12个月前，澳大利亚公共会计师协会重新定义了改善小企业生活质量的目的。推动IPA倡议的背后关键驱动因素是了解小企业对我们的经济以及全球经济的重要性。
继2015年第一版白皮书成功发布，在与IPA Deakin中小企业研究中心进行了长达12个多月的研究和政策讨论后，我们推出了第二版澳大利亚小企业白皮书。
毫不奇怪，最新版本的澳大利亚小企业白皮书侧重于早期版本的许多方面，例如生产力、监管、税收、融资渠道和资本、创新、竞争政策、创造就业机会、工作场所关系、贸易和国际化。我们还引入了像网络安全和小企业经营者心理健康等新领域，这将成为进一步研究和政策发展的主题。
这项工作是一项伟大的成就，但我们不会仅仅因为“完成工作”而满足。白皮书中许多建议迫切需要我们进一步的政策倡导从而获得支持，并为赢得澳大利亚小企业的最大利益而推动改革。
然而，这只是一个开始，因为我们代表着IPA会员，同时还代表着其他司法管辖区内小企业的利益。
大多数国家将小企业视为各自经济体中的“发动机舱”。尽管听起来有点过时，但这在战略上是绝对正确的。我反而认为小企业不只是“发动机舱”而是全部。即便如此，在倡导将小企业提升到决策前沿方面，澳大利亚仍然落后于其他国家。
为更好地影响和推动变革我们成立了IPA集团。上海已经引入了小企业白皮书，我们的目的是在英国也创建一版白皮书。许多影响澳大利亚小企业的问题同样也是全球小企业所面临的。因此，我们会“转移”到英国市场。当然，我们在英国(和其他市场)的努力必须考虑当地的政治和监管环境。
我期望在2019年初始凭借IPA在英国获得的学术支持来建立一个完善的研究基地，发布白皮书的英国版本。这一系列的白皮书将通过IPA集团日益增强的影响力以及不断增长的综合、全球和数字经济认可度的支持下发挥作用。
与IPA会员有什么关联呢?超过70%的IPA集团会员为小企业提供服务，作为他们值得信赖的顾问，我们不仅应该代表我们会员的利益，也应该代表他们所服务的小企业和中小企业的利益。您可以自豪地与您的客户，雇主和企业分享这一殊荣。
最后，我要感谢我们的会员在最近会员路演中积极参与并感谢他们为澳大利亚公共会计师协会2025年战略计划中提供了强有力支持。
Andrew Conway FIPA FFA
Making small business count
Over 12 months ago, the IPA redefined its purpose for being as improving the quality of life of small business. Understanding the importance of small business to our economy and in fact, global economies, is one of the key drivers behind out intent.
After more than 12 months of research and policy work through the IPA Deakin SME Research Centre, we launched the second edition of the Australian Small Business White Paper. This follows the success of the release of the landmark first edition in 2015.
Not surprisingly, our latest release focuses on many of the aspects from the earlier edition; such as productivity, regulation, taxation, access to finance and capital, innovation, competition policy, job creation, workplace relations, trade and internationalisation. We have also introduced new areas, such as cyber security and mental health of small business operators, which will continue to be the subjects of further research and policy development.
This body of work is a great achievement, but we will not rest on our laurels by merely saying ‘job done’. It is now imperative that our ongoing advocacy work stands behind the many recommendations contained within the White Paper and we push for reforms that are in the best interests of small business in Australia.
However, this is just the start as we look to support our members here and in other jurisdictions where we represent the interests of small business.
Most nations see small business as the ‘engine room’ of their respective economies. As cliché as that may sound, it’s statistically true. However, I believe small business is much more than just the engine room; it’s the whole plant and factory. Despite this, in Australia we still lag behind some of the initiatives championed in other countries that elevate small business to the front of policy-making.
We have formed the IPA Group to influence and drive change. We have already introduced a Small Business White Paper in Shanghai, and our intention is to create a similar vehicle in the UK. Many of the issues impacting small business here in Australia are faced by small business globally and， therefore, will be ‘transferable’ to the UK market. However, our efforts in the UK (and other markets) must take into consideration the local political and regulatory environments.
With the academic support we have acquired in the UK to establish a sound research base, I expect to start the process of establishing the UK version in early 2019. This series of White Papers will underpin in the IPA Group’s growing influence and recognition in an increasingly integrated, global and digital economy.
What is the relevance to our members? More than 70 per cent of IPA Group members service small business, and as their trusted advisers, we should represent not only the interests of our members but also, the small businesses and SMEs they serve. This is something you should be proud to share with your clients, employers and businesses.
In closing, I would like to thank our members for engaging so actively throughout the recent member roadshows and for the strong support shown for our strategic plan 2025.
Andrew Conway FIPA FFA
