The Connected Accountant

Episode Description: The 2026 federal budget has dropped a bombshell on the Australian small business landscape, leaving accountants and their clients in a state of significant uncertainty. In this special episode, we assemble a panel of experts to unpack the controversy, the confusion, and the practical challenges of advising clients when the legal framework is still a movable feast. We explore w...

Most accountants have been told to build partnerships. Almost none of them know what to actually do on a Monday morning. The advice is everywhere — partnerships are your big rock, partnerships are the growth lever, go and build some partnerships. But when the room empties and the week starts, what does that actually look like? Talila Kroy, Wayne Findlay, and Ian Aldridge have all built their busin...

Episode Summary: In this episode, we tackle the fundamental shift in client expectations and whether accounting professionals are evolving quickly enough to meet them. I am joined by our regular panel, Talila Kroy from Emple, Wayne Findlay from The Back Room, and Ian Aldridge from Progressive Legal, to explore the intersection of technology, relationship management, and strategic partnerships. We...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Talila Kroy, Wayne Findlay, and Ian Aldridge tackle the profit squeeze facing accounting firms head-on. Since COVID, professional services have seen a relentless race to the bottom, with clients shopping purely on price. Discover how strategic partnerships offer accountants a path to escape price competition, attract better clients, and future-proof their practice...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Talila Kroy, Wayne Findlay, and Ian Aldridge discuss how accountants must adapt their business models to thrive in a changing landscape. Learn why moving from hourly billing to subscription models, embracing advisory work, and building structured partnerships are essential for future-proofing your practice. What You'll Learn: Why subscription models create stickie...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Talila Kroy, Wayne Findlay, and Ian Aldridge explore why traditional marketing methods are failing accountants and how the "trust recession" is changing the game. Discover why partnerships and human-to-human connections are becoming the most effective way to grow your practice in an increasingly noisy digital landscape. What You'll Learn: Why SEO and traditional m...

Episode Summary: In this inaugural episode, Talila Kroy (Emple), Wayne Findlay (The Back Room), and Ian Aldridge (Progressive Legal) reveal why partnerships are essential for accounting firms navigating AI disruption and the trust recession. Discover how to become a true trusted advisor while achieving sustainable growth and freedom. What You'll Learn: Why the "trust recession" makes partnerships...