The Divisional Councils key role is member engagement and local support for CPA Australia and maintaining the integrity of the designation. Divisional Councils are an important conduit between the members and CPA Australia’s Board and the organisation more broadly. Depending on the size and complexity of the Division, regional committee branches, speciality interest and sector committees or networks may support the work of Divisional Councils in member engagement and advocacy activities. Divisional Councillors are elected by the membership in the Division, usually to a three-year term.
Contact your Divisional Council President
You can contact your Divisional President via e-mail:
[email protected]
Members
Kerry Phillips FCPA – President
Consultant, interim CFO/CIO
Sector: Public sector, health and education
Kerry is experienced across all tiers of government, not-for-profit, aviation, property, hospitality and banking industries. She consults in areas of finance, leadership and teaming to local government, education and health sectors and is currently an external member of the Audit (Business Improvement) Committee for Gladstone Regional Council and City of Gold Coast and chair at Lockyer Valley. She is committed to assisting regional members. During 2018 she was excited to support members in the public sector, FNQ and St George, and in 2019, she plans to look towards Rockhampton as well.
Robert McDowall CPA – Deputy President
Director, Arabon Accountants
Sector: Public practice
Robert is the youngest partner at Arabon, an accounting and financial services firm in suburban Brisbane. With a background in accounting, taxation and business systems, Robert has UK and Australian experience working with SMEs, small public companies and NFP organisations. Robert is committed to helping members in public practice develop their skills and expertise in a rapidly changing environment.
Deborah Nisbet FCPA – Deputy President
General Manager, Finance & Business Services, St Vincent De Paul Society Queensland
Sector: Not-for-profit
Deborah has key responsibilities for the effective operation of all finance, communication, fundraising, administration, property management, procurement and information and communication technology services throughout Queensland. Deborah is experienced across a diversity of industries and business structures, delivering expertise within C-Suite executive and director roles.
Steven Austen FCPA – Councillor
Business Manager, Whitsunday Anglican School
Sector: Education
Steven has extensive experience as a CFO and company secretary in the SME sector and in educational not for profit organisations. His special interests are in corporate governance and culture. As a proponent of best practice, he sees that CPA Australia should be leading by example. Being a resident of Mackay, Steven is an advocate for members in regional Queensland.
Douglas Dunstan FCPA – Councillor
Non-executive director and governance, financial and risk management consultant
Sector: Education
Doug is an experienced executive and academic of 25 years in Australia, Papua New Guinea, South-East Asia and the South Pacific. He is a lecturer and tutor in accounting and auditing and governance units for James Cook University and CQU Townsville, and Senior Associate at O’Connor Marsden, completing internal audit engagements in North Queensland. He serves on the North Queensland Branch Council and is passionate about regional representation and issues.
Tanya Feekings FCPA – Councillor
Director, Advisory Services, Queensland Shared Services
Sector: Public sector
Tanya has 15 years’ experience in the state public sector, as well as many years in private sector accounting and taxation. In her current role, Tanya provides strategic leadership for the service delivery of finance, recruitment and HR advisory services for more than 20 Queensland Government departments. Tanya hopes to use her recent experience, overseeing the implementation of robotics, to help influence the continued evolution of the CPA Program.
Melissa Georgiou FCPA – Councillor
Academic Lecturer, Executive Finance Manager, Change Champion
Sector: Academia
Melissa is an MBA graduate with more than 23 years’ commercial experience across many industries, most recently in executive and senior management in media and health. Keen to pay it forward and transition to a career in academia, Mel is working as a Lecturer and Tutor at Griffith University on the Gold Coast, while pursuing research focused on the future of accounting, in particular to assess if perceptions of the profession are changing in a disrupted, changing landscape.
Sofia Keryk CPA – Councillor
Management Accountant – Construction Sciences
Sector: Public sector infrastructure
Sofia is a recent graduate from the CPA Program with interests in management accounting, women in business, leadership and technology. She is an active advocate for the CPA designation and the value CPAs can bring to any organisation.
Cissy Ma FCPA – Councillor
Managing Director, Grow and Sell Your Biz P/L, Australia China Education P/L
Sector: Private
Cissy is the Chair of the Queensland Corporates Committee and oversaw 69 member events in 2018. During 22 years of her corporate career at Queensland Treasury Corporation, QR/Aurizon and ShineWing Australia, Cissy has led about $17 billion of domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, and structured deals from both the buying and selling sides. Cissy now helps small-to-medium enterprises with their capital raising and inorganic growth requirements.
Theresa O’Connor FCPA – Councillor
Practice Partner, Concord Tax & Business Solutions
Sector: Public practice
Member, QLD Divisional Council June 2018 to present.
Northern Region Branch Member since 2010.
Grant Tanham-Kelly FCPA – Councillor
Chief Financial Officer, Redland Investment Corporation
Sector: Private sector
Grant has more than 20 years’ experience in private enterprise and government organisations. He has held senior finance positions in government, property development and the banking and finance sector. Grant is keen to represent CPA Australia members in the pursuit of core elements expected from their professional body.
Doug Tyler CPA – Councillor
Director Budget and Strategy, Australian Digital Health Agency
Sector: Private
Doug has special interests in integrated business planning and government financial strategy. He is committed to continuous improvement in all aspects of his career, enjoys challenging the status quo, and is constantly looking for opportunities to innovate.