What's fueling growth in Southeast Asia right now? In this episode we explore the latest business conditions, emerging trends and opportunities across the region. 

Join us as we break down Asialink’s new Year of the Snake report – a comprehensive survey of insights from top business and government representatives. 

For professionals in accounting, business and finance, this conversation offers key takeaways to help you navigate Southeast Asia’s dynamic business landscape in 2025.  

Tune in for a deep dive into what’s shaping the future of this region and gain key insights for your business.  

• Host: Gavan Ord, business investment and international lead, policy and advocacy, CPA Australia
• Guest: Robert Law, GAICD, director of advisory and insights at Asialink Business, which is the National Centre for Asia Capability, mandated by the Australian Government to create an Asia capable workforce in Australia.  

Asialink’s Business Trends in the Year of the Snake - Adapting to Uncertainty report is now available to read online.  

Additionally, you can learn more about Asialink on LinkedIn and at the Asialink website 

CPA Australia also has handy resources related to this topic, including the Asia-Pacific small business survey. 

Similarly, INTHEBLACK has related articles, including content on Asia’s green transition and a breakdown of the most recent Asia-Pacific small business survey.  

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

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

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.  

You can email the podcast team at [email protected]  

Stanford University’s Erik Brynjolfsson joins us to share insights on how business can leverage AI to boost productivity, innovation and growth.

In this episode, Erik explores the key role of a CFO in the AI era, strategies for staying competitive in today’s digital world, and the AI skills professionals need to stay ahead.

He also dives into the future of work, the growing importance of intangible assets, and the ethical implications of AI development.

Join us to gain valuable insights from a leading AI thought leader and academic.

• Host: Aidan Ormond, digital content editor, CPA Australia
• Guest: Erik Brynjolfsson, Senior Fellow at Stanford's Institute for Human-Centered AI and Director of the Stanford Digital Economy Lab.

He is also the Ralph Landau Senior Fellow at Stanford's Economic Policy Research Institute, a Professor by Courtesy at the Graduate School of Business and Department of Economics, and a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Known for his groundbreaking research on the economics of information, Erik has written bestsellers and holds a PhD from MIT and degrees from Harvard.

For more information on Erik’s research work at Stanford University, head to the Stanford Graduate School of Business faculty research page.

Erik is also appearing at CPA Australia’s Congress 24 in Canberra this October.

It’s an in-person and virtual event, featuring insightful and inspiring thought leaders who’ll share their ideas on a variety of topics to help level up your professional knowledge.

Would you like to listen to more INTHEBLACK 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]

Explore the Hays 2024-25 salary guide, celebrating 45 years of insightful reporting on the Australian and New Zealand job market. 

Learn key trends and salary ranges essential for accounting, finance and business professionals in today’s job market. 

With input from over 15,000 respondents across 26 industries, a key finding reveals that 77% of employees are considering new job opportunities, primarily due to the rising cost of living. 

Discover further insights on skills shortages and the permanence of hybrid work arrangements and gain actionable strategies to navigate the current job market and address talent shortages - whether you’re an employee seeking new opportunities or an employer looking to attract the right talent.

Tune in for views and data that could shape your career or hiring strategy.

Host: Christine Gounder, digital content leader, CPA Australia

Guest: Caroline Edwards, NSW Director, Accountancy and Finance at Hays

You can read the Hays Salary Guide 2024 for more insights on the Australian and New Zealand job market and recruitment trends. 

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

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

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]

Measuring the ‘S’ in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) is becoming more of a priority when it comes to company reporting. 

In this episode, learn more about the methodology, benefits and challenges involved in social impact reporting, and what you need to know. 

Tune in to elevate your understanding with a leader in the field. 

• Host: Aidan Ormond, digital content editor, CPA Australia
• Guest: Adam Vise, Group Treasurer, Strategy and Social Value at Australian Unity, and Chair of Birchal Equity, a crowdfunding platform for entrepreneurs

You can learn more about Australian Unity’s Impact 2024 and the organisation’s community and social value (CSV) framework at their website.

Further information on social impact reporting is available on the INTHEBLACK website.

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

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

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]

Why is tax reform crucial for Australia’s future?

From tackling the cost-of-living crisis to advancing intergenerational equity, boosting business productivity, and addressing climate change, many agree that tax policy holds the key to many of the nation’s most pressing challenges.

In this must-listen episode, join us for an in-depth discussion with Australian MP Allegra Spender as she unpacks the findings, challenges and opportunities emerging from her Tax Green Paper.

Learn why real reform is long overdue and explore how forward-thinking tax strategies can drive economic growth, enhance social equity and pave the way for a sustainable future.

Join a leading tax voice and an expert panel for an insightful discussion that shapes CPA Australia’s advocacy platform for the 2025 federal election.

Expert panel

• Chris Freeland AM: Chief Executive Officer, CPA Australia
• Dale Pinto: Global President and Chair, CPA Australia
• Elinor Kasapidis: Chief of Policy, Standards and External Affairs
• Jenny Wong: Tax Lead, Policy and Advocacy, CPA Australia

Guest: Allegra Spender, the Independent Member for Wentworth, elected in 2022. A member of the House Standing Committee on Economics and the Joint Standing Committee on Migration, Allegra has an Economics degree from Cambridge University and an MSc from the University of London. Before parliament, she worked as a business analyst at McKinsey, a policy analyst with UK Treasury and was later the Managing Director at Carla Zampatti Pty Ltd.

Allegra Spender’s tax green paper was released in November 2024 and is available to read online. 

You can find out more about Allegra at her website. 

Additionally, in March 2024, CPA Australia undertook a research paper titled Towards Better Tax Policy and Tax Reform that sought to determine how tax policy development and tax reform can be improved in Australia.

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. 

You can email the podcast team at [email protected]

Did you know that in Australia alone 312kg of food per person, per year is thrown away? In fact, food waste costs the Australian economy around $36.6 billion each year.

Australian households spend around $2500 every year on food that’s wasted. And most of that ends up in landfills. 

This episode explores the underlying causes that contribute to such shocking food waste and looks at some effective solutions that can be implemented to address the problem.

Tune in now. 

Host: Garreth Hanley, CPA Australia

Guest: Terence Jeyaretnam, an environmental engineer and Partner at EY in the Climate Change and Sustainability practice, based in Melbourne 

For more on today’s topic, head to the National Food Waste Strategy, which aims to halve Australia’s food waste by 2030. 

Further guidance is available on the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water site.

Additional information: 

• Reducing Australia's Food Waste by half by 2030
• Food waste costs Australian households up to $3,000 a year
• Coles promised to feed Australian families for $10 in 2017. Can it still be done in 2023? 

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. 

You can email the podcast team at [email protected]

Explore the transformative world of structured philanthropic giving.

Discover the strategies, benefits and tax implications of this impactful approach, paired with real-life stories showcasing how structured giving creates meaningful change.

Unpack how to measure social impact effectively and learn actionable tips for integrating philanthropy into your financial or organisational plan.

Whether you're an individual passionate about making a difference or a business aiming to drive social impact, this episode provides the inspiration and knowledge to amplify your giving.

Tune in to learn how structured philanthropy can align your values with measurable results.

• Host: Ram Subramanian,  external reporting lead, policy and advocacy, CPA Australia
• Guest: Judith Fiander, CEO of Australian Philanthropic Services (APS) a not-for-profit organisation specialising in structured giving and philanthropy.

You can learn more about APS services at its website.

And 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.

You can email the podcast team at [email protected]

Big changes are coming to financial reporting, and it’s essential to stay informed.

In this episode, unpack the transition from IAS 1 to IFRS 18, a shift that will significantly impact financial reporting over the coming years.

Join two expert guests as they explore what this new standard means for organisations of all sizes.

They’ll break down the key differences between IFRS 18, which replaces IAS 1, discuss how this change will affect financial transparency, weigh the associated costs and benefits and more.

Don’t miss out on this crucial information ahead of this change. Tune in now to learn more about the future of financial reporting ahead of IFRS 18’s rollout.

Host: Tiffany Tan, External Reporting and Assurance Lead, CPA Australia

Guests:

David Hardidge FCPA, a financial reporting expert and a former Chair of the External Reporting Centre of Excellence at CPA Australia. 

Shaun Steenkamp CPA, a member of the External Reporting Centre of Excellence at CPA Australia. He works for Transurban and was previously with KPMG and NAB.

Discover more insights on IFRS 18 with CPA Australia’s External Reporting Centre of Excellence report Redefining the Bottom Line IFRS 18

And 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.

You can email the podcast team at [email protected]

Explore the transformative impact of AI and emerging technologies on organisations as we dive into the key findings of the CPA Australia 2024 Business Technology Survey.

Learn from a leading technology and finance expert who shares her invaluable insights into how digital transformation can elevate your operations.

Discover the benefits, navigate potential risks, and learn best practices for harnessing technology to boost efficiency, productivity and sustainable growth.

Tune in now, and don’t miss this chance to stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of accounting, business, and finance with these specialist digital insights.

• Host: Gavan Ord, Business investment and international lead, CPA Australia
• Guest: Stephannie Jonovska FCPA, head of finance, operations and transformation, BlueScope Steel

You can read the key takeaways and download the CPA Australia 2023-24 Business Technology Survey here.

For more information, head to CPA Australia’s Centre of Excellence Digital Transformation page.

And 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.

You can email the podcast team at [email protected]

Curious about the latest mergers and acquisitions trends in Australia?

Dive into why dealmakers are feeling confident despite a slowdown in overall activity for 2023.  Unpack the reasons behind this cautious optimism and explore what's driving M&A trends across different deal sizes – small cap, mid-market and large cap.

You’ll also discover how the Australian M&A market stacks up against the rest of the world, learn the industries for consolidation and the opportunities in the world of M&A for the 2024-25 financial year.

Listen to this insightful episode and stay informed on prevailing market sentiment in M&A.

• Host: Gavan Ord, Business Investment Policy Manager, CPA Australia
• Guest: Stephen Craig CPA, a Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) expert and partner at Pitcher Partners Melbourne, where he helps private business owners, private equity and multinational corporations negotiate as well as supporting them through deals.

The Pitcher Partners mid-year 2024 dealmakers report is available to read online.

Would you like to listen to more INTHEBLACK 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]

Explore critical findings from CPA Australia’s 2024 small business survey, focusing on cyber security challenges and best practices.

Join our expert cybersecurity guest, who provides insights on common mistakes, the impact of AI on security, balancing cyber security with technology initiatives, strategies for resource-constrained SMEs and emerging threats.

Learn actionable takeaways and practical advice that you can implement right away.

Whether you're a small business owner or an IT professional, this episode aims to empower you with the knowledge and tools to safeguard your business against cyber threats.

Host: Gavan Ord, Business investment and international lead, CPA Australia

Guest: Tyler Wise, director of Cyberwise, a forensic accounting and digital forensics specialist

For more information, head to CPA Australia’s Centre of Excellence Digital Transformation page.

CPA Australia has tools and resources on cybersecurity as well as tips on the My Firm My Future page. 

Click these links for Tyler’s company Cyberwise and for the Essential Eight mitigation strategies organisations are recommended to implement. 

And 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.

You can email the podcast team at [email protected]