April 2008

News and feature articles from the April 2008 edition of INTHEBLACK.

Feature articles

ATO test cases

Protecting the rights of a small business client. A Bendigo CPA tried out the test case funding process and won.

Carers in the workforce

Once employees begin minding frail, aged or disabled loved ones, many are forced out of their jobs. But there are ways to help carers stay working.

Non-financial reporting

Get ready: Sustainability reporting is on the cards for large companies, and is likely to be just round the corner for smaller businesses.

Working in Europe

The CPA designation is one of the world's most portable. INTHEBLACK talks to CPAs who made the move to Europe to experience business in a broader context.

Global airline market

Increasing oil prices, low-budget competition and skilled labour shortages are sending the aviation industry into a state of flux.

Carers in the workforce

Once employees begin minding frail, aged or disabled loved ones, many are forced out of their jobs. But there are ways to help carers stay working.

ATO test cases

Protecting the rights of a small business client. A Bendigo CPA tried out the test case funding process and won.

Non-financial reporting

Get ready: Sustainability reporting is on the cards for large companies, and is likely to be just round the corner for smaller businesses.

Working in Europe

The CPA designation is one of the world's most portable. INTHEBLACK talks to CPAs who made the move to Europe to experience business in a broader context.

Global airline market

Increasing oil prices, low-budget competition and skilled labour shortages are sending the aviation industry into a state of flux.

Dossier

Doing it by the book: April 2008

IFRS: as IFRSs have grown in detail, so has the burden on SMEs. Rob Mackay finds out whether the new simplified IFRS book will ease the load.

Workplace relations: April 2008

A new productivity commission inquiry to delve into the benefits and costs of parental leave; a report finds women still underpaid.

Directors' liability to the ATO

Tax: directors of companies used to be isolated from company tax debts. Not any more, says Michael Pelden.

Financial advice: April 2008

In a volatile market, separating clients' emotional reaction to short-term volatility from long-term strategy is important, writes Brad Peters.

To plan and control

Budgeting: a survey set out to find why a process that is viewed so negatively continues to be widely embraced, write Dr Prabhu Sivabalan and Dr David Brown of the University of Technology, Sydney.

Taxing times: April 2008

Robert Richards on CGT relief; when taxpayers want to object; and saying goodbye to a past tax editor.

Ethical dilemma: April 2008

A banker shouldn't allow promotion prospects to cloud his judgement, says Tiina-Liisa Sexton.

Knowledge bank: April 2008

A member wonders how a competency standard fits with CPD obligations.

Doing it by the book: April 2008

IFRS: as IFRSs have grown in detail, so has the burden on SMEs. Rob Mackay finds out whether the new simplified IFRS book will ease the load.

Workplace relations: April 2008

A new productivity commission inquiry to delve into the benefits and costs of parental leave; a report finds women still underpaid.

Directors' liability to the ATO

Tax: directors of companies used to be isolated from company tax debts. Not any more, says Michael Pelden.

Financial advice: April 2008

In a volatile market, separating clients' emotional reaction to short-term volatility from long-term strategy is important, writes Brad Peters.

To plan and control

Budgeting: a survey set out to find why a process that is viewed so negatively continues to be widely embraced, write Dr Prabhu Sivabalan and Dr David Brown of the University of Technology, Sydney.

Taxing times: April 2008

Robert Richards on CGT relief; when taxpayers want to object; and saying goodbye to a past tax editor.

Ethical dilemma: April 2008

A banker shouldn't allow promotion prospects to cloud his judgement, says Tiina-Liisa Sexton.

Knowledge bank: April 2008

A member wonders how a competency standard fits with CPD obligations.

Regulars

Excel yourself: April 2008

Neale Blackwood CPA reduces some macro mayhem.

Ecomomic outlook: Arpil 2008

RBA tries rough with smooth Peter Pontikis says elevated interest rates will remain the rule.

In the headlines: April 2008

A selection of CPA Australia's media mentions in March 2008.

The job: army colonel

Maree Zanatta CPA sorts finances for the army.

News in brief: April 2008

Selection of brief news items featured in the April 2008 edition of INTHEBLACK.

Advocacy update: April 2008

CPA Australia CEO Geoff Rankin FCPA reports on activities carried out on behalf of members.

Feedback: April 2008

Feedback from members of CPA Australia published in the April 2008 edition of INTHEBLACK.

Until recently many have been in denial about climate change, thinking the phenomenon was something concocted by alarmists, tree huggers and opportunists. But not Mark Kelleher CPA, managing director of one of the leading renewable energy companies.

In the trenches: April 2008

You don't have to be a committed thespian or a theatre aficionado to understand how the Bard's 400-year-old works give inspiration and instruction to the modern leader.

Downtime: April 2008

Participants in the Oxfam Trailwalker are certainly putting their feet first, writes Jackie Blondell.

Inspector gadget: April 2008

Charles Wright is impressed with a digital TV recorder that does it all.

Bookshelf: April 2008

Derek Parker finds out about the role of dodgy accounting in corporate collapses.