2017
Professional
Advisors’
Conference
FRIDAY 16 JUNE 2017
River Room @ Crown Melbourne
(Level 1 next to Crown Palladium)
KEYNOTE PRESENTER:
STEVEN BRADBURY
Bradbury created history in Salt
Lake City when he became the
first person from the Southern
Hemisphere to win a Winter
Olympics gold medal.
‘Doing a Bradbury’ has now
become a permanent part of the
Australian vernacular, meaning
‘a flukey success’. Although luck
played a part in Steven’s success,
his gold medal win was not as
fortuitous as many may believe.
Just like in business, strategy and
planning were key ingredients in
his success.
Don’t miss his highly entertaining
and inspirational keynote
presentation at the conference!
EARLY BIRD OFFER
Register by 31 May 2017
Time
Stream A
8.30am –
9.00am
Registration and welcome
9.00am –
10.00am
Superannuation:
ATO Update – Phoenix Activity
Now we know what we’re dealing with Aris Zafiriou, Australian Taxation Office
Stream B
Gess Rambaldi, Critical Point Network Chairman
Shaun La Motte
Back by popular demand, Shaun will be
presenting his Road Show session which
provides an update on the recently passed
superannuation legislation and the impact on
practitioners and client alike.
Shaun will examine:
• Contributions pre and post 1 July 2017
• Working with the transfer balance cap
• CGT Concessions
• Estate Planning post 1 July 2017, including:
• Reversionary pensions; and
• Death benefit pensions
• Key rates and thresholds
10.00am –
11.00am
2017
The program
Professional
Advisors’
Conference
Update presentation from the ATO on how it is working
with other government agencies through the Phoenix
Taskforce to stamp out illegal phoenix activity and
maintain a level playing field for business and protect the
Australian revenue system.
Aris Zafiriou is a Director in the ATO’s Service Delivery
Group where he is responsible for the Resolutions area
within Significant Debt Management (SDM). SDM
has primary responsibility for the collection of debts
from clients who are unwilling to engage with the ATO
and often exhibit the most egregious, non-compliant
behaviour. This includes taking formal legal recovery
against these clients.
GST, Stamp Duty and Land Tax Update Estate Planning
Craig Whatman
David Foulds
This session will examine recent and proposed
changes to the GST legislation that impact
a broad range of cross-border transactions
involving non-residents selling goods and
other things to Australian customers. We will
provide practical examples as to how the new
rules apply to different businesses. We will
also provide a brief update on recent GST court
decisions.
The recent Federal Government legislation has changed
the superannuation landscape. There has, however, been
significant knock on impacts to clients retirement and
estate planning.
This session addresses how the new pension rules, in
particular, will impact on how and where clients hold
their retirement wealth in years to come and the changes
that the new rules will force on client’s estate planning.
We will look at how and when superannuation death
On the State taxes front, we will discuss the
benefits can and must be paid and how this impact
impact of the new stamp duty and vacancy tax on our client’s sense of certainty and security about
measures recently announced by the Victorian their estate planning involving their superannuation
Government as part of its housing affordability entitlement.
measures. In particular, we will focus on the
impact these changes will have for property
investors and developers and will provide
examples of how they will be affected once
the new rules come into effect. We will also
discuss recent stamp duty and land tax court
decisions.
11.00am –
11.15am
Morning Tea
Time
Stream A
Stream B
11.15am –
12.15pm
Federal Budget 2017-18 –
Overview and Highlights
Design Thinking – Secrets to competing in an
ever-changing world
Julian Cheng
Robert Tigani
Under the shadow of a looming budget deficit
of over $35 billion, the Federal Government
will have quite a task on its hands in fulfilling
its aim of returning the budget to surplus by
2021. Tackling housing affordability, delivering
on the government’s innovation program,
and cracking down on the cash economy
are just some of themes that are being
canvassed ahead of the budget. It remains to
be seen what changes (if any) will be made
to Australia’s tax laws to facilitate budget
initiatives in these and other areas.
Design Thinking is a customer-led evidence based
approach to insights and innovation. It’s a forward
looking, honest way to clearly define customer problems,
then solve them from the their perspective. By focusing
only on what matters to a customer, practitioners
can confidently move from a position of vague and
ambiguous to clarity and solution certainty. The benefits
will enhance relationships, reducing wasted time,
investment and resources.
During this session you will:
• Learn how to apply Design Thinking principles
• Understand how to build more meaningful
customers relationships
• Align with the principles of an innovation culture
• Explore and expand new frontiers
In this session, Julian Cheng from our Tax
Consulting team will provide an overview of
the Federal Budget with a particular focus on
its tax implications for individuals and smallto-medium sized businesses.
12.15pm –
1.15pm
Year-End Tax Planning Update
Lawyers, Sums and Money:
What do good performing firms look like and
Greg Nielsen
what are the differences between accounting
This session will provide an update on Year-End and law firms?
Tax Planning covering a broad range of issues
that should be considered before the end of
the financial year as part of your overall tax
planning strategy, including recent changes
announced in the 2017/18 Federal Budget.
Vivienne Corcoran
Last year we looked at the differences between the legal
and accounting sectors based on the results of Macquarie
surveys. This year our data is closer to home, with our
largest ever survey of our own legal clients revealing them
performing better than the market. What is behind their
success?
We have also gained some great feedback from accounting
firms in the CPN ranks that have allowed us to compare
the two types of firms. Vivienne Corcoran from Pitcher
Partners and a specialist in professional service firms, will
lead a discussion of the areas where firms are performing
well, where they are similar and where they differ. The
session will be interactive and endeavour to find places
where firms can learn from each other as to what may be
best practice, or at the very least, another way of looking
at financial, practice and people management issues for
improved results.
1.15pm –
2.00pm
Lunch
2.00pm –
3.00pm
Influencing for effect
David Lennane, Iskra Consulting
Today’s accounting advisors aren’t just tax compliance experts – they need to advise on often-complex issues,
advocate sometimes difficult solutions, and reach consensus with their clients, partners and staff alike. The
challenge is often how best to influence these audiences to take the right course of action: using relationship
skills, persuasive language, structure and evidence to put together and advance a compelling case or idea.
This session discusses:
• Why accountants and other professionals often find this hard to do
• What some firms are doing to improve their influencing culture and abilities, on a group and individual basis
• What you could be doing to do the same
3.00pm –
4.00pm
Keynote presentation – Last Man Standing
4.00pm –
5.00pm
Drinks reception and prizes
5.00pm
Day concludes
Steven Bradbury, Olympic Champion Speed Skater
Speaker profiles
Take a look at the
professional profiles of all
the conference presenters:
Steven Bradbury
Olympic Champion Speed Skater
Steven’s victorious Olympic gold medal win in speed skating has been described
by some as the luckiest of all time - however, it took a lot more than just luck.
Strategy and planning were also key ingredients in his success.
Four Olympic campaigns and 12 years of hard slog resulted in an Olympic bronze
in 1994, 111 stitches in his leg and in 2000, a broken neck. 18 months later that
same neck was supporting Australia’s first Winter Olympics gold medal.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Steven’s story is one of pure strength and determination in pursuit of Olympic gold.
He is a four-time Olympian, having competed in Albertville (1992), Lillehammer
(1994) where he was part of the 5000-metre speed-skating relay team that won
bronze, then Nagano (1998), followed by his gold medal win in Salt Lake City (2002).
Julian Cheng
Partner/Executive Director – Tax Consulting
Julian has more than 20 years’ experience in providing tax consulting and
advisory services. He has advised a range of taxpayers on Australian and
international issues including small to medium sized businesses, corporate
groups, hedge funds and private equity funds.
Vivienne
Corcoran
Bradley Kay
Job Title
Senior
Marketing
- DivisionConsultant
More than 30 years’ experience in marketing and business has provided Vivienne
Geoff Barnes has been CEO and President of Baker Tilly International since 2000.
with broad industry knowledge and networks. As a marketer, director and
Under his leadership the network has grown from global combined revenues of
strategist, Vivienne has developed a reputation for being intuitive, strategic and
US$900m and a presence in 59 countries worldwide to combined revenues of
practical. In addition to her work for Pitcher Partners, Vivienne has worked for a
US$3.8bn and member firms in 141.
range of accounting, legal, actuarial and IP firms.
David Foulds
Client Director – Estate Planning & Superannuation
David has more than 35 years’ experience in chartered accounting, having worked
in both audit and private business areas. For 25 years David worked exclusively
in the Superannuation division, providing consulting and administrative services.
For the last five years David has lead the Pitcher Partners Estate Planning service
offering.
Shaun La Motte
Client Director – Superannuation
As a client director, Shaun specialises in providing specialist advice to individual
clients and business entities regarding superannuation legislation, pensions and
planning for retirement. An expert in the technical intricacies of superannuation
legislation and related tax areas, Shaun presents regularly at industry forums,
and has also presented for the CPA Australia’s Congress series.
Greg Nielsen
Partner/Executive Director – Tax Consulting
Greg specialises in providing taxation advice to the SME corporate sector on
a wide range of taxation issues. He is a representative for CPAs and the SME
market as a participatory member of the ATO Private Stakeholders Group. Greg is
also a qualified legal practitioner and has practiced as a tax lawyer in a number
of mid tier law firms in Melbourne.
Robert Tigani
Client Director – Consulting
Robert has more than 25 years’ experience working in public and private
organisations across a diverse and complex industries.
Robert is committed to shaping business and marketing strategy by aligning
people and purpose with the organisations vision, values and aspirations.
Craig Whatman
Partner/Executive Director – Tax Consulting
Craig heads up Pitcher Partners’ Transaction Taxes team, which advises on all
aspects of Goods and Services Tax, Stamp Duty and Land Tax (nationally), the
Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution and Fuel Tax Credits. He is also a
member of The Tax Institute’s GST Committee, Victoria’s State Taxes Consultative
Council and the Property Council’s Tax Reform Committee.
Guest speakers
David Lennane
Principal – Iskra Consulting
David Lennane is a senior consultant for Influence Consulting. He works with
a variety of professional services firms, corporate businesses and associations
to coach and advise them on their influencing, communications and practice
building activities. He also runs his own specialist sales and bid management
advisory business, Iskra Consulting.
David has over 25 years’ experience as an advisor in marketing and
communications activities in Australia, New Zealand and the UK, as an
independent consultant and senior manager at PwC, King&Wood Mallesons
and other major professional services firms. His particular interest lies in helping
senior professionals improve their abilities to communicate with and influence
their clients, employees and other relevant stakeholders. David holds an MA
(Hons) and is also an MAICD.
Aris Zafiriou
Director | Significant Debt Management – Australian Taxation Office
Aris Zafiriou is a Director in the ATO’s Service Delivery Group where he is responsible
for the Resolutions area within Significant Debt Management (SDM). SDM has
primary responsibility for the collection of debts from clients who are unwilling
to engage with the ATO and often exhibit the most egregious, non-compliant
behaviour. This includes taking formal legal recovery against these clients.
Delegate information and event details
DATE
Getting there
Friday 16 June 2017
With a comprehensive range of public transport, travelling
to and from Crown Melbourne is easy. If travelling by train,
it is recommended you disembark at either Southern Cross
or Flinders Street stations. Crown is also easily accessible via
tram. Please visit the Public Transport Victoria website for
timetables and route information at www.ptv.vic.gov.au.
VENUE
River Room @ Crown Melbourne (L1 next to Crown Palladium)
8 Whiteman Street, Southbank, Victoria
TIME
Parking
8.30am – 4.00pm
DRINKS RECEPTION
4.00pm – 5.00pm
To be held following the conference in the River Room foyer
The Crown Entertainment Complex has two car parks with
over 5,000 spaces. For the full range of parking options
and pricing, please view the information on their website www.crownmelbourne.com.au/general/parking.
CPD
Each delegate is entitled to one CPD point per hour.
Dress code
Business or smart casual.
Drinks reception
The ever-popular and intimate post-conference drinks
reception is a great opportunity to catch up with both old
and new friends. Everyone who attends the conference is
invited to drinks.
Business card draw
Enter this year’s business card draw on registration to be
in with a chance to win some great prizes. Winners will be
announced at the drinks reception, so be there to be eligible!
Stream selection
The PAC offers two streams (technical and hot topics) that run concurrently throughout the first half of the day. Please make
sure you choose each of your preferences via the session selection when you register. All sessions will provide an invaluable
insight into the relevant topics.
Did you know?
Members receive great discounts not only for the Professional Advisors’ Conference but on all Critical Point Network events
and initiatives.
Join today for FREE and receive the PAC member rate – simply email [email protected] and request an application form!
River
Room
Register by Wednesday 31 May 2017
Please RSVP by COB Tuesday 13 June
to secure your place!
2017
Professional
Advisors’
Conference
Registration
General Information
Firm
Phone
Attendee(s)
Name 1
Email 1
Name 2
Email 2
Name 3
Email 3
Dietary requirements
Session selection
9.00 – 10.00am
Superannuation Update
or
Phoenix Activity
10.00 – 11.00am
GST Update
or
Estate Planning
11.15am – 12.15pm
Federal Budget 2017-18
or
Design Thinking
12.15 – 1.15pm
Year-End Tax Planning
or
Lawyers, Sums and Money
Pricing (per person)
Members
*Available for bookings of 3 or more guests
from the same firm.
Non Members
Standard
$390
$490
Group*
$330
$430
Early bird**
$350
$450
**Available for bookings made and payment
received by COB 31 May 2017.
Please note that discount offers cannot
be combined.
Payment
Cheque made payable to Pitcher Partners for the amount of
$
Credit card
to my
Please charge $
Visa
Cardholder name
Card number
Expiry date
Signature
* Price includes GST (please note that refunds will not be offered for non-attendance on the day)
To confirm your booking, please complete and return this form along with payment:
BY MAIL
BY EMAIL
BY FA X
Critical Point Network
Pitcher Partners
PO Box 5193
Melbourne VIC 3001
[email protected]
(03) 8610 5999
MasterCard
2017
Professional
Advisors’
Conference
PITCHER.COM.AU/CRITICALPOINTNETWORK
The Professional Advisors’ Conference is part of the Critical Point Network – a free membership service provided by Pitcher Partners, designed for
professional advisors seeking expert advice and support in specialist areas.
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