About CPA Australia

CPA Australia is one of the world's largest industry bodies with a membership of more than 122,000 finance, accounting and business professionals across the globe.

They have an international presence and continue to grow in terms of representation on international bodies and influence in the profession globally. Within the areas of financial reporting, taxation and corporate governance the organisation are firmly established as thought leaders in Australia and internationally.

Education, training, technical support and advocacy are their core services for members. Staff and members work together with local and international bodies to represent the views and concerns of the profession to federal, state and territory governments and to regulators, industry, academia and the general public.

The organisation’s offices are in Bourke St at the heart of Melbourne’s CBD. The offices have outstanding facilities close to a nucleus of cafes and transport links as well as a plethora of retail outlets and bars/restaurants. With a relocation to an equally desirable office location in Southbank taking place in September 09.

People

CPA Australia employs 460 staff in its 16 offices, eight of which are located overseas. A diverse group of people, their staff share high levels of education and international experience, and a great many continue their studies while being employed by the organisation, utilising the support provided for educational assistance.

Reflecting the quality of the workplace and the opportunities it provides, CPA Australia has a surprisingly high proportion of its staff who remain with the organisation beyond five years. A significant proportion of new parents return to work with CPA Australia reflecting the organisation's aim of providing a family-friendly organisation with flexible work practices. Tom Westgarth, a business development executive with CPA Australia describes the culture of the organisation as: “'Young, modern, friendly, welcoming, accessible, fun, challenging, professional.”

Culture and employee value proposition

CPA Australia aims to be a high performing organisation. Recognising that employee satisfaction and effectiveness rely heavily on a positive culture that challenges, engages and empowers staff, they take active steps to improve and measure its culture. Through a dedicated people strategy, they focus on six areas of activity designed, together, to develop a high performing culture: leadership development, workforce planning, succession planning, talent management, organisational learning, organisational culture.

Jigsaw’s Viewpoint

Some of the reasons why CPA Australia are an attractive employer for procurement practitioners are:

• Excellent buy-in to Procurement from senior “C” level stakeholders
• Procurement is strategically aligned to the global business strategy 
• Small, but highly professional team that has advanced the brand of procurement within the organisation to the point where the internal customers are now coming to them for help
• “Recession proof” organisation with a superb platform for global growth for both the department and the organisation

Considering the current economy and upcoming relocation to premium real estate at Southbank’s Freshwater Place, CPA Australia can be classed as an employer of choice to those looking for a commercial challenge and a great working environment.

Set for substantial growth across Asia, CPA Australia will continue to grow it’s procurement capability and can genuinely challenge blue chip businesses for procurement talent, given their attractive employee value proposition. A substantial career opportunity with broad category responsibility and the opportunity to work with bright, articulate and enthusiastic people make CPA Australia a highly attractive employer.