At Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), reconciliation is about shaping a profession where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ knowledge, cultures, and contributions are respected, visible and valued. Every step we take is guided by our vision of an inclusive profession; one where diversity strengthens our profession and creates better outcomes for our members, our communities and society.

Reconciliation also means taking responsibility. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to face inequities that limit access to education, employment, and economic prosperity. As a professional body with reach across business and community, we have a role to play in changing this. Our reconciliation journey is about ensuring equal opportunity to thrive in careers, to lead in communities and to shape the future of the profession.  

Reflect RAP: Building strong foundations

Our Reflect RAP was the first step in the Reconciliation journey. Endorsed by Reconciliation Australia and completed in December 2022, it provided the space to listen, learn, and begin embedding reconciliation into our organisation.

Through the Reflect RAP we’ve:

• engaged over 1,500 members in cultural learning opportunities
• introduced reconciliation principles into CA ANZ policy frameworks, including procurement and member pathways
• recognised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and knowledge, with greater visibility of key dates of significance across our profession.

Reflect RAP Artist

Innovate RAP: Moving forward together

We are now preparing our Innovate RAP; the next chapter in our reconciliation journey.

While our Reflect RAP focused on building awareness and understanding, our Innovate RAP will take us further to embed reconciliation into how we work, lead, and serve our members. With guidance from our RAP Working Group, we’ll focus on:

• strengthening partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, businesses, and communities
• creating pathways to support Indigenous students and professionals to thrive in accounting
• embedding respect that ensures reconciliation is part of daily practice across CA ANZ
• celebrating culture by commissioning a new Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artist to design the artwork for this RAP, symbolising renewal and future vision. 

This plan is just as much a shared responsibility for CA ANZ as it is across our profession. Over the coming year, there will be opportunities to participate in conversations, learning sessions, and initiatives that move us from intent to action.

Did you know?

• Indigenous businesses contribute more than $16 billion to the Australian economy, employ 116,795 people and pay $4.2 billion in wages. (Indigenous Business Snapshot 3.0 by Dilin Duwa Centre for Indigenous Business Leadership and ABS, 2024).
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are twice as likely to start a business as non-Indigenous Australians (ABS, 2021).
• More than 3 million Australians have participated in reconciliation learning activities through RAP organisations, transforming workplace culture across industries (Reconciliation Australia, 2023).

Fostering an inclusive profession

Reconciliation is a journey of progress, reflection, and shared responsibility. With the foundations laid by our Reflect RAP, and a future focused Innovate RAP on the way, we are stepping into the next stage of creating an inclusive profession that reflects and serves all communities.

By walking alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, we strengthen not just our profession, but the society we contribute to every day.