Small Firm, Big Impact

Hosted by Chartered Accountants ANZ

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Latest episode

May 2026

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EN-AU

About the show

‘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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47 recent

May 29, 202619 min

S6E4: Key updates from the Federal Budget 2026-27

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.

March 23, 202613 min

S6E3: ATO GIC remission: why decisions vary and what to do

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.

January 26, 202615 min

S6E2: Inland Revenue Satisfaction Survey: Key Insights from NZ Tax Agents

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.

January 13, 202624 min

S6E1: Plans for the 2026 CA ANZ Presidency

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.

December 22, 202516 min

S5E9: Your guide to Certificates of Public Practice (AU)

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.

December 3, 202520 min

S5E8: What’s Next for the ATO Agent Phone Line?

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.

June 5, 202516 min

S5E7: CA ANZ’s Professional Standards Scheme – your questions

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.

May 22, 202519 min

S5E6: Insights from the 2025 New Zealand Budget

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.

May 5, 202524 min

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.

April 8, 202515 min

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.