
Enjoy discounted rates for bulk purchases of 10 jobs or more through the sales team .
Job seekers:
Access the best jobs in the market, industry insights and recruitment tips
Navigate the powerful and easy to use job search engine
Upload resumes online
Track the status of an application
Set up job alerts
Research employer profiles.
To enter and find out how Job Search can help your new year take flight, all you have to do before 14 March 2008 is:
Job seekers
1. register a job seeker account on charteredaccountants.com.au/jobsearch
2. post your résumé online
3. tell us via email in 25 words or less why you think Job Search is the number one recruitment website for Chartered Accountants.
Employers
1. register an employer account on charteredaccountants.com.au/jobsearch
2. post one job ad by 14 March 2008
3. tell us via email in 25 words or less why you think Job Search is the number one recruitment website for Chartered Accountants.
Whether you're looking for new staff or a new start in 2008, Chartered Accountants Job Search can help. Visit
http://www.charteredaccountants.com.au/job_search or call the Institute on 1300 137 322.
Full terms and conditions are available online.
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Food for Thought dinner
To attract more people to the accounting profession, a dinner is being coordination in an effort to develop and foster relationships with the secondary sector.
Teachers, principals and year twelve coordinators are being invited to attend the dinner at the National Museum, where they will hear from some of the big names in Canberra's business - how they built their careers and the opportunities available to their students as Chartered Accountants.
The overall goal of the evening is to develop a program of initiatives that will ensure students have the right information about a career in business as a Chartered Accountant, at the time of students decision making.
For more information please email: melinda.katavic@charteredaccountants.com.au
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Employment evening
Third and final year students are invited to attend the Institute's Employment Evening on 26 March. The evening gives students the opportunity to meet employers, make an impression and find the quality work experience they need to get ahead.
Employers from Government, Big 4, commerce and public practice will be there to talk to students about their organisations and the work experience positions available.
For more information please visit: http://www.charteredaccountants.com.au/A116882956
Or email: melinda.katavic@charteredaccountants.com.au
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Wanted - Focus Session Leaders for 2008
Members have the opportunity to apply to become a Focus Session Leader this month for modules offered in the Chartered Accountants Program in 2008.
A Focus Session Leader helps candidates engage with the practical application of the technical material within a module. They guide candidates in the application of the theory to work based situations, and help them identify any gaps in their knowledge.
The highlights of the role are:- The opportunity to contribute knowledge and experience to the training of future Chartered Accountants
- The experience of facilitating and leading a group-learning situation
- Being remunerated, while ‘giving back’ to the profession
- Earning qualifying hours.
All Focus Session Leaders must be a Chartered Accountant, or a person with comparable and recognised overseas qualification, with a minimum of two years work experience in a relevant technical area.
The five modules of the Program are: Taxation, Audit & Assurance, Management Accounting & Analysis, Financial Accounting & Reporting, and Ethics & Business Application. Ethics & Business Application – this module requires a broad understanding across all the technical areas.
For more information:
Members interested in becoming a Focus Session Leader for the Chartered Accountants Program please email: registration.act@charteredaccountants.com.au
To apply please email: joanna.destoop@charteredaccountants.com.au
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Conference rooms at the Institute
Did you know that the Institute's offices in Deakin have two function rooms that are available to hire for meetings and conferences?
If you would like information regarding availability and charges please contact Debbie on 6282 9600 or send an email to deborah.harper@charteredaccountants.com.au
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ACT February Issue 1
In this Issue
From the Chair, ACT council
More >
From the General Manager ACT
More >
Corporate: Key announcements from the Global Accounting Alliance
More >
Andrew Arkell named President
More >
Don’t miss out! Book now for your table at the Chartered Accountants Business Leader Awards
More >
Join one of the most elite clubs in the world
More >
Job Search can help your new year take flight
More >
Food for thought dinner
More >
Employment evening
More >
Wanted - Focus Session Leaders for 2008
More >
Conference Rooms at the Institute
More >
Library
More >
Editor
Melinda Katavic 02 6282 0590
Email: Melinda Katavic
ACT State website
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News from the Knowledge Centre
Knowledge at your fingertips with EBSCO
Members and candidates now have free access to a variety of full text articles from over 10,000 publications via EBSCO's databases. These resources can be accessed at your fingertips through a variety of options, such as email, search alerts and an online account. More>
Resources through subscription services
In addition to EBSCO, the Knowledge Centre subscribes to a variety of online and hard copy services from major publishers such as LexisNexis, Thomson, CCH, the Television Education Network and the Taxation Institute of Australia (TIA), plus a variety of journals such as the International Accounting Bulletin. These resources can be accessed in a many ways depending on license agreements. For more information please contact the Knowledge Centre team
More >
Collection review and sale
The Knowledge Centre's book, looseleaf and online collection is currently being reviewed. Obsolete titles are being disposed of, and old editions of popular titles are being offered for sale at heavily discounted prices to members and candidates. For more information please contact the Knowledge Centre team. More >
Whilst it's out with the old, it's also in with the new. The most recent book titles added to this collection are listed below. Reviews on these books can be found on the Knowledge Centre's online library. More >- Accounting Careers: Adding interest to your future!
- The Extreme Future: The top trends that will reshape the world for the next 5, 10, and 20 years
- Risk Management
- Wikinomics: How mass collaboration changes everything
- Wikis for Dummies
Australian Articles February 2008
Each month the Knowledge Centre team compiles selected articles from Australian sources on a wide range of current general interest, accounting and business topics. Overviews of these articles can be found in the Knowledge Centre's online library More >
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The official e-newsletter of the ACT region of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.
National Surveyors House
27 Napier Close
DEAKIN ACT 2600
GPO Box 396
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Ph: 02 6282 9600
Email:
service@charteredaccountants.com.au
ABN 50 084 642 571 |
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