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4 September 2025 | Cordis, Auckland

The finance & accounting technology conference

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Transforming Finance Through Technology

One of the key priorities of the modern finance team is to drive avenues for profitable growth, improve business productivity and operational finance performance through technology.

The Finance & Accounting Technology Conference, co-located with the CFO Summit, returns in 2025 to provide a platform for engagement and learning to forge ahead in today’s modern finance environments by understanding and embracing the latest technologies and leveraging the newest advanced digital tools.

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We are currently working on the programme and agenda
If you would like to have input into our research programme please email xxxx@brightstar.co.nz 

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Venue

The location and how you can get there

Address

Cordis, Auckland
83 Symonds Street, Grafton, Auckland 1010

Agenda

Agenda to be announced

10:30

Registration and Coffee

11:15

Welcoming remarks from the Conference Chair

Angela Liew, Senior Lecturer, The University of Auckland

11:20

Keynote address: Leveraging technology for finance transformation

  • Accelerating business productivity and finance function efficiency through technology

  • Recognising technology investment as a top driver of competitive advantage

  • Monetizing technology investment and developing revenue stream through new technologies

  • Selecting and implementing cutting-edge digital tools to enable finance transformation programmes

  • Building digital ecosystems to support scalability

  • Ensuring cybersecurity with digital transformation strategies in finance


12:10

Finance technology leader’s panel: Exploring the role of digitalisation and digital transformation in financial strategy

  • How to drive strategic change by combining financial expertise with forward-thinking technology leadership

  • Overcoming the challenges of digital adoption - what CFOs and finance leaders should consider when making technology investments

  • How can finance and technology leaders support the use of data and analytics to both deliver transformation of finance operations ans to inform strategic change and decision making across the business

Jo Haanstra, Chief Executive Officer, Atomic.io

Nastassia Subritzky, Head of Data & Analytics, Mediaworks

Raymond Low, Finance Manager – Systems, ARN

1:00

Lunch and Networking

2:00

Case study: Delivering digital transformation in finance

  • Examining how to streamline the order-to-cash cycle to improve cash flow and operational efficiency

  • Managing the challenges transitioning from of legacy finance technology systems without disrupting core business functions

  • Prioritising technology investments that align with your growth objectives and financial strategy

  • Real-world examples of finance tech innovations that led to the modernisation of operations, and enabled increased productivity and supported growth

Emma Thompson, Director, PwC

2:30

Using Agentic AI within accounting & finance business operations

  • Examining the potential for Agentive AI to revolutionise operations by enhancing efficiency, reducing costs and unlocking strategic opportunities

  • How should Agentic AI align with your wider AI strategy and investment and link I with current GenAI priorities and use cases

  • How can GenAI capabilities be evolved into autonomous, connected systems that create cohesive AI ecosystems

  • Identifying the specific use cases for Agentic AI in finance operations

  • From data to action: Enabling agentive AI in finance through intelligent data platforms

  • Ensuring the delivery of ethical and transparent AI implementation

Dr Julian Seidenberg, Head of Artificial Intelligence, Narrative, Datch

3:00

Panel Discussion: Defining strategies for upskilling and staying relevant in a tech-enabled finance environment 

  • Is there a skills gaps within finance professionals around digital literacy

  • Where are the talent gaps and how can we eliminate them?

  • Outlining successful integration of technology in the finance function  

  • Identifying the new essential expertise required to enhance the finance function 

  • Discussing how AI and machine learning can open doors to more strategic and value-added roles within finance and accounting  

  • Collaboration between the IT and finance functions for continued organisational improvements and success 

James Lawrence, GM – AI Centre of Enablement, Fonterra

Pat Brogan, General Manager, Propositions – Employee Experience, Datacom

Diana Barber, Team Lead Microsoft Dynamic 365 Finance and Operations, Datacom

Angela Liew, Senior Lecturer, Accounting & Finance, The University of Auckland

3:40

Afternoon Refreshments

4:00

Maximising the impact of data and analytics in finance

  • Exploring how finance teams can support the creation of and operation of digital platforms that enable real-time financial data access to inform decision making

  • Implementing analytics tools to provide predictive insights, financial risk mitigation and forecasting

  • Analysing the use of data and analytics to deliver transformation of finance operations

  • Developing digital solutions for reporting and auditing to enhance compliance

Ingeborg Hawighorst, Digital Productivity Consultant, Spark NZ

4:30

Achieving data integritythe role of the finance team in building trust in a data-driven world

  • Investing in strong data management systems that are able to deliver a single source of reliable accurate and secure date to ensure regulatory compliance

  • Achieving transparency and accountability by ensuring adherence to ethical standards in data handling and decision making

  • Using data verification and anomaly detection tools to deliver continuous monitoring, provide real-time insights, improve decision making and strengthen trust

Diana Barber, Team Lead, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations, Datacom

5:00

Securing the future: Strengthening cyber resilience in New Zealand’s financial sector

  • Understanding emerging cyber threats and the impact on financial operations

  • Lessons from recent high-profile breaches in New Zealand and abroad

  • Building a culture of cyber awareness across financial teams

  • Navigating compliance: Understanding the regulatory frameworks that finance teams need to be aware of and provide assurance around

  • Understanding the role of the finance team in incident response and in achieving business continuity

  • The role of boards and CFOs in cyber risk governance

Sarah Williams, Chief Operating Officer, Cyber Cure

5:30

Chair’s closing remarks and end of conference

Angela Liew, Senior Lecturer, The University of Auckland

5:30

CFO Summit Networking Drinks


Speakers

Speakers to be announced

Sarah Williams

Chief Operating Officer
Cyber Cure

Diana Barber

Team Lead Microsoft Dynamic 365 Finance and Operations
Datacom
Diana Barber is a CA technology leader with a proven track record of implementing finance systems for some of New Zealand and Australia’s leading businesses. As Team Lead, she works at the intersection of finance and technology, helping organisations streamline operations, enhance data integrity, and drive performance through modern technology.Diana is passionate about translating business strategy into technology and innovation. With over a decade of experience, she is a trusted voice in the finance and digital transformation space, regularly speaking on the role of finance in building trust through data and the importance of future-proofing the finance function in a tech-enabled world.  

Pat Brogan

General Manager, Propositions – Employee Experience
Datacom

James Lawrence

GM – AI Centre of Enablement
Fonterra

Dr Julian Seidenberg

Head of Artificial Intelligence
Narrative, Datch
Dr Julian Seidenberg is the Head of AI for both Narrative Ltd and Datch Ltd in New Zealand. Narrative builds AI software for professional photographers to speed up their photo selection and editing workflows, while Datch creates AI for industrial workers to make better use of past data and improve manufacturing efficiency. Julian holds a PhD in AI from the University of Manchester, and has over 20 years’ experience working in AI and Solutions Architecture roles. Born in Germany to German-American parents, Julian has been living in New Zealand for the past 15 years.

Emma Thompson

Director
PwC
Emma Thompson is a Partner in PwC New Zealand’s Private Business team, working closely with ambitious founders and business owners to drive performance and growth. A Chartered Accountant, she brings a practical, commercial approach to financial reporting, tax, budgeting, and virtual CFO support. Emma also advises clients on using technology to optimise and automate their finance function to improve visibility, efficiency and decision-making.

Jo Haanstra

Chief Executive Officer,
Atomic.io

Nastassia Subritzky

Head of Data & Analytics
Mediaworks
Nastassia leads the data and analytics practice at Mediaworks. Her team looks after all three Mediaworks business units through the entire data and analytics lifecycle. She is passionate about ensuring the business understands the importance of data and how powerful analytics can be when everyone takes responsibility for their data. 

Raymond Low

Finance Manager - Systems
ARN
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. With over 20 years experience in the entertainment and media industry, Raymond is currently working with ARN Media, who operate 58 radio stations in 33 markets as well as the iHeart digital platform in Australia, reaching 8 million listeners. His passion for automation had also led him to leading a team of RPA developers and digital workers for a five year period in a previous role.

Angela Liew

Senior Lecturer, Accounting & Finance
The University of Auckland
Angela has been teaching at the University of Auckland Business School for over 20 years. Her dual expertise in accounting and information technology underpins her teaching, research and engagement with the professional community. This combination allows her to explore eccentric and exciting topics such as the future of accounting work, the human impacts of automation and artificial intelligence, the use of technology in management control, new product development and seafood farming. She is a Fellow of both CAANZ (FCA) and CPA Australia (FCPA), and holds the CPA Specialist in Information Technology.

Ingeborg Hawighorst

Digital Productivity Consultant
Spark Digital
Ingeborg Hawighorst is a Microsoft MVP and Digital Productivity Consultant known for her deep expertise in Excel and the M365 suite. She helps organizations transform data into insights using Excel, Power BI, Power Query, and DAX, with a focus on built-in tools and minimal code. With over 15 years’ experience in SharePoint and process automation, Ingeborg works at Ignite in Taranaki and is passionate about making complex tech accessible and empowering professionals to work smarter.  

Sponsors

Sponsors to be announced

Gold Sponsor

Umbrella Wellbeing

Silver sponsors

Umbrella Wellbeing

Umbrella Wellbeing

Umbrella Wellbeing

Umbrella Wellbeing

Exhibitors

Umbrella Wellbeing

Umbrella Wellbeing

Umbrella Wellbeing

Umbrella Wellbeing

Umbrella Wellbeing

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This exclusive event puts you in front of a highly skilled audience hungry for insights. Get ready for meaningful engagement that drives results.

Plus, we have some unique opportunities to put your company, products, and services in the spotlight.

Ready to take your brand to the next level? Contact us today to learn more or secure your spot at this leading event.

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Individual tickets

PRE SALE Ticket Offer

$1290
$ 800 + gst
  • Available until midnight, 30 May, 2025.

Super Saver

$1290
$ 990 + gst
  • For valid ticket, payment by 11 July, 2025.

Early Bird

$1290
$ 1090 + gst
  • For valid ticket, payment by 1 August, 2025.

Full Price

$ 1290 + gst
  • For valid ticket, payment by 4 September, 2025.

Group tickets

Multi-Buy 5 or more tickets, price per person

Multi-buy 5+ Tickets

$ 850 per person + gst
  • Must be from same organisation and book at same time. Available until 4 September, 2025.

Mxxx + Tickets - Full price

$ 0000 per person + gst
  • Must be from same organisation and book at same time.For valid ticket, payment by 21 May 2025.
Registration Conditions

VENDORS: The organisers reserve the right to decline registrations at any time. Non-sponsoring vendors are ineligible to purchase tickets – if you have any queries please contact:  sponsorship@brightstar.co.nz

Ticket Terms

Ticket valid for Finance & Accounting Technology Conference only.
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.
Pre-Sale 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

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