CPA Australia

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Channel • 4 Shows

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Updated 1 Jan
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Updated 3 days ago
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10 FEB

INTHEBLACK: Do you want to be happier at work? New research shows how

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: The relationship between happiness and leadership Positive psychology as a field of research Research data on happiness and how it's a 'skill' The key components of developing workplace happiness and contentment How to recognise 'green-light moments' Ways to shift out of work-related ruts, regain perspective and avoid catastrophising 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 Excel Tips Search for them in your podcast platform. Email the podcast team at podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au

10 Feb

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21 min
01/09/2025

Unleash the power of Python in Excel

In this third and final episode of a three-part series, we explore how the integration of Python unlocks advanced tools for analysis, automation and visualisation. Listeners will learn: How Python connects with Power Query to extract and transform data Ways to preview and filter information using Pandas functions Techniques for reshaping horizontal data into usable formats with melt() Python in Excel can really help your data workflows. It allows you to work with connection-only Power Queries, cleanse and reshape messy datasets and generate dynamic charts in just a few lines of code. And with built-in libraries like Pandas and Matplotlib, you or your finance team can preview, filter and transform data in ways that are faster and more flexible than traditional Excel functions. Who doesn't love that? Packed with practical insights, this episode helps you harness Python in Excel to save time, improve analysis and elevate decision-making. Tune in now. Host: Neale Blackwood CPA. He has more than 20 years of experience as a Microsoft Excel educator and is the author of more than 200 INTHEBLACK articles as well as a book, Advanced Excel Reporting for Management Accountants. LINKS Listen to part one of this three-part series which covers the basics. Episode two discusses practical applications of Python in Excel. And you can read more of Neale's Excel articles on INTHEBLACK. You can find a CPA at our custom portal on the CPA Australia website. Would you like to listen to more Excel Tips 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 Excel Tips INTHEBLACK Out Loud Search for them in your podcast platform. You can email the podcast team at podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au

01/09/2025

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9 min
01/08/2025

Python in Excel: Practical applications

In this second episode of a three-part series, you will build on the basics from part one to gain a clear understanding of how to use Python directly within Excel cells. This includes using the Pandas library, for example, to merge datasets and create data-rich outputs with minimal code. You'll gain the skills to: Learn key differences between Excel formulas and Python syntax Discover practical coding shortcuts and structure for writing Python in Excel Deploy a step-by-step process to create a merged table with sales and GST calculations Use the Pandas library to work with Excel tables (called 'data frames' in Pandas) Understand how Excel loads other common libraries like NumPy and Matplotlib Whether you're an accountant, analyst or finance leader, this episode will help you unlock more value from your Excel spreadsheets by integrating efficient Python-powered workflows. Tune in now. Host: Neale Blackwood CPA. He has more than 20 years of experience as a Microsoft Excel educator and is the author of more than 200 INTHEBLACK articles as well as a book, Advanced Excel Reporting for Management Accountants. You can listen to part one of this three-part series on Python in Excel as well as read the accompanying article for part one. The article for this episode is also available online at INTHEBLACK. And you can read more of Neale's Excel articles for INTHEBLACK. You can find a CPA at our custom portal on the CPA Australia website. Would you like to listen to more Excel Tips 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 Excel Tips INTHEBLACK Out Loud Search for them in your podcast platform. You can email the podcast team at podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au

01/08/2025

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11 min
01/07/2025

Getting started with Python in Excel

Unlock the potential of Python in Excel with this essential first episode in a three-part series. Designed for accountants, finance professionals and Excel power users, this episode introduces the basics of integrating Python code directly into Excel cells. Learn how Python enhances Excel's capabilities for data handling and visualisation without replacing core Excel functions. You'll discover how Python in Excel works and how code is processed using Microsoft's Azure platform. Understand the key steps to get started, including how to enter code using the =PY function and the role of the new Python editor in the Formulas tab. Also explained is how Python variables behave across sheets, the concept of data frames and how Python's popular Pandas library comes into play when working with datasets. You'll also learn how to manage calculation options and understand the new dependency logic within Python-enabled workbooks. Whether you're completely new to Python or already familiar with this programming language, this episode gives you the foundational knowledge needed to begin using Python confidently inside Excel. And don't miss the fun trivia at the end to learn the surprising origin of Python's name. Tune in now. Host: Neale Blackwood CPA. He has more than 20 years of experience as a Microsoft Excel educator and is the author of more than 200 INTHEBLACK articles as well as a book, Advanced Excel Reporting for Management Accountants. You can find a CPA at our custom portal on the CPA Australia website. Would you like to listen to more Excel Tips 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 podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au

01/07/2025

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9 min
01/10/2025

Smarter, faster, easier: Here's what's new in Excel

In this episode of Excel Tips, we explore the latest Excel updates that can help to boost productivity and simplify workflows for finance and accounting professionals. Listeners will learn: How to use TRIMRANGE for flexible range selection What's new with pivot table formatting and an exciting update on auto-refresh How the TRANSLATE function works for multilingual data The simplified syntax for BYROW and BYCOL functions How three new Regex (regular expressions) functions can use patterns to identify data. Packed with practical insights, this episode helps you explore Excel's latest upgrades to save time, improve analysis and elevate decision-making. Tune in now. Host: Neale Blackwood CPA. He has more than 20 years of experience as a Microsoft Excel educator and is the author of more than 200 INTHEBLACK articles as well as a book, Advanced Excel Reporting for Management Accountants. The companion video and Excel file will go into more detail to demonstrate these techniques. Read more of Neale's Excel articles on INTHEBLACK. You can find a CPA at our custom portal on the CPA Australia website. Would you like to listen to more Excel Tips 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 Excel Tips INTHEBLACK Out Loud Search for them in your podcast platform. You can email the podcast team at podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au

01/10/2025

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14 min
3 FEB

Cognitive bias in decision-making

Cognitive bias. It quietly shapes many of the decisions made in accounting and finance – often without you realising it. This unintended bias can become a risk if left unchecked – especially in professions built on precision, trust and ethical responsibility. Drawing on real-world examples, this episode explores the diverse types of cognitive bias, and how they can impact accounting and finance professionals in our day-to-day work. Key learnings include: Why cognitive bias exists and when it becomes a professional risk How common biases affect financial judgement The ethical consequences of bias in accounting and finance How organisational culture can reduce or reinforce biased thinking Practical steps individuals can take to challenge assumptions and improve decisions How the rise of AI and automation adds a new layer of complexity to decision-making The discussion also shows how biases such as confirmation bias, anchoring and overconfidence quietly influence decisions, often without conscious awareness. Host: Tahn Sharpe, Editor, CPA Australia Guest: Dr Victor Goh Weng Yew, a PhD in applied psychology and Associate Professor at the Department of Psychology at HELP University in Malaysia, where he is also the acting dean. For more, head to HELP University online and to its page on LinkedIn. And there is a CPA PD course on AI and Ethics in Malaysia featuring expert local speakers, case studies and examples. Loving this episode? Listen to more INTHEBLACK episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube. And don't forget to click subscribe to the channel for a wide range of content that will help your career. 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 podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au

3 Feb

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21 min
16/12/2025

Australia, India and new global trade opportunities

How do you maintain your strategic focus in such a volatile global market? Sanjeev Gandhi, Orica's managing director and CEO, shares his insightful views on this and much more. Gandhi and CPA Australia CEO Chris Freeland chatted on stage at the recent ECTA (Economic Trade and Agreement) Unleashed event – a one-day conference held in Sydney between CPA Australia and the Australian (Sydney) chapter of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. The event connected CPA Australia members, community leaders, business, and government agencies to deliver practical insights and technical information on both the Australian and Indian markets. This episode is a recording of that insightful conversation. Gandhi outlines the realities of operating in more than 130 jurisdictions and explains why the last five years have marked the most unpredictable period of his career. This conversation also covers issues such as: Navigating global volatility Opportunities created by geopolitical shifts The Australia-India partnership Productivity and policy challenges in Australia Shifts from globalisation to localisation Listen in now. Host: Chris Freeland AM, CEO, CPA Australia Guest: Sanjeev Gandhi, Managing Director and CEO, Orica Head to Orica's website and LinkedIn for more information. And you can learn about this event at its CPA Australia page. Loving this episode? 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: With Interest INTHEBLACK INTHEBLACK Out Loud Excel Tips Search for them in your podcast platform. Email the podcast team at podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au

16/12/2025

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33 min
27 JAN

INTHEBLACK: Responsible AI explained - What it means and why it matters

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 humans? 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. You can learn more about Rumman at her website. Listen to more INTHEBLACK episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube. 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 podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au

27 Jan

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15 min
6 JAN

With Interest: Digital reporting - Why it's time for Australia

Australia remains one of the few advanced economies still using PDFs for financial reporting – a format most global markets have already left behind. In this episode, you'll gain expert-led insights on why adopting digital financial reporting in Australia is critical to supporting trust, transparency and competitiveness in global markets. Explore how structured data allows regulators, investors and businesses to analyse and compare information more efficiently, driving better decision-making and reducing capital costs. Listeners will learn: How structured data improves accountability and investor confidence Why global markets already mandate digital reporting standards The link between digital disclosure and lower capital costs How AI will enhance – not replace – digital reporting workflows What Australian policymakers can learn from global peers Learn why CPA Australia is recommending a mandate for digital reporting by listed entities in this expert-led discussion. Listen now. Host: Ram Subramanian, External Reporting Lead, Policy, Standards and External Affairs, CPA Australia Guest: John Turner ,CEO of XBRL International, a global, non-profit standards body dedicated to improving business performance through enhanced transparency and accountability in reporting. With a background in law, IT, and government, he has led innovation in business model design, systems development and data standards for over two decades. For more, INTHEBLACK has an article on why digital reporting should be mandatory in Australia. Additionally, this interim report from 2025 by the Productivity Commission provides broader context to digital reporting. And you can find out John Turner's organisation XBRL at its website. Loving this episode? Listen to more INTHEBLACK episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube. And don't forget to click subscribe on the 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 podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au

6 Jan

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23 min
23/12/2025

With Interest: Attracting accountants - How to future-proof the profession

How can we attract more accountants and future-proof the profession? In this episode we take a deep dive with IFAC into this pressing question. You'll learn about accounting's talent pipeline – its challenges and possible solutions. Key takeaways include: What's really driving the talent shortage and how firms, educators and policymakers can respond. Simple ways to position accounting as a dynamic, valued career choice. Why reaching future accountants in primary school – and harnessing gamification – sparks lifelong curiosity. How AI is reshaping (not replacing) accounting jobs, and what skillsets are essential for today's graduates. Real-world strategies to build an engaged and future-proofed accounting team. If you're in business or accounting leadership, don't miss these actionable insights to help understand and elevate the profession's future. Host: Elinor Kasapidis, Chief of Policy, Standards and External affairs, CPA Australia Guest: Bruce Vivian, Head of Accountancy Education, IFAC You can learn more about Bruce Vivian's career and his role with IFAC. And read IFAC's story on possible incentives for attracting accounting talent. Also, check out IFAC's website for its attractiveness of the profession hub which includes resources on preparing a future-ready profession and roles for the next decade. You can 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: With Interest INTHEBLACK INTHEBLACK Out Loud Excel Tips Search for them in your podcast platform. Email the podcast team at podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au

23/12/2025

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27 min

CPA Australia podcasts provide commentary and thought leadership across business, finance and accounting.

Website

CPA Australia

Top Shows

INTHEBLACK: Do you want to be happier at work? New research shows how

Unleash the power of Python in Excel

Python in Excel: Practical applications

Getting started with Python in Excel

Smarter, faster, easier: Here's what's new in Excel

Cognitive bias in decision-making

Australia, India and new global trade opportunities

INTHEBLACK: Responsible AI explained - What it means and why it matters

With Interest: Digital reporting - Why it's time for Australia

With Interest: Attracting accountants - How to future-proof the profession

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