News

Member activities the heart of NZICA

May is a busy month of member activities for NZICA with new teams and events in place, a refreshed look to our conference programme and a national roadshow taking information to members on the new CA Program.

LLTs are go

Members are at the heart of NZICA’s activities and the recent Fit for the Future 3 (F4F3) review was driven by a desire to ensure the organisation was structured to deliver on members’ needs and wants.

One of the major outcomes of the review was the development of Local Leadership Teams (LLTs). These are now operating in place of the former Branch Committees (the last to be constituted, the Bay of Plenty LLT, was confirmed in April).

F4F3 identified the need for NZICA to improve its responsiveness to members and the LLTs are a key innovation designed to ensure the Institute knows what members need – and can deliver.

I would like to welcome all those elected to the new LLTs, both those new to involvement with NZICA and those who have transitioned from the old Branch Committees. You will be a vital link between NZICA and the broader membership and I look forward to engaging with you on member needs across the spectrum – from identifying CPD opportunities to organisational strategic planning.

Find your LLT members.

First regional conference and forum

Another outcome of F4F3 was a commitment to introduce regional conferences and forums for members that combine technical and business updates with an opportunity to network and feed back on NZICA’s workplan.

The first of these, the 2012 Central Region Conference and Forum, will take place in Masterton on 22 June.

I urge members to take the opportunity to meet and mingle with your President Richard Austin FCA, Board Chair Graham Crombie FCA, and myself, together with regional Councillors, Local Leadership Team Chairs, Special Interest Group Chairs and other NZICA leaders at the Forum, which starts at 3.30pm that Friday afternoon.

Conference season underway

May is also a big month for NZICA’s sectoral conference programme. The conferences are an opportunity to expand your knowledge base, and catch up on issues and developments in your industry.

First off the block are the 2012 Forensic Accounting Conference and the 2012 Primary Sector Conference, which both take place on 24 May.

The Forensic Accounting Conference will be held in Wellington and is a one-day event covering trends and solutions on common issues affecting forensic accountants. Presenters include Lyn Provost FCA, Controller and Auditor-General of New Zealand, Stephen Bell, Risk Advisory Services division, KPMG, Fiona Tregonning, Director, Transparency International (New Zealand), and Nick Paterson, General Manager - Fraud & Corruption, Serious Fraud Office.

The 2012 Primary Sector Conference in Auckland is a two-and-a-half day affair that will cover current challenges to the economy in a series of concurrent sessions. Speakers include Hon David Carter, Minister for Primary Industries, Ross Buckley CA, Executive Chairman, KPMG, and Richard Perry CA, CFO, Landcorp Farming Ltd. The conference will also include a field trip where you will gain insights and stories from a leading horticulture business.

NZICA’s national conference programme continues with two major events on 21 June – “Business Conference 2012 - Thriving Not Surviving” in Hamilton, and the 2012 CEO CFO Conference in Auckland.

The two conferences share a focus on effective and practical responses to the challenging economic climate. They are an opportunity for members to develop their capacity to influence their organisations or clients in a positive way.

Then on 22 June the Corporate Sector Forum in Nelson will provide an insight into LEAN thinking and opportunities to improve workplace profitability, productivity and competitiveness.

See the events section for a more information on these conferences, and the full range of NZICA events and training.

CA Program roadshow coming soon

A major piece of work affecting members and their employers is the development of the trans-Tasman Chartered Accountants Program with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.

May sees the start of a nationwide roadshow that aims to give employers an update on the new training programme. The free and informative sessions will be hosted by NZICA’s CA Program team and kick off in Christchurch on 15 May.

Audit revamp

Finally, members and firms who undertake the audit of issuers will need to be up to date on the new regulations governing auditors. The transitional arrangements take effect from 1 May with the regime proper underway from 1 July.

NZICA will have a licensing and reviewing role under the new regime. See page 26 for more.

As I look at the calendar for May, it pleases me to see that innovations members voted for as part of the F4F3 are falling into place and that NZICA is continuing to deliver a relevant events program to its members. And I look forward to meeting a few more of you and hearing your ideas at the Central Region Conference and Forum next month.

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