Australia

Australian Capital Territory | New South Wales | South Australia and Northern Territory | Queensland | Tasmania | Victoria | Western Australia

Reducing grit in the tax system
Date issued: 11 May 2012
CPA Australia is funding a research project by the University of New South Wales to evaluate the effectiveness of Standard Business Reporting (SBR) to reduce the business tax compliance burden in Australia.

Do you require a public practice certificate?
Date issued: 7 May 2012
CPA Australia requires any member who is offering public accounting services to be of CPA status and hold a Public Practice Certificate. This applies to anyone closely associated with a firm, whether as a principal or a director, a consultant or an officer of the practice entity.

2012–13 Federal Budget: CPA Australia's position statement
Date issued: 23 April 2012
CPA Australia is the country’s largest accounting and finance body representing more than 139,000 professionals globally. It advocates on behalf of member and public interest. The below is what CPA Australia believes the Australian Government should consider as priorities for the 2012–13 Federal Budget. CPA Australia's full 2012–13 pre-Budget submission (PDF) was published in February.

Opt-in exemption: Last-minute amendments
Date issued: 23 April 2012
Last-minute amendments to the Future of Financial Advice Bills will give the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) the ability to exempt financial advisers from the opt-in obligation if they are satisfied that the financial adviser is signed up to a professional code that removes the need for opt-in.

Tax concession entities: Special conditions
Date issued: 23 April 2012
The Assistant Treasurer, the Hon. David Bradbury MP, has released revised draft legislation for restating and standardising the special conditions for tax concession entities.

FRC survey on financial literacy
Date issued: 16 April 2012
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC), which oversees the effectiveness of the financial reporting framework in Australia, is conducting a five-minute online survey of key stakeholders to gauge their views about the level of financial literacy of directors in Australia and to ask for their ideas on what, if anything, should be done to improve it. The FRC is particularly interested in hearing from directors and accounting, auditing and other financial professionals.

MEA state winner
Date issued: 30 March 2012
CPA Australia has won the Queensland Association or Government meeting of the year at the Meeting and Events Australia (MEA) Awards for CPA Congress 2010 and Virtual Congress. The National Award will be announced on Tuesday 24 April.

Final FPS exams: May and November
Date issued: 21 March 2012
In February this year a new pathway to attain the CPA Australia Financial Planning Specialisation was announced. the pathway under the existing points system will close on 30 June 2013.

FoFA implementation extended
Date issued: 15 March 2012
The Australian Government has announced that the Future of Financial Advice (FoFA) reforms will commence from 1 July 2012, but the application of the provisions will be voluntary until 1 July 2013. Mandatory application will start from 1 July 2013.

Trust account reminder: Updated
Date issued: 15 March 2012
Did you hold trust monies in the period between 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2012? If so, you are reminded of your obligations under APES 310 Dealing with Client Monies to have your trust account and records audited within three months or such other date as determined by state or territory legislation. Different rules apply for Queensland.

Are you eligible for a Star Grant?
Date issued: 29 February 2012
CPA Australia Public Practice Certificate holders who are members of a CPA Australia Professional Standards Council (PSC) liability-limited scheme are eligible to apply for the PSC’s Star Grants initiative program if they’re involved in certain projects.

Have your say on Australia's future
Date issued: 7 February 2012
CPA Australia has launched a major research project on Australia’s international competitiveness to inform and influence future economic and social policy setting.

New pathway to FPS now open
Date issued: 30 January 2012
The CPA Australia’s Financial Planning Specialisation (FPS) is a mark of excellence in financial planning. As such, a new pathway to attain the specialisation has been launched which strongly focuses on education and experience.

FPS review: new changes for 2012
Date issued: 13 December 2011
To ensure the financial planning specialisation (FPS) remains a mark of expertise and professionalism, CPA Australia has reviewed the current requirements to attain the specialisation. The criteria and the points system will be replaced with a new pathway which will focus on education and experience.

Accountants’ licensing exemption: wait for announcement
Date issued: 12 December 2011
CPA Australia understands that the Australian Government’s delay in announcing a replacement to the accountants’ licensing exemption is causing uncertainty for members.

FoFA Bill referred to PJC inquiry
Date issued: 7 November 2011
On the Thursday 13 October, the Senate referred the Corporations Amendment (Future of Financial Advice) Bill 2011 (PDF) to the Parliamentary Joint Committee (PJC) on Corporations and Financial Services for inquiry.

Secure Parking – CFO DealBook Finance Team of the Year
Date issued: 7 October 2011 
Secure Parking has been recognised for its exceptional standards and innovations in financial accounting at the CFO DealBook Awards 2011. Allison Yeoland CPA, Chief Financial Officer, Secure Parking, accepted the Finance Team of the Year Award.

CFO DealBook Awards 2011
Date issued: 3 October 2011
Congratulations to all the FCPAs and CPAs who were recognised at the prestigious CFO Awards in Sydney on Friday 23 September.

Applications sought for appointment to CALDB
Date issued: 3 June 2011
Applications are sought from qualified members of CPA Australia for appointment to the Companies Auditors and Liquidators Disciplinary Board (CALDB). Candidates must reside in Australia and be eligible for appointment.

Performance management experts coming to Australia
Date issued: 23 May 2011
CPA Australia is committed to providing members with access to knowledge to enhance their careers. Over the coming months, three international experts in performance management will be sharing their insights at CPA Australia events.