NZ CA Staff Training Conference
7 - 8 May 2026 | Grand Millennium Hotel, Auckland
Thursday 7 May 2026
10:00 - 10:15 | Registration & Welcome Coffee
Check-in and networking with colleagues
10:15 - 10:30 | Welcome and Introductions
10:30 - 12:00 | Tax – Essentials and Key Updates
A practical session covering core NZ tax concepts early‑career accountants use most (GST, income tax basics, common compliance issues, and typical client queries). Includes a clear breakdown of what to look for in source documents, how to avoid common errors, and a roundup of recent technical updates with examples of how they change day‑to‑day work.
Presented by Phil Walker, nsaTax
12:00 - 13:00 | Lunch Break
Networking lunch in the hotel restaurant
13:00 - 14:30 | Insolvency - Knowing the Signs
An accessible overview of insolvency in the NZ context. Learn early warning signs of financial distress, the purpose of different insolvency options (e.g., liquidation, receivership), and what information an insolvency practitioner will typically request. Covers the accountant's role in supporting clients, documenting advice, and understanding professional obligations.
Presented by Keaton Pronk, McDonald Vague
14:00 - 14:15 | Afternoon Tea Break
14:15 - 15:45 | Financial Analysis, Budgets and Cashflow
Develop practical skills in budgeting, forecasting, and cashflow preparation, then learn how to explain the story behind the numbers. Covers key drivers, assumptions, sensitivity checks, and presenting insights in plain language. Includes examples of how to turn analysis into practical recommendations for clients.
Presented by Matt Rogers, BM Accounting
18:00 - 21:30 | Taste of Asia – Interactive Cooking Experience
Tonight we'll enjoy a lively, team-based cooking event that celebrates the diverse flavours of Asia. Guests work in small groups to prepare 2–3 seasonal dishes with expert guidance from professional chefs. The experience wraps up with judging, prizes, and a shared buffet-style feast showcasing everyone's creations.
Friday 8 May 2026
08:30 - 09:00 | Arrival Tea and Coffee
09:00 - 10:30 | Everything Communicates
Everything we do communicates, but very few people realise how much of what we are saying is unspoken. This session will cover how accountants can approach their work through the lens of their personal brand. We will address how to manage priorities, and how to leverage your own work style to maximise efficiency. This will include practical advice on how and when we communicate in a professional setting, and how to manage challenging communications.We will also discuss what to consider when blurring the lines between personal and professional lives, and managing the difference in expectation and culture between different generations in the workplace.
Presented by Lizi Guest, Little & Loud
10:30 - 10:45 | Morning Tea
10:45 - 12:45 | AI Literacy for Accountants
AI is reshaping how we make decisions, deliver services, and communicate with clients across the world. The biggest risk is not that AI will replace people, or that we will fall behind in AI adoption, but that it will be used without literacy. It's already happening.
This session focuses on AI Literacy for accountants; and is designed for both regular AI users, and AI skeptics. Through understanding how AI really works, we can identify opportunities and practical use cases. AI literacy also provides a framework for identifying risks, ensuring guardrails are in place, and making sure humans are at the centre of every decision. We'll also discuss ethics, bias and how to have difficult conversations with clients who might love AI, but lack the literacy to think critically about the advice it provides.
Presented by Lizi Guest, Little & Loud
12:45 - 13:45 | Lunch and Conference Concludes
Speakers
Phil Walker
Director, nsaTax
With more than 25 years of experience to his name - Phil is in strong demand for specialist taxation advice. Phil deals with all areas of taxation, with specific areas of interest in property issues, GST matters and re-structuring.
Keaton Pronk
Licensed Insolvency Practitioner, McDonald Vague
Keaton has experience across personal and corporate insolvency, working with businesses of all sizes and across industries including hospitality, retail, entertainment, fashion and construction. He previously held senior roles with MBIE Insolvency and Trustee Service as a Principal Insolvency Officer and Deputy Assignee. Keaton is a Chartered Accountant, an accredited insolvency practitioner, and a member of CAANZ, RITANZ and INSOL International.
Matt Rogers
Director, BM Accounting
Matt is passionate about helping businesses improve, grow, and reach their full potential. He brings extensive experience working with small to medium-sized businesses, supporting them with strategy, profit optimisation, and succession planning. Known for his down-to-earth style, Matt provides clarity and practical insight that enables business owners to confidently manage and grow their organisations.
Lizi Guest
Business Owner, Little & Loud
Lizi is an award-winning business owner with a reputation for getting things done. Based in Palmerston North, she is the founder of the regional public relations and communications agency, Little & Loud, which has just been recognised as the top small-medium PR agency in New Zealand. Over her career, Lizi has had to learn how to stand in her own spotlight as a leader; and work out how to juggle significant projects, business growth, industry leadership, mental health, and motherhood.
Connect with Fellow Attendees
Discover who else will be joining you at the conference. Connect with colleagues from different companies, experience levels, and office locations to maximize your networking opportunities.
Venue Information
Grand Millennium Hotel: 71 Mayoral Drive, Auckland 1010
Getting There:
• Located central, Auckland CBD
• Valet parking available at the hotel
• Public parking available nearby
Partners
