The Strategic Finance Series

23 - 25 Feb 2027
Virtual

3 Mornings. 3 Strategic Focuses. 1 Practical Programme.

Designed for Management Accountants and finance leaders navigating a rapidly changing business environment. The Strategic Finance Series moves beyond the traditional finance agenda to focus on the capabilities needed now and in the future, from managing commercial risk and uncertainty, to using AI and data effectively, and ultimately building influence within the business.

Attend this virtual event from home, the office or watch anytime on demand. Excellent, enjoyable CPD at your convenience, across three distinct mornings, attendees will gain practical tools, real-world case studies and perspectives they can take directly back to their finance teams.

Julie Schumacher

Educational Research and Development Consultant
| Director

The Education Group

Vaughan Couillault

Programme Lead – Engagement (Curriculum and Assessment Change Program)

Papatoetoe High School

Sarah Washbrooke

Deputy Chair

TENZ

Billie-Jean Potaka Ayton

Principal

Kaiti School

Catherine Law

Principal

Avonside Girls’ High School

CPD Hours

Gain up to 10 CPD points, anywhere, at any time.

Participate virtually together online across 3 mornings.

What Sets This Series Apart & Why Attend

Beyond Technical Accounting:

Commercial, technological and human capabilities shaping modern finance.

Practical, not theoretical:

Real-world case studies and tools to apply immediately.

AI With Substance:

Beyond the hype, exploring data quality, automation, governance and measurable business value.

Built with Influence:

Moving beyond reporting to interpret, challenge, communicate and influence.

Balanced Perspective:

Risk, tech and people, reflecting the realities of modern finance leadership.

For Practitioners and Leaders:

Developing individual capabilities while helping finance teams evolve.

Day 1

Understanding the economic, commercial, cyber and ethical risks shaping business decisions and giving finance the confidence to forecast, challenge and respond in uncertain conditions.

Day 2

Exploring how technology is reshaping the finance function, with a practical focus on AI, automation, data and Power BI. Attendees will see where technology can genuinely add value, how to improve the quality of data behind finance decisions, and how finance teams are already transforming the way they work.

Day 3

Developing the influence, communication, and leadership skills that technology cannot replace. From negotiating and communicating difficult messages to influencing the C-suite and building future-ready teams, the final day focuses on making finance a stronger strategic voice in the organisation.

	Risk, Resilience & Business Change
8:30	Registration and Coffee
9:00	Welcome remarks from the Chair
9:10	The New Zealand Economic Outlook Understanding the outlook for growth, inflation, interest rates and employment Exploring the domestic and global forces shaping the New Zealand economy Assessing what current economic conditions mean for businesses and finance teams Examining the key risks and opportunities on the horizon Translating economic trends into better budgeting, forecasting and business decisions Jarrod Kerr, Chief Economist, Kiwibank
9.50	Managing commercial risk in a changing business Spotting financial and commercial risks before they impact performance Keeping up with changing market, regulatory and technology risks Turning risk indicators into better forecasts and commercial decisions Protecting financial data, IP and business-critical information Helping the business balance risk, cost and growth Tim Navarro, Commercial Finance Manager – Generation, Mercury
10:30	Morning break
11.00	Ethics in action: Making the right call when it matters Understanding the latest proposed updates to NZICA’s Code of Ethics and the outlook for future developments Protecting confidentiality, trust and the integrity of financial information Applying practical frameworks to make better ethical decisions Working through real-life scenarios and deciding what you would do
12.00	Forecasting through uncertainty Building more flexible forecasts in unpredictable conditions Using scenario planning to prepare for different business outcomes Applying financial modelling to support longer-term decision-making Stress-testing assumptions and identifying potential pressure points Turning financial data into clearer recommendations for the business Parveen Kaur, Finance Business Partner, Southern Cross Health Insurance
12.30	You've been hacked: What finance needs to know Learning from a real-world cyber incident and its impact on a business Understanding how cyber incidents affect finance, reporting and business continuity Identifying the role finance plays during and after a cyber attack Recognising common vulnerabilities across financial systems and processes Strengthening practical controls and response plans Daisy Wong, Head of Security Awareness, Medibank (AUS)
13:00	Summary remarks from the Chair

	AI & Transformation
8:30	Registration and Coffee
9:00	Welcome remarks from the Chair
9:10	From Reporting to insight: The evolving role of the management accountant Exploring how AI and automation are changing the Management Accountant’s role Examining what finance professionals should be doing less of and more of Building the data, digital and commercial skills that matter now Balancing technology with human judgement and commercial insight Preparing for the future of the Management Accountant role
9.50	Turning data into better insights Understanding what “good data” looks like for finance Identifying the data gaps and quality issues holding finance back Improving how financial and operational data is captured and managed Preparing finance data to work effectively with AI tools Using better data to improve reporting, forecasting and decision-making Dale Dillicar, GM Financial Planning & Analysis, Fonterra
10:30	Morning break
11.00	Case study: Transforming finance with automation and better ways of working Exploring where the finance team started and what was holding it back Identifying the processes that were most suited to AI and automation Implementing new tools while keeping finance processes practical and controlled Bringing the finance team along and building confidence with new technology Measuring the impact on reporting, accuracy, efficiency and commercial insigh Raymond Low, Finance Manager – Systems, NextEd Group
11.40	Using Power BI in 2027 Using Excel, Power BI and other reporting tools more effectively Building dashboards that focus on the information decision-makers actually need Presenting financial and operational data in a clear and compelling way Moving from producing reports towards generating actionable insight Nruthya Shankra, Senior FP&A Analyst
12.20	Case study: Using AI where it adds value Identifying the finance processes that are the best starting point for AI and automation Mapping where time is being lost on repetitive, manual or low-value tasks Exploring how one finance team assessed, tested and introduced AI into its day-to-day work Understanding what to consider around data, systems, accuracy, privacy and human oversight Learning how to move from a small, practical AI use case to wider adoption across the finance team Larissa Logan, Director, Fixity
13:00	Summary remarks from the Chair

	The Human advantage
8:30	Registration and Coffee
9:00	Welcome remarks from the Chair
9:10	From finance expert to strategic influence Understanding what it means to become a true strategic partner to the business Moving beyond reporting what happened to influencing what happens next Communicating financial insight clearly to non-financial stakeholders and senior leaders Building credibility and confidence to challenge, influence and offer a clear point of view Having a stronger voice at the C-suite table and contributing to better business decisions Caitlin Lally, Finance and Commercial Manager, Gelous
9.50	The art of negotiation: Getting to better outcomes Understanding the fundamentals of effective negotiation Preparing for negotiations with colleagues, suppliers, stakeholders and senior leaders Communicating your position clearly while understanding the other side Managing different personalities, expectations and competing priorities Finding solutions that protect relationships while delivering better outcomes Building confidence to negotiate rather than simply compromise
10:30	Morning break
11.00	Translating finance: Communicating beyond the numbers Learning how to explain financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders without the jargon Turning numbers and analysis into clear messages, insights and recommendations that support better business decisions Adapting your communication to different audiences, from operational teams to senior leaders, and getting your message heard
11.40	The conversations finance can't avoid Communicating financial results, risks or recommendations when the message isn't what senior leaders want to hear Challenging assumptions and pushing back when you don't agree with a proposed decision Delivering difficult messages clearly without damaging relationships or credibility Managing defensiveness, disagreement and pressure from senior stakeholders
12.20	Building the finance team of the future Building the skills and confidence your team needs as the role of the accountant continues to evolve Developing AI and technology literacy across the team without losing financial judgement and accountability Identifying new skills needed in finance, from data and systems capability to commercial and communication skills Managing changing roles, expectations and responsibilities while keeping your team engaged and valued Creating a culture of learning, openness and adaptability as finance takes on a broader role in the business Cassandra (Mitchell) Greeff CA, Group Financial Controller, Zespri International
13:00	Summary remarks from the Chair

Speakers

Dale Dillicar

General Manager Financial Planning & Analysis

Fonterra

Read bio

Dale Dillicar is General Manager Financial Planning & Analysis for Fonterra’s Core Operations, where she leads planning, forecasting, performance insight and strategic decision support across a large and operationally complex business. A Chartered Accountant with more than 25 years’ financial and commercial experience, Dale has held senior roles spanning FP&A, commercial finance, risk assurance, group planning and technical accounting in New Zealand and internationally. She is focused on improving the quality, relevance and accessibility of financial and operational information so leaders can identify the issues that matter, make better informed decisions and strengthen performance.

Raymond Low

Finance Manager – Systems

NextEd Group

Read bio

Raymond is a Chartered Accountant with dual bachelor degrees in Commerce and Computer Science from the University of Auckland. He has been looking after accounting systems since he started his career at a medium sized CA firm. After over 20 years’ experience in the entertainment and media industry, Raymond is currently working in the education industry with The NextEd Group (Australia). He has implemented automation and new technologies for accounting teams for over 25 years, ranging from Excel formulas to AI Agents, and many in between.

Larissa Logan

Director

Fixity

Read bio

Larissa Logan is a Fellow Chartered Accountant and licensed insolvency practitioner with 20 years’ experience helping businesses through their hardest moments. As founder of ALYRT, she has built, tested and introduced AI into real finance workflows. ALYRT turns fragmented financial data into real-time intelligence for accountants and their SME clients, built on a 90-day AI predictive cash flow forecast. Larissa brings a practitioner’s lens to AI: start small, get the data right, and keep humans in control. She is a CAANZ Auckland regional councillor and RITANZ board member.

Cassandra Greff

Group Financial Controller

Zespri International

Read bio

High performing financial professional with a passion for strategic thinking, people development, driving growth and delivering purpose driven profit. Strengths include problem solving, relationship building, influencing, strong execution and being proactive in an ever-changing business environment. Excellent communicator with an expansive network.

This event is ideal for:

Executives and leaders: Those responsible for driving strategic change and organisational transformation.
Change management professionals: Individuals who specialise in managing and leading change initiatives.
HR professionals: HR leaders and practitioners interested in fostering a culture of change and employee engagement.
Consultants and advisors: Professionals who support organisations in their change and transformation journeys.
Anyone seeking to develop their leadership skills and ability to navigate change.

Venue

The location and how you can get there

Address

Due Drop Events Centre
770 Great South Road,
Wiri, Auckland

Ticket Options

Individual Tickets – Full 3 days

$1599

$ 999 + gst Per Person

Valid until 31st Oct 2026

$1599

$ 1199 + gst Per Person

Valid until 19th Dec 2026

$1599

$ 1399 + gst Per Person

Valid until 30th Jan 2027

$ 1599 + gst Per Person

Valid until 24th Feb 2027

Group 3+ Tickets – Full 3 Days

$1599

$ 899 + gst Per Person

Must be from the same organisation & book at the same time. For valid tickets, payment by 19th Dec, 2026.

$1599

$ 899 + gst Per Person

Must be from the same organisation & book at the same time. For valid tickets, payment by 30th Jan, 2027.

$ 999 + gst Per Person

Must be from the same organisation & book at the same time. For valid tickets, payment by 24th Feb, 2027.

$1100

$ 800 + gst Per Person

Must be from the same organisation & book at the same time. For valid tickets, payment by 25 September, 2026.

$ 1100 + gst Per Person

Must be from the same organisation & book at the same time. For valid tickets, payment by 25 September, 2026.

$1900

$ 1500 + gst

For valid ticket, payment by 25 September, 2026.

Registration Conditions

Ticket Terms
All prices are in New Zealand dollars ($NZD)
A surcharge of 2.5% + GST applies to credit card payments on top of the total amount.
Super Early Bird Tickets are valid only for the specific event for which they were purchased and cannot be transferred to other events. To remain valid, Super Saver and Early Bird tickets must be paid by date quoted.
Group ticket options are valid for registrations from the same organisation, booked at the same time.
By selecting any special pricing offer for classes of organisation, sector, or individuals or using any promotion code, you are asserting to the organiser your right to claim any such pricing offer, and acknowledge the organiser’s right to audit such claim and, if in the opinion of the organiser using its sole discretion the conditions for special pricing are not met, reject any registration.

For full terms & conditions, please visit https://www.brightstar.co.nz/terms-and-conditions

Exhibitor

Skool Loop

Supporting Organisations

NZAIMS

TENZ Technology Education NZ

NZ Rural Schools Leadership Association

Sponsorship Opportunities

The event brings together finance professionals to deepen their knowledge, strengthen decision-making, and stay ahead of emerging challenges. Align your brand with relevant topics and connect with an engaged audience actively seeking professional development, practical solutions, and trusted industry partners.

Ready to reach New Zealand’s finance community? Contact us today to explore sponsorship opportunities and get involved.

Check out our other upcoming events

Conference