Could fraud be hiding in your organisation without you realising it?

In this episode of talkBIG, host Katie Timms is joined by fraud and forensic expert Andrew Connelly to explore how fraud actually occurs inside businesses, why it's often missed, and what leaders can do to identify warning signs before significant damage is done.

Drawing on his experience in law enforcement, forensic accounting and fraud investigations, Andrew shares practical insights into common fraud schemes, behavioural red flags, emerging AI-enabled threats, and the controls businesses can implement to reduce risk.

Whether you're a business owner, finance leader, board member or risk professional, this episode provides practical guidance to help build a more fraud-aware and resilient organisation.

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Artificial intelligence is transforming the cybercrime landscape, and businesses that don't adapt their cyber defences risk being left exposed. In this episode of the talkBIG podcast, RSM Australia's Katie Timms sits down with cyber security expert Ashwin Pal to unpack how AI-powered cyberattacks work, why they're so effective, and what your organisation can do to stay protected.

Ashwin draws on 27 years of cyber security experience across the Asia Pacific region to break down the rise of AI-enabled threats like deepfakes, sophisticated social engineering, and automated vulnerability exploitation. He also revisits the now-infamous case of a USD$25m deepfake fraud, where criminals impersonated a company's chief financial officer to authorise fraudulent transfers. It is a stark reminder of just how convincing these attacks have become.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

• How AI is supercharging phishing, social engineering, and deepfake attacks
• Why people, not technology, remain the biggest vulnerability in most organisations
• The people, process, and technology framework for building stronger cyber defences
• Why role-specific cyber awareness training matters more than ever
• How AI-powered defensive tools, including anomaly detection, predictive analysis, and liveness tests, are helping middle-market organisations fight back
• The risks of MFA bombing and mobile device vulnerabilities
• How often you should review your cyber strategy (hint: at least once a year)
• Practical, easy-to-follow tips for mums, dads, and retirees to stay safe online
• What the future holds as AI continues to develop

Whether you're a business leader, a risk professional, or simply someone wanting to protect yourself and your family online, this conversation delivers clear, practical insights you can act on today.

Cybercrime isn't slowing down, but with the right knowledge and strategy, you can navigate these risks with confidence and protect your business, your reputation, and your future.

ABOUT TALKBIG

talkBIG is RSM Australia's business, finance, and economics podcast, helping you save, create, and protect your wealth. Each month, our experts unpack timely business topics with clear, actionable insights to make financial education accessible and engaging.

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In this episode of talkBIG, host Andrew Sykes explores the complex world of early wealth transfer with experts Grace Bacon and Taryn Ellerington. Discover the strategic advantages and pitfalls of gifting assets during your lifetime. Grace, a seasoned financial advisor, explains how rising property prices and longer lifespans make early giving more common, helping families support children into the property market. Meanwhile, estate lawyer Taryn reveals the hidden risks of loss of control and relationship disputes that can turn a generous gift into a legal nightmare. 

Learn about the benefits of gifting early, critical legal structures to protect your wealth, and the importance of open communication to prevent misunderstandings. Tune in to gain insights on creating a living legacy that benefits your loved ones and preserves your peace of mind.

Key highlights:

• Early gifting requires a structured estate plan to avoid disputes and unintended consequences.
• Gifting during a lifetime allows parents to shape wealth use and foster meaningful connections.
• Early gifts can create family disputes; legal agreements and transparency are essential.
• Align gifting with future needs to prevent resource depletion and maintain independence.
• Lack of communication turns generosity into a gamble, risking family relationships.
• Tailored gifting strategies prevent financial setbacks and align with broader goals.

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In this episode of talkBIG, Andrew Sykes explores the critical role of data governance in AI with experts Srdjan Dragutinovic and Gerard Sayers from RSM Australia. Discover how effective governance transforms AI into a strategic enabler, preventing risks like bias and reputational damage. 

Learn practical steps to align governance with your strategy, ensuring AI success and innovation. Tune in to gain insights on embedding governance into your AI initiatives for a competitive edge.

 Key Highlights:

• Good governance transforms AI from a compliance chore into a strategic enabler that accelerates innovation while managing risks.
• Traditional frameworks are ill-equipped for unstructured and shadow data driven by AI.
• AI's speed amplifies risks like bias, making proactive ethical planning essential.
• Clear ownership and AI literacy within the organization are crucial for effective governance.
• AI-specific regulation is evolving; proactive alignment with emerging standards is key.
• Automated AI systems require active human oversight to ensure ethical and effective outcomes.

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As we start a new year, it’s a perfect opportunity to take stock and ask yourself: are your finances truly supporting your ambitions and life goals?

In this episode, talkBIG, host Andrew Sykes is joined by RSM's financial experts, Grace Bacon and Robert Zammit, to explore practical strategies for future-proofing your finances and setting up your super for a comfortable retirement.

What steps should you take now to ensure your money is working as hard as you are in 2026? From setting financial goals to modern retirement trends and estate planning essentials, our experts share their wisdom to help you navigate life’s ups and downs and hopefully come out ahead. 

Key takeaways:

You need to find the balance between the financial and the personal to achieve a happy retirement.

• Everyone has different comfort levels, so it's hard to say what you need for a 'comfortable' retirement.
• Risks associated with retirement include supporting adult children, market fluctuations, and health-related expenses.
• Modern retirement often includes retirees working part-time or in consulting roles to stay connected and engaged with the community.
• There are many strategies for managing mortgages and retirement savings, but it's important to consult with a professional to discuss your individual circumstances. 
• There are multiple benefits to starting your financial planning early, rather than late.

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Thanks for listening! Visit the RSM Australia website to ask the hosts a question. 

In this episode of the talkBIG podcast, host Andrew Sykes is joined by superannuation expert Katie Timms to break down the latest changes to Division 296 and what they mean for your retirement savings. Earlier proposals to tax unrealised gains on super balances over $3 million sparked widespread concern, but the government has now shifted to a tiered tax structure that targets actual income instead. 

The discussion covers:
-The move away from taxing unrealised gains to a fairer, income-based approach
-How the new tiered tax system works for balances over $3 million and $10 million
-The impact on self-managed super funds, farmers, and those with illiquid assets
-Ongoing uncertainties around capital gains tax relief and administrative costs
-Practical advice for planning ahead of the July 2026 start date 

Tune in for expert insights, practical tips, and what to watch for as further superannuation changes unfold. Don’t forget to subscribe for more updates on Australia’s evolving tax landscape

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Thanks for listening! Visit the RSM Australia website to ask the hosts a question. 

As technology makes it easier than ever to track employee activity, businesses are grappling with how to balance productivity with privacy. In this episode of talkBIG, host Andrew Sykes is joined by BAL Lawyers director Bill Pardy and RSM Australia’s Director of People & Culture Rebekah Mark to unpack the legal, ethical and cultural implications of monitoring remote teams.

Together, they explore how surveillance affects trust, what employers are legally required to consider, and how organisations can create transparent, high-performing remote workplaces without compromising employee wellbeing.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The rise of surveillance technology in remote work environments and its implications.
• How to balance productivity with privacy in the workplace.
• The legal and ethical considerations of monitoring employees.
• The impact of surveillance on employee trust and organisational culture.

If you want to grasp how workplace surveillance impacts remote work dynamics, this episode is filled with essential insights you can't afford to miss.

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Thanks for listening! Visit the RSM Australia website to ask the hosts a question. 

As revenue from the fuel excise continues to drop, Australia’s proposed solution is to make up the difference with a new tax for electric vehicle drivers. In this episode of talkBIG, host Andrew Sykes is joined by RSM Australia’s National Head of Tax Sam Mohammad and RSM Australia’s Sustainability Lead Nicole Mohan to explore the impacts of this controversial policy.

Together, they debate the fairness of a road user charge that only applies to electric vehicles, how this might impact Australia’s sustainability goals and whether there are other ways to transition away from a fuel excise.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The rationale behind Australia's proposed road user charge for electric vehicles and its potential to replace declining fuel excise revenue.
• The fairness and equity considerations of the road user charge, including its impact on different income groups and regions.
• How the road user charge aligns with Australia's 2035 emissions reduction target and the importance of its careful design.
• The challenges of implementing a road user charge, including vehicle usage tracking and privacy concerns.

Tune in to understand how this policy could impact both individual and corporate road users and how it might shape the future of transportation in Australia.

Experts in this episode:
Sam Mohammad, National Head of Tax, RSM Australia
Nicole Mohan, National Sustainability Lead, RSM Australia 
Andrew Sykes, Canberra Managing Partner, RSM Australia

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How do US tariffs and trade wars affect Australia’s economy?
In this episode of talkBIG, host Andrew Sykes is joined by economists Joe Brusuelas and Devika Shivadekar, along with corporate finance expert Craig Amos, to unpack the global ripple effects of US trade policy.

From Trump’s tariffs to shifting trade agreements, they explore how these policies impact Australia’s mining and resource sector, gold markets, and long-term growth.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Which Australian industries are hit hardest by US tariffs
• Why gold demand is booming—and its role in the resource sector
• How tariffs disrupt global supply chains and investment flows
• Why economic diversification is vital for Australia’s future
• The geopolitical forces reshaping global trade

If you want to understand how international trade battles shape Australia’s economy, this episode has the insights you need.

Watch now to learn what tariffs, trade wars, and global tensions really mean for Australia’s place in the world economy.

Experts in this episode:
Craig Amos,  Partner, National Resources, Mining and Energy Leader, RSM Australia
Joe Brusuelas, Chief Economist, RSM US
Devika Shivadekar, Economist, RSM Australia
Andrew Sykes, Canberra Managing Partner, RSM Australia

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Everything you need to know about division 296 tax on superannuation

What is division 296 and why is it sparking such significant debate and concerns among superannuation holders? 

Announced by the Australian Government in 2023, division 296 is proposed legislation set to enforce additional tax on earning from superannuation balances exceeding $3 million [AUD]. With both realised and unrealised gains potentially being taxed, the legislation has sparked huge debate due to concerns about fairness, valuation challenges, and its potential impact on retirement planning. 

As the legislation continues to face hurdles in Parliament, its potential impact on retirement strategies and future generations remains a hot topic.

In this episode of talkBIG, host Andrew Sykes joins expert Katie Timms, a Partner in the RSM Superannuation team, to discuss the complexities of this new tax and what it might mean for Australian’s retirement plans.  

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Thanks for listening! Visit the RSM Australia website to ask the hosts a question.