How auditors can spot risk before it’s too late
With Interest
Strong professional judgement is often the difference between identifying risk early and recognising failure only in hindsight. This episode explores what major market collapses can teach auditors, accountants and finance professionals about maintaining trust, independence and scepticism when risks are evolving rapidly. With Paul Munter, formerly of the US Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), in the studio – along with CPA Australia’s audit and assurance lead Tiffany Tan – this episode offers deep insight into this important issue. Drawing on lessons from Enron,...
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Tax Time 2026: Property investor tips
With Interest
If you’re a property investor or managing investment assets, this episode features expert ATO guidance to help guide you through tax time in 2026. Want an example? Rental property tax can be straightforward until ownership structures, short-term rentals, loan redraws and capital gains tax enter the picture. This episode explores the tax issues investors most commonly get wrong and the practical steps that can help avoid costly mistakes. You’ll learn: Common mistakes involving interest deductibility and...
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Tax Time 2026: How ATO protects your financial data
With Interest
Cyber fraud is not going to stop overnight. It will continue to become more sophisticated and pervasive as time goes on. Which means this third episode in the tax time 2026 series is even more relevant today as it focuses on fraud risks and how you can protect your financial data. With guest expertise from assistant commissioner in the ATO’s fraud and criminal behaviours business line, and hosted by CPA Australia’s tax...
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Tax Time 2026: Small business guide to ATO compliance
With Interest
Tax time can add to the stress of small business. So, to help reduce that worry, this episode is devoted entirely to small business issues for tax time 2026. With high-level expertise from the ATO’s Angela Allen, assistant commissioner responsible for small business experience, in the studio with CPA Australia’s tax lead Jenny Wong, explore the most common tax issues affecting small business, and how you can stay compliant. In this episode, you’ll gain valuable information...
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Tax Time 2026: ATO's main focus areas
With Interest
Tax time 2026 is upon us. And in this first episode, unpack the ATO’s major focus areas. Also, for tax agents and taxpayers, gain practical insights ahead of lodgement season. Key learnings: The ATO’s biggest priorities for tax time 2026 Why misinformation and AI-generated advice are growing risks Common errors in work-related and car expense claims What taxpayers often miss in income reporting How to manage work-from-home deductions correctly Why accurate record keeping...
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Federal Budget 2026-27: CPA Australia’s expert analysis
With Interest
In this special Federal Budget 2026–27 episode, hear expert analysis of the measures announced by Treasurer Jim Chalmers in last night’s budget. CPA Australia’s business and tax policy experts break down what Budget 2026–27 means for the issues that matter most to businesses and Australians. Analysis and commentary include: Overall reaction: Did the budget deliver? Who were the winners and losers? The tax measures examined, including CGT and negative gearing Building wealth and investor...
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Tax reform insights from a global policy expert
With Interest
Tax reform. It’s one of the most hotly debated issues around the world. And as global tax expert Viva Hammer notes, the biggest barrier to tax reform in Australia is not policy – it is the pursuit of perfection. In this episode of With Interest, she brings a global perspective shaped by her work on significant tax reforms in recent US history. Her message is clear: progress comes from doing something better, not waiting for something perfect. Main learnings include: ...
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Managing cashflow pressures: Insights for small business
With Interest
Cashflow planning is now critical for small businesses. In an environment of volatile fuel prices, interest rate uncertainty and upcoming changes to payday super, this episode will help you understand and manage today’s cashflow challenges. Key learnings: why cashflow pressure is increasing across small businesses how to approach simple, practical cashflow forecasting the impact of payday super on cashflow timing and planning pricing decisions and their role in protecting...
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Global volatility, energy shocks and business resilience
With Interest
It’s a volatile world. Energy security, trade in primary resources and food supply are all reshaping the rules of resilience. In this timely episode, CPA Australia’s experts unpack how global conflict is affecting the operating environment for business, finance and policy leaders. With the current geopolitical tensions as the backdrop, learn how energy shocks, supply chain disruption and inflation pressures are forcing a rethink of long-term strategy. ...
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Navigating business in today’s uncertain global landscape
With Interest
It’s a volatile world, and businesses are under pressure. In this episode of With Interest, Gavan Ord, Business Investment and International lead at CPA Australia, explores how businesses are navigating an increasingly unstable global environment marked by geopolitical conflict, cost pressures and economic shocks. The conversation draws on insights from CPA Australia’s Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey to unpack how small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are coping, and what separates those that merely survive from...
info_outlineAs AI becomes embedded across public sector operations, how do you balance innovation with accountability? In this episode, hear expert views on the governance of AI in the public sector.
Key themes include:
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Why defining AI clearly matters for risk management
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The need to keep humans in the loop for high-impact decisions
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Risks of using public generative AI tools with confidential data
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The importance of closed-loop and contextual AI systems in government
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How to balance centralised frameworks with agency-specific needs
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Building a risk-aware culture vs. enforcing tick-box compliance
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The challenge of maintaining transparency in machine learning
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Why AI governance should be principles-based, not rules-based
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The growing concerns around agentic AI and loss of human control
Whether you're a policy maker, accountant or public service leader, this discussion offers practical insights into designing agile, ethical and effective AI governance in the public sector.
Host: Ram Subramanian, External Reporting Lead, Policy, Standards and External Affairs, CPA Australia
Guest: Michael Davern, FCPA Professor of Accounting and Business Information Systems, University of Melbourne. For over 30 years, both in Australia and internationally, he has led industry-engaged research projects in data analytics, business intelligence, financial reporting, risk management, data governance and ethics, among others.
CPA Australia has released a report titled AI governance in the public sector. It features key insights from CPA Australia’s recent webinar with public sector experts.
For more, a media release on AI governance in the public sector summarises our views.
And learn more about this episode’s expert guest Michael Davern on the University of Melbourne website.
Listen to more With Interest episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube.
CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting:
Search for them in your podcast platform.
Email the podcast team at podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au