This episode was recorded on the way to the Sydney Accounting & Business Expo, offering a candid and practical conversation about AI in practice, peer communities, vendor relationships and the evolving accounting profession in Australia.

• Chris Wheatley shares insights into running a 10 FTE suburban accounting practice with 1,900 clients
• Discussion on AI in accounting tools and how most firms are already using it
• The growth and impact of the Small Business Accountants & Advisors Brain Trust Facebook group
• Peer-to-peer recommendations versus traditional vendor marketing
• The rise of alternative and non-bank lending in the SME space

This conversation highlights the importance of community, practical tech adoption and staying grounded while navigating change in the accounting profession.

Episode resources and links:

Chris Wheatley, Director, Scope Accounting : https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-wheatley-fca-29398533/

Scope Accounting : https://www.scopeaccounting.com.au/

Small Business Accountants & Advisers Brain Trust, Australia FaceBook Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/977122739056681

Accounting & Business Expo : https://www.terrapinn.com/exhibition/accounting-business-expo/index.stm

If this episode helped you, the best way to support the show is to leave a review somewhere as it helps more people find us. And if you want to continue the conversation, come find me Heather Smith | Accountant and Storyteller on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/

Accounting Apps newsletter: http://accountingapps.io/

Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting

X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU

A practical conversation, with Tyler Caskey, Dan Osborne and Heather Smith, hosted by John Munden, on how accounting firms can grow through better systems, small efficiency improvements and intentional technology adoption including AI, automation and advisory insights. Presented by Cloudoffis.

Cloud Office is an Australian cloud-based platform that helps accountants and auditors streamline SMSF audits, tax workpapers and compliance workflows.

Summary

Accounting firms are entering a new phase of growth where success is no longer measured only by revenue. In this discussion, we explore how modern practices are improving profitability, efficiency and lifestyle outcomes through smarter systems and technology adoption.

The panel shares practical advice on reviewing your tech stack, identifying pain points and adopting automation that removes administrative tasks rather than replacing professional judgement. AI is already transforming workflows through data analysis, receipt capture, executive summaries and financial insights.

Importantly, the conversation also highlights the need for clear AI policies, strong client data protection and thoughtful implementation. As accounting technology continues to evolve, firms that focus on small improvements, better systems and intentional growth will be well positioned for the future.

Apps & Tools Mentioned: Cloudoffis, Excel, Google Meet, Zoom, Xero, Hubdoc, Dext, Wheel, JAX, ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Power BI, Intuit

Contact details:

Cloudoffis : https://cloudoffis.com.au/

Dan Osborne : https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-osborne-985129121/

CATS : https://catax.com.au/

Two Drunk Accountants : https://twodrunkaccountants.com.au/

Tyler Caskey : https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylercaskey/

Bean Counters : https://www.thebeancounters.com.au/

John Munden : https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmunden/

Accounting Apps newsletter: http://accountingapps.io/

Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting

X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU

Fast-growing businesses eventually reach a point where their finance systems struggle to keep up. In this episode, CFO Anita Chow shares how Acusensus moved from a Xero and spreadsheet-based environment to a full ERP Oracle Netsuite platform to support rapid growth and international expansion.

The discussion explores what triggers the shift to ERP, the challenges of managing multiple entities and growing transaction volumes, and the benefits of having a scalable financial infrastructure. The move dramatically improved automation across key areas such as reporting, lease accounting, and financial consolidation while enabling the finance team to spend more time partnering with the business.

The conversation also highlights important lessons for finance professionals and advisors supporting scaling companies. Clean data, thoughtful change management, and clear success metrics are critical. Ultimately, technology is only the enabler. The real value comes from how finance teams use better systems to deliver insights, manage risk, and support strategic decisions.

Apps & Tools Mentioned: NetSuite, Xero, Excel, ProSpend, Zone & Co, Netgain, Employment Hero, Airwallex, NetSuite Planning and Budgeting

Contact details:

Oracle Netsuite : https://www.netsuite.com/portal/home.shtml

Acusensus : https://www.acusensus.com/

Anita Chow: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-chow-b77a0016/

Accounting Apps newsletter: http://accountingapps.io/

Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting

X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU

How do you modernise a family business when the older generation resists change? This episode explores emotional barriers, trust, and a practical tiny pilot approach to digital adoption.

Summary

In this episode, I explore the challenge of introducing new technology into long established family businesses. Inspired by a LinkedIn post from Tony Harcourt, we unpack why tech resistance is often emotional, not practical.

Key discussion points:

• The generational technology gap in family businesses
• Emotional drivers behind software resistance: identity, control, pride, risk
• Insights from Xero’s behavioural research on tech adoption
• Why trust and communication shape innovation success
• The “Tiny Pilot” method for low risk digital change
• Practical scripts to reduce defensiveness and build collaboration
• Handling common objections like “It’s too expensive” or “We’ve always done it this way”
• The role of external advisors in supporting family dynamics

Key Takeaway:

Successful technology adoption in family businesses is about protecting legacy while reducing friction. Start small, make it reversible, and focus on outcomes, not features.

Contact details:

Tony Harcourt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-harcourt/

LinkedIn Post: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7432901025231159296/

WorkGuru https://workguru.io/

Behavioural Research by Xero https://www.xero.com/au/media-releases/behavioural-research-by-xero-uncovers-barriers-for-au-small-businesses/

Accounting Apps newsletter: http://accountingapps.io/

Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting

X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU

Cameron Anderson General Manager XBert

What does AI fluency really mean for accountants and bookkeepers? This episode explores governance, prompting frameworks, and practical AI use cases you can apply immediately.

Summary

In this episode, we explore AI fluency for accountants and bookkeepers and what it really means in practice. From governance to prompting frameworks, we unpack practical steps firms can take today.

• What AI fluency means for modern bookkeeping firms
• Traditional AI vs Generative AI explained simply
• The AI and human partnership model
• Governance, ethics, and client disclosure considerations
• The RTRI prompting framework: Role, Task, Requirements, Instructions
• AI use cases across client communication, reporting, and operations
• Using AI for financial analysis and contextual insights
• Capacity planning and workflow intelligence
• Starting small and building sustainable capability
• Why data quality underpins every AI initiative

• AI should augment human judgement, not replace it
• Start with low risk, easy to validate use cases
• Build AI capability alongside human skills
• Transparency and governance matter
• Small, consistent learning builds long term fluency

XBert, Xero, ChatGPT, Gamma, Otter.ai, Fireflies.ai, Gmail, Microsoft Outlook

Contact details:

Cameron Anderson : https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronanderson2/

XBert : https://www.xbert.io/

Accounting Apps newsletter: http://accountingapps.io/

Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting

X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU

AI is reshaping accounting roles, not replacing them. Explore what’s changing, emerging governance roles, and why strategic thinking and AI fluency matter more than ever.

Summary

As AI reshapes our profession, we're essentially seeing less demand for those routine tasks, a boom in strategic roles and new opportunities for those who understand the cross section between accounting and technology, so less routine, more strategy, more cross disciplinary. And today, I'd like to talk about what's changing in the roles, what's not changing in the roles, what new roles are emerging, and what accountants and bookkeepers should focus on now.

Key discussion points:

• Why AI will replace tasks, not accountants
• The decline of routine compliance work
• The rise of advisory, virtual CFO and fractional CFO roles
• Emerging positions: AI governance, risk reviewers, AI audit trail designers
• The concept of AI “agent managers”
• AI fluency as a critical professional skill
• The growing importance of critical thinking and communication
• Ethical obligations in an AI-embedded profession
• Practical steps: auditing your task list and shifting time to interpretation
• Why governance frameworks and AI policies are now essential

Key takeaways:

• AI augments judgement, it does not replace it
• Advisory creates value, productivity alone does not
• Ethics and professional standards become even more important
• Accountants are uniquely positioned to manage AI governance
• This is a leadership moment for the profession

Contact details:

Accounting Apps newsletter: http://accountingapps.io/

Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting

X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU

Kyelie Baxter shares how AI is changing accounting firm workflows, boosting outputs, and freeing up capacity, while still needing strong guardrails and human judgment.

Summary

In this episode, Kylie Baxter discusses how artificial intelligence is transforming accounting firms, client expectations, and internal workflows, without replacing the human element.

Key discussion points include:

• Kylie’s journey from accountant to firm owner and governance leader
• Volunteering, advisory skills, and building confidence outside the firm
• How AI is being used safely inside an accounting practice
• Setting guardrails and values around AI adoption
• Digitising client admin and finance workflows
• Why accounts payable will become highly automated
• Why payroll still needs strong human involvement
• Paying staff based on outputs, not tools used
• Using AI to reduce mental load and prioritise tasks
• How AI is reshaping the competitive landscape for firms

Key takeaway: AI is a powerful tool for efficiency and capacity, but accountants who apply judgment, governance, and strategy will remain irreplaceable.

Kylie and I were guests of the LYD Unstoppable Growth Conference held at the JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa in one of the most amazing places in the world, Surfers Paradise!

LYD stands for Light Year Docs, and it is a platform for creating verified legal documents including companies, trusts and commercial agreements. If that’s of interest to you, I’m sure the team would be happy to speak with you.

Contact details:

Kyelie Baxter : https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyelie-baxter-fcpa-43224334/

IQ Accountants : https://iqaccountants.com.au

Accounting Apps newsletter: http://accountingapps.io/

Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting

X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU