Image L to R: Allambi Care programs and participants; and Arielle Deamer, Allambi Care.
Five recipients have been awarded the CPA Australia – CPA Program scholarship this month to study in 2023. The winners will benefit from studies in Ethics and Governance, Strategic Management Accounting, Financial Reporting, Global Strategy and Leadership. The five scholars share how these scholarships will help them take the next step in their learning journeys.
The five scholarship winners represent charities supporting Social Services, Education and Research, and Health Services in Tasmania, Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales. Congratulations to:
- Melissa Daly, Sowilo Community Inc, Western Australia
- Arielle Deamer from Allambi Care, Newcastle, NSW
- Melanie Joubert from Jireh House, Tasmania
- Dawn Perry, Your Best Life Disability and Health Organisation, Caloundra, QLD, and
- Sarah Rogers from Children By Choice Association Inc., Queensland.
Strong accounting and governance skills vital
Melanie Joubert is passionate about the not-for-profit sector and would like to be more qualified in areas of governance, compliance and financial reporting matters to better fulfil her role as accountant/quality officer. Melanie notes these studies will help her, “to consolidate prior accounting studies into an Australian CPA, which is exciting.”
Melanie works as an Accountant with Jireh House a supportive crisis accommodation service for women and children in Tasmania. She joined the team in 2020.
Melanie shares that these skills are invaluable for not-for-profits, “strong accounting & governance skills are vital in successful application for grants, which our organisation relies on heavily for the continued provision of homelessness and domestic violence services, with an ever-increasing demand for these services in our community. Strong financial knowledge is a non-negotiable to make sure funds are spent in accordance with grant agreements, and accountability and related reporting are accurate.”
Supporting growing organisations
Scholarship recipient Arielle Deamer works as an accountant with Allambi Care in Newcastle, NSW. Allambi Care is a recognised leader in the human services field, working across Newcastle, the Hunter, Central Coast and Victoria, employing over 800 staff. They support the community’s most vulnerable people through tailored services and programs. This includes Foster Care, Youth Services, NDIS, Homelessness Support, Court Support, Family Support, and Clinical Support.
Ariella shares, “Allambi Care are always pushing the boundaries on what programs can be offered and identifying current gaps in services required for the community’s most vulnerable people. As a result, this means that the business is forever growing and changing.”
Ariella feels the CPA Scholarship will provide the leadership skills and strategic skills to support Allambi Care as it continues to grow. “I feel the CPA scholarship can really help me grow professionally and challenge myself,” said Ariella.
Confidence building in knowledge and skills
Melissa Daly is the Assistant Accountant with Sowilo Community Inc in Western Australia. After working in in finance roles within the mining and resource sector for many years Melissa has now joined the not-for-profit sector.” Melissa notes this change in sector, “has changed the priorities I have regarding my career. Completing the CPA program will give me the confidence in the knowledge and skills I possess to better support the financial and business management of Sowilo, ensuring its financial viability and longevity and therefore supporting the re-engagement of young people into lifelong learning and empowering them to become creative, responsible adults who are able to make a positive contribution to their community.”
Lifelong commitment to learning
Sarah Rogers is a Finance and Operations Manager with Children By Choice Association Inc. based in Queensland. The organisation provides evidence-based information on all pregnancy options – abortion, adoption, alternative or kinship care and parenting.
Sarah shares: “I am motivated to undertake this study as part of a lifelong commitment to learning.”
Many participants acknowledge the importance of the networks they create over the duration of their studies, and Sarah says she is particularly looking forward to, “networking and mentorship opportunities. In the future I would love to pay this forward by mentoring others and using my CPA qualification in a board role in the not-for-profit sector.”
CPA Australia – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholarship winner 2023
Congratulations also to Shelley McCullagh who through our partnership with CPA Australia was awarded a CPA Australia Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholarship this year. Shelley is a Finance Coordinator with Respect Aged Care, based in Tasmania.
CPA Australia and the Australian Scholarships Foundation offer up to five 100% scholarships annually. This scholarship enables managers and financial officers of registered charitable organisations to enhance their knowledge and skills to further contribute to the management and accountability of charitable not-for-profit organisations. Read more about the CPA Australia, CPA Program 2022/23 scholarship here.
