APS Australasian Annual
Conference
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED
It’s about the time of year when we start chasing
up all APS clients in New Zealand and Australia
to make their final decisions as to who in their practice
should
register for the Annual APS Client Conference – this
year is our 16th annual conference and it takes place in
the glorious setting of Rydges Lakeland Resort in Queenstown
from Thursday 8th to Saturday 10th November.
What’s
in store for Queenstown delegates?
 Business
focus as well as software
An APS Client Conference is all about balance, as serial attendees will vouch.
On the one hand we like to work hard and on the other, plenty of time is give
over to having fun. Similarly, it’s important that we bring a business
balance to the conference sessions themselves – and this year, alongside
our key software presentations and updates we are thrilled to welcome Vodafone
NZ Warriors captain Steve Price to give a keynote address on leadership and accountability
in a team environment.
Practice value, succession
In addition to this, we are joined once again by Andrew Mackenzie, CEO of Shirlaws.
Practice value and valuation methodologies, succession planning with a twist – these
are critical issues that firms ought to review on a regular basis. When you
consider that the average age of the accounting firm equity partner in NZ
and Australia is said to be 58 years and increasing, these issues are now
fully to the fore. So we look forward to hearing Andrew’s views on
how partners in practice might look afresh at the way practice owners can
manage an era of generational change.
Delegate Discussion Groups
Adding to this business theme in 2007, for the first time at an APS Conference,
we are running a series of discussion groups that will cover a broad range
of business-centric topics. We will explore what sorts of KPIs firms should
really give attention to, what firms can do to differentiate themselves from
other local firms, how annual practice targets can be set and agreed, what
leadership really means – to name but a few. What’s more, one
of our business sessions will attempt to demystify IT generally and help
senior members of the firm to piece an increasingly complex jigsaw together
with a new level of understanding.
What about the software?
This year our main software sessions will major on some of our newest developments
with the new Advance CRM product and Workflow and
Resource Planning modules taking centre stage.
In addition, we will provide a detailed preview of Advance PM 9.1’s new
console which allows easier navigation, fees enhancements and a variety of
admin features.
As each month goes by there seems to be more and more interest in our Document
Management applications as practices start dealing with the critical issues
of document storage and retrieval in practice – we will look closely
at the functional possibilities across the Advance Document Management
suite.
Furthermore, there are a raft of new features in Practice IQ, Xcede
Professional Accounting, our Australia-only Desktop Super product
and both Australian and NZ Tax – these will all gain
airtime over the course of the two days.
Accessibility to the APS team and our business partners
One of the highlights of every conference for many of our delegates
is the ready accessibility to the APS team. People from each
of our offices, including consultants, business development,
support, software development and APS executive are available
for liaison throughout the conference. Ask questions at will
and tell us what you think. We’re there to listen and
improve our service to you. Business partners will also be represented,
including our friends and partners from Reckon and BankLink.
Keynote
speaker profile – Steve
Price - (Aus & NZ)
 Steve
Price – Captain Vodafone Warriors NRL Team
Steve Price was born on the 12 March 1974 in Toowoomba,
Queensland, and attended Harristown State High School.
At the age of 20 he was playing for the Canterbury
Bulldogs, a career that spanned 10 years from 1994 – 2004, and won him
2 NRL premierships, in 1995 and 2004. In 2005 he crossed the Tasman to take up
a deal with the NZ Warriors, the team he now captains. Other career highlights
include playing for the Kangaroos in the 98-99, and 04-05 series, as well as
turning out for Queensland in the annual State of Origin series from 1998 – 2007.
Steve has also just been named NRL Captain of the Year for 2007.
 Steve
is married with three children. His wife Jo and two girls
are active netballers, and are enjoying the Kiwi lifestyle.
Jo’s brother, Brent Tate, a regular State of Origin
Queenslander, is moving to NZ next year to take up a contract
with the NZ Warriors.
Steve is known as one of the most personable sporting celebrities and has a
humble yet compelling nature that makes him one of the best captains, and leaders
in sport today.
Conference
Venue - (Aus, NZ & UK)
Situated on the shores of beautiful
Lake Wakatipu, Rydges Lakeland Resort Queenstown boasts
breathtaking views over the lake and surrounding mountains.
Queenstown’s largest hotel is just a 5-minute
flat walk along the Lakefront to the centre of town;
the hotel is in a prime position for all travellers
with the airport only a 10-minute scenic drive away.
Queenstown is widely known as the Adventure Capital in New Zealand, and
set amidst the dramatic Southern Alps, is also one of New Zealand’s
most scenic regions. The four very distinct seasons make it a year round
destination.
As a Conference Delegate, you will have access to the facilities of all
the resorts. For more information about what the resort has to offer, click
here.
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Special thanks to our sponsors for this year
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