Accountants convention in Christchurch

Press, 14 March 1985, Page 30

Accountants convention in Christchurch

More than 400 accountants have gathered in Christchurch for the 75th anniversary convention of the New Zealand Society of Accountants.

Taxation, New Zealand and world trade, and corporate funding and control will be among the topics discussed at the convention, which will be held at the Christchurch Town Hall from today to Saturday.

The theme of the convention is “Chartered accountants — their influence on the economy.”

The president of the society, Mr Rex Anderson, said that the theme was appropriate at a time when New Zealand was entering a period of changes in economic policy. These changes were associated with a mood for the total review of trading mechanisms, a review of the structure of taxation, and for a reduction in the level of controls and restraints.

Mr Anderson said that a number of eminent guests would speak at the convention.

The president of the International Federation of Accountants, Mr Washington Sycip, of the Philippines, will speak on international accounting issues. The president of the Manufacturers Hanover

Corporation, Mr Harry Taylor, of New York, will talk about New Zealand and world trade. A number of eminent New Zealand financial experts will also speak. These include the chairman of the New Zealand Securities Commission, Mr Colin Patterson, Professor Bryan Philpott, who occupies the Macarthy chair of economics at Victoria University, and Mr John Hunn, the chief executive of the Development Finance Corporation. A forum will also be held on the role of women in the profession in the 1980 s. The convention was opened last evening by the Governor General, Sir David Beattie. Sir Dayid told those attending that members of the accountancy profession had an influence on New Zealand’s affairs far more than the average person realised. “I am mindful of the role you provide for your clients today in such areas as financial planning, budgeting, cash planning, and forecasting,” he said. Sir David said that he was pleased that the Accountants’ Society was taking positive steps to improve public awareness of the role of accountants in society.