Each month, this section features the latest information for public practitioners on:
You can also access the archive of previous Public practice updates.
Your professional obligations
Annual practising licence for practitioners
In addition to receiving a one-off certificate following approval of your application to become a public practice certificate holder, you will also receive an annual practising licence.
Northern Territory liability limited scheme operational in May
Certificate holders are reminded that the professional standards legislation liability limited scheme in the Northern Territory becomes operational on Monday 26 May.
Delegation meets Tasmania's attorney-general
Representatives from CPA Australia met with Tasmania's attorney-general to discuss several issues, including the potential harmonisation of the Professional Standards Act 1995 with those in other states and territories.
Currently, the Tasmanian Professional Standards Council Act disadvantages Tasmanian professionals by allowing parties to a contract to agree to higher liability limited than those specified under the scheme.
APES 220 Taxation services
APES 220 Taxation services imposes mandatory standards on CPA Australia practitioners in providing quality and ethical taxation services to clients from 1 July 2008. It replaces the former standard APS 6 Statement of taxation standards and provides more detailed guidance on the standards required of practitioners.
Specific issues on commencing a tax practice
A case study considering paragraphs 4 11 of APES 220 Taxation services considers three issues facing new practitioner Roger Plimsoll and how he should deal with those issues.
Quality assurance manual coming soon
The Quality control manual will be reissued on the website at the end of May. A CD-ROM will also be available.
Tax checklists and letters
The tax checklists and letters in the online toolkit for public practitioners are in the process of being updated for 2008. The 2008 fringe benefits tax checklist is now available on the website.
SAPSE guide under review
The Sample Audit Program for Small Entities (SAPSE) resource guide, last issued by CPA Australia in 2005, is currently be revised.
Does your PI insurance cover all your activities?
This is the third in a series of articles by Fenton Green & Co, CPA Australias insurance broker, on issues to consider when selecting your professional indemnity insurance.
Becoming a firm of the future
Business prices continue to decrease
The BizExchange Index for the March 2008 quarter revealed a continuing decline in business values and increasing uncertainty about the future direction of values, particularly for smaller businesses.
'Take a CPA with you' brochure series
The 'Take a CPA with you' brochure series, which strengthens relationships with your clients and further builds and maintains the success of your practice, are available to purchase from CPA Australia.
Mature-age members to be surveyed
As part of CPA Australias Changing Gears Program, members aged over 50 will be invited to participate in a survey on career planning and transition.
Your continuing education
Starting your own public practice?
CPAs thinking of starting their own practice, or taking up a partnership, may be eligible to enrol in a public practice study program for semester 2, 2008.
Simplified super: a one-day intensive
Learn how to interpret the key changes to the taxation of superannuation benefits in this one-day intensive workshop, packed with practical and real life examples.
DVD session: small business protection and business sales tax
The upcoming DVD session in Darwin on Friday 13 June considers protection for small business from misuses of market power and unconscionable conduct and the tax treatment of critical events or buy / sell agreements.
Forthcoming events
2008 small business awards
The 2008 Small Business Champion Awards, which recognise the achievements of small businesses in the retail, service and manufacturing industries, are now open for nominations.
Victorian Public Accountants Convention 2008
Develop new contacts, build on existing relationships and learn from industry experts at Victorias highlight public accountants event, the Victorian Public Accountants Convention.
New South Wales Public Practitioners Conference
The New South Wales Public Practitioners Conference will be held in the Hunter Valley from Thursday 29 until Sunday 31 May.
Accounting at the Top conference
Consider the challenges involved with building businesses in regional Australian at the Accounting at the Top conference to be held in Darwin from Wednesday 4 June to Friday 6 June.
Public practice residentials: May and June 2008
Two-day residential courses for public practitioners will be held in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales during May and June.
Archive
The latest public practice update can be permanently accessed from the 'General information' sections of:
