We are excited to announce our second Audit Assistant Conference. We loved being able to provide this special in-person event in March 2025, and now have early bird pricing available until 31 January 2026 for $649 (+GST), before the price goes up to $749 (+GST).
After taking into consideration feedback from our first event the conference will be held in Christchurch at Rydges Latimer – we hope the shortcomings will be fewer and the successes will be greater!
Included in the ticket price is full day catering on both Thursday 05 March 2026 and Friday 06 March 2026, and a networking buffet dinner on Thursday night catered by Bloody Mary’s restaurant (located within Rydges).
We have arranged a special 20% discount off accommodation for anyone wishing to stay at the Rydges while attending the conference (discount code & instructions will be displayed after checkout).
Book now to secure your place!
If you really can’t make it in person, we will make the conference available to attend online – price is the same, but you don’t get the delicious food and networking opportunities.
More speakers will be added once confirmed.
To register for the conference, fill out your details here:
Merchaleen is the Principal Advisor in the New Zealand Audit Oversight (NZAO) team at CA ANZ. She has over 20 years’ audit and accounting experience after starting her career in a mid-tier firm in South Africa. Before joining NZICA in 2022, her focus was on government auditing, including working in the accounting technical team at Audit New Zealand where she provided advice, developed resources and delivered training on complex accounting issues. Merchaleen is also actively involved in the CA Program at CA ANZ. The NZAO team undertakes NZICA’s statutory responsibilities for regulation of New Zealand members who perform assurance work. This includes co-regulatory work with the FMA in relation to licensed auditors and regulation of qualified and other auditors. The NZAO team also delivers NZICA’s practice review program in relation to firms that provide assurance services.
Talia is a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) with 20 years of audit experience. She is the current owner and director of Silks Audit Chartered Accountants Limited. She brings strong commercial and financial governance experience as well as experience on charitable, community based and public sector boards. Talia is a current board member of Lotto NZ, current Board member and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee at PHARMAC, and previously the Chair of the Whanganui Local Committee for Chartered Accountant Australia New Zealand. Ms Anderson-Town is also an Appointed Auditor of the Officer of the Auditor General and Licensed Auditor registered with the Financial Markets Authority.
Sue Barker is the director of Sue Barker Charities Law, a boutique law firm based in Wellington specialising in charities law and public tax law. Since its founding in 2012, the firm has won a number of awards, including Boutique Law Firm of the Year at the New Zealand Law Awards. Sue is the author of Taxation of Charities in Aotearoa New Zealand (LexisNexis, 2025) and a contributor to a number of other charities law publications, including The Law and Practice of Charities in Aotearoa New Zealand 2ed (LexisNexis, 2024). Sue is a director of the Charity Law Association of Australia and New Zealand and is recognised internationally as a Charity Law Scholar. In 2019, Sue was awarded the New Zealand Law Foundation International Research Fellowship Te Karahipi Rangahau ā Taiao, New Zealand’s premier legal research award, to undertake research into the question “What does a world-leading framework of charities law look like?”
Desere is a Chartered Accountant with 17 years of experience in audit, assurance, and financial reporting across South Africa and New Zealand. She is currently with PKF Goldsmith Fox, where she serves as the firm’s Independence Officer and contributes to the technical and quality teams of PKF New Zealand.
Her work focuses on enhancing audit quality, implementing new auditing and accounting standards, and supporting ethical and independent practice across the network. Desere also serves on the External Reporting Board (XRB) Technical Reference Group, contributing to the development of standards that strengthen public trust.
Passionate about the human side of auditing, Desere believes that genuine connection—with clients, teams, and purpose—enhances audit quality and reinforces ethical behavior. Outside of work, she enjoys travelling and spending time outdoors with her husband and three young children
Reuben shares science-based insights to help individuals, leaders, and teams thrive. Holding a PhD in well-being science from the University of Melbourne, he is an internationally experienced presenter and a recognised expert in his field. Reuben is dedicated to creating enduring positive change by shaping psychological, social, and physical environments to influence key behaviours, thoughts, and experiences. He believes leaders play a pivotal role in cultivating these environments and is passionate about improving performance and well-being through research-based approaches.
Bruce is a project manager in the assurance team at the XRB, where he has been for the past two years. He is currently involved in projects for less complex entities, technology, use of experts and audit evidence. Prior to this role, he worked as an audit manager in mid-tier network firms, providing audit and assurance services to for-profit, not-for-profit and public sector entities – ranging in size from small charities to large entities. He has also been involved in the development of assurance methodology and training in his previous roles. He is a CA and CPA.
Misha is responsible for heading the team that supports the New Zealand Auditing and Assurance Standards Board in its role of developing and issuing auditing and assurance standards. Misha has been with the XRB from its establishment in 2011 and has over 20 years of experience in audit and assurance standard setting. Prior to joining the XRB, she worked for KPMG, in both New Zealand and South Africa, providing assurance and technical advisory services, specialising in IFRS implementation and interpretation.
After completing her articles and final qualifications at a KPMG in South Africa, Laura was granted an international secondment to KPMG Guernsey where (with her husband) she lived and worked for 4 years until the birth of their first child. After immigrating to New Zealand she worked for KPMG Tauranga, then after the birth of their second child, Laura worked as a part-time lecturer at the local Polytechnic. After the birth of their third child, she opened a small Accounting practice. It was soon evident that a demand existed for assurance practitioners for Charities and NFPs, so she focussed solely on assurance. Laura is the sole employee in her micro business; and believes that Audit Assistant was a game-changer.
A welcome to the conference, and a reveal of the latest Audit Assitant features - new Trial Balance, Sharing Centre, Risk tools, and more. (Clive and the AA Team)
Walkthough tests and controls, addressing ethics and risks in small practices, and using readily available and secure AI tools to enhance your work. (Kirsten, Laura A)
Digging into the psychology of what makes us act unethically, practical ways to build connection with clients and team, and ways to encourage our clients to act ethically. (Reuben, Desere, Talia)
Digging into risks identified by NZICA Practice review, firm level risks related to independance and quailty control, and the legal risks auditors face and how to reduce them to an accepatble level. Finishes with a panel discussion. (Merchaleen, Desere, Sue, Talia)
An update on the LCE standard, other new standards that will impact us, and a broad look at where are international standards are heading. (Bruce, Misha and more)
What can go wrong? The risks that auditors face with governance issues. (Sue, Talia, and Kirsten)
The new LCE and ISA templates and much more, Finishes with a Q & A panel. (Clive and the AA Team)
The conference will be held in the Savoy West room located located within the modern Rydges Latimer Christchurch (approx. 20 minutes drive from the Airport).
Savoy West makes up half the Savoy Ballroom and boasts an abundance of natural light thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, which invite inspiring views over Latimer Square – an iconic green space located directly opposite – inside the space.
Catering will be provided just outside of the conference room and dinner will be hosted by Bloody Mary’s located within the Hotel.
A down-to-earth hotel accommodation where natural beauty and warm hospitality set the scene for your renewal in the Garden City. We have arranged a special discounted rate for any attendees wishing to stay at the Rydges while attending the conference – discount code is available once registration is complete.
Located in the vibrant innovation precinct and SALT district, Ramada Suites Christchurch offers ideal accommodations for any stay. Our central location provides easy access to cafes, bars, and eateries. To find out more about Ramada Suites – follow the below link.
Quest Cathedral Junction offers guests the best of local living on their doorstep. Fantastic restaurants? Check. Crafty bars? Check. Boutique shopping? Check. Beautiful parks? Check. Unique buildings that are a mix of old and new? Check. To find out more about the venue – follow the below link.
