In 2026, auditors are working in an environment defined by AI technologies, heightened scrutiny, regulatory oversight and ethics demands. 

Which is why it’s vital that professionals in audit understand this evolving landscape. Additionally, how the regulator ASIC views key issues and what it is focusing on in 2026. 

ASIC commissioner Kate O’Rourke is this episode’s special guest and she discusses the evolution of audit and financial oversight at a pivotal time. 

This episode explores: 

Listen now for expert-led insights from ASIC. 

Host: Tiffany Tan, audit and assurance lead, CPA Australia. 

Guest: Kate O’Rourke, ASIC commissioner. She previously held senior leadership roles at Treasury and has held executive roles at ASIC overseeing corporate transactions and governance. Kate O’Rourke began her five-year term as an ASIC commissioner in September 2023. 

We all want to be happy at work. Or at least happier, don’t we? 

Across this conversation, listeners will learn about a foundational concept: Success often follows happiness rather than causes it. 

Drawing on research in positive psychology, the episode outlines how mindset, habits and self-awareness account for a large share of overall wellbeing, far outweighing external circumstances. 

It also explains how small, consistent practices such as learning to be grateful can recalibrate the brain’s natural bias toward the negative. 

Listeners will learn: 

This Career Hacks episode is a must-listen for anyone looking for that elusive happiness factor at work. 

Host: Jacqueline Blondell, Editor, CPA Australia 

Guest: Declan Edwards, happiness researcher, speaker, coach and consultant. He is founder of the BU Happiness College, which has a vision of making the skills and science of happiness more accessible to individuals, organisations and the world. 

For more information, head to the BU Happiness College on LinkedIn. 

Loving this episode? Listen to more INTHEBLACK episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube. 

Click subscribe on the channel to stay updated on the latest episodes. 

CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting: 

With Interest 

INTHEBLACK 

INTHEBLACK Out Loud 

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: 

Listen now. 

Host: Jacqueline Blondell, Content Editor, CPA Australia 

Guest: Dr Rumman Chowdhury. She is CEO and co-founder of Humane Intelligence, a nonprofit advancing community-driven AI auditing and evaluation. As the US Science Envoy for AI, Rumman engages in global AI governance efforts with a focus on emerging markets. Previously, she led AI ethics teams at Twitter and Accenture, pioneering enterprise-level AI risk mitigation tools. 

Rumman is the CEO and co-founder of Humane Intelligence, and she is speaking at this year’s CPA Congress. 

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 client meetings to cross-border negotiations. 

Key learnings include: 

Whether you’re leading an international team, negotiating cross-border deals or simply aiming to sharpen your Asia capability, this episode will give you insights to succeed in today’s global finance landscape. 

Host: Tahn Sharpe, INTHEBLACK Editor, CPA Australia 

Guest: Charlotta Oberg, Program Director, Asialink Leaders Program, Associate Director, Capability Development at Asialink Business 

Links: