CA Community: Financial Services - The Evolving Role of the Chartered Accountant

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Overview

The Evolving Role of the Chartered Accountant: From Technical Expert to Trusted Strategic Adviser

As the business environment becomes increasingly complex, the expectations placed on Chartered Accountants continue to evolve. Regulatory scrutiny is intensifying, governance frameworks are expanding, technology is reshaping finance functions, and boards are seeking deeper insights to support decision-making. In this environment, the Chartered Accountant's role extends well beyond technical accounting expertise.

Join Anastasia Crisafi, Chief Financial Officer at UniSuper, and Darren Scammell, Independent Consultant to the Audit & Finance Committee and the Risk & Compliance Committee, for a candid discussion on how the profession is changing and what this means for current and future finance leaders.

Drawing on their experience leading one of Australia's largest superannuation funds and governing in an increasingly regulated environment, the speakers will explore how Chartered Accountants are becoming trusted strategic advisers to boards, executive teams and regulators. The discussion will examine the growing importance of judgement, influence, commercial accumen and leadership alongside technical capability.

Key topics will include:

• From technical expert to trusted strategic adviser: How finance professionals create value beyond the numbers by influencing strategy, risk management and organisational decision-making.
• Influencing boards and senior executives: The skills required to communicate complex financial, risk and governance matters in a way that drives informed decision-making.
• Leading finance teams through regulatory change: Navigating increasing expectations from regulators, auditors and stakeholders while building resilient, high-performing teams.
• Maintaining professional scepticism in complex structures: Applying independent challenge and sound judgement in areas involving commercial decision making, valuation uncertainty, governance complexity, emerging risks and evolving regulatory expectations.
• The future Chartered Accountant: The capabilities that will distinguish finance leaders in the next decade, including influence, adaptability, technological literacy, governance expertise and commercial acumen.

This session will provide practical insights for Chartered Accountants at all career stages, highlighting how the profession is evolving from a traditional reporting function to a critical leadership role at the centre of governance, strategy and organisational success.

Drawing on real-world experiences from executive leadership and board oversight, attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how to remain relevant, influential and trusted in an environment where accountability, transparency and professional judgement have never been more important.

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