In this second instalment of a special two-part episode, a respected panel of industry experts dive deeper into the insights from CPA Australia’s 2025 Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey. 

This landmark small business survey – launched at Parliament House in Canberra in March – captures data from over 4200 small businesses across the Asia-Pacific, including more than 500 Australian businesses, providing a timely snapshot of their performance, challenges and future priorities. 

From sole traders and family-run operations to service providers, these are the enterprises that power the region’s economies – and the businesses CPA Australia and its members support every day. 

Listen and learn key insights from a lively debate with highly respected industry voices discussing critical issues for small business in Australia and APAC.  

• Presenter: Elinor Kasapidis, Chief of Policy, Standards and External Affairs, CPA Australia  

Panel: 

• Yasmin Coe FCPA, President of CPA Australia ACT Division
• Angad Soin, Xero Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand and Global Chief Strategy Officer
• Bruce Billson GAICD, Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman
• Gavin Ord, Business Investment and International Lead, Policy and Advocacy, CPA Australia 

 

CPA Australia’s 2025 edition of its Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey is available online and offers deep insights into the challenges small businesses are facing in Australia and APAC.  

You can also read CPA Australia’s media release which calls for government to urgently prioritise small business issues.  

To catch up, listen to part one of this two-part episode as CPA Australia’s Gavin Ord outlines the survey and the economic and operational challenges SMEs are facing. 

You can find a CPA at our custom portal on the CPA Australia website.  

Would you like to listen to more With Interest episodes? Head to CPA Australia’s YouTube channel.  

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]