Institute Of Public Accountants
The IPA has a passion for small business. More than 75 per cent of our members are either servicing small business or are small businesses in their own right.
We constantly challenge ourselves to ensure we are delivering the best service possible to our members while maintaining our small business focus. As such, we have articulated our reason for being as:
To improve the quality of life of small business.
The IPA recognises the vital contribution that small business makes to the economy globally. As trusted advisers, IPA members play a pivotal role in the lives of their small business clients and are in an ideal position to support the productivity, growth and prosperity of small business; thus making a genuine economic contribution.
For this reason we have established our vision as:
For every small business to have one of our members by their side
Advocating for the small business and SME sectors is at the core of what we do. In 2015, this advocacy work led to the landmark Australian Small Business White Paper, developed in conjunction with our dedicated IPA – Deakin University SME Research Centre. In 2017, we commenced, through our research centre and appointment of academics in the UK, the development of the UK version of the White Paper.
The IPA has also partnered with a Shanghai-based consultancy to develop a small business policy platform in China which shares the universality of the White Paper model. Concurrently, we are working on the second edition of the Australian version with expanded research on additional factors including mental health and wellbeing of small business.
IPA’s commitment to members includes the delivery of quality continual professional development and education pathways, ensuring they maintain currency of knowledge and relevance in an ever-changing and competitive market. This is supported by a range of communications including technical newsletters and updates; major conferences and networking opportunities; and, an award winning online technical support platform.
Advocating on behalf of members is an ongoing activity for the IPA and we have a seat at more than 120 forums with key political, regulatory and industry stakeholders across Australia and overseas. This work is reinforced with a multitude of formal submissions to key influencers and an active media program.
The IPA also delivers many products and services to benefit members and their businesses through an array of strategic commercial partnerships.
History
The Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) is one of Australia's oldest representative professional bodies, formed over 90 years ago. Commencing operations in 1923, our evolution has seen us grow to our current position with over 35,000 students and members internationally.
1923 - Institute of Factory and Cost Accountants, formed in Melbourne, Victoria.
1950 - Institute of Taxation and Cost Accountants, name change.
1957 - National Institute of Accountants, name change.
1967 - Institute of Commercial Studies, name change.
1970 - Institute of Affiliate Accountants, name change.
1988 - National Institute of Accountants, adoption of the precedent name.
2002 - NIA gazetted as an authorised assessing authority for skilled migration to Australia.
2004 - NIA became a member of the International Federation of Accountants.
2007 - NIA became a member of Asia Oceania Tax Consultants' Association.
2011 - the NIA changes it name and adopts a new identity, becoming the Institute of Public Accountants.
2011 - The IPA becomes a member of the Confederation of Asian and Pacific Accountants.
2012 - The IPA is included in the BRW's 2012 Most Innovative Companies List
2013 - The IPA celebrates its 90th birthday.
2015 - The IPA acquires the Institute of Financial Accountants in the UK, bringing our membership base to 35,000 across 80+ countries.