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Date: Thursday 2 Feburary 2012
Special Guests: Alex Malley FCPA - CEO CPA Australia & Michael D'Ascenzo - Federal Commissoner of Taxation of Commonwealth Government in Australia
Peter Polgar Joint CEO Business Intellect Group, as Secretary and Treasurer of CPA SPAG has worked over the years vigorously together with the SPAG committee members to make SPAG the largest and most vibrant professional discussion group within CPA Australia and Internationally.
Together with assistance of the SPAG committee members, SPAG hosted the 2012 Annual Dinner Thursday 2 February 2012. The evening was a huge success and enjoyed by all members and guests who represent a cross section of professionals from all areas of the business community such as members from Accounting/Tax Professionals in Public Practice, Commerce and Government.
Some of the SPAG members enjoying the 12 Course Chinese banquet dinner 2 February 2012 An extremely unique event for the SPAG members who had the opportunity to hear from two very influential individuals who impact our profession in many and varied ways daily.
Alex Malley CEO Certified Practising Accountants Australia (CPA)
From left to right Alex Malley CEO CPA Australia, Michael D'Ascenzo Federal Commissioner of Taxation of Commonwealth Government in Australia, Peter Polgar Joint CEO Business Intellect Group SPAG 2012 Annual Dinner 2 February 2012
Alex Malley believes that the true measure of a real leader is that they possess the courage to embrace failure in order to meet a vision. This could be considered a somewhat unorthodox ethos for the CEO of Australia's peak finance and accounting body - however, Alex's fruitful career exemplifies that the notion has worked for him.
Michael D'Ascenzo Federal Commissioner of Taxation of Commonwealth Government in Australia
From left to right Michael D'Ascenzo Federal Commissioner of Taxation in Australia, Peter Polgar Joint CEO Business Intellect Group SPAG 2012 Annual Dinner 2 February 2012
Michael D'Ascenzo is recognised internationally for his expertise in taxation and superannuation, and his demonstrated ability as a leader and innovator. He has been Commissioner of Taxation since 1 January 2006.
The Commissioner delivered a speech outlining the Australian Taxation Office's new Tax Practitioner Action Plan. The full version of the Commissioner's speech is available at http://www.ato.gov.au/content/00307038.htm
Peter Polgar Joint CEO Business Intellect Group
Peter Polgar Joint CEO Business Intellect Group presenting to the SPAG 2012 Annual Dinner 2 February 2012
Peter Polgar stated during his speech to the dinner,
"May I say personally, that from my experience with the various interactions I have had with the Commissioner over the last few years, he has always made time to meet and to listen to our professional concerns as tax practitioners.
As practitioners we struggle daily with all that each of has in our lives, in particular with technology, as good and useful as it is, as we push the envelope with new initiatives such as Standard Business Reporting (SBR as it is known) a Treasury initiative. We rely on our systems so heavily day in and day out, together with all the associated problems of technology, as the Commissioner is no doubt aware having his own personal experiences with the huge Change Program in the last few years!"
The SPAG Annual Dinner is also reported in the CPA Australia's magazine "InTheBlack":
http://www.itbdigital.com/tools-of-the-trade/2012/03/08/ato-commissioner-outlines-tax-practitioner-plan/
