Small Firm, Big Impact

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 

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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 

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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.

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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

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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

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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  

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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

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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

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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 

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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.

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