The merger between Savings & Loans and Australian Central took effect on 1 December 2009. As we’ve advised in previous updates, it will take over 12 months to fully integrate the two credit unions’ products, branches and services, though changes and improvements
will be gradually introduced over time.

What is changing?

Changes have been made throughout the merger process. The first improvements as a result of the merger took effect on 1 December 2009, when some transaction fees were reduced across both credit unions, and Savings & Loans’ Retirement & Pension account was brought into line with Australian Central’s Club 55.

Products

In some instances, we have been able to pass on benefits immediately to members. For example, Savings & Loans’ members with Retirement & Pension accounts now receive the same interest rates and fees as the Australian Central Club 55 account.

Additionally, some term investment rates have been aligned with the same special rates being offered by both credit unions. We have also aligned the standard variable rates on home loans and aligned the personal loan range offered by each credit union.

From 1 September 2010, the service and lending fees charged by Australian Central and Savings & Loans will be aligned, with significant reductions across our most common fees, and the removal of some other fees.

New name and brand

The process of developing and launching a new brand and logo for the credit union has begun, and members will be asked to approve our new name at our Annual General Meeting in October. Member feedback has been gathered through focus groups and surveys throughout the development of the name and brand.

To find out more about career opportunities and the services we provide visit;

www.savingsandloans.com.au

www.accu.com.au

Our firm was founded by a group of Partners and staff from Big 4 accounting firms who believed a high quality boutique firm could thrive when freed of audit independence constraints. Since then, McGrathNicol has grown strongly. We have earned a reputation for achieving innovative, high quality results by providing technical excellence, responsive advice and sound execution capability.

We have sustained our market leading reputation through:

+         providing premium quality service;

+         striving to exceed the expectations of our clients;

+         remaining truly independent;

+         a proven track record on Australasia’s landmark engagements in our chosen fields; and

+         the quality, depth and specialised expertise of our people.

These qualities position McGrathNicol as an industry leader within the Australasian market.

To find out more about our services, undergraduate and graduate opportunities visit www.mcgrathnicol.com

PKF in Australia

PKF Partners work out of six practices, across 11 capital city and regional offices, located across Australia. Nationally, PKF has 85 Partners and over 650 staff members working together across industries and services to provide clients with seamless, cross-border services and resources.

PKF International

PKF in Australia form part of the leading global accounting association of PKF International, an association of legally independent firms, which has a network of 245 member firms and exclusive correspondents in 125 countries.

With such significant resources available, PKF is able to offer premium services to clients with diversified global locations.

PKF International and its member firms are committed to the values of integrity, professionalism and independence, as well as the desire to share our skills and knowledge across borders to provide our clients with a world-class range of services at world-class standards. PKF International is a member of the Forum of Firms, an organisation dedicated to consistent and high quality standards of financial reporting and auditing practices worldwide. PKF conducts seamless high quality group audits on a global basis.

Our Clients

Our client base comprises mainly mid-market and growing businesses, including local and international organisations, privately owned companies, companies listed on the Australian and overseas stock exchanges, Government organisations, superannuation and investment funds, charities and not-for-profit organisations, all covering a diverse range of services and industries.

To find out more about our firm and avaliable career opportunities visit www.pkf.com.au

 
Ernst & Young is a global leader in Assurance, Tax, Transactions and Advisory services. We aim to have a positive impact on businesses and markets, as well as on society as a whole.

Fast access to our global network
Our 144,000 people are the foundation of our success. We assemble the right multi-disciplinary team for your business, drawing on our global talent pool, to help you achieve your potential. We work closely with you, gaining a clear understanding of your organization and striving to identify issues before they become problems. We make sure you get fast access to the people you need, wherever in the world you need them. And with our global focus on 14 Global Industry Sectors you benefit from a market-leading global response to your specific needs.

Developing our people, to the benefit of your business
We attract talented people from diverse backgrounds. Our emphasis on inclusiveness matters more than ever today. As business challenges become more complex, we need to call upon the widest spectrum of views and opinions to address them.

Making a difference in a changing world
Business, government and NGOs are increasingly pulling together to promote business, social and environmental progress. Ernst & Young contributes to this effort through skill-based volunteering that’s coordinated globally while taking account of local conditions and culture. We channel our efforts into three key areas that are aligned with our business strategy and critical to improving and expanding market economies: entrepreneurship, education and environmental sustainability.

To find out more about our people, values and career opportunities visit www.ey.com/AU/

UBS draws on its 150-year heritage to serve private, institutional and corporate clients worldwide, as well as retail clients in Switzerland. We combine our wealth management, investment banking and asset management businesses with our Swiss operations to deliver superior financial solutions and manage CHF 2.2 trillion in invested assets.

Headquartered in Zurich and Basel, Switzerland, UBS has offices in more than 50 countries, including all major financial centers, and employs approximately 64,000 people. Under Swiss company law, UBS is organized as an Aktiengesellschaft, a corporation that has issued shares of common stock to investors. UBS AG is the parent company of the UBS Group (Group).

The operational structure of the Group comprises the Corporate Center and four business divisions: Wealth Management & Swiss Bank, Wealth Management Americas, Global Asset Management and the Investment Bank.

What we do; Our clients & businesses

Wealth Management & Swiss Bank

Wealth Management & Swiss Bank focuses on delivering comprehensive financial services to high net worth and ultra high net worth individuals around the world

Wealth Management Americas

Wealth Management Americas provides advice-based relationships through financial advisors who deliver a fully integrated set of products and services specifically designed to address the needs of ultra high net worth, high net worth and core affluent individuals and families.

Global Asset Management

Global Asset Management is a large-scale asset manager with businesses diversified across regions, capabilities and distribution channels. It offers investment capabilities and investment styles across all major traditional and alternative asset classes. These include equities, fixed income, currency, hedge fund, real estate, infrastructure and private equity investment capabilities that can also be combined in multi-asset strategies. The fund services unit provides legal fund set-up and accounting and reporting for all retail and institutional funds.

Investment Bank

The Investment Bank provides securities and other financial products and research in equities, fixed income, rates, foreign exchange and precious metals. It also provides advisory services and access to the world’s capital markets for corporate and institutional clients, governments, financial intermediaries and alternative asset managers and private investors.

To find out more about us visit www.ubs.com

We combine entrepreneurial drive with deep industry and regional expertise and robust risk management. This gives our clients and investors confidence, and allows us to deliver innovative products and services and strong investment returns.

Macquarie’s business is structured into six operating groups, three support groups and one division. At Macquarie we offer you the experience and freedom to grow your career whilst making your mark within a highly successful organisation.

To find out more about who we are and our structured groups visit www.macquarie.com.au

Kennedy & Co Chartered Accountants are passionate about developing and maintaining close relationships with their clients to provide effective and intelligent solutions that meet ever changing and diverse needs. Conveniently located in Adelaide, South Australia, Kennedy & Co also services regional areas throughout the state.

Kennedy & Co is proud to have been rated one of the “Top 100 accounting firms” in Australia three years consecutively by the Business Review Weekly. Our dedication to superior service and community involvement is guaranteed to exceed your expectations.

Kennedy & Co provide a range of services in;

    -   Accounting

    -   Taxation

    -   Business & Advice

    -   Insolvency & Reconstruction

    -   Auditing

    -   Forensic Accounting

    -   Litigation Support

    -   Corporate Finance

For further information on the services we provide and career opportunities visit www.kennedy.com.au

Grant Thornton Australia is a member of Grant Thornton International, one of the largest accounting networks in the world, with a global turnover of US$3.6billion and 30,000 people. This means access to firms in over 100 countries, giving our clients specialist local knowledge wherever their business takes them.

Grant Thornton’s global size and infrastructure, brand, development programs and state of the art methodologies, allow us to share knowledge and best practices and help us retain a better quality of staff. Clients benefit through depth of expertise and resources as well as seamless, cohesive service.

Despite the global clout, Grant Thornton has not lost sight of its roots, and key differentiators – access to partners for all clients and a friendly, personal approach. We work with our clients over the long term to help them achieve their ambitions and grow their business.

Grant Thornton in Australia and internationally, strives to speak out on issues that matter to business and the wider public interest, to be a bold and positive leader in our chosen markets and within the global accounting profession.

In Australia Grant Thornton has offices in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.

For more information visit our website http://www.grantthornton.com.au

When:      Tuesday, 24th August, 2010

Where:    The Business Hub

Time:       12:00pm – 2:00pm

The event will be held in conjunction with our sponsors Chartered Accountants and Ernst & Young, who will be at the event promoting various career opportunities!!

So if you are free at the time, why don’t you come and join us for free pizza, cans of drink and career advice!

ABSS Crew.

** There will be limited supplies of pizza and cans of drinks. Hence, there will be a limit of 1 slice of pizza and 1 can of drink per person.**

The event was sponsored by KPMG, one of the four largest accounting firms in Adelaide and allowed KPMG representatives to be present and provide an opportunity for business students to have an informal chat with staff, seek the upcoming opportunities KPMG have to offer and pose any questions they had regarding a future career.

Firing off at 12:00pm, the pizza and cans of drink were served!! Proving to be too good of an opportunity to refuse, students were effortlessly persuaded to pass through, collect food and liaise with the KPMG representatives. Concluding around 2:00pm, the event seen the attendance of over 150 STUDENTS! Overall, the students benefited by gaining a better knowledge of where their degree’s are taking them and the working opportunities avaliable to them outside of Uni.

The ABSS would like to say a big thank you to the representatives from KPMG for taking the time off work to get involved with the Adelaide University student community. Thank you also to everyone who attended on the day and made the event such a great success!

Be sure to check out the days photos in the ABSS event photo gallery.

ABSS Crew.

For further information about KPMG visit the ABSS’ Sponsorship- Partners page and click their link!

The event was marketed through student emails, the ABSS website, the ABSS facebook page and student flyers. If you missed out this time be sure to keep your eyes and ears open for the next event!