FRIDAY, November 10 is International Accountants Day and the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) is spreading the word to celebrate the immense contribution that accountants around the globe make to society.

“We are very pleased to support the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) initiative to celebrate the role of professional accountants,” said IPA chief executive officer, Andrew Conway.

“There are three million professional accountants around the world who make a significant and positive contribution to their respective local economies.

“The role of accountants as trusted advisers to clients is diverse and the societal impact they have must be respected. Together, they tackle corruption, expand economic growth and positively impact the quality of life for billions of people.

“Our current research is indicating that accountants play a vital role in the life of the small business owner; often in a position to help alleviate day-to-day stressors and improve their mental health status,” Mr Conway said.

 publicaccountants.org.au

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SCANDALS involving the super-rich robbing the world’s poorest of much-needed tax revenues, like those revealed in the Paradise Papers leak, can be avoided if the Australian Government and others take five immediate steps towards tax reform, Oxfam Australia said today.

International tax reforms have clearly failed, with new estimates suggesting that multinational companies artificially shift almost half of their total global profits – 45 percent – to tax havens.

Oxfam Australia Chief Executive Dr Helen Szoke said tax dodging by multinationals in Australia was costing Australia and developing countries billions of dollars, fuelling a global inequality crisis where just eight men have the same wealth as half the world.

“Australian-based multinationals are part of the problem, contributing to keeping the world’s poorest out of pocket as governments balance the budget by raising taxes on people and cutting vital public services,” Dr Szoke said.

Oxfam estimates billions of dollars’ worth of tax revenue is lost in Australia each year because of Australian-based multinationals using tax havens, and the Paradise Papers scandal comes just weeks after the Australian Taxation Office released data estimating multinationals avoided $2.5 billion in taxes in 2014-15.

Dr Szoke said the Paradise Papers – involving the leak of more than 13 million files – revealed the extent to which the super-rich were getting away with rorting the system to hide their wealth and avoid paying taxes in places like Australia.

The onus was now on the Australian Government, and other governments around the world, to do something about it, Dr Szoke said.

“Stopping the tax scandals is not impossible, if the political will is there. Oxfam’s five-point plan spells out exactly how governments can stop them,” Dr Szoke said.

Oxfam’s five-point plan to stop the scandals calls on the Australian Government to:

1. Agree a global blacklist of tax havens based on comprehensive, objective criteria and implement strong counter-measures including sanctions to limit their use.

2. End corporate tax secrecy by ensuring all multinational companies make financial reports publicly available for every country where they operate; and make extractives companies also report on a project by project basis.

3. End tax secrecy for the super-rich by establishing a centralized public register of the individuals who own and benefit from shell companies, trusts and foundations.

4. Rebalance tax deals by making sure tax treaties do not exploit developing countries tax bases.

5. Create a global tax body where all countries can work together on an equal footing to agree the fundamental tax reforms that are needed to ensure the tax system works for everyone.

“The Australian public deserves to have this information made available to them, and the government must put the interests of the public over the demands of the super-rich and big business. It is now time to act,” Dr Szoke said.

www.oxfam.org.au

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THE House Select Committee on Regional Development and Decentralisation will hold a public hearing in Darwin, Northern Territory.

The Chair of the Committee, Dr John McVeigh MP, said, “The Committee is keen to learn more about the issues of importance to the Northern Territory.  We’re particularly looking forward to hearing about infrastructure and the development of northern Australia.”

“The Northern Territory is home to many businesses and its largest industries are construction, mining, public administration and safety, health care and social assistance as well as transport. Darwin also has a significant Australian Defence Force presence, which also employs a large number of residents and the Committee will be very interested to hear how the regions are faring and what can be done to strengthen them”, said Dr McVeigh.

Dr McVeigh indicated that witnesses will include business and community leaders, indigenous representatives, representatives from the arts, local government representatives, and regional development experts.

Public hearing details:

9.00 am to 4.15 pm, Thursday 9 November 2017
Litchfield Room, Double Tree by Hilton, 116 Esplanade Darwin City

The proceedings will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

For the full program of this public hearing, see the Committee’s website.

Interested members of the public may wish to track the committee via the website. 

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THE International Association of Business Analysis (IIBA) is shining a spotlight on business transformation at the 2017 Building Business Capability (BBC) Conference

From November 6-10, IIBA members are convening in Orlando, Florida for keynote speeches, tutorials, networking opportunities and a vendor exhibition.

IIBA members from around the world are meeting at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort in Orlando, Florida for the annual Building Business Capability Conference to explore the evolution of the industry.

Considered the world’s largest global gathering of business analysis (BA) professionals, this year’s conference offers a series of spotlight sessions focused on next generation business analysis led by industry veterans who will share their perspectives on how BAs can prepare their organizations to successfully address impending change and stay relevant. Attendees will also have access to tutorials, networking sessions, and a vendor exhibition.  

“We’re witnessing a digital transformation that is indeed evolving the traditional business analysis role. While fundamental skills are still important to possess, as dedicated BA professionals, we’re constantly being challenged to re-skill with higher level capabilities – that’s just the new business reality,” said IIBA CEO Ken Fulmer. “I look forward to welcoming my peers to BBC and hearing from our esteemed speakers on this subject.”

BAs operate under a variety of titles and are involved in many facets of an organization. However, they all work within the same strategic framework of Business Analysis.

Those attending the conference, and others who want to join in on the conversation, can do so by using the hashtag #BBCCon.

 About International Institute of Business Analysis

International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) is a professional association dedicated to helping the business analysis community create better business outcomes. Through a global network, IIBA connects more than 29,000 Members and more than 300 corporate members and 120 chapters. As the voice of the business analysis community, IIBA supports the recognition of the profession and discipline and works to maintain the global standard for the practice and certification.

Learn more about IIBA through the organization’s Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages.

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