Kia ora and hello, everyone. From the members recognised in the Australia Day and New Zealand Honours, to welcoming our new fellows, meritorious service award recipients and life members, to connecting with nearly 80 members participating in our governance orientation day – the last quarter has reinforced for me the strength of our diverse membership.

It has been inspiring to see members recognised for their service, and to engage with people who have reach and influence in their communities. One clear takeaway for me is that meaningful impact so often starts locally. Every member has skills and expertise to contribute – not only because you uphold the CA designation, but because your local knowledge and leadership make a real difference where you live and work.

That spirit of contribution matters because alongside the celebrations this year, there have also been challenges, from bushfires in the south of Australia to the devastating landslide in Tauranga. I continue to be impressed by the resilience of our regions and the practical leadership shown by our members in regional councils, local committees and in your workplaces and communities.

Giving back to the communities we serve is so deeply ingrained in our culture that it’s reflected in the Chartered Accountant’s Commitment: ‘To uphold the profession’s rich tradition of contributing to the community without thought of fee or reward.’ I can see this across our 140,000+ membership who give their expertise so generously. To all our awardees and the CA ANZ governance ecosystem: I commend you on the impact of your work and especially thank vice-presidents Julia Fink FCA and Matthew Green FCA.

It is this recognition of impact, alongside the insights from our recent 2025 CA ANZ Members’ Remuneration Survey Report, that will help us make accounting one of the most attractive professions on the planet.

The report has encouraging news for the next generation. Younger members are more likely to receive the largest pay increases, with the data showing a 50% jump in remuneration between those with 0–5 years’ experience and those with 6–10 years. It is a clear signal that investing in an accounting career is worth it. More broadly, the survey highlights the factors that matter most for retention: fair compensation, strong leadership and pride in one’s organisation.

With International Women’s Day on March 8, the survey’s gender-equity findings were also timely. The gender pay gaps of 14% in Australia and 24% in New Zealand reflect stubborn structural barriers that require ongoing attention and action. The onus is on all of us to take the data and resources – whether the report or the CA ANZ Gender Pay Gap Toolkit available on our website – and use it to inform our decisions. After all, turning insight into action is what CAs do best. Which is why we’ve set up the CA ANZ Women Members Panel which held its inaugural meeting in February.

Please keep sharing your insights; they shape our advocacy, education and services. I am excited to connect with you on these topics and more in the months ahead.