1. AUCKLAND - MEMBER CONSULTATION FORUM
27 March 2018
Summary

2. Peter Wilson, Ric De Santi
Overview of Session
CPA Australia office, Level 16, HSBC House, 1 Queen Street, Auckland 1011
5.30pm
Board members:
Peter Wilson, Ric De Santi
Registered: 26
Attended: 13
Divisional Council:
Opened by: Mat Croad
Topics Discussed
Annual General Meeting
Brand damage, reputation and marketing
Board role and composition
CPA Australia staff turnover and morale
CPA Australia Advice
Role of the new CEO
Membership fees
Life memberships of the former CEO and Board
Termination payment to the former CEO
Member retention
Value of the CPA network in Asia
Continuing Professional Development
CPA Program support

3. Summary of discussion
CPA members asked over 22 questions of the Board members in attendance, Peter Wilson and Ric De Santi. Members also addressed each others’ concerns and questions.
The main topics discussed were:
Attendance at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), and options to improve member attendance and engagement.
The brand damage that was caused as a result of the events of 2017, and the plans of the new Board to address this
The size of the Board, the reasons for currently having 9 Directors, and gender balance on the board. The activity of the Board to improve the transparency and accountability of the CEO’s decision-making was discussed.
The current morale of CPA Australia staff, assessments of staff engagement, and ensuring that high performing staff members are retained. Recent staff turnover and the risks of losing critical organisational knowledge were discussed.
The purpose of CPA Australia Advice, and relevance to the New Zealand market. The financial losses of CPA Australia Advice were discussed, including the payment of higher duties to CPA Australia staff members.
The discussion also covered:
Role of the new CEO
A potential review of membership fees, given the current cash position of CPA Australia
Life memberships of the former CEO and Board
Previous and upcoming marketing activity, including past sponsorship of sporting events and the previous CEO’s book
Termination payment to the former CEO, and legal advice received in relation to this
Member retention, including the impact that the issues of the past year have had on member retention in Australia
Value of the CPA network in Asia
Continuing Professional Development, including the offer for 28.5 hours of free CPD per year
CPA Program support, including the poor experience of some members using third-party tuition support during the CPA Program

4. Photos