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In this episode of Small Firm, Big Impact, we unpack the key updates from the recent Australian Federal Budget 2026-27 and what they mean for accounting firms and their clients.  Treasurer Jim Chalmers has handed down one of the most significant budgets in recent times, with fundamental changes to taxation of capital and trusts.   Our host, Zoe Delamare, Public Affairs Lead, is joined by Susan Franks CA, Australian Tax and Superannuation Leader and Tony Negline CA, Superannuation and Financial Advice Leader, to dive into the changes and what CA ANZ members need to know.   In this episode, we discuss:  Changes to the minimum tax on discretionary trust distributions   How to advise super fund clients   The impact of capital gains tax changes and valuation   Practical ways to support clients   How we can advocate for members   Resources mentioned:  CA ANZ Budget coverage   Federal Budget webinar recording   Visit the podcast page for more resources  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Small Firm, Big Impact, we unpack how the ATO manages remission of the General Interest Charge (GIC) and what it means for accounting firms and their clients.  With rising cost pressures and increased scrutiny, GIC is becoming a bigger issue in practice. But how remission decisions are made, and why outcomes can vary, is not always clear.  Our host, Lisa Lintern, is joined by Ruth Owen, Inspector-General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman, who shares insights from a recent review into GIC remission, and the key issues raised by CA ANZ members.  In this episode, we discuss:  How the ATO approaches GIC remission decisions  Why inconsistency occurs, and what’s changing  When practitioners should consider applying for remission  Practical ways to support clients facing growing GIC  What informal review options are available if decisions are declined  Resources mentioned:  CA ANZ submission on GIC remission  Tax Ombudsman review into GIC remission  ATO changes to GIC remission (January 2026)  Visit the podcast page for more resources  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Tax Management New Zealand (TMNZ) Strategic Advisor Chris Cunniffe FCA, as he reveals the findings of the 2025 Inland Revenue Satisfaction Survey, a joint initiative between TMNZ and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. Chris provides insights into New Zealand’s rising tax debt, what agents think about IR’s increasing tax audit engagements, the rollout of the Government’s Investment Boost policy, and the experiences of tax agents dealing with Inland Revenue. Resources referred to in this episode: IR Satisfaction Survey Results slides Smaller Practices Centre Contact the podcast Note: this episode was recorded in December 2025. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Lisa Lintern, Chartered Accountants ANZ (CA ANZ) Group Executive External Affairs as she interviews Naomi Walsh FCA, the new CA ANZ President, about her goals for the year ahead. Naomi shares her passion for supporting regional members, celebrates the diverse career paths Chartered Accountants can pursue, and highlights the importance of core skills and ethics in emerging fields like AI and sustainability. Tune in for practical insights and inspiration for smaller firm leaders and ambitious CAs. Resources referred to in this episode: Naomi’s President’s Letter in Acuity (link to come) The latest CA ANZ Remuneration Survey (link to come) The CA ANZ Commitment Contact the podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kristen Wydell, General Manager – Professional Standards, returns to Small Firm, Big Impact to demystify Certificates of Public Practice (CPP) for members based in Australia. Listen along for a clear, practical walkthrough of CPP’s for CA ANZ members. We unpack what a CPP is, who must hold one, key eligibility checklists, and application guidance. We also explain the benefits of holding a CPP, your ongoing obligations, the consequences of providing services without a CPP, and how to cancel or re-apply when your circumstances change. Resources referred to in this episode: Regulation CR2 Certificate of Public Practice Regulation CR3 Public Practice Regulation For support contact the Professional Standards Team PODCAST: CA ANZ’s Professional Standards Scheme – your questions Smaller Practices Centre Contact the podcast   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ruth Owen, the Taxation Ombudsman is back on Small Firm, Big Impact to unpack the findings of the recent review into the ATO’s Registered Agent Phone Line. If you’ve ever faced long wait times, struggled to get the right advice, or wondered what’s being done to improve your experience as a registered agent, this conversation is for you.  Ruth shares what the review uncovered, the recommendations made to the ATO, and how these changes could impact your day-to-day work. We also discuss the future of Online Services for Agents (OSfA), the importance of connecting with knowledgeable ATO staff, and how you can get involved in shaping the next round of improvements.   Plus, get a sneak peek into the upcoming review of the ATO’s remission of general interest charge (GIC) - a hot topic for many agents.  Tune in for practical insights, expert commentary, and resources to help you stay ahead in practice.  *Update 4 December 2025: The Tax Ombudsman’s refreshed work plan FY25/26 (referenced at 18:55 in this episode) has been released with Compromised Accounts deferred and replaced with the ATO’s use of Director Penalty Notices. Resources referred to in this episode:  CA ANZ submission on ATO Registered Agent Phone Line  Tax Ombudsman report on Registered Agent Phone Line  Tax Ombudsman review of Online Services for Agents (review yet to commence)  Tax Ombudsman review of ATO’s management of remission of the general interest charge (GIC) (submissions closed)  CA ANZ submission to Tax Ombudsman’s review on remission of general interest charge  CA ANZ submission on the draft ATO concessions framework  CA ANZ response to Tax Ombudsman’s 2025-26 work plan (May 2025)  CA ANZ submission to Tax Ombudsman’s 2026 workplan refresh (November 2025)  Tax Ombudsman’s refreshed work plan FY25/26 Smaller Practices Centre  Contact the podcast  Small Firm, Big Impact podcast   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In March, 2025 the new CA ANZ Professional Standards Scheme was approved by the Professional Standards Council. CA ANZ has provided a scheme for Australian members in practice since 1997. Kristen Wydell FCA, CA ANZ General Manager – Professional Standards, joins host Gillian Bowen to explain this latest development and what it means for CA ANZ members in public practice. Resources referred to in this episode: CA ANZ’s Professional Standards Scheme | CA ANZ New CA ANZ Professional Standards Scheme approved in Australia | CA ANZ Sharing Knowledge Webinar The Scheme and Professional Indemnity insurance | CA ANZ Professional Standards Council and Professional Standards Authority | CA ANZ Current Scheme Documents | Professional Standards Councils Minimum Professional Indemnity (PI) Insurance calculator | CA ANZ Your Professional Standards Scheme self checkup | CA ANZ Professional Standards Support | CA ANZ CA ANZ podcast page See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Zealand Government has unveiled Budget 2025, which includes an ‘Investment Boost' to accelerate depreciation, significant changes to KiwiSaver, and additional funding for Inland Revenue. Peter Vial FCA, CA ANZ New Zealand Country Head, and John Cuthbertson FCA, CA ANZ New Zealand Tax and Financial Services Leader join Daniel Webster, CA ANZ New Zealand Public Affairs Manager in this special episode of Small Firm, Big Impact to unpack the announcements. As with any budget, there are winners and losers – tune in to hear the team's analysis, straight from the Beehive Lock-up. Resources referred to in the episode: CA ANZ’s 2025 NZ Budget Coverage See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The results are in – and it’s CA ANZ’s ‘early-career’ members who are more likely to receive the highest percentage pay increase compared to their more experienced colleagues. They expect more too. So which members received higher bonuses and performance pay? What about additional benefits? And what’s the latest on the gender pay gap for chartered accountants? If you haven’t had time to go through the latest CA ANZ Remuneration Survey Report – this episode is for you. Charlotte Evett FCA, General Manager NZ Regions joins Gillian to take members through key data, and what it all means in the fight for talent and your plans to secure a pay increase. 2023 CA ANZ Remuneration Survey Report Exclusive insight into remuneration in your region – log into My CA. CA ANZ Gender Equity Charter & Playbook WGEA Gender pay gay definition Small Firm, Big Impact podcast page See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tinashe Kamangira FCA, the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand President for 2024, is making small and medium sized practices one of his focuses for this year.  He’s passionate about supporting SMPs in their fight to find talent and empowering Members to inspire the next generation.  In this episode hear Tinashe explain his plan to connect directly with SMPs, where being a CA has taken him and why safeguarding the profession’s reputation after a particularly challenging year, is crucial.  He’ll also explain the role he is required to fulfill as the President, his place on the CA ANZ Board and how you can get more involved with your membership body.  Resources referred to in the episode:  CA ANZ High School Toolkit  The new SMP Hub  Check out what newsletters you’ve subscribed to by logging into MyCA  Contact us about getting in touch with your Regional Manager and joining relevant groups/councils/committees  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.