A great illustration for rational arguments can be found in the dying minutes of a World Cup soccer final – imagine you’re selected to kick for goal in a penalty shootout to decide the game. Where do you aim? Left? Right? Or the centre? Before you decide let’s look at the facts. Statistical data tell us that if you kick the ball to the left, the goalie will jump to his right, thus blocking your shot, 57 per cent of the time. If you kick the ball to the right, the goalie will be there 41 per cent of the time. But, if you choose to kick it to the centre, the same stats show that the goalie will only be there 2 per cent of the time. So where do you kick the ball? The centre, where the odds are clearly in you favour? Most don’t, with only 17 per cent of penalty goals kicked to the centre. In business we have to choose where to kick the ball. But, even when we’re armed with the facts we don’t always follow rational arguments.
Presenter: Bri Williams CPA, Principal Consultant, People Patterns
Recorded at CPA Australia Congress on Monday 29 September, 2014 in Sydney, NSW.
Chair of the Black Economy Taskforce, Michael Andrew, talks with CPA Australia following the release of the taskforce’s interim report which is now out for comment. The black economy refers to people who operate entirely outside the tax and regulatory system or who are known to the authorities but do not correctly report their tax obligations. Participation in the black economy penalises honest taxpayers, undermines the integrity of Australia's tax and welfare systems and creates an uneven playing field for the majority of small businesses doing the right thing. As the economy changes in nature towards being a more services based economy, the Taskforce is reporting seeing an acceleration in the Black Economy with significant ramifications for the broader tax system.
Doug Niven at the Australian Securities and Investment Commission talks to Claire Grayston at CPA Australia about ASIC’s audit inspection findings for the 18 month period to December 2016, released in June 2017. Doug highlights ASIC’s key findings on audit files and firms’ quality control systems, which identifies the areas which firms can focus on in order to improve audit quality. He explains which firms are inspected, ASIC’s own quality processes and how ASIC’s findings are reviewed prior to release. He also identifies initiatives for firms to improve audit quality and the work being done internationally on tackling audit quality
Managing teams that work in, or come from, other parts of the world can present many challenges. This podcast will cover some tips to addressing issues around diversity and conflict, as well as how to succeed when work takes you across borders.
Presented by:
Pablo Benitez CPA, Victorian Corporate Committee of CPA Australia
Dr Martijn Van der Kamp, Teaching Fellow, Monash Business School
Host: Ram Subramanian, Policy Adviser on Reporting, CPA Australia
Guest: Doug Niven, Senior Executive leader, Financial Reporting and Audit, ASIC
Doug Niven at the Australian Securities and Investment Commission talks to Ram Subramanian at CPA Australia about ASIC’s focus areas for the financial report surveillance program for 30 June 2017 financial reports of listed entities and other entities of public interest. Doug discusses in detail the reason for ASIC’s key focus areas and how companies can respond to these focus areas, which include impairment testing, revenue recognition, expense deferral, off-balance sheet arrangements, tax accounting, disclosure of estimates and accounting policies and the impact of the new accounting standards. Doug also talks about industry focusses, digital disruption, enhanced auditors reports, client monies and the operating and financial review.
Host: Claire Grayston, Policy Adviser on Audit & Assurance, CPA Australia
Guest: Doug Niven, Senior Executive leader, Financial Reporting and Audit, ASIC
Doug Niven at the Australian Securities and Investment Commission talks to Claire Grayston at CPA Australia about ASIC’s audit inspection findings for the 18 month period to December 2016, released in June 2017. Doug highlights ASIC’s key findings on audit files and firms’ quality control systems, which identifies the areas which firms can focus on in order to improve audit quality. He explains which firms are inspected, ASIC’s own quality processes and how ASIC’s findings are reviewed prior to release. He also identifies initiatives for firms to improve audit quality and the work being done internationally on tackling audit quality.
An overview of the new accounting standard for insurance contracts, how this will affect the insurance industry and the global capital markets.
Following the release of the 2017 budget on Tuesday 9 May 2017, Stuart Dignam, General Manager Policy and Corporate Affairs at CPA Australia, is joined by his colleague Paul Drum, Head of Policy to discuss the finer points of Treasurer Scott Morrison’s second budget in more detail: What is the expected economic impact over coming years? How realistic is the Australian government’s optimism about GDP growth? Are we too reliant on world growth to support our own prosperity? Have the structural issues in our economy been effectively addressed?
Continuing the focus on the July 2017 super changes, what are the implications for transition to retirement income streams and reversionary pensions?
From 1 July 2017, there will be a $1.6 million cap on the total amount of accumulated superannuation an individual can transfer into the tax–free retirement phase. What are the implications for SMSFs with regard to segregation of assets and CGT relief?
From 1 July 2016, all accountants are required to be covered by an AFS licence to give financial advice about SMSFs. During 2017 ASIC will be undertaking surveillance of accountants both licensed and unlicensed to test accountants compliance with the new obligations.
Imagine working behind the scenes at the biggest tennis tournament in the Asia Pacific region – the Australian Open in Melbourne. That is exactly what Vivien Lei did at the 2017 event after she was awarded CPA Australia’s Australian Open Work Experience opportunity through the CPA Australia Network. In this podcast, she speaks with CPA Australia’s Content Manager Jarrod Cardy about the experience, what she learnt and her advice for future applicants.
This video podcast will discuss the following topics such as what are the new and emerging technical skills that NFP Boards will be considering as part of their skills matrix over the next 5 years. Also as a CPA who has excellent financial skills, what other skills should I consider developing to make myself ready to join a NFP Board?.
Also how many NFP Board Directors are sitting at the table on a voluntary basis. How can NFPs attract and retain highly-skilled Directors?. What is the leadership required on the Board to keep Directors engaged and therefore enhance Board performance? And finally if NFPs remunerate Directors, will this enhance Board accountability, engagement and effectiveness?