Update from the CPA Australia Board 6 August 2026

President’s message

At a time when public trust in institutions is under heightened scrutiny, I’d like to take this opportunity to reaffirm the importance of ethics and integrity in the accounting profession. I recognise that many of you are grappling with these challenges in your own workplaces every day, and I want you to know that your Board stands alongside you. Trust is the profession’s most valuable asset – and it can never be taken for granted. Today’s accountants face a growing range of ethical challenges, from the responsible use of AI and emerging technologies to increasing pressure around transparency, governance and accountability. In this environment, technical expertise alone is not enough.

The public, employers and clients expect accountants to exercise sound judgement, act independently and uphold the highest ethical standards, even when faced with difficult decisions. Integrity is what enables us to navigate complexity, maintain confidence in our profession and serve the public interest. By remaining steadfast in our values, we strengthen trust in our work, our profession and the organisations we support. Thank you for the professionalism, care and integrity you bring to your work each day. It does not go unnoticed. 

Nominations for Divisional Council close 11 August

CPA Australia’s Divisional Councils play a major role in fostering member engagement and providing local support. Nominations to join your local CPA Divisional Council are open until 5.00 pm (AEST) on Tuesday 11 August 2026.

If you’re passionate about contributing to your professional community, I warmly encourage you to nominate for a position. Your voice and experience matter to your local division.  There are 55 vacancies across our 13 Divisional Councils. Where nominations exceed available positions, a ballot will be held from 16 September to 12 October. Members who are elected to a Divisional Council will serve a three-year term starting on 1 January 2027. Further information about the nomination and election process, including the registration form, is available on the website.

CPA Congress 2026 – registrations open

Registrations are now open for CPA Congress 2026 under the theme ‘Lead the Outcome.’ Join finance leaders, business decision-makers, CPAs and industry experts to discover how finance is driving better business outcomes through stronger systems, smarter insights and more effective decision-making. I hope you’ll join us for what promises to be an inspiring few days. 

Join the global live virtual experience on 23 October (with on-demand access until Friday 11 December) or connect in person in Melbourne (20–22 October), Hong Kong (29 October) or Kuala Lumpur (5 November). Gain practical insights, fresh perspectives and the connections to help you lead with impact. 

Shaping the debate on taxation – Tax Forum 2026

Tax reform has been one of Australia’s defining public policy debates in 2026, and CPA Australia has been at the forefront of the conversation. Tax Lead Jenny Wong has been a prominent voice in the media, providing expert commentary on the Australian Government’s changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing. This advocacy has also extended to more meaningful industry consultation on other tax reform measures – most recently through our submission to the Federal Government on the proposed tax setting changes to discretionary trusts and the uncertainty, complexity and added costs these will create for business, taxpayers and the profession. I want to commend Jenny and the wider team for their tireless advocacy on your behalf. 

These and many other critical issues will be explored at the CPA Tax Forum in Sydney on 20 August. Under the theme Tax in Transition, tax professionals, policymakers and senior leaders from across the tax ecosystem will come together to examine the forces reshaping Australia’s tax system and the profession, and discuss what these changes mean for businesses, practitioners, individuals and the broader economy. Speakers include: 

• Rob Heferen, Commissioner of Taxation, Australian Tax Office 
• The Hon. David Bradbury, Chair, Board of Taxation 
• Ruth Owen, Inspector General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman 
• Andrew Orme, Secretary of the Tax Practitioners Board
• Diane Brown, Deputy Secretary, Revenue, Small Business and Law Group, Treasury 

New functionality in the CPA Australia app

We’re excited to share that we’ve enhanced the CPA Australia app with new features designed to personalise your experience and help you make the most of your membership. The new features make it easier to discover local opportunities to connect, celebrate your CPD progress, receive relevant updates and alerts, and access 14 new exclusive member benefits and offers. 

Download or update your CPA Australia app today to get even more value from your membership. More information is available on the website. I encourage you to explore these updates and see how they can support you in your career. 

2025 Integrated Report recognised

I’m delighted to share that CPA Australia’s 2025 Integrated Report ‘Inspiring a Limitless Future’ was recognised at the 2026 Australasian Reporting Awards (ARA). The report received a Gold Award in the General Award category and was named a finalist in the Special Award for Integrated Reporting. This is the seventh consecutive year our Integrated Report has been a finalist in this category, reflecting our commitment to transparency and providing meaningful information to our members and stakeholders. I want to thank the team behind this report for their outstanding work. 

Thank you, as always, for being part of CPA Australia. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or feedback. 

Sincerely,

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