Need regular small practice updates on the go? Small Firm, Big Impact Express (SFBI Express) delivers essential insights for Chartered Accountants in just 5 minutes.
Each episode, we bring you the best minds across the accounting industry to share critical regulatory changes, compliance updates and emerging trends that impact you.
Whether you are commuting, taking a coffee break, or between client meetings, SFBI Express helps you stay up to date. Listen to find out what’s changed, why it matters, and what you need to do next.
If you’re looking for deeper conversations and bigger-picture thinking, explore our long-form podcast, Small Firm, Big Impact, (https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/news-and-analysis/news/podcasts/small-firm-big-impact) where we unpack the ideas and issues influencing the future of smaller practices.
Your stress is the culture: How to reset your practice
In a small accounting firm, a leader’s stress rarely stays personal. It can shape how the team communicates, responds to pressure and raises problems before they grow.
In this episode of Small Firm, Big Impact Express, Chartered Accountant and Khoh Partners founder Jeremy Khoh explores why wellbeing in a smaller practice starts with leadership behaviour, not another policy or program. He explains how a leader’s emotional state can influence psychological safety and why a tense or reactive environment may make people less likely to speak up about deadlines, client issues or mistakes.
You’ll hear three practical ways to create more breathing room, set healthier expectations and lead more sustainably, without pretending the workload or resourcing pressure is not real. The advice is designed for busy firm owners and practice leaders and does not require a large budget, a new wellbeing initiative or a spare afternoon.
Resources and further reading:
Learn more about what Jeremy does (https://caanz.s.gy/UoxDuc)
Connect with Jeremy on LinkedIn (https://caanz.s.gy/Lt7KWF)
Visit the CA ANZ member wellbeing hub (https://caanz.s.gy/kk27O8)
Visit the Smaller Practices Centre for general practical tools and guidance (https://caanz.s.gy/9QGkfP)
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
6 Oct 2026
How smaller accounting firms can support First Nations businesses
Supporting First Nations businesses goes beyond meeting procurement targets. For smaller accounting practices, Indigenous Business Month is an opportunity to recognise the contribution of First Nations entrepreneurship and explore practical ways to get involved.
In this episode of Small Firm, Big Impact Express, Jolene Kawak, a proud Yamatji woman, Fellow Chartered Accountant and Director at Karlaya Accounting & Business Advisory, explains why First Nations business success matters and how accountants can play a meaningful role in supporting it.
In this episode, discover:
Why supporting First Nations businesses matters beyond procurement.
Opportunities for smaller practices to connect with and support First Nations businesses.
The importance of genuine relationships and culturally respectful engagement.
Resources and further reading
🔗 Explore the Smaller Practices Centre: https://caanz.s.gy/QgtnMj (https://caanz.s.gy/QgtnMj)
🔗 Connect with Jolene: https://caanz.s.gy/7e3A4P (https://caanz.s.gy/7e3A4P)
🔗 Supply Nation: The Sleeping Giant Rises: https://caanz.s.gy/DLeHQH (https://caanz.s.gy/DLeHQH)
🔗 University of Melbourne: Indigenous Business and Corporation Snapshot Study 4.0: https://caanz.s.gy/1WMobY (https://caanz.s.gy/1WMobY)
🔗 Supply Nation: Indigenous Business Directory: https://caanz.s.gy/oRjsII (https://caanz.s.gy/oRjsII)
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
16 Sept 2026
Making ethics practical in everyday practice
Ethical challenges in accounting rarely arrive as obvious dilemmas. They often show up in everyday decisions, from client pressure and tight deadlines to incomplete information or situations where something simply doesn’t feel right.
In this episode of Small Firm, Big Impact Express, Josephine Haste, Manager for Ethics and Professional Practice at CA ANZ, explores why ethics matters in everyday accounting practice, particularly for smaller firms where close client relationships can put professional judgement to the test.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How ethical pressures can arise in day-to-day practice
Why professional judgement and client trust matter
Practical ways to build ethical decision-making into your firm
Where to seek guidance when an issue isn’t clear
Resources and further reading:
Learn more and register for Global Ethics Day: https://caanz.s.gy/a6yM8c (https://caanz.s.gy/a6yM8c)
Review the Code of Ethics: https://caanz.s.gy/jzypzO (https://caanz.s.gy/jzypzO)
Learn about the Chartered Accountants’ Advisory Group: https://caanz.s.gy/To2PzW (https://caanz.s.gy/To2PzW)
Visit the Smaller Practices Centre: https://caanz.s.gy/KLeGJV (https://caanz.s.gy/KLeGJV)
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
12 Aug 2026
The HR runway: preparing smaller practices for what comes next
Across Australia and New Zealand, smaller accounting firms are navigating ongoing talent pressure, changing client expectations and the accelerating impact of AI, automation and digital tools.
In this episode of Small Firm, Big Impact Express, Karen Meredith, Co-founder of PeopleEX, explores the HR runway and why firms need to look beyond immediate resourcing issues.
Karen explains how smaller practices can plan for the next 12 to 24 months, rethink role design, build capability and use technology to support higher-value client work.
You’ll hear practical prompts to help your firm step back, assess the skills and structure it needs for the future, and build a more resilient team. It’s about creating enough runway now so your people, processes and technology can adapt with more confidence as the profession continues to change.
Resources and further reading:
Learn more about PeopleEX (https://caanz.s.gy/jxe09G)
Visit the Smaller Practices Centre for general practical tools and guidance (https://caanz.s.gy/jxe09G)
Build capacity in your practice with the Creating Capacity webinar series [Australia (https://caanz.s.gy/6Ew6zv)] | [New Zealand] (https://caanz.s.gy/R5OLQ5)
Listen to us on Spotify (https://caanz.s.gy/zmbeIC) or Apple Podcasts (https://caanz.s.gy/JkWgAl)
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
15 Jul 2026
PPSA mistakes that could cost your clients
PPSA compliance can be easy to overlook, but missing the right steps can have serious consequences for clients who hold, lease, hire or supply business assets.
In this episode, Simon Read, Founder and Director at PPS Advisory, explains why structure alone may not protect assets in an insolvency scenario, and what smaller practices should be aware of when advising clients with asset protection structures, related-entity leasing arrangements, financed equipment, or equipment supplied to customers.
In this episode, we cover:
Why PPSA compliance matters for asset protection structures
How clients can lose ownership interests in plant, equipment or vehicles
Which client arrangements may create PPSA exposure
How accountants can help clients spot the issue early and seek specialist advice where needed
Resources and further reading:
Visit the Smaller Practices Centre for general practical tools and guidance (https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/member-services/smp-resource-centre)
Learn more about Simon Read CA and PPS Advisory (https://ppsadvisory.com.au/)
Helpful checklists from PPS Advisory
PPSA checklist for equipment owners, hirers and leasing businesses (https://qrco.de/bgr0MV)
PPSA checklist for businesses selling goods on credit (https://qrco.de/bgvFDg)
These third-party resources are provided for general information only and do not constitute legal advice. Consider seeking professional legal advice for your circumstances.
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
9 Jun 2026
Working better with bookkeepers and avoiding messy data
Messy data can create big problems for smaller accounting firms. Even with better cloud tools and automation, many firms are still losing time to coding errors, unreconciled accounts, duplicated transactions and unclear handovers between bookkeepers, accountants and clients.
In this episode of Small Firm, Big Impact Express, Natalie Lennon FCA, Founder and Director of Two Sides Accounting, shares practical ways smaller practices can work better with bookkeepers, reduce rework and improve the quality of client data.
You’ll hear why clearer roles, agreed processes, and regular check-ins can make a real difference to efficiency, profitability and client service.
In this episode, we cover:
Where the accountant-bookkeeper relationship often breaks down
Why messy data creates workflow, profitability and advisory issues
How to set clearer roles and responsibilities
The importance of agreed systems, standards and communication
Practical steps to prevent year-end clean-up
Resources and further reading:
Visit the Smaller Practices Centre for general practical tools and guidance (https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/member-services/smp-resource-centre)
Learn more about our host here (https://www.twosides.com.au/)
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
7 May 2026
How small firms can build visibility on LinkedIn
How small accounting firms can build visibility on LinkedIn
8 Apr 2026
AI for research: risks and best practice for small firms
AI tools can generate research and summaries instantly, but they don’t always produce reliable information. In some cases, outputs may include incorrect or fabricated references that appear credible at first glance.
In this episode of Small Firm, Big Impact Express, Carolyn White, Manager of Library Services at Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), explains how accounting firms can use AI tools more safely when conducting research.
In just a few minutes, she explores:
Why AI tools can produce incorrect or fabricated references
What firms should verify before relying on AI-generated information
Practical steps to validate research outputs
How CA ANZ Library Services can support research verification
Resources and further reading:
Visit the podcast page for more resources (https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/news-and-analysis/news/podcasts/small-firm-big-impact-express)
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
5 Mar 2026
Your Tech Stack Check-In: Optimise for Efficiency and Profitability
New integrations, AI-powered features and deeper connections between software tools are rapidly reshaping the accounting tech landscape.
In this episode of Small Firm, Big Impact Express, Heather Smith FCA, FCCA, FICB, founder of ANISE Consulting and host of the Accounting Apps podcast, breaks down what’s changed across common accounting platforms, why your tech stack has a direct impact on profitability, and the practical steps small firms can take to audit their tools for better efficiency.
When systems don’t talk to each other, the cost isn’t just subscription fees. It’s duplicated effort, manual re-keying and billable time lost.
In just five minutes, you’ll learn how to review your current stack, identify overlaps, activate underused integrations and prioritise the highest-impact improvements.
If you want a clear, actionable check-in on whether your tools are helping or hindering your firm’s growth, this episode gives you the essentials without the overwhelm.
Resources and reading:
View the full resource list and episode notes here (https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/news-and-analysis/news/podcasts/small-firm-big-impact-express/optimise-your-tech-stack-for-efficiency-and-profitability)
Explore more resources on the podcast page (https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/news-and-analysis/news/podcasts/small-firm-big-impact-express)
Visit the Smaller Practices Centre for more information (https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/member-services/smp-resource-centre)
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
11 Feb 2026
AML/CTF reforms are coming. What small firms need to do now.
In the first episode of Small Firm, Big Impact Express, Jill Muir, Senior Policy Advocate, Business Reform at Chartered Accountants ANZ, breaks down what the Tranche 2 AML/CTF reforms mean for accounting practices ahead of the 1 July 2026 start date.
In just five minutes, this episode covers what’s changing under Australia’s AML/CTF regime, which accounting services may bring firms into scope, why the reforms matter for small practices, and the practical steps firms can start taking now.
If you want a clear snapshot of what’s changed, why it matters, and what to do next, this episode gives you the essentials without the overwhelm.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Australia’s AML/CTF reforms: questions and answers (https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/news-and-analysis/insights/research-and-insights/australias-amlctf-reforms-questions-and-answers)
AML/CTF program project plan (AU) for professional accountants (https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/news-and-analysis/insights/research-and-insights/aml-ctf-program-project-plan-au-for-professional-accountants)
AUSTRAC Accounting Program Starter Kit (https://www.austrac.gov.au/reforms/sector-specific-guidance/accountant-guidance/accounting-program-starter-kit)
Access all the episode notes here (https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/news-and-analysis/news/podcasts/small-firm-big-impact-express/aml-ctf-reforms-are-coming-what-small-firms-need-to-do-now)
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
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