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CFOs can learn a lot about pricing and leadership from Costco.  In this episode of How CFOs Think, the former Costco CFO Richard Galanti explains how Costco Wholesale – a multibillion-dollar global retailer with warehouse club operations in 14 countries – has used pricing discipline, operational efficiency, transparency and long-term thinking to build customer loyalty and value.  Listeners will learn:  Why Costco maintains strict limits on product mark-ups  How operational efficiency helps protect customer value  Why Costco sometimes accepts lower short-term earnings  How transparency shapes relationships with investors and suppliers  What the CFO contributes to major capital and strategic decisions  Why monthly performance reviews support better decision-making  What new CFOs should focus on during their first 90 days  How long-term financial discipline can support shareholder returns  Tune in with special guest Richard Galanti, who will also be speaking at CPA Congress 2026.  Host: Ky Chow, media trainer, journalist, writer and presenter  Guest: Richard Galanti, who joined Costco in 1984 after helping raise the company's original outside capital as a banker and spent close to 40 years as its CFO.  Richard Galanti will appear at CPA Congress 2026.  Loving this episode?  Listen to more INTHEBLACK episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube.  And don't forget to click subscribe to the channel for a wide range of content that will help your career.  CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting:  With Interest  INTHEBLACK  INTHEBLACK Out Loud  Excel Tips  Search for them in your podcast platform. Email the podcast team at [email protected]

Technical expertise can produce exact numbers. However, communicating what those numbers mean is a different, but incredibly valuable, skill.  This episode explores why storytelling is becoming an increasingly important capability for accountants and finance professionals.  You will learn:  Why peer credibility matters alongside formal authority  How storytelling can help financial insights drive action  Why numbers can influence behaviour, not just describe performance  How technical professionals can develop their communication skills  How the TLC framework can structure thinking, presentation and communication  How to make financial recommendations stand out to busy decision-makers  Explore the story behind the numbers — and why narrative is becoming an essential finance discipline — with special guest AJ Kulatunga, a leadership keynote speaker who will be speaking at CPA Congress 2026.  Host:  Jackie Blondell, Editor, CPA Australia  Guest: AJ Kulatunga,  a leadership keynote speaker specialising in execution intelligence for CFOs  AJ Kulatunga is speaking at CPA Congress 2026.   You can learn more about him at his website.  Loving this episode?  Listen to more INTHEBLACK episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube.  And don't forget to click subscribe to the channel for a wide range of content that will help your career.  CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting:  With Interest  INTHEBLACK  INTHEBLACK Out Loud  Excel Tips  Search for them in your podcast platform. Email the podcast team at [email protected]

Change is the one constant in today's work landscape.  This episode sparks fresh ideas on leading people through change without losing their trust or buy-in.  Expert guest Richard Gerver – who has worked with Google and Deloitte and will speak on Leading Humans Through Continuous Change at CPA Congress 2026 – looks at why restructures so often fail on the human side, not the technical one.  He explains why:  Asking questions beats presenting answers  Change works better when people have ownership of it  Organisations need to move from "managing change" to becoming comfortable with continuous change  Leaders should unlock the ideas and potential already inside their organisation  Psychological safety and leader vulnerability are essential to innovation  Resilience isn't about asking people to cope with more, it's something leaders help build  If you're leading a team through a restructure, a system migration or AI adoption, this conversation reframes resilience as something you build deliberately, not something people simply have or don't.  Give it a listen this week.  Host Tahn Sharpe, INTHEBLACK Editor, CPA Australia  Guest: Richard Gerver, award-winning change and leadership speaker with a background in education, innovation and human potential  For more information on Richard Gerver, head online to his international speakers bureau page.  Richard will speak at CPA Congress 2026.  Loving this episode?  Listen to more INTHEBLACK episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@CPAaustralia/podcasts  And don't forget to click subscribe to the channel for a wide range of content that will help your career.  CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance and accounting:   With Interest https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/with-interest  INTHEBLACK https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack  INTHEBLACK Out Loud https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack-outloud  Excel Tips https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/excel-tips   Search for them in your podcast platform. Email the podcast team at [email protected]  Chapters: 00:00 Richard Gerver on leadership vulnerability and empowering teams 00:29 Introduction to Richard Gerver, change leadership expert and educator 01:27 How Richard Gerver transformed a failing school through empowerment 04:54 Employee empowerment vs top-down change management 06:15 Why continuous change is the new normal for leaders 10:51 How to get employee buy-in for organisational change 13:00 Leadership, psychological safety and encouraging innovation 16:58 Resilience, failure and learning in a changing workplace 20:29 Leading humans through change, AI adoption and ERP transformation 22:25 Richard Gerver's advice for finance leaders managing major change projects 23:41 Key takeaways and CPA Australia Congress 2026 preview

What does responsible leadership look like when short-term performance still matters?  This episode explores stewardship as a practical approach to balancing profit, purpose, stakeholder interests and long-term value.  Key learnings include:  What stewardship means in today's leadership environment  Why organisations are shifting from short-term thinking to long-term value creation  The connection between purpose, values and leadership effectiveness  How leaders can build cultures of accountability and responsibility  Balancing stakeholder expectations in a complex world  Practical actions individuals can take to become better stewards in their own roles  This podcast aims to help leaders understand how a stewardship mindset can drive both sustainable business success and meaningful societal impact.   Tune in now.  Host: Patrick Viljoen, ESG Lead, CPA Australia  Guest: Rajeev Peshawaria, CEO of Steward Leadership Institute and an internationally recognised author, speaker and leadership expert whose work has challenged executives around the world to rethink the purpose of leadership and the role of values in driving sustainable success.  You can find more about Steward Leadership Institute on LinkedIn.  Loving this episode?  Listen to more INTHEBLACK episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube. Head to our podcast page CPA Australia - YouTube  And of course, click subscribe to the channel today.  We deliver regular content that will help boost your career skills and capabilities.  Additionally, INTHEBLACK online has stories on everyday ethics issues.  CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts  INTHEBLACK https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack  INTHEBLACK Out Loud https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack-outloud  Excel Tips Excel Tips | CPA Australia  With Interest https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/with-interest  Search for them in your podcast platform. Email the podcast team at [email protected]   Email the podcast team at [email protected]

Growth is not the problem. Undisciplined growth is.  Does revenue growth without financial discipline create value or destroy is the question at the centre of this expert-led episode.  The 2025 Australian Accounting Awards CFO of the Year Priyan Fernando explains why revenue growth can mask falling margins, tightening cash flow and weakening financial discipline.  Listeners will learn:  Why growth does not necessarily create profitability or value  Where profit commonly disappears as businesses scale up  How cash flow differs from profit  Which KPIs growing SMEs often overlook  What a fractional CFO looks at first when entering a business  How dashboards can improve financial visibility  How finance leaders can challenge the assumption that growth always equals success  Where to start when a fast-growing business has weak financial discipline  For SME owners, CFOs and senior finance professionals, the discussion offers a practical perspective on financial controls and questions that matter as a business scales up.  Tune in now.  Host: Ky Chow. Ky is a business journalist, media trainer, writer and presenter.  Guest: Priyan Fernando. Priyan is a CPA and founder of fractional CFO practice Metrix Advisory. He is also the 2025 Australian Accounting Awards CFO of the Year.  Learn more about Metrix Advisory at its website.  Loving this episode?  Listen to more INTHEBLACK episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube. Head to our podcast page CPA Australia - YouTube  And of course, click subscribe to the channel today.  We deliver regular content that will help boost your career skills and capabilities.  Additionally, INTHEBLACK online has stories on everyday ethics issues.  CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts  INTHEBLACK https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack  INTHEBLACK Out Loud https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack-outloud  Excel Tips Excel Tips | CPA Australia  With Interest https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/with-interest  Search for them in your podcast platform. Email the podcast team at [email protected]

Salary still matters.  However, it is no longer enough to attract and retain accounting and finance professionals.  In this episode, explore how the Australian employment market is changing and what workers want from their careers today.  The 2026/27 Hays Salary Guide answers questions you've been asking about career progression, flexibility, skills development and AI.  For employers, the challenge now is building a proposition that goes beyond just pay.  In the Hays Salary Guide for financial year 2026/27, you'll hear expert insights on:  How salary is no longer the only factor when people change jobs  How AI adoption is changing the way businesses hire and grow  The key skills in demand and what can help you stand out  Why career progression is becoming almost as important as salary  Why flexibility has shifted from a differentiator to an expectation  Where are the accounting and finance skills shortages  Why technical accounting expertise still matters  How accountants can move closer to commercial decision-making  What recently qualified, mid-career and senior professionals can do to stay competitive  Why employers need to combine remuneration with progression, flexibility and wellbeing  Tune in now.  Host: Adrienne Biscontin, external affairs adviser, CPA Australia  Guest: John Summers, Hays business director for accountancy and finance  You can read the Salary Guide Australia FY26/27 at the Hays website.  Loving this episode?  Listen to more INTHEBLACK episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube. Head to our podcast page CPA Australia - YouTube  And, of course, click subscribe to the channel today.  We deliver regular content that will help boost your career skills and capabilities.   Additionally, INTHEBLACK online has stories on everyday ethics issues.  CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance and accounting https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts  INTHEBLACK https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack  INTHEBLACK Out Loud https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack-outloud  Excel Tips Excel Tips | CPA Australia  With Interest https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/with-interest  Search for them in your podcast platform. Email the podcast team at [email protected]  Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:21 Hays Salary Guide 2026: Key labour market trends in Australia 01:15 Why career progression rivals salary for employee retention 03:27 Hybrid work expectations and talent attraction strategies 05:03 Career development plans that improve employee retention 06:05 AI adoption in accounting and finance: Training gap revealed 07:39 Accounting and finance skills shortages in Australia 2026 09:07 CPA qualification, technical accounting skills and salary growth 10:05 Employer of choice strategy: Salary, flexibility, AI and benefits 11:38 How AI and automation are changing accounting careers 12:43 Career advice for accountants: Commercial skills and decision-making 13:44 Early-career and mid-career accounting growth opportunities 15:14 CFOs, finance leaders and leading AI-driven change 15:45 Salary pressure, cost of living and retention risks in 2026 16:26 Key takeaways for employers and accounting professionals 17:03 Accessing the Hays Salary Guide 2026 and final thoughts

(This is an encore presentation of this INTHEBLACK podcast episode, first published on February 3, 2026)  Cognitive bias. It quietly shapes many of the decisions made in accounting and finance – often without you realising it.  This unintended bias can become a risk if left unchecked – especially in professions built on precision, trust and ethical responsibility.  Drawing on real-world examples, this episode explores the diverse types of cognitive bias, and how they can impact accounting and finance professionals in our day-to-day work.  Key learnings include:  Why cognitive bias exists and when it becomes a professional risk  How common biases affect financial judgement  The ethical consequences of bias in accounting and finance  How organisational culture can reduce or reinforce biased thinking  Practical steps individuals can take to challenge assumptions and improve decisions  How the rise of AI and automation adds a new layer of complexity to decision-making  The discussion also shows how biases such as confirmation bias, anchoring and overconfidence quietly influence decisions, often without conscious awareness.  Host: Tahn Sharpe, Editor, CPA Australia  Guest: Dr Victor Goh Weng Yew, a PhD in applied psychology and Associate Professor at the Department of Psychology at HELP University in Malaysia, where he is also the acting dean.  For more, head to HELP University online and to its page on LinkedIn.  And there is a CPA PD course on AI and Ethics in Malaysia featuring expert local speakers, case studies and examples.   Loving this episode?  Listen to more INTHEBLACK episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube.  And don't forget to click subscribe to the channel for a wide range of content that will help your career.  CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting:   With Interest  INTHEBLACK  INTHEBLACK Out Loud  Excel Tips Search for them in your podcast platform. Email the podcast team at [email protected]

Every workplace has them – the colleague whose communication style grates on you, the team member whose approach seems to undermine everything you're trying to do, or the manager you simply can't read.  In finance and corporate environments, where pressure is high and collaboration is non-negotiable, navigating these relationships isn't optional.  In this episode of the INTHEBLACK podcast, experts discuss the reality of working with people you don't like.  They explore why tension in teams can actually be a competitive advantage, how to tell the difference between a personality clash and a systemic problem, and what self-awareness really demands of us when conflict arises.  Practical, honest and occasionally confronting, this is a conversation every professional needs – not because you'll always like your colleagues, but because you have to work with them anyway.  Tune in now.  Host: Tahn Sharpe, Editor, CPA Australia  Guests: Tammy Tansley, consultant, Leadership and Workplace Culture, and Paula Brough, director, Centre for Work, Organisation and Wellbeing, Griffith University  Want to learn more about this episode's guests?  Head to Tammy Tansley's website and Paula Brough's experts page on the Griffith University website.  And the INTHEBLACK website has articles on today's episode subject and more for finance and business professionals.  Loving this episode?  Listen to more INTHEBLACK episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube. Head to our podcast page CPA Australia - YouTube  And of course, click subscribe to the channel today.  We deliver regular content that will help boost your career skills and capabilities.  CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance and accounting https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts  INTHEBLACK https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack  INTHEBLACK Out Loud https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack-outloud  Excel Tips Excel Tips | CPA Australia  With Interest https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/with-interest  Search for them in your podcast platform. Email the podcast team at [email protected]

The data doesn't lie.  With 40 per cent of workers' current skill sets expected to be transformed or obsolete by 2030, it leads to a question many are asking: How do professionals working in finance and accounting become indispensable in the coming years?  In this episode, INTHEBLACK tries to answer that by exploring the one skill that professionals can focus on to help them remain valuable.  The expert insights in this episode include:  Why AI widens the gap between average and exceptional professionals  The human skills that are becoming more valuable, not less  How critical thinking protects against AI errors and hallucinations  Why emotional intelligence and communication remain competitive advantages  How to build a career that evolves alongside AI  Practical advice for accountants, finance professionals and business leaders planning the next decade  If you're looking to stay indispensable in an AI-enabled workplace, this episode offers practical guidance grounded in real-world leadership experience.  Host: Tahn Sharpe, editor, INTHEBLACK, CPA Australia.  Guests: David Carney and Amanda Kenafake. David is executive director of the Career Industry Council of Australia, and CPA Amanda is CEO and executive director of financial services provider Power Tynan.  Learn more about the the Career Industry Council of Australia (CICA) at its website. Similarly, head online for more information on the services provided by Power Tynan.  Loving this episode?  Listen to more With Interest episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@CPAaustralia/podcasts  And don't forget to click subscribe to the channel for a wide range of content that will help your career.  CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance and accounting:  With Interest https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/with-interest  INTHEBLACK https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack  INTHEBLACK Out Loud https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack-outloud  Excel Tips https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/excel-tips  Search for them in your podcast platform. Email the podcast team at [email protected]  Chapters: 00:00 Technical vs Client-Friendly Answers in Accounting 00:24 Introduction: Future of Accounting Skills and AI Impact 01:02 Pace of Change: Should Professionals Feel Alarmed or Excited? 01:32 Adapting to AI: Mindset, Experimentation, and Career Planning 02:53 Key Skills for Modern Accountants: Problem Solving and Emotional Intelligence 04:27 Does AI Amplify Performance? How to Use AI to Enhance Skills 06:02 AI as an Amplifier, Not a Leveller: Why Context Still Matters 07:30 Using AI Under Pressure: Avoiding Blind Trust in Outputs 09:14 Human Skills vs Technical Accuracy: Communicating for Client Understanding 12:40 AI Risks: Bias, Hallucinations, and the Need for Critical Thinking 13:00 Career Advice: Owning Your Learning and Adapting to Change 15:29 How to Become an Indispensable Accountant: Growth Mindset and Upskilling 16:40 Closing Remarks and Key Takeaways

HECS transformed access to higher education in Australia and became one of the country's most influential public policy innovations.  But nearly four decades on, rising student debt, indexation concerns and changing graduate outcomes are raising fresh questions about whether the system still works as intended.  This episode examines the origins of the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS), and how its income-contingent loan model influenced education funding around the world.  It also explores the challenges facing the system today and the policy choices that could shape its future.  Key points covered:   Why HECS was introduced and the problem it was designed to solve  How income-contingent loans changed access to university  How much today's HECS has changed from its original design  Assessing the Job-ready Graduates program in 2020  Whether rising student debt is undermining the original policy goals  The impact of indexation and changing fee structures  Potential reforms and what they could mean for students and taxpayers  Tune in now.  Host: Tahn Sharpe, editor, CPA Australia  Guest: Bruce Chapman, architect of HECS and emeritus professor of Economics at ANU.  You can learn more about Bruce Chapman at his website.   Loving this episode?  Listen to more INTHEBLACK episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube. Head to our podcast page CPA Australia - YouTube  And of course, click subscribe to the channel today.  We deliver regular content that will help boost your career skills and capabilities.  Additionally, INTHEBLACK online has stories on a variety of accounting, finance and business topics.  CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts  INTHEBLACK https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack  INTHEBLACK Out Loud https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack-outloud  Excel Tips Excel Tips | CPA Australia  With Interest https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/with-interest  Search for them in your podcast platform. Email the podcast team at [email protected]

This publication provides general information only and is not legal or professional advice. CPA Australia gives no warranties as to its accuracy, completeness or suitability and disclaims all liability for reliance on it. Listeners should seek their own independent advice for their circumstances. What does Australia's biggest AML (anti-money laundering) reform in years mean for accountants, lawyers, advisers and business owners?  This episode breaks down the tranche 2 anti-money laundering reforms, the growing role of AUSTRAC, and why professional service firms are becoming critical gatekeepers in the fight against financial crime.  The discussion explores how money laundering really works, why criminals target trusted advisers, and the practical steps businesses need to take to prepare for new compliance obligations.  Main learnings:  Why Australia is expanding AML reporting obligations  How accountants and lawyers help identify suspicious activity  What suspicious matter reporting involves in practice  Why knowing your customer is central to AML compliance  The role of AUSTRAC as regulator and intelligence agency  Common red flags linked to financial crime and tax evasion  How smaller businesses can approach AML compliance practically  This episode offers practical guidance for accounting, finance and advisory professionals navigating Australia's evolving AML landscape.  Listen now.  Host:  Jacqueline Blondell, editor, CPA Australia  Experts:  Brendan Thomas, AUSTRAC CEO  Geoff Peck, a former fraud squad detective with Victoria Police's major Fraud Group, and managing director Forensic & Integrity Solutions Amanda Wood, managing director, Kroll's Investigations, Diligence and Compliance Practice  For more, head to the Australian Institute of Criminology website.  Need help with your AML/CTF obligations? AUSTRAC and CPA Australia have a host of resources. AUSTRAC's guidance for small business is another useful resource.  And head to the Crime By Numbers homepage to catch up on earlier eps in this second series as well as series 1.   Loving this episode?  Listen to more INTHEBLACK episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@CPAaustralia/podcasts  And don't forget to click subscribe to the channel for a wide range of content that will help your career.  CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance and accounting:  With Interest https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/with-interest   INTHEBLACK https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack  INTHEBLACK Out Loud https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack-outloud  Excel Tips https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/excel-tips   Search for them in your podcast platform. Email the podcast team at [email protected] Chapters: 00:00 Disclaimer 00:21 The social purpose of anti-money laundering 00:45 Introduction to Crime By Numbers Episode 3  01:28 AUSTRAC's role in Australia's AML/CTF regime 02:44 History of money laundering laws and Tranche 2 reforms 03:22 Why Australia is catching up with global AML standards 04:20 Why accountants and lawyers see risks banks can't 05:23 Core obligations for new AML gatekeepers: KYC and reporting 07:05 Comparing Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 compliance challenges 08:15 Embedding AML compliance into professional practices 09:37 Knowing your customer and hidden criminal risk 11:03 Business benefits of stronger AML processes 11:37 Common misconceptions about money laundering and cash 12:39 AUSTRAC guidance, starter kits, and industry support 14:29 Enforcement approach, penalties, and expectations 15:13 The real victims behind money laundering crimes 16:32 Resources for new gatekeepers and closing remarks

This publication provides general information only and is not legal or professional advice. CPA Australia gives no warranties as to its accuracy, completeness or suitability and disclaims all liability for reliance on it. Listeners should seek their own independent advice for their circumstances.  Ever wondered how criminal money moves through today's financial systems?  The answer is more complex today than ever before.  This episode explores the networks, tactics and technologies reshaping money laundering across the world.  From romance scams and money mules to crypto and the metaverse, gain practical insight into how organised crime adapts to digital finance and global markets.  You will learn:  How money mules are recruited and used in laundering operations  Why romance scams are still one of the fastest-growing financial crimes  How hawala dealers move money across borders without physical transfers  The role of jewellery, food, real estate and sport in laundering activity  Why cryptocurrency is creating new compliance and detection challenges  How criminals are exploiting virtual worlds and the metaverse  Listen now.   Host: Jacqueline Blondell, editor, CPA Australia  Experts:  Kris Wilson, from the Australian Federal Police's Joint Policing Cyber Crime Coordination Centre  Brendan Thomas, AUSTRAC CEO  Dr Milind Tiwari, senior lecturer the Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security at Charles Sturt University in Canberra  Geoff Peck, a former fraud squad detective with Victoria Police's major Fraud Group, and managing director Forensic & Integrity Solutions For more, head to the Australian Institute of Criminology website.  Need help with your AML/CTF obligations? AUSTRAC and CPA Australia have a host of resources. Stay tuned for episode three coming soon where we look at the new gatekeepers being recruited to join the fight against money laundering.  Loving this episode?  Listen to more INTHEBLACK episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@CPAaustralia/podcasts  And don't forget to click subscribe to the channel for a wide range of content that will help your career.  CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance and accounting:  With Interest https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/with-interest  INTHEBLACK https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack  INTHEBLACK Out Loud https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack-outloud  Excel Tips https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/excel-tips  Search for them in your podcast platform. Email the podcast team at [email protected]  Chapters: 00:00 Disclaimer 00:20 Could the metaverse and crypto become the next money laundering frontier? 00:43 Welcome to Crime by Numbers Episode 2 01:18 How do fake businesses, cash and invoices help launder money? 02:23 Why are accountants, lawyers, and gold dealers money laundering gatekeepers? 03:36 What is Hawala, and how does it move money without crossing borders? 05:22 How is soccer used for money laundering? 05:53 Why is the food industry vulnerable to money laundering and food fraud? 08:31 What crimes most commonly drive money laundering in Australia? 10:03 What is a money mule, and how are people recruited? 13:34 Why are crypto ATMs a growing money laundering risk? 14:40 Why does cryptocurrency make money laundering harder to detect? 15:26 How could the metaverse enable money laundering in the future? 16:54 What's next: who are the new gatekeepers fighting money laundering?

This publication provides general information only and is not legal or professional advice. CPA Australia gives no warranties as to its accuracy, completeness or suitability and disclaims all liability for reliance on it. Listeners should seek their own independent advice for their circumstances.  Money laundering.  It's a business that's rife worldwide, with billions of dollars illegally laundered each year.  In Australia it's estimated that money laundering costs the economy A$60 billion a year.  In 2026, money laundering is under the microscope because Australia's Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Regime is being expanded.  New gatekeepers are being added to the mix to fight against this crime, including accountants, lawyers, real estate agents and dealers in precious metals and gems.  In this second series of Crime by Numbers, delve into the murky depths of the world's laundromat.  Episode one goes inside the laundry and explores why money laundering is so harmful, the far-reaching costs to individuals and economies and what we can do to clean it up.  Listen now.  Host:  Jacqueline Blondell, editor, CPA Australia  Experts:  Geoff Peck, a former fraud squad detective with Victoria Police's major Fraud Group, and managing director, Forensic & Integrity Solutions Brendan Thomas, AUSTRAC CEO  Amanda Wood, managing director, Kroll's Investigations, Diligence and Compliance Practice  Dr Milind Tiwari, senior lecturer the Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security at Charles Sturt University in Canberra  Kris Wilson, team leader, Cybercrime Investigations at Australian Federal Police  For more, head to the Australian Institute of Criminology website. Need help with your AML/CTF obligations? AUSTRAC and CPA Australia have a host of resources. In the next episode of Crime by Numbers, discover how money mules such as Boliang Liu operate and the scams that lie behind the money laundering process.  Also, hear how the metaverse is transforming money laundering and making the detection process a lot trickier.  Stay tuned for episode two coming soon: The players and the crimes.  Loving this episode?  Listen to more INTHEBLACK episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@CPAaustralia/podcasts  And don't forget to click subscribe to the channel for a wide range of content that will help your career.  CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance and accounting:  With Interest https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/with-interest  INTHEBLACK https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack  INTHEBLACK Out Loud https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack-outloud  Excel Tips https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/excel-tips  Search for them in your podcast platform. Email the podcast team at [email protected]  Chapters 00:00 Disclaimer 00:22 How much dirty money is in the Australian economy? 00:43 What is money laundering and why does it matter? 01:16 Inside the Laundry: episode overview 01:33 The history of money laundering from ancient China to Prohibition 01:57 Where did the term "money laundering" come from? 03:39 What does money laundering cost the global and Australian economy? 04:22 Which crimes generate the most laundered money in Australia? 04:43 AUSTRAC explained: who it regulates and why reforms are expanding 05:15 Brendan Thomas on dirty money in Australia 05:54 Is money laundering a victimless crime? 07:36 How fraud against government programs like the NDIS links to money laundering 09:17 How money laundering works: placement, layering and integration 10:24 Real case study: how $60 million moved through global bank accounts 12:25 Shell companies and money laundering red flags 13:45 Bank capture, major AML failures and billion-dollar fines 14:52 Operation Taipan: how Australian banks helped detect a laundering syndicate 16:07 Next episode: money mules, scams and the metaverse

Layne Beachley AO has done it all in the sporting arena – she's a seven-time world surfing champion, after all.  And through her incredible journey, she's learned powerful mindset strategies that could help you today.  And it's not what you might think.  Drawing on her experience as a sporting great, Layne connects elite sport principles to the realities of accounting and finance, offering practical ways to manage stress, sustain energy and make clearer decisions in demanding roles.  And you can apply these habits to your own work life in finance and accounting to improve your performance, focus and resilience – in other words, to help bring out the best version of you.  In this special episode, Layne also shares how her 7% rule helps professionals reset, refocus and perform under pressure.  Other key learnings include:  Practical ways to reset your nervous system during the workday  The importance of mental health and how to switch off  What success actually looks like  How to deal with pressure when you're busy at home and at work  How leaders can embed resilience into team culture  The one thing accountants and CFOs can take away from this episode  Layne brings a unique perspective from elite sport, translating high-performance habits into practical actions you can apply immediately.  Tune in now for elite insights into how you can make improvements to your daily work habits.  Host: Tahn Sharpe, Editor, CPA Australia  Guests: Layne Beachley, a seven-time world surfing champion, widely regarded as one of the greatest surfers of all time. She's also a high-performance mindset coach, helping professionals translate elite sporting principles into everyday success.  Layne Beachley will be speaking at CPA Week 2026 in June.  And head online for more about Layne Beachley's Awake Academy.  Loving this episode?  Listen to more INTHEBLACK episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube. Go to our podcast page CPA Australia - YouTube  And of course, click subscribe to the channel today.  We deliver regular content that will help boost your career skills and capabilities.  Additionally, INTHEBLACK online has stories on everyday ethics issues.  CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance and accounting https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts  INTHEBLACK https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack  INTHEBLACK Out Loud https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack-outloud  Excel Tips Excel Tips | CPA Australia  With Interest https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/with-interest  Search for them in your favourite podcast platform. Email the podcast team at [email protected]

As accountants, conflicts of interest can arise. Some say they are unavoidable.  But knowing how to manage them is crucial.  This episode explores how such conflicts arise – from client relationships to commercial pressures – and why managing them is critical to upholding trust in the profession.  You will learn:  why conflicts of interest are increasing in today's business environment  the most common conflict of interest scenarios facing accountants and advisers  when disclosure is not enough and stronger action is needed  how to distinguish between manageable and unacceptable conflicts  practical frameworks to identify and assess conflicts in real time  the role of professional judgement and organisational culture  Drawing on the current codes of ethics and the everyday ethics issues discussed in INTHEBLACK, this expert-led discussion focuses on practical decision-making in situations that are rarely clear cut.  This episode will help you respond with confidence and integrity.   Tune in now.  Host: Tahn Sharpe, Editor, CPA Australia  Guests: Dr Michelle Cull FCPA, Associate Professor and Head of Discipline, Accounting and Financial Planning at Western Sydney University, and Belinda Zohrab, Regulation and Professional Standards Lead, CPA Australia  Loving this episode?  Listen to more INTHEBLACK episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube. Head to our podcast page CPA Australia - YouTube  And of course, click subscribe to the channel today.  We deliver regular content that will help boost your career skills and capabilities.  Additionally, INTHEBLACK online has stories on everyday ethics issues.  CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts  INTHEBLACK https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack  INTHEBLACK Out Loud https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack-outloud  Excel Tips Excel Tips | CPA Australia  With Interest https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/with-interest  Search for them in your podcast platform. Email the podcast team at [email protected]