Update from the CPA Australia Board 30 September 2026

President's message – a heartfelt thank you

As my term as President and Chair of CPA Australia comes to an end today, having completed the maximum three-year term in this role, I want to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you.

It has been an extraordinary honour and privilege to serve our members and represent CPA Australia and our profession around the world. Throughout my presidency, I have tried to embrace the spirit of ‘Ubuntu,’ recognising that whatever we achieve, we achieve together. I am deeply grateful to my fellow Board directors for their trust, wisdom, challenge and support; to the Council of Presidents, Divisional Councils, committees and the many members who so generously volunteer their time and expertise. Thank you to CEO Chris Freeland AM, the Executive Leadership Team and all our employees for their professionalism, dedication and unwavering commitment to our members. I also want to acknowledge the many people who have supported me personally throughout these three years, particularly my family. Most importantly, thank you to our members for the trust you have placed in me and for giving me the privilege of serving you.

While my maximum three-year term as President and Chair concludes today, my service to CPA Australia continues. I am honoured to remain on the Board as a Director for one final year, until 30 September 2027, when I will complete the maximum nine-year term as a director. I look forward to continuing to contribute to an organisation that means so much to me. 

I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together over the past three years and confident about CPA Australia’s future. The idea of ‘One CPA’ has always meant something very simple to me: wherever our members are, they are part of the same CPA family and deserve the same care, attention and commitment. Serving as President and Chair has been one of the highest honours of my professional life, and I will always look back on these three years with enormous gratitude, pride and affection.

Board of Directors – election of office bearers

Congratulations to Warren McRae FCPA on his election as President and Chair of CPA Australia. Warren has served as Deputy President for the past four years and as a director since 2021. He brings considerable knowledge and experience to the role, together with a strong commitment to CPA Australia and to serving our members.

I also warmly congratulate Louise Cox FCPA and Julie Crisp FCPA on their election as Deputy Presidents. Louise has served as Deputy President for the past three years, while Julie has been a director since 2024. 

Together, Warren, Louise and Julie share a strong commitment to enhancing member value, protecting and strengthening the reputation of the CPA designation, and ensuring CPA Australia continues to be a respected and influential voice for the profession. Each appointment is for a 12-month term commencing on 1 October 2026.

Board of Directors appointments

CPA Australia is pleased to announce the re-election of two current Directors and the appointment of two new Directors to the Board. The appointments were made by the Appointments Council, comprising representatives from CPA Australia’s Divisional Councils, in accordance with CPA Australia’s Constitution.

Congratulations to Sarah Adam-Gedge and Anthony Wright on their re-election to the Board as non-member Directors. Sarah and Anthony bring extensive experience and expertise across a broad range of areas, including governance, legal, finance, digital transformation, technology and marketing, and will continue to make a valuable contribution to the Board.

I also congratulate and welcome the new directors appointed to the board: Dr Mark Brimble FCPA and Erica Haddon FCPA, who have been appointed for a three-year term from 1 October 2026. 

• Dr Mark Brimble FCPA, is Professor of Finance and Dean (Online Strategy) at Griffith University. A Commonwealth Office for Learning and Teaching National Fellow, his expertise spans financial markets, sustainable finance and financial literacy. He has received multiple national teaching awards and held leadership roles across higher education, financial planning and professional standards.
• Erica Haddon FCPA FAICD is Chair of Uniting WA, MNG Survey and the Curtin University School of Accounting, Economics and Finance Advisory Board. A member and past president of CPA Australia’s WA Divisional Council, she brings more than 15 years of board experience and 30 years of executive leadership across organisations including Rio Tinto, Wesfarmers and RAC WA.

Anna Quinn FCPA and Kaushika Jayalath CPA will retire from the Board on 30 September 2026, having each completed a three-year term as a director. I would like to express my sincere thanks to Anna and Kaushika for their dedicated service to CPA Australia and our members. 

Kaushika brought diligence, curiosity and enthusiasm to his role, together with valuable technical expertise, particularly in information technology. Anna has been a highly valued and collegial Board colleague, bringing important perspectives through her experience in marketing and media and a genuine care for CPA Australia and its reputation. 

Both represented CPA Australia with distinction at member events and generously gave their time, energy and expertise beyond the Boardroom. Their contribution over the past three years has been greatly valued, and I thank them warmly for their commitment to CPA Australia. I wish them both every success for the future and hope they will remain closely connected with CPA Australia in the years ahead.

Divisional Council elections – have your say

Divisional Councils play an important role in representing members, fostering connections and strengthening engagement across the profession. Elections are currently underway in ten CPA Australia Divisions: Australian Capital Territory, Europe, New South Wales, New Zealand, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. Elections are not required in the remaining Divisions, as the number of nominations received did not exceed the number of available positions.

Eligible voting members should have received voting information from independent election provider BigPulse. Voting closes at 5pm local time on Monday 12 October. The Board encourages all eligible members to have their say by participating in the elections. Your vote helps determine who will represent members through our Divisional Councils and contribute to the ongoing engagement between members and CPA Australia. More information is available on the Divisional Council elections webpage. 

Congress 2026 – Lead the Outcome

Be part of CPA Congress 2026 and discover what it means to Lead the Outcome. This year’s program will bring together leading voices from finance, business and industry to share their insights and perspectives on how finance professionals can influence decision-making, create value and help shape the future. Whether you join the worldwide virtual experience on 23 October, with OnDemand access available until Friday 11 December, or attend in person in Melbourne from 20 to 22 October, Hong Kong on 29 October or Kuala Lumpur on 5 November, there are plenty of opportunities to take part.

Across the program, you will hear from leading experts, connect with peers and explore the issues and opportunities shaping the profession. Most importantly, you will come away with fresh perspectives, practical ideas and strategies that you can apply in your work and use to make an even greater impact.

Member Engagement Survey

Member feedback is extremely important to CPA Australia and plays a vital role in shaping the services, support and experiences we provide. The 2026 Member Engagement Survey will launch in early October, with members receiving an email invitation and link to the online survey within the next 10 days. The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and will remain open until 2 November 2026.

The Board strongly encourages all members to participate and share their views. Your feedback provides valuable insights into what matters most to our members, helps inform our future priorities and supports our ongoing focus on delivering meaningful member value. Key findings from the survey will be included in CPA Australia’s 2026 Integrated Report.

Centres of Excellence – applications now open

CPA Australia’s Centres of Excellence bring together members with specialist knowledge and experience to provide advice and expertise that helps inform our policy positions and responses on issues affecting the profession and the wider community. They also provide members with a valuable opportunity to contribute their technical expertise, exchange ideas with like-minded peers and work alongside leading experts in their fields.

There are currently vacancies across each of our seven Centres of Excellence, and I encourage members with relevant expertise and an interest in contributing to consider nominating. Nominations close on Monday 5 October 2026. The nomination form and further information are available on the Centres of Excellence webpage..

Get More from Your Membership – mobile app update

CPA Australia is preparing to launch a significant update to the CPA Australia app, designed to make it easier for members to access more of the services, content and benefits that matter to you. The enhanced app will include improved learning experiences, more personalised content and the introduction of Member Perks, giving members convenient access to exclusive offers and benefits.

These enhancements are part of our ongoing commitment to improving the member experience and making it easier to engage with CPA Australia wherever you are. Keep an eye out for more information as the new features are progressively introduced.

Updates to CPA Australia By-Laws

Changes to CPA Australia’s By-Laws come into effect on 1 October 2026. The updated By-Laws, along with a summary of the changes made, will be available on our website from 1 October. The updates aim to clarify and simplify processes for members and cover the following areas:

• Requirements for the meeting of Regulatory Standards (Part 4)
• Regulation of Professional Conduct (Part 5)

Sincerely, 

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