CPA Australia

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Channel • 4 Shows

Education

Education

Updated Jun 1
Business

Business

Updated Jun 2
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Business News

Updated Biweekly
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Jun 1

Why Excel macros still matter in 2026

Excel macros are far from obsolete. And here's why. This episode explores why VBAs (Visual Basic for Applications) still play an important role in workflow efficiency for accountants and finance professionals. Key learnings: Why macros still matter in modern Excel workflows How VBA compares with Power Query The limits of Power Query for in-situ data fixes How AI can help write and debug VBA code How to automate data cleansing tasks in Excel Why VBA is a useful entry point into programming How to store macros in the personal macro workbook Ways to run macros from the quick access toolbar Listen now to help level up your Excel skills with macros. 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. For more, check out the accompanying YouTube video of this episode. Read more of Neale's Excel articles on INTHEBLACK. Loving this content? Don't forget to subscribe to EXCEL TIPS and share this episode with your colleagues and friends in the business community. Would you like to listen to more Excel Tips and other CPA Australia podcasts like INTHEBLACK and With Interest? Head to CPA Australia's YouTube channel. And don't forget to subscribe to the channel. You can find a CPA at our custom portal on the CPA Australia website. 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

Jun 1

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10 min
May 1

Template tips to boost workflows

Most finance professionals have made this mistake at least once. You open last month's file, update the numbers, hit save, and only then realise you should have saved it as this month's version of the file. This is where templates can help. In this episode, explore how Excel templates solve that problem while also improving consistency across your reporting. Main learnings: How Excel templates prevent accidental file overwrites The difference between workbook, sheet and task-based templates Where to find and manage built-in and personal templates How to create blank templates with pre-set formats and settings Using templates to embed headers, footers and branding Managing template storage, including system and shared folders How to apply templates across teams for consistency and control 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. For more, check out the accompanying video - https://youtu.be/RJdT6FF-w58 Read more of Neale's Excel articles on INTHEBLACK. Loving this content? Don't forget to subscribe to EXCEL TIPS and share this episode with your colleagues and friends in the business community. Would you like to listen to more Excel Tips and other CPA Australia podcasts like INTHEBLACK and With Interest? Head to CPA Australia's YouTube channel. And don't forget to subscribe to the channel. You can find a CPA at our custom portal on the CPA Australia website. 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

May 1

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8 min
Jun 2 · Video

Tax Time 2026: ATO's main focus areas

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 matters more than ever What agents should know about trust reporting updates How to identify increasingly sophisticated tax scams Why trusted advice and official sources are still critical Tune in now. Host: Jenny Wong, tax lead, CPA Australia Guest: Anita Challen, assistant commissioner, ATO. For more, head to CPA Australia's tax time tools and resources page. And of course, you can head to the ATO website or you can download the ATO app. The ATO also has online services and you can go on the ATO website and search verify or report a scam or how to stay scam safe for more information. And you can phone the ATO on 1800 008 540. Loving this episode? Listen to more With Interest episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@CPAaustralia/podcasts 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 https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/with-interest INTHEBLACK https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack INTHEBLACK Out Loud https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack-outloud Excel Tips https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/excel-tips Search for them in your podcast platform. Email the podcast team at podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au Chapters: 00:00 Episode opening 00:14 Introduction to CPA Australia's With Interest podcast Tax Time episode 1 01:01 What is the ATO focusing on this tax time? 02:17 Tax time 2026 updates agents need to know 03:24 ATO toolkits, rental property checklists and trust return pre-fill 04:32 How the ATO is using AI and automation 05:39 The biggest tax mistakes taxpayers still make 06:00 Why record keeping and substantiation matter 07:03 Work-related expenses under ATO scrutiny 07:12 Car expense claims: what you can and cannot claim 08:43 Self-education deductions: what qualifies and what does not 09:24 Working from home deductions: records, rates and receipts 11:07 Income reporting mistakes that trip people up 12:49 Do cash jobs need to be declared? 13:03 Good record keeping habits for tax time 13:59 How to spot tax misinformation online 15:09 Tax scams: warning signs and how to stay safe 16:09 How to verify ATO contact using the ATO app 17:45 Final advice for agents and clients heading into tax time 2026 18:37 Episode wrap-up and key takeaways

Jun 2 · Video

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19 min
Jun 9

Tax Time 2026: Small business guide to ATO compliance

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 on: The most common tax time mistakes made by small businesses Why accurate record keeping is still critical for compliance The ATO's key focus areas for small business audits and reviews How data matching is changing tax reporting and enforcement What businesses need to know about Payday Super changes How the instant asset write-off applies this financial year Why cashflow management is essential for meeting obligations The support tools and learning resources available for business owners How the ATO is addressing shadow economy activity and tax evasion Why early engagement with advisers and the ATO can prevent bigger problems Tune in now. Host: Jenny Wong, tax lead, CPA Australia Guest: Angela Allen, assistant commissioner at the ATO, responsible for small business experience For more, head to CPA Australia's tax time tools and resources page. And of course, you can head to the ATO website or you can download the ATO app. The ATO also has online services and you can go to the ATO website and search verify or report a scam or how to stay scam safe for more information. And you can phone the ATO on 1800 008 540. Loving this episode? Listen to more With Interest episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@CPAaustralia/podcasts 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 https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/with-interest INTHEBLACK https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack INTHEBLACK Out Loud https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack-outloud Excel Tips https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/excel-tips Search for them in your podcast platform. Email the podcast team at podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au Chapters: 00:00 Cash Flow Pressure for Small Businesses and When to Contact the ATO 00:16 Tax Time 2026 Overview with Angela Allen, Australian Taxation Office 01:00 Common Small Business Tax Time Mistakes and Record‑Keeping Errors 02:06 ATO Record‑Keeping Tools: Recordkeeping Evaluation and myDeductions App 02:38 ATO Small Business Compliance Focus Areas for 2026 02:58 ATO Small Business Compliance Risks: Income Reporting, Employer Super Obligations, and Cash‑in‑Hand Payments 04:08 ATO Small Business Tax Time Toolkit and Online Learning Resources 05:27 Managing Cash Flow Stress and Early Engagement with the ATO 05:51 Tax Time 2026 Changes: TPAR Reporting and Pre‑Fill Data 06:37 Instant Asset Write‑Off Rules for Small Businesses 06:56 Payday Super Starting 1 July and Employer Readiness 07:18 Staying Compliant Year‑Round Using Digital Tax Tools 08:15 GST, PAYG Withholding, Superannuation, and Cash Flow Planning 09:05 ATO Priorities on the Shadow Economy and Cash‑in‑Hand Payments 10:26 Episode Wrap‑Up and CPA Australia Resources #taxtime #smallbusiness #smallbusinesstax #compliance #ATO

Jun 9

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11 min
01/31/2023

Excel Tips: New text functions for Excel

In this episode, we look at three new text functions released in the latest (subscription) version of Microsoft Excel. The functions are: "Text Before", "Text After" and "Text Split" To explain this is CPA Australia's Excel expert Neale Blackwood CPA. Listen now. Host: Neale Blackwood CPA Excel Tips is for accounting, business and finance professionals looking to sharpen their spreadsheet skills and learn new hacks and tricks from Neale Blackwood CPA, a Microsoft Excel expert. Excel Tips helps spreadsheet users discover hidden features and shortcuts and understand how best to apply the newest features and functionality. The podcast is a companion to regular articles in INTHEBLACK, CPA Australia's award-winning business magazine. Neale Blackwood CPA has over 20 years of experience as a Microsoft Excel educator. He is the author of more than 200 INTHEBLACK articles as well as a book, Advanced Excel Reporting for Management Accountants. Excel Tips is presented by CPA Australia, one of the world's largest accounting bodies, with core services that include education, training, technical support and advocacy. CPA Australia publishes three podcasts providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance and accounting. With Interest INTHEBLACK (coming soon) Excel Tips Search for them in your podcast service. To find out more about our podcasts, visit our podcast page. Or search for the shows in your podcast service. To contact the podcast team, email podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au

01/31/2023

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12 min
Apr 1

Increment dates easily in Excel

What if you could simplify Excel date calculations with one powerful custom function? Well, this episode explains how. You'll learn: How to handle different date increments including days, weeks and months in one function Using the SWITCH function to create a lookup table How the LAMBDA function can be deployed Best practice tips for this custom function Listen now to improve your Excel skills. 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. For more, check out the accompanying video for this episode. Read more of Neale's Excel articles on INTHEBLACK. Loving this content? Don't forget to subscribe to EXCEL TIPS and share this episode with your colleagues and friends in the business community. Would you like to listen to more Excel Tips and other CPA Australia podcasts like INTHEBLACK and With Interest? Head to CPA Australia's YouTube channel. And don't forget to subscribe to the channel. You can find a CPA at our custom portal on the CPA Australia website. 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

Apr 1

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7 min
02/06/2023

Excel tips: how to improve your formatting

Today's episode will help with your formatting in Microsoft Excel. Want to know how to make your files easier to read, understand and use? To explain is CPA Australia's Excel expert, Neale Blackwood. Listen 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. CPA Australia publishes three podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting: With Interest INTHEBLACK Excel Tips Search for them in your podcast service. You can email the podcast team at podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au And you can read more of Neale's Excel articles online, including the accompanying article to this podcast.

02/06/2023

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9 min
May 5

Tax reform insights from a global policy expert

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: lessons from US tax reform and what Australia can apply why "better, not perfect" is critical for improving tax reform how predictability drives investment more than headline tax rates how to provide certainty for international investors the role of GST as a more efficient and sustainable tax base the fairness of corporate tax versus consumption and land taxes where Australia sits in the global tax competition landscape As we head toward the 2026 Federal Budget, it's clear that governments, businesses, and the accounting profession are grappling with complex and interconnected challenges – from investment certainty to intergenerational fairness and the future of our tax mix. This episode is a timely look at a key issue with one of the most respected global voices in tax. Tune in now. Host: Jenny Wong, tax lead, CPA Australia Guest: Viva Hammer, a leading global tax policy expert. Most of her career was spent in the US as partner in New York and Washington law and consulting firms as well as at the US Treasury Department and US Congress. She now brings that international perspective back to Australia. For more, head to Viva's website. And don't forget to check out CPA Australia's YouTube channel for the upcoming live Federal Budget 2026 webinar. Loving this episode? Listen to more With Interest episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@CPAaustralia/podcasts 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 https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/with-interest INTHEBLACK https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack INTHEBLACK Out Loud https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack-outloud Excel Tips https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/excel-tips Search for them in your podcast platform. Email the podcast team at podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au

May 5

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20 min
Mar 24

Payday super checklist before July's changes

Payday super is one of the most significant payroll changes in years, and businesses need to act now to be ready. This episode is like a checklist, breaking down what the shift to real-time super payments means in practice, how compliance will work and what employers should be doing before the July deadline. Key learnings: What payday super actually requires beyond more frequent payments How the seven-day contribution rule will affect payroll processes Why cash flow planning is critical under the new system How to prepare payroll systems and work with providers effectively The risks of incorrect employee super fund data and how to fix it What changes from ordinary time earnings to qualifying earnings mean How the ATO will approach compliance in the first year Key actions for businesses using clearing houses before they close What high-balance super members should consider ahead of new tax rules If you handle payroll, finance, or business operations, this conversation will help you avoid common pitfalls, as well as help you take practical action before the deadline to avoid disruption and penalties. Host: Tahn Sharpe, editor, CPA Australia Guest: Richard Webb, superannuation lead, Policy and Advocacy, CPA Australia For more, head to the ATO Payday Super guide. CPA Australia also has resources on superannuation. And this article offers more insight. Loving this episode? Listen to more With Interest episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@CPAaustralia/podcasts 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 https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/with-interest INTHEBLACK https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack INTHEBLACK Out Loud https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack-outloud Excel Tips https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/excel-tips Search for them in your podcast platform. Email the podcast team at podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au

Mar 24

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15 min
01/13/2023

EXCEL TIPS, coming soon.

Excel Tips is a podcast for accounting, business and finance professionals who are looking to sharpen their spreadsheet skills and learn new hacks and tricks from Neale Blackwood CPA, a Microsoft Excel expert. EXCEL TIPS helps spreadsheet users discover Excel's hidden features and shortcuts and understand how best to apply the newest features and functionality. The podcast is a companion to regular articles in INTHEBLACK, CPA Australia's award-winning business magazine. Every podcast episode includes links to the accompanying EXCEL TIPS digital magazine article. Neale Blackwood CPA has more than 20 years of experience as a Microsoft Excel educator. He is the author of more than 200 INTHEBLACK articles as well as a book, Advanced Excel Reporting for Management Accountants. Subscribe today to stay up-to-date with the latest episodes. EXCEL TIPS is presented by CPA Australia, one of the world's largest accounting bodies, with core services that include education, training, technical support and advocacy. ---------------------------------------------------- CPA Australia publishes three podcasts: - With Interest - INTHEBLACK - Excel Tips To find out more about our podcasts, visit https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts - or search for the shows in your podcast service. To contact the podcast team email us at podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au.

01/13/2023

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1 min

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

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CPA Australia

Top Shows

Why Excel macros still matter in 2026

Template tips to boost workflows

Tax Time 2026: ATO's main focus areas

Tax Time 2026: Small business guide to ATO compliance

Excel Tips: New text functions for Excel

Increment dates easily in Excel

Excel tips: how to improve your formatting

Tax reform insights from a global policy expert

Payday super checklist before July's changes

EXCEL TIPS, coming soon.

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