CPA Australia educates and engenders a commitment to financial expertise within the profession. In alignment with core business values our focus on community from a CSR perspective looks at enhancing financial literacy as a key objective.
In addition to building financial literacy, our community program aims to support local communities and engage staff.
Below is some information on our community programs:
Financial literacy
CPA Australia commissioned research into the area of financial literacy in 2005. The research revealed that financial literacy is a significant problem in Australia. Specifically, help is required for those with lower education, low income, low savings, singles, young people (18 24) and older people (over 70).
Based on this research CPA Australia supported the Financial Basics Foundation (FBF) throughout 2007 to deliver financial understanding and money management skills to young people.
The FBF program reached over 1100 secondary schools this is nearly one third of all secondary schools in Australia with a program that combines classroom, community, web and research based activities.
National community partner
Following extensive consultation and research, CPA Australia is proud to be partnered with Mission Australia for three years.
Mission Australia currently has established youth programs across Australia and with our help is able to extend these programs to include financial literacy education.
President's charity
The President's charity was launched in 2008. This charity allows each CPA Australia president to personally select a charity or topical cause to support during their term.
CPA Australia president Alex Malley is supporting sufferers of motor neurone disease in 2008.
Member volunteering
A member survey in May 2007 on volunteering confirmed that accountants are one of the most community minded professionals in Australia, with almost 80 per cent of members indicating they were currently undertaking pro-bono work.
The findings also highlighted that the majority of members are unaware CPA Australia offers a low-cost professional indemnity insurance policy which may mitigate some of the risks of pro-bono accounting services.
The survey attracted 1300 respondents, 40 per cent of whom were aged 18 39 years.
Sustainability reporting research
We have commissioned a three-year study in partnership with the University of Sydney to develop methodologies to identify, measure and report sustainability information in a bid to address current reporting shortcomings. Research results will be announced in 2008.
