Date posted: 02/06/2022 5 min read

CA ANZ’s initiative for Indigenous people to enter accounting

Torres Strait Island Regional Council business services accountant, Natasha Nelson CA shares why Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand’s Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan is so important.

In Brief

  • CA ANZ’s Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is the first stage of a multi-year commitment to reconciliation.
  • Until December 2022 CA ANZ’s focus is to put in place the right foundations to introduce further reconciliation commitments in future years.
  • Member Natasha Nelson CA, a business services accountant with the Torres Strait Island Regional Council, will work with CA ANZ to achieve the objectives set out in the Reflect RAP.

Natasha Nelson CA attended the launch of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand’s (CA ANZ) Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan in Brisbane in late April. The initiative is a multi-year commitment to reconciliation.

From now until December 2022 CA ANZ’s focus is to put in place the right foundations to introduce further reconciliation commitments.

Acknowledging the inequity and challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, CA ANZ’s Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan formalises its commitment to help close the gap so that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have access to the same opportunities for career advancement and prosperity as others enjoy.

CA ANZ’s initiative for Indigenous people to enter accountingPictured: Discussion panellists Tyler Miscannon, national social impact manager at Flight Centre Travel Group, Rhys Paddick, Yamatji/Noongar digital artist, educator and co-author of Acknowledge This!, Ainslie van Onselen, CEO of CA ANZ, and Natasha Nelson, business services advisor at the Torres Strait Island Regional Council

CA ANZ’s commitment to reconciliation

To embed this commitment, it is offering members more opportunities to listen, learn and connect with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and culture, so they bring this understanding to their CA ANZ work and make a difference for the communities in which they work and live.

Member Natasha Nelson CA, a business services accountant with the Torres Strait Island Regional Council, was invited to be on the discussion panel as a member of the first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee for CA ANZ. At this stage, the true number of Indigenous chartered accountants in Australia is unknown but is considered to be only about 20.

Here, she shares her thoughts on the initiative:

“It was an honour being a panel member at Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand Reconciliation Action Plan launch. It was great to meet the wonderful CA ANZ team and fellow committee members in person.

“The Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a great step forward in embracing the two Indigenous cultures of our country. The RAP will provide opportunity for chartered accountants to become aware, learn and understand the importance of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

“As an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descendant, I am pleased to be able to share my stories and cultures with others in the profession.

“It wasn’t until after school, where I had already been working in the area of finance and operations at a not for profit organisation that I found my interest in accounting. This led me to begin my accounting career, starting with a Diploma in Accounting at TAFE Queensland. I received the award for my recognition and commitment to accounting studies which then inspired me to continue on to a Bachelor of Business majoring in accounting at James Cook University.

“The opportunity to complete my CA came about while working as a senior associate auditor with Grant Thornton. I wanted to become a CA as I knew it would open further doors.

“Giving back to my community and people has always been important to me, which is why my role at the Torres Strait Island Regional Council has given me much satisfaction. Working within the finance team and engaging with Torres Strait Islanders on a daily basis has given me that opportunity to pass my knowledge on and knowing that all that I have learnt has been for the benefit of my community.

I would like to encourage more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into accounting as I believe it is a career that enables continual learning and encourages you to help others.

“I would like to encourage more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into accounting.”
Natasha Nelson CA

“Given the significant underrepresentation of Indigenous accountants in Australia, the RAP will be a great opportunity to encourage more Indigenous people into the field.

“I look forward to working with CA ANZ and my fellow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people committee members to achieve the objectives set out in our RAP as this is just the very beginning of a bright future for Indigenous accountants.”

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How we are supporting Reconciliation

The values of equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of all we do at Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand – it is ingrained in our workplace values, our advocacy efforts and our ethical code.

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