About the lecture series

The Birkett Memorial Lecture series celebrates the life, achievements, and visionary insights of the late Professor Bill Birkett, by showcasing the latest thought leadership from distinguished academics and industry leaders.

Attending the lecture presents a wonderful professional development opportunity. The series provides an invaluable networking opportunity by attracting large and diverse audience. For family and friends of he latest Professor Birkett, the lecture also provides an opportunity to catch up and remember his many remarkable achievements.

This year’s lecture

Presenter: Anna Lee (Chief Executive Officer, Flybuys)

Topic: Reshaping Accounting’s Value Proposition.  Is it Time?

Date: Thursday, 9 November 2023 (Save the dates).

Location: CPA Australia, Level 3, 111 Harrington Street, Sydney 2000

About Professor Birkett

Professor Bill Birkett began his academic career at UNSW in 1962. Over the course of over 40 years, until his untimely passing in 2004, Professor Birkett established himself as a pioneering and highly experienced scholar in the accounting. Professor Birkett published extensively in areas such as Australian company failures, activity-based costing, value creating and risk management in financial services, and strategic resource management.

Professor Birkett’s passion was to advancing the latest thinking in accounting practice. In his time, and in additional to serving in a number of leadership roles in the UNSW Business School, Professor Birkett played an significantly influential role in the development of the accounting profession. Most notably, Professor Birkett established the Australian Centre of Management Accounting Development (ACMAD), which at its height was a national network for the exchange of discussion and development of new accounting ideas. Professor Birkett also influenced through his service in a number of professional leadership roles, including with CPA Australia and the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).  

Bill was a visionary and an innovative scholar, and his pioneering spirit lives on through this lecture series. 

Past lectures

  • 2022: Alison Kitchen, National Chairman of KPMG Australia

Beyond the Financials – the Role of the Profession in Accounting for ESG Impact

 
  • 2021: Steve Bingham, EY Partner and Asia Pacific Technology Consulting Leader; UNSW Alumnus

Digital Transformation and Technology: Implications for the Future of the Accounting Profession.

View Recording

*Password:CPAAustralia2021

  • 2020: Jessica Fries, Accounting for Sustainability Project (Prince’s Trust) 

Recorded webinar - Bill Birkett Memorial Lecture 'Building Back Better' in the aftermath of COVID 19.

  • 2019: Rachel Grimes, Westpac Group 

Embracing accounting’s technological disruption: It’s as easy as ABCDE.

  • 2018: Mark Uncles, UNSW Sydney

Future of Accounting Transforming Accounting Education – are we ready for the ride?

  • 2017: Baljit Sidhu, UNSW Sydney

How accountants can contribute to society and act as agents for transformational change.

  • 2016: Ray Ball, The University of Chicago

International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) After a Decade.

  • 2015: Roger Simnett, UNSW Sydney

Integrated Reporting and Assurance: Trends and evidence of benefit.

  • 2014: Clinton Free, UNSW Sydney

The Fraud Triangle – a critical analysis.

  • 2013: Peter Roebuck, UNSW Sydney

Competency Frameworks: A Way Forward For Internal Audit And Practice.

  • 2012: Professor Shannon Anderson, University of California
  • 2011: Professor Norio Sawabe, Kyoto University
  • 2010: Professor Philip Brown, University of New South Wales and University of Western Australia
  • 2009: Professor Roger Simnett, University of New South Wales
  • 2008: Professor Kim Langfield Smith, Monash University
  • 2007: Professor Jan Mouritsen, Copenhagen Business School
  • 2006: Professor Wai Fong Chua, University of New South Wales
  • 2005: Professor Rob Chenhall, Monash University and James Cook University