Applications are now open for the 2024 FinPro Financial Management and Leadership Development Program. FinPro are once again delighted to offer 12 local government finance professionals a 3-day leadership experience with leading practitioners. This year’s program will commence on Sunday 5 May and conclude on Wednesday 8 May 2024 and takes place in beautiful Kalorama,...
FinPro partnered with David Edgerton from APV Valuers and Asset Management to provide 5 regional workshops during February 2024. The sessions were held during the week commencing Monday 12 February in Morwell, Melbourne, Warrnambool, Bendigo and Benalla. Whether you attended the Workshops or not, we can provide the following information to refresh your knowledge or...
Last Friday, 23 February 2024, we ran a highly successful Professional Development Day at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. With over 330 in attendance, the day was a mix of technical development, personal development and networking. Our Key-Note addresses bookended the day and both were highlights of the program. We opened with The Hon....
It’s a wrap for our 2023 Conference, held at RACV Cape Schanck from 25 – 27 October 2023. We welcomed 300 people to the conference, representing 65 Victorian Councils alongside two interstate Finance Professional groups, 22 sponsor organisations and 20 speakers. The highlights of the conference were the way all attendees were so willing to...
On Thursday 28 September 2023 FinPro ran a webinar to have a discussion about assets. Over 140 FinPro members attended this online event. Over the past two years there has been significant activity in relation to assets. This has included changes to AASB13 as well as a range of issues reported by VAGO and the...
FinPro ran a webinar on 24 August 2023 discussing the topic of preparing for the 2024/25 Budget cycle. The webinar was facilitated by Nathan Morsillo, Manager Financial Strategy at the City of Greater Bendigo, and the panelists were: Fiona Rae, Finance Manager Golden Plains Shire, Kate Heissenbuttel, Manager Corporate Performance at Monash City Council, and...
This practical panel-based webinar, held on 20 July 2023, provided an opportunity for members to ask their burning questions about preparing their year-end accounts, and to hear from key practitioners and also wise advice from the guru who wrote (writes) the book on the Annual Accounts (the model). Questions were many and varied, and also...
Windfall Gains Tax (WGT) is one of the most significant tax regime changes since the introduction of GAIC. WGT is however more challenging for councils than GAIC for a variety of reasons, including the fact that Council-owned land is not necessarily exempt from the tax. During our one-hour webinar on 18 May 2023 @ 12.30pm...
Our second Professional Development Day for the year was held last Friday, 16 June, at the Clarendon Auditorium, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. This in-person event promised valuable insights, engaging presentations, and ample networking opportunities for FinPro members and local government finance professionals – and it delivered in spades. With over 250 attendees, there was...
The FinPro Mentoring Program is an initiative that has been developed over the past 6 years to provide ongoing support to members who participate in the ‘FinPro Leadership Program’. In the Program, a mentor is paired with a mentee (participant in the Leadership Program). Over a period of 12 months, the paired mentor and mentee...
Applications are NOW OPEN for our Financial Management and Leadership Development Program 2023 – ‘Rising to the Challenge’. The FinPro Financial Management and Leadership Development Program will provide a unique opportunity for emerging leaders in Financial Management to develop the extra skills they need to move from being an ‘accountant’ to be a ‘leader’ in...
A very successful seminar was held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre last Friday, 24 February 2023. With nearly 300 members in attendance, the buzz in the room was electric and the chatter, next level loud! Thank-you to all our speakers who volunteered their time to share their knowledge, experience and learnings with the...
Held Thursday 3 November 2022 @ 11am With so many of our Council peers dealing with response and recovery for the current floods, Yarra Ranges Shire generously offered to share their learnings from their experience following the June 2021 storm that ravaged their LGA. DRFA (Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements), record keeping, contacts with other levels...
Thank-you to all the amazing sponsors of our 2022 FinPro Conference – Each of these wonderful organisations support the work we do and assisted in making this event possible. APV – APV Case Study – October 2022 Commonwealth Bank CT Management Curve Securities – Curve Securities Case Study October 2022 Imperium Markets – Imperium Markets...
Thursday 6 October 2022 FinPro ran a webinar where members learnt more about the recent Local Government Amendment (rating and other matters) Act 2022, particularly in relation to the rating provisions. The Session was Chaired by Danny Wain, FinPro Executive Member and CFO Monash City Council and the presenter was Dr Leighton Vivian, Sector Manager...
Applications are NOW OPEN for our Financial Management and Leadership Development Program 2022 – ‘Rising to the Challenge’. The FinPro Financial Management and Leadership Development Program will provide a unique opportunity for emerging leaders in Financial Management to develop the extra skills they need to move from being an ‘accountant’ to be a ‘leader’ in...
FinPro ran a webinar on Friday 22 July 2022 to discuss Accounting for assets and also ED320 – The webinar delved into the greater detail of the ED and was expertly presented by David Edgerton, Director, APV Valuers and Asset Management, and facilitated by Fiona Rae, FinPro Executive Member and Finance Manager, Golden Plains Shire...
It was terrific to see over 200 of our members, in person, at our first seminar since February 2022. Held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 7 speakers presented during the day, sharing their wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise. We thank each and every one of them for all the effort they made...
FinPro ran a webinar on 7 April 2022 to assist members in gaining a greater understanding of Gender Equality. The Gender Equality Act was legislated in 2020. The Act promotes gender equality by: Requiring the Victorian public sector, local councils and universities to take positive action towards achieving workplace gender equality. Requiring these organisations to...
Deliberative engagement is an essential part of the Local Government Act 2020. It allows people who truly represent a community to make informed recommendations about a complex topic or issue that affects them. Councils have been working at engaging with their communities at a greater level in recent years – but we can all always...
As part of the Implementation of the Local Government Act 2020, the sector has worked together to Co-design an Asset Plan. The Plan is now finalised and was released on 21 February 2022. It is now available on the engage.vic website – Asset Plan FinPro, in partnership with IPWEA Victoria presented a Webinar on 3...
Over 230 FinPro members sat in on our webinar on 24 February. Facilitated by Tony Rocca, Vice President FinPro, 4 speakers shared their knowledge and information via the online format. Recordings of each of the speaker are now available to view or listen too, as are the speaker slides. Economic Outlook – presented by...
Local Government Victoria publishes all documents relating to reporting guides and templates, including Model Budgets and Financial Statements. Practitioners are urged to refer to the LVG Website for updated information. The following documents are available at this link: https://www.localgovernment.vic.gov.au/council-innovation-and-performance/sector-guidance-planning-and-reporting Asset Plan Guidance 202 Financial Plan 2023-24 to 2032-33 Model Budget 2023-24 Model Financial Report 2022-23 Annual Report...
In late 2021 the Victorian Government approved the Treasury Corporation of Victoria (TCV) to become a direct lender to councils. All Victorian councils are eligible to be considered for loans under the framework. Local Government Victoria (LGV) is administering the framework in collaboration with the Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF). So- what does this...
BLGA, LGV and FinPro held a live panel discussion on 21 October 2021 – Debt – Another Resource for Councils to Consider. The session Facilitator was Chris Eddy and the participants were: Hon Shaun Leane MP – Minister for Local Government Julie Reid – Executive Director, Local Government Victoria Andrew Greaves – Victorian Auditor-General John...
FinPro ran a session on Wednesday 11 August 2021 to ‘talk all things Deliberative Engagement’. With the recent changes to the Local Government Act 2020, we felt it was important to have a chat about what deliberative engagement with the community is and what it means for council’s 10 year financial plans. During the webinar...
Congratulations to 12 FinPro Members who have been selected to take part in our 2021 Financial Management and Leadership Development Program. We received 27 really strong applications this year for 12 places. Thank-you to everyone who applied, or who supported a staff members application. The members selected to take part in our 2021 program are:...
The FinPro Mentoring Program is an initiative that has been developed over the past 4 years to provide ongoing support to members who participate in the ‘FinPro Leadership Program’. In the Program, a mentor is paired with a mentee (participant in the Leadership Program). Over a period of 12 months, the paired mentor and mentee...
Applications are NOW OPEN for our Financial Management and Leadership Development Program 2021 – ‘Rising to the Challenge’. Are you ready to take the next step in your career? This Program will provide a unique opportunity for emerging leaders in Financial Management to develop the extra skills they need to move from being an ‘accountant’...
We ran a session for members on 18 June 2021 which was very well attended. Copies of the recordings and, where applicable, presentation slides, are now available. ________________________________________________________________________________ Part 1: comprises the first two sessions. Speaker 1. Deborah Glass – Victorian Ombudsman Deborah spoke about the recent investigation her office completed into financial hardship and...
As Councils are thick into budgets, implementing the changes required as a result of the new LGA, as well as thinking about preparing year end accounts and being audited, there are always a lot of questions. To assist, FinPro ran an online, interactive Question and Answer session. This was an opportunity for members to ask...
GST has been with us for over 20 years, however challenges and risks are still emerging. This session focused on the considerations required by local governments in the areas of fees and charges and grants to community groups. Both areas provide challenges and have a degree of grey in the current requirements. This session also...
FinPro ran a Financial Plan support webinar to help members complete the Financial Plan, now a mandatory reporting requirement under the new LG Act 2021. Feedback from the recent webinar launching the Financial Plan templates suggested that members may benefit from further support and advice in this area. This Financial Plan support webinar was designed...
Our Member Update (Edition 10, 2021) is available now. In this edition read about: Membership news Local Government Act Implementation Update Important Dates Photo of the week – Southern Grampians Shire Current Job Vacancies
As part of a series of webinars around the Implementation of the Local Government Act 2020, FinPro ran a webinar on 19 march 2021 to discuss Revenue and Rating Plans. The session covered the following: An introduction to the key aspects of the Revenue and Rating Plan better practice guidance; A summary of the legislative...
Fraud awareness training is one of the main tenets of a fraud strategy. Educating members in respect of what to look for and how fraud happens, empower them to take the necessary action to mitigate the risk of it occurring, or, when it does occur, address it in the correct way. The team from Crowe...
The session covered, in detail, the recently launched Financial Plan, including: An introduction to the key aspects of the Financial Plan template and associated better practice guidance; A summary of the legislative and regulatory requirements; and A Q & A Session around the Financial Plan.
Following from our webinar panel in December, FinPro rana follow up session to discuss how Council’s are progressing with the preparation of their 2021/22 Annual Budgets. Facilitated by Danny Wain, we heard hear from a range of councils about their progress, the challenges they are facing and the timelines they are following. Panelists for the...
A webinar was held on Friday 5 March 2021 to discuss the various components of the recently launched Model Budget 2021/22 and Model Financial Statements 2020/21. Presented by Daniel O’Shea (LGV), Martin Thompson (Crowe Australasia) and Hannah White (Mitchell Shire), this webinar covered key changes to the 2020-21 Model Accounts and associated better practice guidance:...
Today we ran a very successful professional development session with nearly 300 members taking part. The sessions covered the following topics: The Economy – Presented by Keenan Jackson, Urban Economist & Economic Consultant @ .id All councils will now be well engaged on operational planning and budgeting activities. The state of our economy, ongoing uncertainty...
Understanding that Councils will now have turned their attention to the 2021/22 Planning and Budgeting processes., we ran a webinar to discuss the initial plans some of our councils had on this topic. The frameworks under which plans and budgets are considered this year will be vitally important – possibly more than that for prior...
Our 2020 Mini-conference was held on 21 and 22 October 2020. A range of topics and speakers were included in the program. A summary of the event, including copies of presentations and recordings of all sessions is included below. Long Term Financial Plans. One of the key changes for Finance professionals in Local Government coming...
Councillor elections only come around once every four years….and the induction of a new Council is vital in establishing the framework for their term as Councillors. To assist members in preparing to onboard their new Councillors and also to update returning Councillors, we ran a Webinar on Thursday 2 October where we detailed some key...
On Friday 31 July we ran a session on ‘setting a new work mindset’. Facilitated by Bradley Thomas, President FinPro, the Speakers were: Richard Dore, Co-CEO, Proteus Leadership John Henderson, Assistant Director Solutions Engagement, DHHS Mary-Jane Moala, Coordinator Finance Operations, Wyndham City Council Belinda Johnson, Finance Manager, Southern Grampians Shire WATCH NOW
After several years of community consultation, drafts, and debate, the new Local Government Act 2020 received Royal Assent on 24 March, and the first phase of reforms was proclaimed on 6 April. You can read the Act here – https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/as-made/acts/local-government-act-2020 The Act is designed to be more principles-based rather than prescriptive and will improve...
Over 270 delegates attended our first Professional Development day for the year, representing 70 Victorian Councils and a number of regional library corporations. It was an information filled day as delegates heard from 13 speakers over the course of the day, covering a range of topics of interest to local government finance professionals. Some of...
Thank-you to everyone who attended the 2019 FinPro Conference – held 16 – 18 October at RACV Cape Schanck. Over the 3 days of the conference, speakers, sponsors and delegates explored many significant challenges facing local government finance professionals as we look to the future. Being conscious of the environmental impact we had during the...
FinPro and Vision Super are excited to announce the 12 successful applicants to participate in a 2 ½ day residential program plus partake in a follow-up 12 month mentoring program facilitated by FinPro. Congratulations to the following successful applicants: Danielle How – Hepburn Shire Yamile Monsalve – Bayside City Council Nick Bell – Greater Bendigo...
FinPro Professional Development Day 31.5.19 The second FinPro Seminar for 2019 was held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) on Friday 31 May 2019. FinPro’s President, Bradley Thomas, opened the seminar with a fantastic competition, giving 3 FinPro members a chance to win tickets to the Women’s Leadership Symposium. To apply to be...
FinPro is proud to have worked with LGV and Crowe Horwath to provide a range of webinars during March and April 2019. Details of these webinars, presented by Martin Thompson from Crowe Horwath are: Webinar 1: March 22, 2019 Model Accounts 2018/19 and Model Budget 2019/20 Workshop Recording link Model budget 2019/20 Model Accounts 2018/19...
The first FinPro Seminar for 2019 was held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) on Friday 22 February 2019. This was a new venue for the group and it did not disappoint those who attended. Bradley Thomas’ “Inaugural President’s Welcome Speech” was well received, capturing the essence of what FinPro is hoping to...
The picturesque Mantra Lorne was the perfect location to hold our 2018 Conference. Last week over 300 delegates, speakers and sponsors met up in Lorne to discuss all things Local Government Finance related, Data and more. The 3 day program, themed ‘Waves of Data’ saw many speakers delve into different aspects of data and how...
FinPro runs a number of Professional Development opportunities each year. Each of these provides CPD hours for attendees. To determine the CPD hours of the events run by FinPro please refer to the following: FinPro CPD Hours – 2015 – 2019
Fin Pro held a very successful Professional Development Day at CPA Australia on Friday 1 June. Included in the day was the launch of the 2018 Leadership Program, a FREE program offered to up to 12 Fin Pro members aimed at furthering your financial management and leadership skills. Further details are available on our news page...
FinPro pleased to announce that applications are now open for a place at this years Financial Management Leadership Skills Program. We thank Vision Super, our Program Partners, for their continued support in providing this valuable program to our members. This Program is aimed at those who see themselves as future leaders in Local Government Finance....
FinPro will hold a Professional Development Day on Friday 1 June 2018 at CPA Australia, Level 20, 28 Freshwater Place, Southbank. For full details and for information on how to register please refer to the following: FinPro Professional Development Seminar 1 June 2018 – Program and Registration Registrations close on Wednesday 23 May 2018.
The 2016 FinPro Conference was held last week at Mantra Lorne. Record numbers attended: 196 Delegates, representing 70 Victorian Councils plus NSW and Queensland Local Government 56 Sponsor Representatives from 18 Sponsors 20 Speakers Very positive feedback has been received from those who attended. The Program was filled and the mood was positive. FinPro-2016-Conference-Program A...
A great range of speakers presented at the 2nd FinPro Seminar for 2016. The day was cold, the weather was awful, but the room for full of people, conversation, information, networking and sharing. 72 Council’s were represented at the seminar, with a turnout of 246 attendees. What a great audience for our speakers to present...
The FinPro Conference will be held at Peppers The Sands Torquay from 11 – 13 November 2015. See here for a copy of the Conference Program. Many thanks to our fantastic sponsors for this years’ program: Platinum Sponsors – TechnologyOne Gold Sponsors – Commonwealth Bank Silver Sponsors – Bankwest Silver Sponsors – Civica Silver Sponsors...
250 members attended the latest FinPro Seminar on Thursday 28 May 2015 at The Centre Ivanhoe. The program was full, as was the room. Most of the day related to various discussions on the impending Rate Capping that is being brought in by the State Government. Other items on the agenda included an update from...
Sync or Swim The 2012 FinPro Conference was held at the Novotel Forest Resort from 29 February – 2 March. A record 250 delegates and sponsors attended the conference and heard from a range of speakers. The theme of the conference was Sync or Swim and many of the speakers presented interested and topic sessions...
On the 9th June 2011 FinPro conducted its regular Professional Development Seminar. Over 240 representatives from Victorian Councils and related organisations were in attendance. The program for the day was extensive with a range of speakers and topics. Copies of the papers from all speakers, are available here to be viewed: 2011 FinPro Vision Super...
On the 7th October 2010 FinPro conducted its regular Professional Development Seminar.Over 200 representatives from Victorian Councils and related organisations were in attendance. The program for the day was extensive with a range of speakers and topics. Copies of the papers from all speakers, excepting Rob Spence, are available here to be viewed: Emerging trends...
FinPro held a Professional Development Seminar on the 10th June at the Centre Ivanhoel Speakers were: Ron Mak: Victorian Auditor General’s Office – Year end audit process Martin Thompson – WHK Horwath – Model Accounts Amy Montalti – Nillumbik Shire Council – 2009 Scholarship recipient 2010 FinPro Vision Super Scholarship Winners Tom Caelli – Mitchell...
From the 3rd – 5th March 2010 Local Government Finance Professionals hosted the Biannual National Local Government Finance officers Conference.Over 200 delegates from around Australia attended the conference, held at the Novotel Forest Resort in Creswick, Vic. The conference theme was you can make a difference! and the many speakers covered a variety of topics...