As we head into the final quarter of 2026, the accounting profession is operating in an environment more consequential than at any point in recent memory. Businesses and communities across Australia and New Zealand continue to navigate geopolitical uncertainty, cost pressures, changing regulatory expectations and the accelerating impact of artificial intelligence.

Yet the defining issue for our profession this year has been trust.

The serious allegations involving KPMG Australia and the handling of confidential client information have rightly attracted public, parliamentary and regulatory scrutiny. They go to the heart of what it means to be a professional. Confidentiality, integrity, objectivity and professional behaviour are fundamental to the trust placed in chartered accountants.

CA ANZ has responded with the seriousness the matter demands. Our Professional Conduct Committee processes are active, the Disciplinary Tribunal has issued orders in relation to two members, and I have directed targeted Quality Practice Reviews of KPMG Australia and other major firms. We have also continued constructive engagement with parliament, Treasury, ASIC, the TPB, the Professional Standards Councils and other stakeholders.

This moment is bigger than one firm. It is a test of whether the profession can confront failures honestly, learn from them and lead reform, rather than merely respond to them. Due process matters. So does visible action. That is the purpose of our recent efforts: to advance practical reforms that strengthen accountability, improve whistleblower protections, support effective governance and close genuine regulatory gaps, without defaulting to blunt measures that may weaken audit capacity or create unintended consequences.

Trust in the economy depends on trust in the profession. Capital markets, businesses, governments, investors and communities all rely on the judgement of chartered accountants. That trust is earned through continuous improvement, not complacency.

At the same time, the profession is being reshaped by AI. Like previous waves of technological change, AI will change how we work, while increasing the value of judgement, scepticism and advice. The challenge is ensuring future accountants continue to develop those capabilities as routine tasks become automated.

This is why CA ANZ’s strategy to 2030 matters. It is our roadmap for strengthening member experience, building future capability, advocating in the public interest and ensuring the CA designation remains a mark of trust in a changing world.

Thank you to every member who participated in our member satisfaction survey. This year’s results were encouraging. Ninety per cent of members told us they are proud of their CA designation and 87% agreed CA ANZ upholds high ethical and professional standards. Member engagement increased six points to 64%, reinforcing the value of ongoing investment in services, advocacy and support.

I encourage you to read our FY26 Annual Report, available on our website in early October. Please also keep an eye out for your AGM notice and member vote materials. The AGM will again be held virtually, making it easier for members across Australia and New Zealand to participate.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge Pamela Lee FCA, who retired this year after 40 years of service to CA ANZ and its predecessor bodies. Pamela has made an extraordinary contribution to the profession, and our members across Australia and New Zealand. Thank you, Pamela, for your dedication, wisdom and lasting impact.