ANDREW

CONWAYCEO, Institute of Public Accountants, Australia

Andrew Conway FIPA

Chief Executive Officer

Institute of Public Accountants, Australia

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About the IPA Australia

• One of three recognised professional accounting bodies in

Australia; founded in 1923.

• A membership of 26,000 members and students.

• Offices throughout Australia, mainland China, Hong Kong,

Malaysia.

• Primary focus on SME and SMP.

• Track record on innovation.

• Significant growth (membership increased by almost 50%

since 2009).

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Recent IPA Developments

• Rollout of Fit for the Future strategy from 2009

• Rebrand and repositioning

• Significant investment in ICT and infrastructure of AUD$4.5m over the past

five years

• Built in-house Member Management Service

• Built Sequel-server Reporting Suite

• Overhaul of e-commerce platform

• Developed world-first online Practice Quality Assurance Review system

• Recognised in Australia by BRW as the most innovative accounting

organisation, and one of the most innovative companies in Australia.

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Positioning for the Future

• Partnerships with other PAOs

• Working with developing PAOs

• Addressing the macro-approach – Future Series, productivity enablers, role of

technology

• Not forgetting the power of the micro-focus: responsiveness, adapting to client

demands; financial services and homogenous professional engagements

• Continued member-centric approach to ensure members appreciate the

opportunities and challenges posed by the shrinking world.

• Leverage resources, investment in ICT and IP

• Advocacy reach

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Example

• Australian Small Business White Paper

• Bi-partisan approach endorsed by the Minister and Prime Minister’s Council

on Small Business

• IPA-initiated new dialogue

• Brought together political leaders, policy makers, regulators, academics,

accountants, small business owners and operators.

• Produced research-backed 20,000+ word policy paper, national consultation

process right across Australia

• Presenting to Government to shape the future small business policy in

Australia

• Policy intent of turning Australia into the best place in the world to start a small

business.

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The Future

Prediction of further growth in demand for professional

accountancy services in Australia.

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The Future

Do you understand the role of technology?

• 8% of the Australian population used a

mobile to access the internet in 2009.

• Now, mobile users spend 100 minutes

a day browsing the internet.

• Social media penetration in Australia

is amongst the highest in the world.

• What is your digital media strategy?

• If you are not active in this space, you

are becoming less relevant by the

hour.

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Thank you.