When: Tuesday, 15 September 2026, from 7.00am-8.30am (AEST), arrive by 7am for networking and a prompt start at 7.30am

Where: Collider, located at the UniSC Innovation Centre, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs QLD 4556

Registration: Free but registration is required

Registrations close: Monday 14 September 2026, 5pm

In an increasingly complex business environment, leaders need to look beyond balance sheets and use financial insights to identify opportunities, shape strategy and support informed decision-making. 

Whether you're managing budgets, making strategic decisions, allocating resources or driving growth, a strong understanding of financial performance can help you lead with greater confidence and impact.

Join IML, UniSC, and the 4556 Chamber for an engaging session exploring how leaders can use financial and accounting insights to strengthen business performance. Learn how to interpret key financial information, ask the right questions and use financial data to support strategic decision-making.

Designed for professionals at all levels, in this practical session you will discover:

• How to better understand, analyse and interpret the financial information that drives business performance.
• The key financial measures and indicators every leader should know.
• How financial insights can help identify opportunities for growth, efficiency and innovation.
• Practical ways to use financial information to make better decisions and manage risk
• How greater financial confidence can strengthen your leadership effectiveness and organisational impact.

Whether you're leading a team, contributing to strategic decisions or looking to build your commercial acumen this session will equip you with practical tools to help you move beyond the numbers and use financial knowledge to drive future success and growth.

Secure your place today.

Panel Member: Therese Kosmer – CEO of Strategy and Performance Australia

Therese Kosmer is the CEO of Strategy and Performance Australia, Futurist and Strategy Keynote, and Quantum Physics enthusiast. Therese’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Commerce, International Business and Marketing, Public Sector Certificate in Transformation and Strategy, and Certified Practitioner of Performance Management, Benefits Management, and ADKAR Prosci Change Management.

After 27-year leadership career working in global corporate consulting, local and state government, universities, water utilities, and the foreign aid sector, Therese established an enterprise coaching firm to support CEOs and Boards to improve the strategy and performance of their organisations. Strategy and Performance Australia’s purpose is to improve outcomes for local communities, by helping leaders bring their people on the journey. Proudly headquartered on the Sunshine Coast the national company leads executive strategic planning days, in-house coaching, workshop facilitation, public workshops, conference panels and keynote speaking.

Keep an eye out later this year for the release of Therese’s book called ‘Where the Future is Going – an official heads up!’, and for local public events in September and October supporting solopreneurs and small business executives to undertake annual strategic planning.

Moderator: Dr Ratna Paudyal

Dr Ratna Paudyal is a Senior Lecturer in Accounting at the University of the Sunshine Coast and an award-winning educator with more than 25 years of tertiary teaching experience across Australia and internationally. He is recognised for his leadership in accounting education, curriculum innovation, student employability and industry engagement. Dr Paudyal has received national and institutional recognition, including an Australian Award for University Teaching Citation, Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy, and the UniSC Vice-Chancellor and President’s Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching.

His work connects accounting education with real-world practice, supporting students, graduates, businesses and community partners to build capability, confidence and career readiness. He has established extensive industry and community partnerships and led initiatives that strengthen employability, professional networks and regional engagement. As moderator for “Beyond the Balance Sheet: Driving Future Success and Growth Through Accounting,” Dr Paudyal brings a practical, collaborative and future-focused perspective to the conversation.

 Dr Paudyal, also teaches in the Business Postgraduate Programs in ACC706 Strategic Management Accounting.

For any inquiries, please contact Dr Jane Menzies at jmenzies@usc.edu.au or Dr Bianka Sabert at bsabert@usc.edu.au