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Reconciliation Action Plan

AUGUST 2019 - FEBRUARY 2021

CPA Australia is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for employees, members and their communities.

Our inaugural Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) was launched in August 2019 and reflects our commitment to reconciliation and social change between Australia’s First Peoples and the broader Australian community.

The Reflect RAP focuses on two areas:

  • Raising our internal organisational capability, awareness and understanding, and
  • Beginning to make external connections and build community relationships.

Highlights to date


  • Working group of 10 CPA Australia representatives formed to embed the RAP actions across the business and implement our RAP objectives.
  • Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country protocols introduced at formal employee and member events as a sign of respect towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
  • Member profile self-identification tool allows new and existing members to identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. This tool will help us understand current member representation and measure future growth.
  • Two new roles introduced – an Inclusion and Diversity Manager, and an Indigenous Initiatives Lead – to help us build a more inclusive designation and organisation
  • Employee learning offerings on Reconciliation and Indigenous Culture conducted for all staff throughout National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week.
  • Joined Supply Nation, Australia’s leading database of verified Indigenous businesses, to help diversify our supply chain though a robust management plan.
  • Indigenous artwork displayed in Australian offices to provide a visual sign of respect and increase awareness of the traditional owners of the land where each office is located.
  • Sponsored the 2019 Indigenous Finance and Business (IFAB) Conference to inspire and enable the next generation of Indigenous finance and business leaders to build a strong financial base for community development.
  • Sponsored and participated in the National Indigenous Business Summer School program to encourage high school students to explore accounting and finance careers.
  • CPA Australia Indigenous Scholarship program provides up to five scholarships for university students to enter the CPA program each year. So far, 38 scholarships have been awarded.

NAIDOC Week 2020

NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

In this video, three Indigenous CPA Australia members discuss the culture of their Nations and what the NAIDOC Week theme, ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’ means to them.

Reflect Reconciliation Plan Launch

Perspectives on CPA Australia's Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan


Hear Steve Rossingh's thoughts on CPA Australia's inaugural Reflect RAP and what he hopes to see as a result of its implementation.

"CPA Australia’s RAP is great. It shows the mature development of an organisation and that it realises it has a social responsibility to encourage more First Nations people to become accountants.

It’s a contributor to a national movement that’s going to make a difference to the daily lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians."

Steve Rossingh FCPA, Director of the Northern Territory Treaty


Learn about Holly Martin, her cultural heritage and what reconciliation means to her.

"My ancestors paved the way for reconciliation, and I am proud to contribute to the conversation they never had the opportunity to be part of.

I am thrilled CPA Australia is committed to a RAP. Instilling an understanding of Indigenous culture and celebrations into our organisational culture is a step in the right direction toward reconciliation."

Holly Martin, Relationship Manager and Indigenous Initiatives Lead, CPA Australia

 

Watch the Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Launch Video