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12-13 Oct 2026 | Auckland & Virtual

57th One Stop Update for the Accountant in Business

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Note the October 2026 One Stop dates!

This October brings our 59th One Stop Update for the Accountant in Business conference. Hear leaders in your profession and technical experts offer insightful updates on global and local economics, tax, employment law, ethics, financial reporting, sustainable reporting, forecasting and much more.  

The One Stop Update event is designed to provide accountants, finance managers, business owners, industry leaders and key stakeholders an opportunity to come together and explore the latest developments and gain insights into current financial trends or issues in the market. This conference also allows financial professionals to gain their needed CPD hours. 

The CPD conference trusted by accountants & finance professionals for nearly 30 years.

Whether you’re an accountant or other finance professional, this conference offers comprehensive insights on the latest updates in accounting, taxation, business law, and more.

KEY SPEAKERS FOR 2025

Our 2025 key lineup features leading voices in accounting and business, sharing timely insights, practical strategies, and bold ideas to keep you ahead.
Check out the full list.

View speakers

Stephen Jacobi

Managing Director

Jacobi Consulting

Annelize du Toit

Country Finance Manager

Colgate-Palmolive NZ

Dave Christie

Director

Synergic Technologies

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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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Address

Grand Millennium Auckland
71 Mayoral Drive, Cnr Vincent Street, Auckland 1010

October 2026 Agenda

8:30

Registration and Coffee

9:00

Opening remarks from the MC

Scott Wright, Founder, The HI Company

9:10

Global trade and NZ's place in it: Geopolitical shifts and what they mean for business

  • The shifting global trade environment: where the US, China, and Europe actually stand, and how those conditions are flowing through to the NZ economy

  • Looking at the real impact on NZ export markets, supply chains, and the bilateral and multilateral relationships that matter most to NZ businesses

  • How international monetary conditions are shaping NZ interest rate decisions and the outlook for the year ahead

Felicity Roxburgh, Executive Director, International Business Forum

9:50

C-suit Interview: Navigating an ever-changing world

  • Understanding how today's executives are responding to economic uncertainty, geopolitical complexity and rapid technological change

  • Exploring how AI and digital transformation are reshaping decision-making, investment priorities and business strategy at the executive level

  • Identifying the biggest risks and opportunities executives are preparing for over the next three to five years in Aotearoa and globally

Aman Charan, Chief Financial Officer, PPCS Facility Services

10:40

Morning break

11:10

Employment law update

  • Key legislative changes in 2026 and what they mean for payroll, leave, and contractor arrangements

  • Managing workforce risk: restructuring, redundancy, and flexible work obligations

  • Case law highlights every accountant in business should know

Emma von Veh, Partner, Buddle Findlay

11:50

Holidays Act reform: Steps toward implementation of the Employment Leave Bill

  • Understanding the key changes in the reformed Holidays Act and what they mean in practice for your organisation

  • Identifying the compliance obligations finance teams need to prioritise and the deadlines that matter most

  • Assessing the payroll and systems implications of the reform and what needs to change in how you calculate and record leave

  • Getting your people, processes and technology aligned before the reform takes full effect

Louise Robertson, Senior Associate, Buddle Findlay

12:30

Lunch

1:30

Ethics in accounting: Navigating the grey areas with confidence

  • The ethical framework accountants in business must apply in 2026, what it actually requires of you day to day

  • Managing pressure, conflicts of interest, and the new grey areas created by AI-generated outputs and data

  • How to escalate effectively when something doesn't feel right

  • Maintaining professional integrity in a commercially pressured environment

2:20

Managing the growing ESG expectations and climate pressures across New Zealand and global markets

  • Understanding New Zealand’s mandatory climate reporting requirements and who is impacted

  • Navigating growing ESG expectations from regulators, investors, and stakeholders

  • Looking at the business, risk, and reporting implications for finance teams

  • The practical actions to take before December 2026 to prepare for 2027 requirements

2:50

Afternoon break

3:20

Building a business: Inside the financial journey from idea to revenue

Every founder starts with a spreadsheet. The successful ones learn that business is mostly about people, timing, courage and surviving the months when nothing goes to plan.

  • What cash flow stress, fundraising and scaling really look like when it's your name on the payroll

  • Why compliance can be either a handbrake or a competitive advantage

  • How accountants can move beyond trusted advisor to become the person founders call before the big decisions, not after

  • The lessons from building a social fintech that has helped hundreds of New Zealanders reset their financial lives and the opportunities this creates for accountants working with innovative businesses

Sasha Lockley, CEO & Co-Founder, Money Sweetspot

3:50

Fireside chat: The founder reality finance and risk

  • What the financial journey really looks like behind the scenes, the decisions, the doubts and the turning points

  • Managing cash, risk and growth when the pressure is on and the runway is short

  • Understanding what founders actually need from their accountant and trusted advisors

  • Reflecting on the moment the business turned and what the numbers looked like when it did

Facilitator: Chris O’Neill, Senior Innovation Specialist, Creative HQ

Amy Stewart, Co-founder & CEO, Numera

4:20

Communicating with conviction in an uncertain world

  • Building influence beyond finance, becoming a trusted voice in strategic and operational decisions, not just a reporter of numbers

  • Leading through uncertainty, communicating clearly when outcomes, data, and direction are still evolving

  • Forecasting and scenario planning built to flex under pressure, and how to present the range credibly to executives and operational teams

  • Staying strategic when margins are tight and aligning stakeholders when commercial priorities pull in different directions

Amanda Frear, Chief Financial Officer, Fullers Group Limited

5:00

Summary remarks from the MC followed by Networking Reception

8:30

Registration and Coffee

9:00

Opening remarks from the MC

Scott Wright, Founder, The HI Company

9:10

One Stop New Zealand Economic Update

  • Reading the current economic landscape, inflation, interest rates, and what the data is actually telling us about business confidence heading into the end of 2026

  • Which parts of the NZ economy are gaining momentum, and which are still under pressure, and what that means for your organisation

  • How the international environment is shaping NZ conditions right now

  • What the outlook means practically for finance teams: forecasting, cost pressures, and the decisions that can't wait until 2027

Tony Alexander, Economic Thought Leader

9:50

AI and the Future of Finance

  • Examining how AI is reshaping finance teams, processes, and decision-making

  • Exploring the emerging tools and applications gaining traction across the finance function

  • Understanding the governance, data, and risk considerations organisations cannot ignore

  • Learning how to move from experimentation to practical and scalable AI adoption

  • Preparing finance teams for the opportunities and challenges ahead

10:40

Morning break

11:10

One Stop IFRS Update: Key changes and practical implications

  • Latest IFRS developments: Overview of recent and upcoming standards and amendments, with focus on recognition, measurement, and presentation impacts

  • Technical application in practice: Key judgement areas including classification and impairment under IFRS 9, lease assumptions under IFRS 16, revenue recognition under IFRS 15, and presentation changes under IFRS 18

  • From compliance to best practice: Strengthening disclosure quality and aligning reporting with evolving IFRS requirements and local regulatory expectations

David Pacey, Partner, Grant Thornton

12:00

Case Study: How we made AI, automation and people work together in a real finance team

  • Where the organisation started, what was broken and why the decision to transform could no longer be delayed

  • Mapping the integration journey, how different technologies were assessed, selected and sequenced to work together

  • Connecting the ecosystem, how cloud platforms, automation tools and data systems were integrated to create a single source of truth

  • Bringing the finance team on the journey, addressing resistance and building confidence in new ways of working

  • Measuring the real impact on efficiency, accuracy, reporting and the capacity to do more strategic work

12:40

Lunch

1:40

Case study: AI-powered forecasting in practice

  • Exploring how AI was integrated into forecasting, planning, and decision-making processes

  • Understanding what delivered value, what challenges emerged, and the lessons learned along the way

  • Examining the realities of data quality, model accuracy, governance, and implementation complexity

  • Looking at how finance teams-built trust, capability, and organisational buy-in for AI adoption

  • Identifying practical takeaways for organisations looking to modernise forecasting and planning capabilities

2:20

Cyber risk and digital trust: What every accountant in business needs to know

  • Understanding the evolving cyber threat landscape in New Zealand

  • Identifying where finance systems and workflows are most exposed and why they are increasingly targeted

  • Assessing the true cost of a cyber incident, including financial, operational, and reputational impacts for board-level conversations

  • Exploring practical actions finance teams can take to reduce exposure and strengthen digital trust

Esther Wafula, Senior Information Security Consultant, ANZ

3:00

Wellbeing as a strategic priority

  • Understanding psychosocial risk and what it actually looks like in a high-pressure professional environment

  • Recognising the early signs of burnout and change fatigue in yourself before they show up in your team and your results

  • Building genuine resilience, what sustainable high performance looks like when the pressure is constant and the pace does not slow down

  • Modelling the wellbeing behaviours that give the people around you permission to do the same

Natalie Bullent CMHRNZ, Head of People & Culture, TREC

3:40

Summary remarks from the MC

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Speakers

Chris O’Neill

Senior Innovation Specialist
Creative HQ
As a Senior Innovation Specialist at Creative HQ, Chris O’Neill is a driving force in New Zealand’s fintech and innovation ecosystem, dedicated to helping startups translate complex technological concepts into scalable, market-ready ventures. Chris leads Creative HQ’s Fintech acceleration programmes for startups. He is a frequent speaker and thought leader within the financial services community, where he regularly presents to finance professionals on the transformative impact of AI and emerging fintech trends.

Esther Wafula

Senior Information Security Consultant
ANZ
Esther Wafula is a Senior Security Consultant with over 13 years of experience across New Zealand and East Africa, currently working for ANZ Bank. Esther has specialised in cyber risk, security architecture, and regulatory frameworks. She has extensive experience in financial services, advising organizations on secure-by-design solutions and translating complex cyber risks into business-impact insights for executive decision-making. A former Vice President of the ISACA Wellington Chapter and a mentor with TechWomen NZ, Esther is passionate about advancing cybersecurity awareness and supporting the next generation of technology leaders. In this session, she explores cyber risk and digital trust for finance professionals ,covering New Zealand’s evolving threat landscape, vulnerabilities in finance systems, the true cost of cyber incidents, and some practical steps accountants can take to reduce risk and build trust

Sasha Lockley

CEO & Co-Founder
Money Sweetspot
Sasha is the co-founder and CEO of Money Sweetspot, a New Zealand social fintech helping people build healthier relationships with money and creating new models of lending and financial wellbeing. Over the past five years she has raised capital, negotiated bank funding, restructured teams, navigated compliance, worried about payroll and discovered that building a business is equal parts spreadsheet, storytelling and stubborn optimism. Alongside being Social Entrepreneur of the Year, she is also a Fellow Chartered Certified Accountant (FCCA) and Masters-qualified leadership practitioner, Sasha believes the future of business is less about numbers and more about curiosity, courage and understanding people because great businesses aren’t built in spreadsheets alone. They’re built through relationships, hard conversations, bold decisions and a willingness to keep going when the plan falls apart. Outside of work Sasha enjoys classical singing, fitness, and anything creative. She has three boys, three cats, and a long suffering husband, Tim, who has much better work stories as a helicopter pilot for Westpac Helicopter Rescue.

Amanda Frear

Chief Financial Officer
Fullers Group Limited
Amanda is a senior executive with 20+ years working around the world to transform companies and improve profitability. Amanda has been a CFO and trusted advisor to the Board across major companies in both New Zealand and UK headquartered companies across financial services, pharmaceuticals and infrastructure. Amanda focuses on building high performance team and environments, navigating uncertainty and change, as well as unlocking enterprise value.

Aman Charan

Chief Financial Officer
PPCS Facility Services
As a results-oriented Chief Financial Officer with a strong commitment to financial excellence and organizational success, I am dedicated to driving growth and profitability. With a proven track record of success in leading finance, people and culture, business improvements and IT/Support Services teams and implementing effective financial and business strategies during high growth, I am adept at working cross-functionally with stakeholders at all levels, providing strategic financial and operational guidance and driving alignment with organizational goals. Being a forward-thinking CFO, I am constantly seeking innovative solutions to complex financial challenges. I thrive in dynamic and fast-paced environments, adapting quickly to changing market conditions and driving agile decision making. I am passionate about leveraging technology and data analytics to drive business insights and inform strategic financial decisions.

Natalie Bullent CMHRNZ

Head of People & Culture
TREC
Natalie Bullent is the Head of People & Culture at TREC (Transport East Coast Rebuild), where she leads strategic initiatives that elevate leadership capability, strengthen organisational culture, and drive high-performance outcomes. With a passion for aligning people strategy to business impact, Natalie brings a pragmatic yet people-centred approach to transformation, embedding practices that enhance engagement, capability, and long-term sustainability. Natalie has built her career partnering closely with senior leaders to shape inclusive, values-driven workplaces where both people and performance thrive. She is particularly known for designing and facilitating impactful leadership development programmes, fostering cultures of accountability, and navigating complex organisational change with clarity and confidence. A strong advocate for continuous growth, Natalie is committed to creating environments where individuals can do their best work and feel a genuine sense of belonging. Her leadership is grounded in authenticity, curiosity, and a deep belief in the power of culture as a differentiator. Based in Auckland, Natalie brings energy, insight, and a future-focused perspective to every conversation, helping organisations unlock the full potential of their people.

Felicity Roxburgh

Executive Director
International Business Forum
Felicity Roxburgh is the Executive Director of the New Zealand International Business Forum, where she leads the Forum’s engagement on key trade and economic policy issues and represents the interests of internationally focused businesses in dialogue with government and international partners. Felicity brings nearly two decades of experience in international trade, foreign policy, and regional engagement, with a strong focus on geopolitics and the Indo-Pacific. She most recently served as New Zealand’s Consul-General in New Caledonia and has held a broad range of roles at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with postings in Hong Kong, New York, and the Pacific. Earlier in her career, Felicity served as Director, Business at the Asia New Zealand Foundation, where she led initiatives to strengthen New Zealand’s business and people-to-people links across Asia. She has a master’s in communication studies and a journalism degree.

Scott Wright

Founder
The HI Company

Scott Wright is a speaker, TEDx presenter and founder of The HI Co, with 30 years of senior commercial and executive leadership experience across iconic businesses including Frucor Suntory, Lion, Goodman Fielder, DB and Cadbury. A former Marketing Director, Commercial Director and General Manager, Scott has spent nearly two decades on executive leadership teams, leading strategy, driving growth, building cultures and navigating disruption from the inside.

His recent TEDx talk, What Are Your Yellow Shoes?, explored how to best invest in your Human Identity and presence as a strategic asset, not just a soft skill. Scott’s message for finance and accounting leaders is that knowing your personal leadership brand is a critical skill to underpin your effectiveness.

Louise Robertson

Senior Associate
Buddle Findlay
Louise is a lawyer in the Wellington litigation team, specialising in employment.  She partners with a range of clients, including within the education sector, to provide advisory, dispute resolution and litigation support.  As well as assisting with employment documentation, processes and claims, she regularly engages with other related areas such as privacy, official information, discrimination and professional regulation. Louise is passionate about the ways in which the law and society shape each other and touch on our everyday lives.  She aims always in her practice to navigate through difficult issues with kindness and compassion.

Emma von Veh

Partner
Buddle Findlay

Emma is a respected employment specialist who advises public and private sector clients on all aspects of the employment relationship. This includes collective and individual employment agreements, disciplinary processes, bullying and harassment investigations, restructuring, personal grievances, employment and industrial aspects of mergers, acquisitions and statutory transfers, contractor/employee disputes, health and safety, and human rights and privacy matters.

 Emma prides herself in assisting parties navigate difficult and complex issues in a way that minimises the risk of litigation, and damage to reputation and relationships.

 Emma has experience in dispute resolution, and has represented clients in the Employment Relations Authority, Employment Court, Court of Appeal, and Human Rights Review Tribunal.  Emma also regularly represents clients at mediation.

David Pacey

Partner
Grant Thornton
David helps organisations navigate complex accounting challenges by translating technical requirements into clear, practical, and meaningful insights. A specialist in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), banking and insurance reporting, GAAP, and broader financial reporting matters, David supports clients in making confident and informed accounting decisions. With more than 20 years’ technical accounting experience across New Zealand and the UK, he is known for preparing rigorous technical accounting opinions, presenting at industry events, and contributing to leading professional publications. David is also actively involved in New Zealand’s financial reporting standard‑setting environment, shaping guidance that supports high‑quality reporting across the sector.

Tony Alexander

Economics Thought Leader
Tony Alexander was Chief Economist at the BNZ for almost 25 years and has been out on his own as an independent economist since late-2019. He distributes the free weekly “Tony’s View” publication to over 29,000 subscribers each week, writes a weekly column for OneRoof, has a weekly video blog, and speaks at about 80 functions a year around New Zealand. He also runs five monthly surveys which give coalface insight into what is happening in NZ industry and the housing market in particular.

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Note the October 2026 One Stop dates!

This October brings our 59th One Stop Update for the Accountant in Business conference. Hear leaders in your profession and technical experts offer insightful updates on global and local economics, tax, employment law, ethics, financial reporting, sustainable reporting, forecasting and much more.  

The One Stop Update event is designed to provide accountants, finance managers, business owners, industry leaders and key stakeholders an opportunity to come together and explore the latest developments and gain insights into current financial trends or issues in the market. This conference also allows financial professionals to gain their needed CPD hours. 

The CPD conference trusted by accountants & finance professionals for nearly 30 years.

Whether you’re an accountant or other finance professional, this conference offers comprehensive insights on the latest updates in accounting, taxation, business law, and more.

KEY SPEAKERS FOR 2025

Our 2025 key lineup features leading voices in accounting and business, sharing timely insights, practical strategies, and bold ideas to keep you ahead.
Check out the full list.

View speakers

Stephen Jacobi

Managing Director

Jacobi Consulting

Annelize du Toit

Country Finance Manager

Colgate-Palmolive NZ

Dave Christie

Director

Synergic Technologies

Add Your Heading Text Here

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 

Add Your Heading Text Here

Sub-heading

Date or content

Sub-heading

Date or content

Sub-heading

Date or content

Sub-heading

Date or content

Sub-heading

Date or content

Venue

The location and how you can get there

Address

Grand Millennium Auckland
71 Mayoral Drive, Cnr Vincent Street, Auckland 1010

October 2025 Agenda was

8:30

Registration and Coffee

9:00

Welcoming remarks from the Chair

Annelize du Toit, Country Finance Manager, Colgate-Palmolive NZ

9:10

One Stop update on the global macro-economic outlook and trade policies

  • The global economic outlook and implications for New Zealand’s growth

  • Geopolitical shifts, trade tensions, and tariffs: what’s at stake for Aotearoa?

  • Trade policy changes and how they affect New Zealand’s key export relationships

  • Major global trends: sustainability to digital transformation and supply chain

Stephen Jacobi, Managing Director, Jacobi Consulting

9:50

One Stop New Zealand economic update with Jarrod Kerr

  • Understand what lies ahead for businesses and communities across Aotearoa

  • The current state of New Zealand’s economy and business confidence

  • What 2025 may bring: recovery, resilience, or uncertainty?

  • Key economic indicators and updated growth forecasts

  • Sector performance: which industries are leading, lagging or transforming?

  • Housing market trends and their business flow-on effects

  • Practical implications for planning, investment, and risk

Jarrod Kerr, Chief Economist, Kiwibank

10:30

Q&A session with Jarrod Kerr

10:40

Morning break

11:10

Supply chain risk and resilience: What New Zealand businesses must prepare for

  • Overview of recent global and regional supply chain disruptions and their impacts on New Zealand businesses

  • Identifying financial risks associated with supply chain instability

  • How to identify and manage supply chain risks when planning budgets and reporting on business performance

  • The role of accountants in supporting scenario planning, budgeting, and continuity strategies

  • Considerations around ethical sourcing, ESG reporting, and regulatory compliance in supply chain management

Dave Christie, Director, Synergic Technologies

11:50

Deloitte One Stop tax update

  • Gain insights into recent tax, policy, and regulatory changes in New Zealand, with a forward look at potential developments over the next six months

  • Explore current corporate tax issues and understand compliance obligations for multinational enterprises operating in New Zealand

  • Get the latest intelligence on Inland Revenue audit activities and strategies to ensure your organisation is well-prepared

  • Discover the latest updates in GST and employment tax, focusing on key issues affecting businesses today

  • Learn about global tax developments, and the impact for international business operations

Hamish Tait, Director, Tax, Deloitte

Rachel Hale, Manager, Tax, Deloitte

12:30

One Stop Employment law update

  • Understand how the gateway test will reshape contractor status

  • Navigate the next phase of Holidays Act reform while ensuring compliance

  • Plan strategic remuneration and dismissal frameworks for senior staff

  • Understanding your policies on personal grievances and industrial action with the new legal landscape

  • Stay ahead on pay-equity eligibility and claims processes

Natalie Healy, Associate Director, PwC Legal

Rosa Henderson , Solicitor, PwC Legal

13:10

Lunch

14:10

One Stop risk update: Managing risk in a shifting landscape

  • Understanding the macroeconomic shifts affecting financial forecasts, client behaviour, and regulatory thinking

  • Key updates from RBNZ, FMA, and international standards bodies affecting regulatory requirements, and obligations

  • Understanding the importance and direction of ESG and Climate-Related financial disclosures 

  • Managing reputational risk by consistently treating customers fairly and upholding ethical standards to preserve trust and protect the organisation’s integrity

  • Changes in the risk landscape and developments in risk management practices

Rajesh Megchiani, Partner, KPMG

14:50

Beyond the numbers: Leading with strategic vision

  • Understanding that strategic leadership is the cornerstone of modern finance and how the role of finance leader has evolved beyond financial stewardship

  • Practical tips for emerging finance leaders and on becoming more strategic leaders within their organisations

  • Exploring proven strategies that will empower you to claim your authority, engage others and elevate your impact

  • Developing the soft skills necessary for effective finance leadership and partnership

Annelize du Toit, Country Finance Manager, Colgate-Palmolive NZ

15:30

Afternoon break

15:50

Mitigating the risk of ‘group think’: How to effectively harness neurodiversity in teams

  • Exploring how cognitive diversity contributes to stronger financial decision making

  • Understanding the unique strengths of many neurodivergent individuals in areas such as pattern recognition, attention to detail, and data analysis

  • Gaining insights into invisible barriers that may be limiting individual or team potential, and contributing to blind spots

  • Reviewing the business benefits that organisations like SAP, Microsoft, EY, Deloitte, KPMG, and Xero have experienced through embedding ‘neuro-inclusive’ practices, such as boosted performance and innovation

  • Sharing practical strategies for creating organisations and leadership that supports diverse ways of thinking and working

Jenny Turner, Founder & Director, Human Fabric

16:20

The One Stop health & well-being update: Improving workplace wellbeing and preventing burnout

  • Exploring the relationship between mental wellbeing, personal resilience and business resilience - why workplace wellbeing matters in finance team

  • Strategies for the moulding the work environment and culture to improve the well-being and productivity of all employees

  • Understanding business responsibilities for managing the psychosocial risks of your teams

  • Strategies to minimise burnout: Identifying potential burnout in yourself and in your team

  • Techniques for reducing anxiety and stress and improving self-care to achieve better mental well-being and prevent burnout 

Jay Barrett, Principal Psychologist, Glia

17:00

Summary remarks from the Chair & Networking Drinks

Annelize du Toit, Country Finance Manager, Colgate-Palmolive NZ

8:50

Registration and Coffee

9:00

Welcoming remarks from the Chair

Annelize du Toit, Country Finance Manager, Colgate-Palmolive NZ

9:10

ESG and Strategy: Expanding the Accountant’s role in sustainable business

  • Exploring how Environmental, Social, and Governance factors are reshaping business strategy and expanding the accountant’s role

  • Reviewing key standards and local regulations impacting financial reporting

  • Assessing how ESG factors affect financial performance and decision-making

  • Applying financial controls and validation tools to build trust in ESG disclosures

  • Aligning sustainability data with traditional reporting for consistency and compliance

  • Highlighting the need for collaborating across business and working with sustainability, governance, and operations team for consistent ESG integration

Mark Baker Jones, Climate Change Policy, Transition Planning, & Strategy Development, Te Whakahaere

9:40

One Stop Ethics Update: Delivering the ethical standards required from accounting and finance professionals

  • Understanding the latest updates and revisions and to professional ethical standards

  • Examining case studies, their outcomes, and key insights for the accountant in business to take note of 

  • Understanding and managing conflicts of interest

  • Managing a breach of ethics: Steps to fix the problem, minimise fallout and avoid further breaches in the future

  • What to do when complying with a fundamental principle conflicts with another

Stephen Walker, Executive Director, Audit New Zealand

10:20

Morning break

10:50

Ethics, governance and legal implications for Data and AI use in Aotearoa New Zealand

  • Defining ethics in the context of data and AI and why ethical considerations matter in digital transformation 

  • The Evolving Role of Accountants in the Age of AI

  • Highlight the accountant’s responsibility in understanding, following, and upholding AI-related laws, standards, and internal policies

  • Ensuring that AI systems used in finance align with regulatory expectations and ethical business practices

  • Practicing responsible data collection and use by ensuring transparency, user consent, data minimization, and clear ownership and accountability

  • Spotting and Mitigating Bias in Financial Algorithms

Simon Martin, Partner, Hudson Gavin Martin

11:20

One Stop tech update

  • Learn how to automate routine finance tasks to improve accuracy and save time

  • Understand how cloud-based tools can streamline reporting and data access

  • Discover how AI and analytics are enhancing forecasting and decision-making

  • Explore digital tools that support collaboration in remote and hybrid teams

  • Learn how technology can simplify compliance and strengthen audit readiness

Joshua G McLauchlan, Partner, PwC

Megan Nisbet, Finance Transformation Director, PwC

11:50

Leveraging AI for Accountants: Tools, trends, and transformation

  • Understanding AI in the Accounting Context

  • Distinguishing between hype and practical applications

  • Overview of AI tools integrated into Excel, Xero, MYOB, and Power BI

  • Exploring GPT-powered assistants for financial analysis and documentation

  • Ensuring data privacy and maintaining professional integrity

Nick Johnson, Senior Manager, KPMG

12:30

Lunch break

13:10

One Stop Cybersecurity Update: What finance teams must know in 2025

  • Understanding how invoice and payment fraud is evolving, and how to spot the red flags before it is too late

  • Reviewing access controls and learning how multi-factor authentication can strengthen your system defenses

  • Securing AI tools used in finance workflows while maintaining productivity and compliance

  • Knowing your role in the event of a cyber incident or data breach, including who to alert and how to respond quickly and effectively

Anthony Steele, Chief Risk Officer & Partner, PwC

13:40

Forecasting for impact: Turning financial models into business drivers

  • Designing financial models that deliver clarity and insight for decision-makers

  • Building flexibility into your models to respond to shifting variables and uncertainty

  • Using interactive tools to track performance and manage budgets in real time

  • Embedding data-driven practices that strengthen your forecasting accuracy and value

Cameron Fraser, Director, Fraser Strategic Solutions

14:10

Afternoon Break

14:30

CFO Interview

  • What key trends are currently shaping the role of accountants in business?

  • How is technology changing the way your finance team operates day-to-day?

  • What do you see as the biggest risks facing finance teams in the next 12 months?

  • What skills or qualities do you value most in your accounting and finance team?

  • How is your organisation preparing for changes in tariffs and global trade dynamics, and what impact are you seeing on financial planning and risk management?

  • What advice would you give to accountants looking to take on more strategic roles in the business?

Jennifer Tupou, Chief Financial Officer , The Fono

15:00

Level up: Turning excel skills into Power BI confidence ( In person attendees only)

This hands-on session is for in-person attendees only, so bring your laptop.

Learn when to use Power BI instead of Excel, build your first report, clean and connect data, and create dashboards that transform numbers into clear business stories.

  • Understanding when to use Power BI instead of Excel and how they work together

  • Building your first report in Power BI using familiar Excel concepts

  • Importing and cleaning data with simple, repeatable steps

  • Creating visual dashboards that highlight trends and variances clearly

  • Connecting Excel data to Power BI for real-time updates

  • Using filters, slicers, and visuals to support better business storytelling

Allison Kennedy, Reporting & Data Insights Analyst, Northpower

16:00

Summary remarks from the Chair & end of the Conference

Annelize du Toit, Country Finance Manager, Colgate-Palmolive NZ

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October 2025 Speakers were

Speakers to be announced

Natalie Healey

Associate Director
PwC Legal
Natalie is an experienced employment law specialist who has worked with some of New Zealand’s largest organisations.  Her practice is primarily focused on compliance matters and helping employers manage complex employment related problems, including investigations, disciplinary procedures and exits.

Rosa Henderson

Associate Director
Solicitor
Rosa is solicitor who has worked with clients across a range of day-to-day ER issues including grievances and disputes, statutory compliance reviews, workplace policies and agreements, investigations, due diligence for commercial transactions, and establishing processes to mitigate risks of non-compliance.

Rachel Hale

Manager
Deloitte
Rachel is a manager at Deloitte specialising in indirect tax. Rachel has a passion for GST and brings extensive experience helping clients from both an advisory and a compliance perspective. She works across a wide range of business, serving both local and multinational organisations. Rachel’s indirect tax experience covers a wide range of industries, with a particular focus on financial services, retirement villages, tourism operators, retail and manufacturing. Rachel has also been involved in a number of significant M&A projects, as well as projects involving direct communication with Inland Revenue such as binding ruling applications.

Allison Kennedy

Reporting & Data Insights Analyst
Northpower

Anthony Steele

Chief Risk Officer & Partner
PwC
Anthony oversees PwC New Zealand’s quality management and risk profile, covering regulation, compliance, and business continuity. He also leads the firm’s Cyber and Digital Trust practice, advising clients on technology risks and opportunities. With 21 years’ experience across infrastructure, telecom, IT services, and the public sector in Aotearoa and Asia Pacific, Anthony brings deep expertise in cyber security, IT risk, resilience, and transformation confidence, helping organisations navigate complex systems change with clarity and assurance.  

Rajesh Megchiani

Partner
KPMG
Rajesh Megchiani is a Partner at KPMG New Zealand, where he helps organisations strengthen governance, navigate regulatory complexity, and drive strategic finance and risk transformation. He leads KPMG’s Risk Transformation Services, specialising in financial and prudential risk advisory. With over 15 years at KPMG, Rajesh has led and supported a diverse range of clients across both financial and non-financial sectors providing a range of risk and regulatory advice. His work focuses on enhancing risk functions to meet changing risk and regulatory expectations, including enhancing model risk management practices. While he is not at work, Rajesh is an avid tennis player and enjoys exploring family biking tracks

Nick Johnson

Senior Manager- Finance Transformation
KPMG
Nick is a Senior Manager at KPMG New Zealand and a Chartered Accountant, specialising in finance transformation and digital enablement. He has worked across the ASPAC region in both public sector and private sectors. He brings expertise in finance strategy, ERP and EPM system implementations, and data-driven reporting, helping organisations modernise their finance functions through business-led, technology enabled change.Nick has led complex transformation programmes involving target operating model design, system selection, and implementation across a range of industries. His work increasingly focuses on how AI can enhance finance operations—from automating reporting and forecasting to improving decision-making and operational efficiency.

Jennifer Tupou

Chief Financial Officer
The Fono

Dave Christie

Director
Synergic Technologies
Dave Christie is a leading figure in Aotearoa New Zealand’s supply chain landscape, known as “Mr Supply Chain.” With over 40 years of global and domestic experience, Dave is a strategic advisor, thought leader, and expert in supply chain innovation, technology, and transformation. He brings deep expertise across logistics, infrastructure, FMCG, and government sectors. A dynamic leader and proven change agent, Dave is known for seamlessly connecting strategic thinking with operational execution to drive meaningful and lasting results.

Simon Martin

Partner
Hudson Gavin Martin
Simon Martin is a founding partner of Hudson Gavin Martin, specialising in media, IP, and tech law since 1990. He thrives in collaborative environments, helping clients navigate complex legal challenges and map out innovative futures. His expertise spans joint ventures, telecommunications, and commercial tech arrangements. Recognised in top international legal directories, Chambers and Partners describes him as “highly intelligent and commercial,” with the ability to make complex matters simple and a strong focus on anticipating client needs.

Megan Nisbet

Finance Transformation Director
PwC

Megan is a Finance Transformation Director and Digital Upskilling Leader at PwC New Zealand. She helps businesses streamline processes through technology and citizen-led solutions. Megan leads PwC’s Alteryx Alliance and is passionate about empowering teams to own their transformation. Outside work, Megan enjoys bush and beach adventures with her family in Thames, Coromandel.

Jay Barrett

Principal Psychologist
Glia
Jay is a Registered Psychologist with a Master’s in Psychology and a passion for helping organisations align performance with strategic goals. Drawing on his experience as a world-class athlete, performance psychologist, and superyacht captain, he supports businesses of all sizes in enhancing psychological health, safety, and culture. Jay uses evidence-based tools to tackle complex organisational challenges and is a committee member of the Industrial and Organisational Psychology Special Interest Group under the New Zealand Psychologists Board.

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