By Stuart Ridley

To make the most of your Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand membership, it’s worth putting yourself out there, advises Sam Sargood CA.

“If you see someone alone at an event, go and be nervous with them,” Sargood says. “They’ll be glad you joined them and together you can meet more people. I’ve gained excellent advice and perspectives just by taking that first step.”

Sargood frequently champions the needs of new members to CA ANZ’s Victorian Corporate Advisory Panel, Young Chartered Accountants Advisory Panel, and Regional Council, including outreach initiatives and mechanisms for regular feedback.

“It used to be that once someone completed their CA program their involvement dropped off, so we encourage new members to stay engaged with CA events and forums,” he explains. “The feedback to CA ANZ is important: new members want on-the-job training recognised for CPD, more low-cost events, and more focus on ‘non-accounting’ technology skills.”

Sargood, who works as an R&D tax specialist with PwC in Melbourne, anticipates businesses will use technologies such as blockchain more extensively – “well beyond cryptocurrency” – to improve accountability. He’s especially interested in using blockchain to track produce from paddock to plate, because the technology’s verified ledger could save many headaches.

“Speeding up reporting allows you to add more value to your business or clients,” he says. “In my 12 years at PwC, I’ve never seen someone who found a quicker and better way to do their job be told they had to stick with the slow way.”

“I’ve never seen someone who has found a quicker and better way to do their job be told they had to stick with the slow way.”

Sargood was recently named the CA ANZ 2019 Young CA Regional Advocate, VIC. He is one of 12 Young CA Regional Advocates, who are shortlisted for the 2019 President’s Prize, to be announced in late 2019. The prize recognises CA ANZ members under 35 who have made an outstanding commitment to the accounting profession and have used their skills in service of their local community.

Sam Sargood CA
PwC, senior manager, incentives and innovation
Age: 30
Other roles:
2019 Young CA Regional Advocate, VIC
Young Observer CA ANZ Victorian Corporate Advisory Panel
Young Observer CA ANZ Victorian Regional Council
Royal Melbourne Golf Club – Young Members Committee and Finance Committee
Mentor of the recipient of the Chartered Accountants Benevolent Foundation scholarship.

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