Episodes
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Where sanctions, proliferation financing and AML/CTF collide
Proliferation financing frameworks help businesses understand who they deal with and where funds end up. Organisational risks can arise indirectly through supply chains, even when they think exposure is low. As Australia’s AML/CTF reforms took effect on 1 July 2026, most of the focus was on...
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‘Where to’ for Western Sydney? Legacy in business, sport and the community
Lea Hicks and Richard Fox reflect on the roadmaps that have guided them to success throughout their careers in Western Sydney. Lea Hicks co-founded the Hix Group with her husband in 1992. From its base in Penrith, the business grew into a multi-trade organisation servicing customers across New...
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The stakes are high: why cyber belongs in the boardroom now more than ever
Cybercrime remains a major threat, with more than 84,700 reports recorded in Australia each year. For Boards and executive teams, the question is no longer whether an attack will occur, but whether the organisation is prepared to respond and recover. The most effective cyber awareness programs...
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The questions Group 2 and 3 reporters should be asking about their disclosures
A small number of Group 1 sustainability reports from December 2025 year-end businesses are now publicly available, with early examples varying significantly: some are detailed, others are concise, and report length does not always align with business size. This creates a valuable opportunity for...
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Breaking down the Budget
It’s been a couple of weeks since the Government handed down its 2026-27 Federal Budget, and commentary on the potential impacts for businesses and individuals has been constant. With many announcements making headlines ahead of the night, there were few surprises left. That said, the Budget did...
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Will your business withstand a payroll compliance issue?
As of 1 January 2025, changes to the Fair Work Act in Australia made wage underpayments a criminal offense. This means payroll compliance is now a Board-level issue, not just for Payroll or HR teams. Organisations must understand their obligations, keep clear documentation, and consult experts if...
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A sustainable business model: metrics that matter for sale or growth
Today’s business leaders navigating Australia’s M&A landscape need to look beyond short‑term performance and financial metrics alone. What matters most to investors is a strong, scalable and defensible business, particularly in an environment shaped by geopolitical and economic uncertainty....
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Is your business showing signs of distress?
Small Business Restructuring (SBR) offers a pathway for small and medium sized Australian companies experiencing financial pressure to deal with unmanageable debt, reset operations, and continue trading through and beyond difficult times. SBRs are also a cost-effective solution to save a business...
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Shifting mindset from compliance to strong change management
With 2026 fast approaching, AUSTRAC has announced it will release ‘starter kits’ to help current reporting entities and Tranche 2 entrants ahead of the 1 July deadline. These kits are designed to help businesses achieve baseline compliance and will be tailored to each sector. By releasing the...
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Reframing succession planning to empower the rising generation
The Grant Thornton 2025 Family Business report revealed that succession planning remains a top challenge for Australian family businesses. With more generations active in the workplace than ever before – and an estimated $3.5t in wealth about to transfer to the next cohort of successors – the...
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Finding the right fit in the evolving world of supply chain solutions
Our experts returned to CeMAT, the leading event for intralogistics, robotics and automation, supply chain management, and materials handling in the Asia-Pacific, with valuable insights into how organisations should approach budgeting and capital expenditure to enhance their supply chain...
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How productive was the Economic Reform Roundtable?
The recent three-day Economic Reform Roundtable in Canberra marked a pivotal opportunity to create change. Bringing together a mix of leaders across business, unions, civilians, government, economic experts, the final day focused on tax reform and budget sustainability into the future. While the...
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A chat with our new CEO, Said Jahani
From starting his career at one of Australia’s Big 4 accounting firms and later forging a path as an insolvency practitioner, to leading the Financial Advisory practice at Grant Thornton, Said has built a successful career founded on resilience, leadership and commercial impact. Stepping into CEO...
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From capital to sale: securing funding and exit strategies in the technology sector
Preparing your business for a potential capital raise or exit requires a strategic and considered plan – and it’s never too early to prepare. The technology sector is rapidly changing, so it’s even more critical that tech businesses understand how to scale and position themselves effectively,...
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Dealtracker 2025: The landscape of Australian deals
The recent release of the 10th Edition of Dealtracker shared insights from the last 18 months of deals in the Australian mid-market. Despite global uncertainty and geopolitical shifts, the Australian mid-market has remained resilient and maintained stability in the number of deals. There’s been...
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The current economic landscape, tariffs and impacts on Australian manufacturing businesses
The Federal Budget was handed down less than a month ago, and since then, global changes have continued to unfold. The ever-evolving tariff landscape is impacting industries both in Australia and worldwide. The economy faces significant structural challenges, including rising costs in defence…
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The future of auditing: technology and AI
The adoption of technology is positively influencing and driving efficiencies in many industries – the audit profession is no exception. From streamlining the audit process, to creating efficiencies in client communications, auditors can perform more complex and deeper analysis for their clients...
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The role of Boards in Australia's evolving AML/CTF landscape
Significant changes have been made to the AML/CTF regulations in Australia to better align with international standards. The new laws will require stricter governance from Boards and Directors and with so many changes, staying on top of what needs implementing will be their responsibility too.…
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The scale and financial investment of payroll remediation programs
Businesses in Australia are currently struggling to navigate the complexities involved with payroll remediation challenges. It’s critical for businesses of all sizes to understand the best way to manage these large-scale projects and remain agile when challenges arise. Not only do organisations...
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Brisbane 2032 Olympics: opportunities, challenges, procurement risks and strategies
Preparing for hosting the Olympics requires meticulous planning and execution. From infrastructure delivery to enhancing community engagement and legacy planning, having eight years to prepare suddenly doesn’t seem like long enough. Local businesses will be bidding for competitive contracts that...
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Preparing the next generation for Australia’s largest wealth transition
In the latest episode of Beyond the Numbers with Grant Thornton, Private Business Tax and Advisory Partners and Family Business accredited advisors, Kirsten Taylor-Martin and Kirstin Stewart discuss the critical elements of effective succession planning. They explore effective succession…
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Small Business Restructures: navigating the current economic climate
The Small Business Restructure (SBR) regime came into force at the beginning of 2021 as a cost-effective method for distressed businesses to reorganise and negotiate businesses debts up to $1m. While this restructuring tool was underutilised during the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s recently been an...
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Manufacturing and A Future Made in Australia
The May Federal Budget saw the Government reaffirm its commitment to a ‘Future Made in Australia’ by allocating $22.7b to boost investment and rejuvenate Australia's domestic manufacturing capabilities, thereby strengthening Australia's position in the global economy. However, what are the...
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Federal Budget 2024: strengthening foundations
In the lead-up to an election year, the Labor Government faces the task of easing cost-of-living pressures for Australians who are feeling the financial strain. While we’ve already witnessed significant announcements, such as HECs reforms, payments for trainee teachers, nurses, and social workers...
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The current state of Tranche 2 AML reforms in Australia
In 2023 Australia began implementing Tranche 2 of its AML and CTF reforms – part of the government’s plan to align Australia’s AML regime with international standards. The reforms have far-reaching implications for Lawyers, Accountants, and Real Estate Professionals, who will be required to take…
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Inside Victorian real estate: stamp duty and land tax
Victoria’s property market is dynamic. With the recent announcement for changes in stamp duty on commercial and industrial properties, it will make the current landscape more complex. So, what’s been the reaction to the proposal, and how should potential buyers or owners of commercial and...
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Is your professional services firm ‘option ready’?
‘Option ready’ refers to a firm being able to choose which strategic option they want to pursue – whether it be continuing to enjoy equity returns, fund expansion of their business, bring new equity participants in or consider a merger opportunity. Beyond these characteristics, cultural alignment...
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The role of innovation incentives in ESG
Innovation is a key driver of productivity for businesses. To help them achieve their objectives, the government offers various programs such as the R&D Tax Incentive and government grants. These programs encourage businesses to develop new or improved products and services, lower environmental...
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Employment Solutions and ESG in the workforce
COVID-19 fast-tracked flexible work practices that are now the norm, enabling employees to achieve a work-life balance. These policies – initially adopted as a necessity in the face of the global pandemic – can now be seen as part of an ESG strategy for employers. While remote work poses some...
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Unpacking modern slavery
The Modern Slavery Index 2023 estimated that in 2021 there were 41,000 people living in a form of slavery throughout Australia. It also found that imported products such as electronics, garments, solar panels, textiles and fish were most at-risk of involving modern slavery. While Australia is one...
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Navigating complexity through an outsourced CFO model
The business world is becoming more complex with increased focus on governance, risk and reporting; a steady flow of change to taxation and superannuation; and uncertainty due to economic movement – so how does an internal finance function steer through these times? With rapid change comes...
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ESG and the current regulatory landscape
With a growing demand for organisations to provide transparency on their commitment to sustainability and disclosure of the non-financial impacts of their business activities, it’s more important than ever to be informed about the latest ESG requirements. While we often hear about the…
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Funding options for business growth
Businesses often encounter growth opportunities that exceed their immediate capital resources and this is where attracting external funding can be pivotal. Whether it's funding a specific project or seeking longer term strategic investment, there are options available to help businesses…
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New financial year goals: Building wealth through the generations
While the TV series Succession has captured audiences for its dramatic storyline, themes explored through the show reflect what families can face when it comes to growing and maintaining wealth through the generations. So how can Family Offices be successful in growing wealth from generation to...
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Federal Budget 2023: a balancing act to renew and restore
In October 2022, the Labor Government delivered its interim Budget. Since then, we’ve seen interest rates and cost of living increase, with many Australian businesses and individuals feeling the pinch. In the lead up to the May Budget, we’ve seen changes to superannuation, and speculation of...
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Stability in legislation and administration: R&D and innovation this Federal Budget
The goal of the research and development sector is to encourage new ways of thinking, boost the Australian economy and scale business internationally. While the Government has allocated spending through incentives such as EDMG, NRF, and the R&D tax incentive, should there be stronger focus and...
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The 2023 outlook: Insolvencies and distressed M&A
We’ve made it to the other side of COVID-19, but what does this mean for businesses feeling significant headwind on the horizon post-pandemic? In the lead up to the release of our M&A DealTracker Report, our latest episode in the Navigating the New Normal podcast series will give you a taste for...
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State Taxes: looking back to look forward
Proposed changes to land tax in Queensland were met with a great deal of resistance across the state, and nation. Heading south, New South Wales took its first steps to move away from stamp duty to a broad-based property tax. The big change yet to be seen in Victoria is the commencement of the...
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The cyber world: where are we now?
Given the rise of cyberattacks of late, cyber security should be the number one issue for Australian businesses – cyber security and data protection has truly never been more important. But do Boards and Company Directors really understand the importance of being cyber aware, and the controls…
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Setting the tone: Labor’s ‘solid and sensible’ first budget
This year we saw tightening cost of living pressures, rising inflation and high interest rates, alongside a possible global recession – all in the first six months since Labor gained office. A new Government sets the tone for its leadership through its first Budget. So, with the significant...
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Did the Jobs and Skills Summit hit the right mix?
In this podcast, Thomas Isbell, partner and global mobility and international employment tax specialist and Matt Darby, partner and National Head of Retail and Consumer Products industry at Grant Thornton discuss the outcomes of the Jobs and Skills Summit, including the skilled migration scheme,...
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Look beyond cash remuneration to remain competitive
In our podcast, Peter Hills, remuneration taxes partner at Grant Thornton and Laurie Wood, Managing Director at HRAscent discuss what they are seeing play out in Australia when it comes to Employee Share Schemes. From non-cash remuneration, to how businesses can use employee share schemes to…
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New South Wales dips its toes in tax reform
The New South Wales State Government has been busy with tax reform this year – from the raft of state taxation amendments commencing in May, to the first steps to abolish stamp duty introduced as part of their state budget last week. So what does this all mean for homeowners, taxpayers, advisers…
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The accidental family office
In this podcast, Partners in our Private Business Tax & Advisory team Kirsten Taylor-Martin and Simon Gow discuss the key reasons – and minimum requirements – for setting up a Family Office, the importance of a shared family vision, pitfalls or traps that come with family wealth, Family Office...
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What's in store for retailers expanding overseas
In this podcast, Tax Partners Michael Catterall and Lorena Sosa discuss aspects Australian businesses should consider when exploring new international markets, including operations and logistics, strategy planning, customs and duties, and tax complexities.
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Innovation funding - the key to increasing our productivity
In this podcast, partners Jacky Millership and Sandie Boswell unpack what we’ve seen so far from the Modern Manufacturing Strategy and innovation support more broadly. With countries around the world aggressively investing in innovation, we need a bold and entrepreneurial approach to compete – so...
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Planning is crucial for businesses after lockdown
In our podcast, Kirsten Taylor-Martin, Private Advisory Partner at Grant Thornton, and Olivia Hitchens, Principal at Hitchens Advisory, discuss what businesses should be doing now to prepare themselves for the months ahead. From pre-Christmas spending sprees, to the legal and financial...
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Tax across borders: the journey to a global minimum corporate tax rate
In our podcast, Tax Partners Vince Tropiano and Brett Curtis discuss what the global minimum corporate tax rate agreement means for Australian businesses, how businesses can prepare themselves, and what to consider if you’re setting up operations offshore.
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Crypto as payment? We’re not there yet
Cryptocurrency and blockchain – the technology underpinning cryptocurrency – have the potential to go far beyond how we’re using it now – and the impact on businesses will be felt for years to come. From applications for online gaming, company shares, smart wallets and connected car services –…
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How to commercialise a great idea
In our podcast, Innovation and Incentives partner Sandie Boswell, discusses what makes an innovative business successful (hint – lots of passion and strategy!), blind spots to look out for, and exciting future trends in innovation.
About this show
From business strategy, to industry innovation and economic landscape analysis, we’ve brought together our experts to unpack how Australian businesses are doing things differently.
Hosted by
Grant Thornton Australia
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