Small Firm, Big Impact Express

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 Review the Code of Ethics: https://caanz.s.gy/jzypzO Learn about the Chartered Accountants’ Advisory Group: https://caanz.s.gy/To2PzW Visit the Smaller Practices Centre: https://caanz.s.gy/KLeGJV See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Visit the Smaller Practices Centre for general practical tools and guidance Build capacity in your practice with the Creating Capacity webinar series [ Australia ] | [ New Zealand] Listen to us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Learn more about our host here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

LinkedIn is evolving, and for smaller accounting firms, it’s becoming one of the most powerful channels to build visibility, credibility, and trust. In this episode of Small Firm, Big Impact Express , we explore what’s changed over the past 12–18 months, including how LinkedIn now prioritises original, expertise-led content, meaningful engagement, and individual voices over company pages. We also unpack how LinkedIn is increasingly influencing not just client decisions, but recruitment and even how your firm appears in AI-driven search results. More importantly, we break down what this means for smaller practices and share three practical steps you can take today, from optimising your profile to sharing simple, insight-led content and engaging more effectively. If you want to build a stronger presence without a big marketing budget, this episode will help you get started. Resources and further reading: Visit the podcast page for more resources See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Explore more resources on the podcast page Visit the Smaller Practices Centre for more information See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 AML/CTF program project plan (AU) for professional accountants AUSTRAC Accounting Program Starter Kit Access all the episode notes here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.