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At a glance
1. What has been CPA Australia’s most important contribution to the profession over the last 140 years?
When I speak with members, I am constantly reminded of the critical role they play for businesses, society and, most importantly, their local communities. I am also impressed at how well-equipped they are in terms of knowledge, ethical standards and professionalism — all core tenets of the CPA Program and central pillars of our association.
Our global team is focused on ensuring that members continue to thrive by providing future-focused education, advocating for the profession and strengthening the trust that underpins economic progress.
When our members succeed, businesses succeed, and economies prosper.
2. As we enter a new era of artificial intelligence (AI), automation and globalisation, what is CPA Australia’s role?
The organisation’s most important role is to ensure that our members remain indispensable in a world defined by transformation. For 140 years, we have focused on a founding vision of being “partners for progress”, which means equipping members with the knowledge, tools and confidence to lead through disruption.
The inevitable productivity gains that come with AI will provide an unprecedented opportunity for accountants to focus their time on delivering strategic value to their organisations. At the same time, accountants and auditors will continue to act as guardians of trust and transparency, and uphold the ethical use of emerging technologies.
I am also excited about our evolving CPA Program, which will deliver enhanced educational and personal development resources to help members meet emerging expectations, while supporting their career potential.
3. Regulatory complexity is increasing globally. How should the profession safeguard trust, integrity and public confidence over the next generation?
CPA Australia is built on fundamental principles that are timeless: integrity, professional competence, confidentiality and professional behaviour. I am proud to see these principles are carried by our members into communities, public office, not-for-profits, boardrooms and businesses across the world.
"CPA Australia’s most important role is to ensure that our members remain indispensable in a world defined by transformation."
For the next generation, our role is to lead with integrity and foresight, ensuring that as complexity grows, public confidence in the profession remains unshaken. Trust is not negotiable. It is the foundation of economic stability, and we will continue to champion it.
4. Sustainability and social purpose are becoming central to the finance profession. How is CPA Australia positioning itself to lead on these issues?
We advocate both locally and globally to help shape sustainability standards, provide resources to our members and champion accountants as leaders in an area that provides both challenges and exciting career opportunities.
CPA Australia understands the challenge of adapting to rapidly changing requirements, but we also see opportunities for accountants to embed sustainability into their strategy thinking, reporting and decision-making.
5. If you could define the CPA of the future, what qualities, skills and mindset would they embody and how will the association help bring that vision to life?
There is little doubt that innovation will be key. Few professions have adapted and benefited from emerging technologies as much as accounting. The accountant of the future will be even more curious, committed to lifelong learning and technologically adept.
Our members are already building careers that help change the world by leading organisations, strengthening markets, providing financial stability, supporting local communities and delivering social good. We will continue to support them by delivering a future-focused CPA Program, flexible learning pathways and market-leading products that empower members to work smarter and lead confidently.
At CPA Australia we like to say that the future is limitless — and we mean it!
