INTHEBLACK April 2026 - Magazine - Page 5
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.
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! ●
BOLD SIGNALS intheblack.cpaaustralia.com.au 5
