In this second instalment of a special two-part episode, a respected panel of industry experts dive deeper into the insights from CPA Australia’s 2025 Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey.
This landmark small business survey – launched at Parliament House in Canberra in March – captures data from over 4200 small businesses across the Asia-Pacific, including more than 500 Australian businesses, providing a timely snapshot of their performance, challenges and future priorities.
From sole traders and family-run operations to service providers, these are the enterprises that power the region’s economies – and the businesses CPA Australia and its members support every day.
Listen and learn key insights from a lively debate with highly respected industry voices discussing critical issues for small business in Australia and APAC.
Panel:
CPA Australia’s 2025 edition of its Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey is available online and offers deep insights into the challenges small businesses are facing in Australia and APAC.
You can also read CPA Australia’s media release which calls for government to urgently prioritise small business issues.
To catch up, listen to part one of this two-part episode as CPA Australia’s Gavin Ord outlines the survey and the economic and operational challenges SMEs are facing.
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:
Search for them in your podcast platform.
Email the podcast team at podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au
In this first of a two-part With Interest, we’ll explore key findings from CPA Australia’s 2025 Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey, which was unveiled at Parliament House in Canberra.
In part one, CPA Australia’s Gavin Ord unpacks the economic and operational challenges SMEs are facing – from cash flow pressures and access to finance, to workforce fatigue, productivity and talent retention – all within today’s demanding business environment.
This annual survey captures the experiences of 4200 small businesses across the region – including more than 500 in Australia – offering a timely snapshot of their performance, priorities and pain points.
From sole traders and family-run builders to growing e-commerce retailers and service providers, these are the businesses that CPA Australia and its members work with every day.
Part two will feature a panel discussion with industry experts who dig deeper into the implications and opportunities behind the survey’s key data.
Presenter: Gavan Ord, Business Investment and International Lead, Policy and Advocacy, CPA Australia
You can read CPA Australia’s Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey and CPA Australia’s media release which calls for Government to urgently prioritise small business issues.
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:
Search for them in your podcast platform.
Email the podcast team at podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au
In this episode, learn some of the key challenges facing accountants in their dealings with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and what you can expect in 2025.
Gain an overview of the challenges faced by small businesses, who account for 65 per cent of the ATO's debt, and the increasing pressures on both tax agents and taxpayers.
Dive into the ATO's renewed focus on tax debt recovery, especially the significant rise in unpaid taxes post-COVID.
Learn the importance of early engagement with the ATO to avoid enforcement actions like garnishee notices and director penalty notices (DPNs).
Key areas in this episode
Impact of COVID on ATO's $50 billion debt book.
Importance of early engagement and payment plans.
Consequences for non-payment, including garnishee notices and DPNs.
ATO's new initiatives to address GIC remission requests and improve timeliness.
The ATO's approach to vulnerable taxpayers and improving service for tax agents.
The impact of automation on the ATO.
Issues raised by CPA Australia members.
Tune in now for valuable insights on how small business and tax practitioners can avoid penalties and manage their tax obligations more effectively.
For more information on the ATO, head to its website.
CPA Australia has tax resources on 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:
Search for them in your podcast platform.
Email the podcast team at podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au