USQ collaborates on professional development with accounting bodies

USQ has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with CPA Australia and The Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAA) to provide professional development opportunities for their members in the Darling Downs region.

USQ is committed to regional engagement and the Faculty of Business is particularly keen to promote linkages with the business community and to disseminate knowledge to that community.

Accounting, Economics & Finance Head of School, Professor Peter Best, said the University valued greatly its strong relationships with the accountancy profession in the Darling Downs.

'This MOU formalises collaboration with the Queensland Divisions of CPA Australia and the ICAA in the promotion and provision of corporate education and professional development opportunities for their members,' Professor Best said.

Both organisations also wish to generally support the USQ as the local university for their Darling Downs region members and a provider of commerce graduates to employers.

USQ will host periodic professional development events, with the support of these professional accounting bodies.

Such events may include, but will not be restricted to, events promoted through the USQ/Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce Regional Business Leaders’ Forum.

The inaugural Forum was held recently on Friday 2nd October with guest speaker, former Chief of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and Chairman of the internal audit committee of Satyam Computer Services Ltd,  Mr TN Manoharan, who gave a presentation on Financial Statement Fraud – the Satyam Case. This event was promoted actively by the professional accounting bodies to their members and was a great success.

Through the MOU, CPA Australia and ICAA each undertake to provide input on the planning of events, help to arrange speakers, and officially recognise the events and the Forum as legitimate events for the accumulation of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) points by their members.