Investor Presentaiton

REX SCHOOLMEESTER, FCPA Department of Corporate and Information Services Member since 1983 I was born in the Northern Territory and have lived here all my life. When I left Darwin High School in 1978, I was planning to go down south and undertake a career in chemistry. My brother Frans who started in the public service in the early sixties, suggested that I look around at some of the opportunities in the NT. The Northern Territory Government had identified that there was a shortfall of qualified accountants in the public sector and was advertising a Finance Officer in training program. I joined the program in 1979 which involved full-time study at the then Darwin Community College (now Charles Darwin University) towards a Bachelor of Business in Accounting, and part-time work within the Northern Territory Government. Most of us joined the Australian Society of Accountants (now CPA Australia) as student members, and we started going to some of the professional development sessions. The NT Government provided a number of Government related professional development opportunities during this time also. In 1981 a new group of trainees were selected and a strong bond and network began which the NT Government is still benefiting from today. After 3 years of study I completed my Bachelor of Business and became an Associate Member of CPA Australia. When the CPA program became available, it seemed to be a natural choice to enrol in and complete the program. I spent my first 20 years in government mainly working as the Finance Investment Manager and Manger Member Services for the Northern Territory Superannuation Office. During this time there were some significant changes in the regulation of superannuation and superannuation funds. I had a brain explosion in 1997 and resigned from the NT Government with the intention of starting my own accounting firm. I completed the CPA private practising certificate, however never undertook the residential part of the program. In 1998 I joined the Government again as the Deputy Public Trustee. I then was silly enough to apply for a position with DCIS as the Manager Taxation Services that over saw the introduction of GST and I lodged the first NT Government BAS. I have always been interested in Management Accounting so I joined the Department of the Legislative Assembly as the Chief Financial Officer. I retuned to DCIS as the CFO where I am currently. I am proud of the profession that I belong, and it has given me opportunities to work in exciting and interesting jobs. The people and networks that I have established through being a member of CPA is an integral part of my life. Programs and conferences like "Accounting at the Top" and even opportunities like meeting new accounting graduates and listening to other members and their experiences still motivates and stimulates me. BE HEARD. BE RECOGNISED. CPA AUSTRALIA

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