Update from the CPA Australia Board 7 August 2025

President’s message

Last month, I had the honour of attending a gala event in Darwin to celebrate CPA Australia’s 60th anniversary in the Northern Territory. This significant milestone was marked with director Julie Crisp FCPA, Northern Territory divisional councillors, past presidents, and over 130 local members, making it a truly memorable occasion.

In July, we also celebrated 20 years since opening our New Zealand office. This milestone coincided with the Future Focus conference in Auckland, where members gathered with industry leaders to discuss emerging trends shaping the accounting profession. These events underscore the value of our rich heritage and set the stage for a strong future for our organisation.

Contributing to the productivity debate

Advocacy and thought leadership remain central priorities for CPA Australia and are vital in advancing the interests of our profession. Ahead of the Treasurer’s economic roundtable later this month, CEO Chris Freeland AM participated in a Small Business Roundtable with Minister Dr Anne Aly, highlighting our main recommendations for boosting small business growth:

• Reducing red tape and the regulatory burden for small businesses
• Supporting investment in technology
• Fostering young entrepreneurship, including a national campaign encouraging young Australians to start businesses

AFAANZ Conference

CPA Australia was proud to serve as platinum sponsor of the Accounting & Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand (AFAANZ) Conference in Brisbane this July. AFAANZ champions thought leadership and supports research and education in our field. CEO Chris Freeland delivered a keynote address on key trends affecting the profession and joined a panel on ‘Enhancing Trust and Reclaiming the Narrative in the Accounting Profession’. During the conference, we launched our new Academic Pathway, offering experienced academics a flexible route to gaining the CPA designation.

Strengthening professional relationships in Hong Kong 

As part of our global professional network, we were delighted to renew our Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) with the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA). This agreement reaffirms our longstanding relationship and provides members of both organisations a streamlined pathway to each other’s designation.

We also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Institute of Financial Planners of Hong Kong (IFPHK), strengthening collaboration and knowledge sharing between our members.

Driving engagement and member value 

I am excited to share several key initiatives and upcoming events designed to connect our global network and deliver more value to members.

Our ‘CPA. Three Letters to Limitless’ campaign continues to perform strongly, with our ads soon to include new member testimonial content to further bolster credibility and impact. Our brand has been refreshed with a dynamic visual style, vibrant colours, and authentic imagery that reflects the energy, diversity and ambition of our members. This look and feel will be showcased across digital platforms, events, and a revitalised range of merchandise.

We are also preparing to launch our new CPA Australia mobile app, offering members greater convenience and access to resources anytime, anywhere. Further details will follow soon.

In addition, we are hosting a series of conferences from August to October, focusing on key aspects of the profession:

Tax forum 

The CPA Tax Forum on 13 August in Melbourne will unite tax professionals, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss the shifting landscape of tax policy and administration. Keynote speakers include: 

• Rob Heferen, Commissioner of Taxation 
• Ruth Owen, Inspector-General of Taxation
• The Hon. David Bradbury, former Minister and Assistant Treasurer.

Public practice forums 

In September, our Public Practice Forum roadshow will visit five locations across Australia, supporting public accounting professionals in servicing clients and building sustainable practices.

CPA Congress

Registrations are now open for CPA Congress 2025 with the theme ‘Prepare for Impact’. This year’s program will help members chart their path to impactful and sustainable careers. Join us for a global live virtual experience on Friday, 17 October (with OnDemand access until 5 December), as well as in-person events on the Gold Coast from 14-16 October and in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, 6 November.

Sincerely, 

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