Accounting for aboriginal success – conference aims to increase participation and employment of Indigenous people in accounting and business

The long lasting value that accounting can bring to Indigenous communities will be explored at a conference in Melbourne this week.

“Of the approximately 200,000 qualified accountants in Australia, only 27 are self-identified Indigenous Australians,” said Dr Luisa Lombardi, conference organiser and Deakin University Business School senior lecturer.

“The aim is to increase the participation and employment of Indigenous people in the accounting profession and business, and show how accounting is just as valuable to Indigenous communities as law, teaching, medicine and nursing.”

The Indigenous Accounting and Business Conference will bring together business owners and leaders, finance professionals, researchers and policy makers within Australia and from overseas, to share information and knowledge that address the impact of financial skills and its role in Indigenous success.

“Historically, accounting in the context of Indigenous peoples world-wide has been portrayed as a tool of disempowerment because accounting has traditionally been delivered by non-Indigenous people,” Dr Lombardi explained.

“Through my research I have found that whilst accounting in the hands of non-Indigenous peoples has arguably acted as a tool of disempowerment, it is possible to move to a place where accounting in the hands of Indigenous peoples for Indigenous peoples can be a tool of empowerment.

“The knowledge and language of business can build capacity and empower Indigenous peoples to enter fields, such as accounting, that have been traditionally shut to them.

“Through the conference Indigenous, and non-Indigenous, speakers from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA will share knowledge about what is happening to raise awareness of the role of accounting and business in achieving Indigenous success.”

During the conference, Indigenous accountants will share their stories including Christian Lugnan, Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations Regional Manager (Coffs Harbour PM & C) and Ellery Blackman, Tax Accountant with Pascoe Partners.

“Through my many years of working directly with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, I have witnessed all over the country great success in community and for profit organisations where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have accounting and business skills,” Mr Lugnan said.

“They tend to get it right as they are able to balance the cultural, social and economic priorities of community. These skills enable greater influence in decision making and governance practices.”

Mr Blackman echoes Mr Lugnan’s experience of the positive impact accounting can have on communities.

“In my experience, community not only benefits from the finance/accounting skill set of accountants, it’s the skills required to effectively utilise that finance/accounting knowledge which provides the most benefit,” Mr Blackman said.

“The ability to manage resources to achieve social and economic outcomes, and effectively communicating that process in a way that all stakeholders can understand is invaluable.”

More Indigenous university students are enrolling in medicine, law, education and nursing, the challenge is to help Indigenous students see that accounting is just as valuable a career.

“Greater take up of accounting studies by Indigenous peoples means re-empowering individuals and entire communities to regain control of their own money,” Dr Lombardi said.

“Accounting by Aboriginal people, for Aboriginal people.”

WHAT: Deakin Business School Indigenous Accounting and Business Conference

WHEN: 2-3 September 2015

WHERE: RACV City Club, 501 Bourke Street, Melbourne