Workshop Program
10.15am Welcome - Dean Winter, Chairperson, Finance Professionals Network
10.30am Auditing local government, Sandra Labuschagne, Deputy Auditor General, Office of the Auditor General
It's been over 18 months since the Auditor General received a mandate to audit all WA local governments and regional councils. Deputy Auditor General Sandra Labuschagne will provide an update on the process so far and briefly talk about recently tabled reports including the first local government
Audit Results report - Annual 2017-18 Financial Audits, Records Management in Local Government and
Management of Supplier Master Files.
City of South Perth auditing journey 2017/18 Colin Cameron, Director Corporate Services, City of South Perth
Throughout the auditing process a myriad of information and records are scrutinized to ensure that compliance and good governance practices are being adopted and followed. Colin Cameron will present on the City of South Perth's auditing journey, detailing what did and didn't go well, the value of the insights generated by the audit and the recommendations made to the City.
11.30am Financial Ratios, Mike Cole, Town of Victoria Park, Dean Winter, Shire of Harvey and Tanya Browning, Moore Stephens
Have you ever wondered about the purpose of financial ratios and if anyone reads them? Auditors have been telling us for years about our ratios and commenting when they observe any adverse trends. The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries is using them on the Mycouncil website as a measure of sustainability, and the Office of the Auditor General is now commenting on them in their reports to Parliament creating a renewed focus. During this session, we will discuss some practical examples and explore what local governments have done to address them. Delegates will also hear details about a project to review ratios during the second phase of the LG Act review.
12.00pm Lunch
1.00pm New Accounting Requirements for Local Government Russell Barnes, Moore Stephens
Several new accounting standards applied to local government from the 1 July 2019. The way local government recognises income and leases has changed. These changes impact the way contract services, grants, contributions, rates in advance and leases are accounted for. These changes might have an impact on your 2019-20 budget, annual financial reports for 2018-19 and monthly management reporting.
2.00pm Local Government update, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries representative
DLGSC will provide an update on current issues affecting the local government sector in WA, what's new and what can local government officers expect for the next 12 months.
2.30pm Afternoon Tea
2.45pm What is Wellness? - maintaining your own wellbeing and achieving a balance
Q&A Session facilitated by Candy Choo, LG Professionals WA
This session will explore the importance of; self-care, maintaining your own wellbeing, and tools for achieving work-life balance.
3.45pm Close