Update from the CPA Australia Board 25 March 2026

President’s Message – a night to celebrate

I was delighted to join colleagues and members in our Sydney office this week for a gala dinner marking CPA Australia’s 140th anniversary. It was a memorable evening, bringing together leaders from across the profession with inspiring keynote speakers, moving video tributes and outstanding musical performances. 

A highlight was the immersive exhibition, showcasing artefacts and visual stories from our 140-year journey. It was a powerful reminder that our reputation has been built over generations by the dedication, professionalism and integrity of our members. 

And this is just the beginning. Throughout 2026, we will be celebrating this milestone across our global network, recognising our past and, importantly, shaping the future of our profession. 

Reinforcing Professional and Ethical Standards

CPA Australia appeared before the Australian Parliamentary Joint Committee (PJC) Inquiry into Corporations and Financial Services last week for an examination of the Public Accounting Bodies. CEO Chris Freeland AM, senior executives and I provided evidence on CPA Australia’s governance arrangements and commitment to high professional and ethical standards.

The matters under examination are significant and have important implications for the future of the profession. CPA Australia remains committed to full cooperation with the inquiry and to ongoing engagement with government and stakeholders to uphold the integrity and public trust of the profession.

This commitment is captured in a single word at the heart of our crest: integrity. It is not symbolic. It is the standard we expect, the standard we enforce, and the standard the community should expect of us. 

2025 Integrated Report

The Board has approved CPA Australia’s 2025 Integrated Report, which will be available to members on our website in mid April.

The Integrated Report presents CPA Australia’s financial statements for the calendar year from 1 January to 31 December 2025 and provides a comprehensive overview of the organisation’s performance over the reporting period.

This year’s report reflects our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement, informed by the insights and outcomes of our Member Engagement Survey. It also celebrates CPA Australia’s rich history as we lead into our 140th anniversary in 2026, brought to life through a compelling photographic display and timeline that showcase our journey. 

The report has been prepared in accordance with the Integrated Reporting Framework and has received Limited Assurance on this basis. In addition, our materiality process and outcomes, along with our Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions, have received Reasonable Assurance.

2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM)

CPA Australia’s AGM will be held on Wednesday 20 May 2026 at 5.30pm (AEST) at CPA Australia’s Melbourne office: Level 20, 28 Freshwater Place, Southbank, Melbourne.

This will be a hybrid meeting with members able to attend in person or watch the live webcast and ask questions in person or via text or phone through the online portal. 

Following the success of last year’s live AGM events in three divisional offices, we are expanding the program this year and will be holding live AGM viewing events in five locations: Brisbane, Darwin, Perth, Singapore and Sydney. Directors or members of the executive leadership team will be in attendance to make each event engaging and meaningful.    

More details about the AGM are available on the website. For further information, contact [email protected]

Building Capability and Influence Across the Profession

CPA Australia is hosting a series of forums and events during April to support our ongoing commitment to member education and thought leadership. 

Next week we launch the results of our 17th annual Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey at Parliament House in Canberra. The annual survey covers 11 diverse markets in the Asia-Pacific and is a valuable resource for small businesses across the region. The launch will be livestreamed via YouTube from 3.30pm (AEDT) and members can join a dedicated discussion forum on Member Connect. The Australian launch will be followed by separate launch events in the respective markets.  

CPA Australia’s ESG global livestream series kicks off this week with the first of three live streams to inform and upskill members on the evolving landscape of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) matters.  

The Profit for Purpose Conference in Melbourne on 20-22 April and the Management Accounting Forum in Brisbane on 23 April offer practical capability development for finance and leadership professionals in their respective fields. The CPA Australia Intangibles Summit on 1 May brings together key global leaders to explore the accounting implications for intangibles in the age of technology, data and AI. Members can attend in person in Melbourne or via webinar. Details for all these events are available on the website.

 

Thank you for your continued commitment to our profession and for the role each of you plays in shaping its future. 

Sincerely, 

Dale Pinto FCPA
John Curtin Distinguished Professor 
Global President and Chair 
On behalf of CPA Australia’s Board of Directors