The EQ edge: How leaders handle tough work conversations
INTHEBLACK
Are you a leader who dreads hard conversations? The uncomfortable feedback. The underperformance chat. The redundancy announcement. It can be daunting. But difficult conversations are part of every leader’s journey, and mastering them takes skill, EQ and practice. In this expert-led episode, we bring you tools to help. Key learnings: • Why fear for even the most capable leaders drives avoidance – and how to break the cycle • How to prepare for tough talks without over-rehearsing • Practical ways to lead redundancy or performance discussions • Turning emotional...
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Resume essentials to get you noticed in finance roles
INTHEBLACK
Planning your next career move? If so, you’re going to need a resume that stands out from the rest. In this episode, you’ll learn what hiring managers look for and how to present your experience with clarity and confidence. With an expert guest offering tips and advice, discover how CV formats are changing, what recruiters see as red flags and the role keywords play in passing those annoying, AI-driven applicant tracking systems. Key insights include: The resume length rule that really matters What to highlight at junior and senior career stages Skills,...
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Beat burnout: Expert strategies to help you today
INTHEBLACK
How’s your mental energy? It’s an important question to ask yourself. Here’s why. As the working year draws to a close, your mental energy may be a little low. This can have implications not only for you, but your work productivity. In this episode, we explore how finance professionals can protect their mental bandwidth, sustain their energy and lead with purpose without burning out. You’ll learn practical ways to recharge...
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Powering Australia’s future: Inside the battery boom
INTHEBLACK
Did you know that Australia is the world’s largest lithium producer? In this episode, you’ll learn more about the battery business – a complex area given its reliance on the mining sector and the associated challenges involved in extracting primary resources. Listeners will gain an expert-led view of the global battery industry, and how mining, sustainability and policy intersect to power the next generation of economic growth. Key areas covered include: What lithium is and how it powers everything from EVs to renewable storage systems Why “battery passports” are...
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Responsible AI explained: What it means and why it matters
INTHEBLACK
AI is advancing fast – but is it responsible? In this must-listen episode, global AI expert Dr Rumman Chowdhury shares what you need to know about building AI systems that are fair, transparent and future-ready. Key insights and questions include: Is it too late to create a responsible AI environment? What defines responsible AI? Managing AI bias and ethical risk The rise of sovereign AI Workforce disruption: preparing for AI-driven change Is AI the final frontier for...
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Excel at 40: The spreadsheet that changed everything
INTHEBLACK
For four decades, Microsoft Excel has been a cornerstone of accounting and finance. From basic calculations to complex modelling, it has transformed how professionals analyse data, solve problems and make decisions. To mark Excel’s 40th birthday, Neale Blackwood CPA reflects on Excel’s legacy and its impact on the profession. He shares his personal journey with Excel, explores its evolution from the early Mac days to the rise of AI and Python, and offers insights into why Excel remains essential in a tech-driven world. Listen now to learn: How Excel revolutionised...
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Why purpose-driven leadership builds stronger teams
INTHEBLACK
This episode explores purpose-led leadership - a key to inspiring teams and achieving success. Leadership is no longer defined by just technical skills — purpose, adaptability and the ability to bring out the best in others is becoming increasingly important. Whether you’re an emerging leader in accounting or a seasoned finance professional, this episode offers practical guidance to help you step into leadership with purpose, lead through adversity and change and inspire high performance across your teams. Listen now. Host: , editor, INTHEBLACK, CPA...
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Cultural intelligence in global finance
INTHEBLACK
In an interconnected world, one trait is fast becoming a must-have skill for finance and accounting professionals. It’s cultural intelligence. This episode explores how understanding cultural differences and adapting your approach can elevate trust, strengthen collaboration and deliver better business outcomes. With expert-led insights, learn how cultural conditioning shapes trust and what strategies can help you lead with authenticity while respecting cultural norms. Learn clear, actionable ways to embed cultural agility into daily practice – from...
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Hays 2025 Salary Guide reveals top finance job trends
INTHEBLACK
Today’s finance job market trends are revealed with key findings from the Hays 2025 Salary Guide explored in this episode. Key takeaways include: Which finance roles and industries offer the best rewards in Australia and New Zealand Trends in finance job satisfaction across salary levels and generations The impact of AI on the recruitment process The gender pay gap Current skills shortages Advice for job seekers Whether you're a finance professional navigating career choices or a recruiter adapting to new...
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Private credit: Risks and rewards explained
INTHEBLACK
Private credit is booming. But do investors fully understand the risks? In this episode, learn the mechanics of private credit, its place within the private capital universe and why it's suddenly everywhere - from retail portfolios to billion-dollar super funds. Key takeaways include: Why private credit is not the "bond-like risk" some claim it is How super funds allocate private credit under regulatory pressure Why borrower type, loan structure and economic cycles matter What needs to change in how private credit is...
info_outlineWhat does it mean to actively meet your ethical obligations as a finance or accounting professional?
In this episode, you’ll learn how corporate scandals reveal recurring themes in ethical failings and leadership culture.
The episode also expands beyond misconduct to highlight proactive ethical leadership, and learn how to use Part 1 of APES 110 code as a practical framework to:
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Assess risks
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Apply safeguards
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Make confident ethical decisions
If you're an accountant or finance professional looking to strengthen your understanding of ethics, these insights can help you protect your reputation, uphold trust and lead responsibly.
Listen now.
Host: Belinda Zohrab-McConnell, regulatory, professional standards and ethics specialist, CPA Australia
Guest: Brendan O’Connell, global president ICMA, current member and past Chair of the CPA Australia centre of excellence for ethics and professional standards.
For more information head to CPA Australia for CPD ethics resources.
And for further information, you can read these ethics articles on INTHEBLACK.
CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting:
Search for them in your podcast platform, including on YouTube.
Email the podcast team at podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au