THE Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) and the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) have entered into a new service agreement which will extend further benefits to their respective membership bases and importantly, strengthen their shared voice on behalf of small business.

The two organisations have shared office accommodation at 555 Lonsdale Street Melbourne since 2009.

“When the IPA formed the IPA Group at the end of 2014, making it the largest SME focused accounting organisation in the world, it was always our intention to expand to drive positive outcomes for the small business sector,” said IPA chief executive officer, Andrew Conway. 

“This new agreement with the AAT will enhance the IPA and AAT’s capacity to work more closely together to provide end to end service for the sector.

“We continue our advocacy effort on behalf of small business in Australia and other jurisdictions including Asia and the UK.

“Recognising the value that accounting technicians bring to the SME sector, we believe that AAT members have a natural place within the accounting profession and the IPA family.

“We will be working with AAT to extend new member benefits which will include: further education pathways; access to continuous professional development; discussion groups and networking opportunities; technical advice; and, ongoing advocacy that works in the best interests of members and small business.

“For accounting technicians and professional bookkeepers, this includes a pathway to the IPA’s professional program; a fully-fledged Master of Business through Deakin University. 

This program will mean that members can broaden their education and skill base, enabling them to diversify and grow their businesses,” said Mr Conway.

 publicaccountants.org.au

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AS 2017 National Farm Safety Week gets underway, Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister, Luke Hartsuyker, has encouraged farmers and rural workers to keep their safety, health and wellbeing front and centre all year round.

​"Agriculture is the biggest employer in our rural and regional communities, so farm safety should be a priority for everyone in the sector," Minister Hartsuyker said.

"From vehicular and tractor safety, to working with chemicals and animals, to dealing with stress and mental health issues or the safety of older farmers and children—farming can be a high risk job.

"National Farm Safety Week is an important opportunity to start a dialogue—both at home and in the workplace­—across the farming sector and in regional communities.   

"While the government will continue to work closely with industry and peak work safe bodies to address farm safety, it is everybody's responsibility to ensure farm health and safety is treated as a priority and that proactive steps are taken to recognise warning signs and mitigate any risks.

"One of 2017 National Farm Safety Week's main focuses is quad and vehicle safety, given tractors, other machinery and quad bikes are the leading causes of deaths on farms.

"In 2016, quad bikes accounted for the highest number of overall agricultural deaths and injuries. Tragically, already this year we have seen a number of farmers killed while riding quad bikes.

"This is why the Australian Government is working with state and territory governments to improve quad bike safety to create a safer working environment for all farmers and rural workers."

Now in its 19th year, this year's National Farm Safety Week will take place from July 17–21, with a theme of 'creating a resilient, safe and healthy ag community'.

National Farm Safety Week is an initiative of FarmSafe Australia, with the aim of raising awareness and reducing deaths and injuries associated with health and safety risks on farms.

For more information on 2017 National Farm Safety Week visit farmsafe.org.au/Farm-Safety-Week.

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AUSTRALIA’s premier body representing the needs of small businesses, the Council of Small Business of Australia (COSBOA), are hosting a Small Business Start-Up Reception to kick-off the Vodafone National Small Business Summit, Australia’s premier policy event for small business representatives, government and industry leaders which will take place in Melbourne, 23–25 August.

The networking event will provide a unique opportunity for small business owners to meet and talk to industry decision-makers, including Peter Strong, CEO of COSBOA and COSBOA board members, to discuss key issues currently facing more than 2 million small businesses across Australia, including pay penalty rates, bank payments, cyber security and more.

EVENT DETAILS:
WHAT: Small Business Start-Up Reception
WHEN: 6:00pm-8:00pm, Wednesday 23 August 2017
WHERE: Event Centre Collins Square, 727 Collins St, Melbourne
PRICE: Early bird: $75.00 until 31 July; Standard: $90.00
DRESS CODE: Smart Casual
WEBSITE: http://www.cosboansbs.com.au/registration
HASHTAG: #NSBS17

The event will include an address from Mr Strong, in addition to a panel discussion between some of Australia’s leading young entrepreneurs delving into the topic of 'how can schools empower more student entrepreneurs?' The panel will include: Felicity Furey, founder of Machinam; Jamin Heppell, founder of HeadQuarters Australia and Jarad Dyson, leading teacher.

Peter Strong, passionate small business advocate and CEO of COSBOA, urges small business owners to attend and take this one-off opportunity to share, learn and have your say on policy.

“COSBOA is proud to represent the interests of small businesses, the Small Business Start-Up Reception provides a valuable opportunity for small business owners to meet with key industry representatives and share personal insights into the opportunities and challenges of business ownership in the current economic climate,” said Mr Strong.

In addition, a specially curated Small Business Marketplace will showcase crucial industry suppliers and provide an opportunity for business owners to ask questions, feedback and advice for your business. Marketplace contributors include: Vodafone, Amex, Google, Spotcap, the Office of the Australian Small Business and Family Ombudsman, ATO Single Touch Payroll, Fair Work Ombudsman, ASIC, Austbrokers, Nationwide Super and Symantec.

To register for the Small Business Start-Up Reception, visit http://www.cosboansbs.com.au/welcome

Hashtag: #NSBS17

SMALL business operators have raised concerns with the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) regarding the cost of sending parcels.