S5E5: Audit Innovation: tech-driven opportunities for smaller firms
In this episode, host Gillian Bowen explores the cutting-edge advancements transforming the audit profession. Joined by Steven Watson FCA, Managing Director at National Audits Group and Masood Mehmood FCCA, CA, CA ANZ Senior Policy Advocate - Reporting and Assurance, the discussion looks at how Gen AI, automation, and other innovative tools are changing the audit process, enhancing efficiency, and ensuring higher quality outcomes. The discussion also addresses the opportunities and challenges for audit firms, especially smaller-sized practices, and highlights the new CA ANZ resource, Audit and technology playbook: A practitioner’s guide. Find out how to stay competitive in a tech-driven environment and gain valuable insights from our experts. Resources referred to in this episode: Audit and technology playbook: A practitioner’s guide Acuity article on the guide CA ANZ Cyber Security Playbook CA ANZ’s Certificate in AI Fluency CA ANZ’s micro courses Exploring the IESBA Code - A Focus on Technology guide IESBA’s Technology-related Revisions to the Code IAASB ISA 220 (Revised), Quality Management for an Audit of Financial Statements IAASB ISA 315 (Revised), Identifying and Assessing Risks of Material Misstatements International Standard on Quality Management (ISQM) 1 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S5E4: Tax System Challenges: Insights from the Tax Ombudsman
Small Firm, Big Impact Host Gillian Bowen catches up* with Ruth Owen, the Inspector-General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman, about crucial updates and insights that Chartered Accountants need to know. Hear about recent focus areas for the Tax Ombudsman, including ATO service standards and ATO letters. Ruth also shares valuable information on the role of the Tax Ombudsman, elimination of the backlog for the complaints line and how you can effectively address and escalate client issues. This discussion gives a useful update on the evolving landscape of tax administration and how the Tax Ombudsman can also assist with Tax Practitioner Board matters. Resources referred to in this episode: Tax Ombudsman website Tax Ombudsman’s work plan Tax Ombudsman’s systemic review of the effectiveness of the ATO’s registered agent phone line Poll on the ATO’s registered agent phone line Tax Ombudsman’s review of ATO letters and written communications Escalate complaints about the ATO with the Tax Ombudsman via its website or telephone on 1300 44 88 29 (1300 IGT TAX) *This episode was recorded on 2 April 2025. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S5E3: Federal Budget 2025-2026: Insights for CAs
The Treasurer handed down his fourth Federal Budget on March 25, 2025, and his last before the Australian election. CA ANZ experts were in the Budget lock-up to analyse the announcements, including tax cuts, a missed opportunity for small business and proposed sanctions for tax agents. Tax, Superannuation, and Financial Advice Leader Susan Franks CA joined Gillian Bowen to go through the announcements that impact Chartered Accountants. Resources referred to in the episode: Check out CA ANZ’s Federal Budget Coverage Visit the Smaller Practices Centre See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S5E2: Sustainability opportunities for your firm and clients
If you’re a smaller practice, you may be wondering about the implications of mandatory sustainability assurance on your firm and your clients, and what the practical application of the new International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (IESSA) will look like. To help explain – the Chair of the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) Taskforce that developed them, Mark Babington FCA (ICAEW), sat down with host Gillian Bowen when he was in Sydney in February, to explain what smaller firms should know about the value chain, the resources available to help accountants and the opportunities this journey toward sustainability assurance can present. Mark, who’s also the Executive Director of Regulatory Standards at the UK Financial Reporting Council, encouraged accountants to take up the opportunity to shape methodology and practice, in this important time of generational change. Resources referred to in the episode: IESBA: Basis for conclusions - IESSA Final Standard - IESSA CA ANZ’s submission to the IESBA on the Proposed IESSA IESBA Website Contact IESBA PODCAST: What’s next for ethics and the profession? IAASB Website SME sustainability hub CA ANZ Sustainable Business page Sustainability Tools & Resources Sustainability Assurance playbook Submissions to the IAASB, AUASB and XRB on sustainability assurance Check out the Smaller Practices Centre Check out Small Firm, Big Impact on the CA ANZ website See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S5E1: Hear how the new President plans to represent members
Grant Ellis FCA is the CA ANZ President for 2025 and he sat down with Small Firm, Big Impact host Gillian Bowen, to share insights into his storied career, how he became a CA, his journey with CA ANZ and the value of an engaged membership. Find out what’s ahead with the CA ANZ strategy and why he’s remaining focussed, like his predecessors, on the future of the profession and the talent pipeline. Resources referred to in this episode: Get in contact with the President Find out more about CA ANZ's Regional Councils and Committees Explore the Make Epic Things Happen campaign Download the High School Toolkit Read more about the New CA Pathways First letter from the 2025 CA ANZ President Ten years on: marking the coming together of ICAA and NZICA Check out the Smaller Practices Centre See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
‘Small Firm, Big Impact’ is the podcast small and medium sized practices need right now. The latest series is full of factual and practical content from experts, giving chartered accountants, the up-to-date information they need to do their jobs. Each episode Chartered Accountants ANZ Public Affairs Manager Gillian Bowen will pick the brains of a range of people across the profession including CA ANZ experts as well as guests who know a thing or two about public practice.
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