From the Chair, ACT Regional Council 
 
 
Your council met for the first time this month and discussed a number of initiatives and events planned for this calendar year. The focus of Council this year will be on innovation.  
 
Young members subcommittee 
The young members subcommittee has been formed and met recently to discuss future plans and initiatives for the ACT with input from young members. The subcommittee was hosted by Councillors Jodi George and Lisa Stone. If you wish to participate in future subcommittee meetings please contact ACT General Manager, Renee Le Grande or one of the Councillors. 
 
ACT Touch Footy 
The ACT Touch Footy competition is currently underway and has been a great opportunity to catch up with friends.  
 
New premises 
Renee Le Grande mentioned last month we are moving from our premises in Deakin to a more conducive and larger environment for members, candidates and staff. We will release more information to you as it comes to hand. In the not to distant future we will be sending invitations to you to help us celebrate our move to the new premises.  
 
Regional chair meeting update 
I participated in a telephone conference with other regional chairs where a number of issues affecting the Institute and members in regional areas were discussed. The President Andrew Arkell led the meeting.  
These telephone conferences will be held periodically during the year so regional chairs can disseminate information more effectively to councillors and members about national issues.  
One of the Board’s key strategies this year that was discussed was the Board’s recognition of the ACT as an important region and there is a significant level of activity in planning stages which I will let you know, as it comes to hand. The Board has called for Regional Chairs to present to them at Board meetings matters affecting their region on a rotating basis.  
 
Professionalism as a finance graduate 
This month I presented a short topic on Professionalism as a Finance Graduate to a number of finance graduates who have started their careers at Defence Material Organisation. Information packs on pathway to membership of the Institute were handed out. The seminar was successful with many thanks to Joanna De Stoop from the Institute office for assisting with the preparations.  
 
Training and development calendar 
You would have received recently a calendar of training and development outlining upcoming events over the next quarter. The events and conferences planned have been developed with you in mind and I urge you to consider some of the early bird opportunities which are available.  
 
Finally if there is anything Regional Council can improve delivery on or issues affecting members you wish to discuss, please do not hesitate to contact me or the other Councillors so that we can address the issue and get back to you.  
 
 
Steven McDonnell FCA  
Chair, ACT Regional Council  
 
 
 

1. Some members now require a CPP, when they did not previously. Similarly, some members who previously required a CPP, no longer do so.
 
 

2. The Quality Review Program will continue to focus on members’ holding a CPP, but will now place reliance on members’ licensing obligations and the quality control procedures they have in place under the financial services legislation.
 
 

3. Members are not required to apply for a CPP in respect of their qualification if they are:  
   
   • An Australian Financial Services Licence representative
    
   
   • An Australian Financial Service Licence authorised representative
    
   
   • A holder of a statutory registration who does not offer the services that are detailed in the registration.
    
   Please notify the Institute of your status by using this interactive guide interactive guide 
    
   
4. Many members will now pay less for their CPP. The thresholds for the concessional nil rates will increase from $2000 to $7500, and the one-third rate will remain for members earning less than $25,000 ($50,000 for retired members).Cancellation/Upgrade form
 
 

5. If members hold a CPA Australia practicing certificate, they may qualify for an exemption from the Institute CPP. Exemption form

• 91 per cent consider retaining quality clients as either very important or critical
 

• 84 per cent consider balancing work and personal issues as very important or critical
 

• 81 per cent deem attracting the right type of clients as either critical or very important.

• The main reason for Chartered Accountants in business changing employers is for ‘better work’
 

• Over 60 per cent of respondents will not change jobs in the next two years
 

• Interesting and intellectually challenging work are the most important aspects to a job.

• Waived Loan Application Fee (usually 0.75per cent of the loan)
 

• Zero Loan Administration Fee (up to $187 per quarter per loan facility) on business loan products taken by the practice (excluding overdrafts)
 

• Dedicated ANZ point of contact in each state for all members referred by the Institute
 

• Free subscription to In Business and In Perspective magazines.

• 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.

ACT March Issue 2