Accountants ‘have important role to play’ in digital transformation

The accounting profession is being encouraged to aid small businesses through their digital transformation journey, with the Morrison government making a $2.8 million commitment to streamline electronic transactions.

Earlier this month the federal government confirmed it would commit $2.8 million towards digitising legal documents in an attempt to save Australians both time and money.

The roll-out aims to improve digital approaches to document execution and develop “practical resources to support further application of the Electronic Transactions Act 1999”.

“Australian businesses are adopting new technologies at a greater rate than ever before, and the Morrison Government is assisting them to do so,” the Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy, Jane Hume, said.

“The Morrison Government has taken a world-leading position on deregulation and the settings needed to accelerate our digital economy – these simple steps will grow Australia’s future as a modern and leading digital economy.”

Gavan Ord, senior manager business policy at CPA Australia, said it’s pleasing to see funding committed to digitalising Australia’s economy however noted more must be done.

“Accountants can be involved in executing legal documents and will benefit directly from streamlining electronic transactions,” Mr Ord said, adding: “At the same time, more still has to be done to ensure small businesses can participate in the digital economy.

“The digital economy is a thousand piece puzzle. This announcement is one piece of that puzzle. Unfortunately, a significant number of the pieces are still in the box. For too long, too little has been done to support Australia’s small businesses to improve their digital capability. That’s the largest missing part of the puzzle.

“Far from being leaders in the digital economy, Australian small businesses are digital laggards. CPA Australia research shows that Australian small businesses are the least likely to invest in digital technology among the Asia-Pacific. They are also the least likely to profit from their investment in technology.”

Mr Ord explained that this digital gap between small business in Australia and Asia is likely to have contributed to Australia’s small businesses reporting lower growth than their peers in the region in 2021.

“We’re urging the government to use the upcoming budget to show greater support for digital transformation. Ad hoc initiatives such as this aren’t sufficient. There needs to be a significant commitment of public funding to help Australian small businesses transform,” he said.

“Other governments have introduced ambitious programs to assist small businesses to digitalise, and Australia must too.

“The accounting profession has an important role to play in advising small businesses on digital transformation. In our 2022-23 budget submission, we’ve asked the government to provide small businesses with financial incentives to access business advice.”

Emma Ryan
25 February 2022
smsfadviser.com

Mark Lisle

Mark is our managing partner and has been with the firm for over 36 years. He brings a wealth of experience in all areas of our business, including business advisory, taxation and self managed superannuation.

Mark’s ethos is that good advice stems from working closely with our clients and being prepared to go that extra step to assist them in meeting their goals and optimising their financial position.

Mark is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, an accredited SMSF Specialist and a registered SMSF auditor.

Outside of work, Mark enjoys trying to keep fit and spending time down at his “second home” in Port Fairy.

Josh Laing

Joshua began working at Rundles in 1999 whilst still completing his Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) degree at RMIT. After graduating in 2001 he was admitted to the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand in 2004. Joshua spent two years working in London before returning to Rundles in 2006.

Josh has a wealth of knowledge across a broad range of industries as well as in Self Managed Superannuation. Josh enjoys working with family groups and businesses to ensure they’re structured correctly to maximise asset protection, succession planning and management of tax.

Married with 2 children, Josh spends his weekends with his family and following the Tigers.

Brad Roach

Brad has been a part of the Rundles Team since 1996 and became a Partner of the firm in 2014. During his time at Rundles, Brad has developed a strong relationship with his clients across a wide range of industries and is dedicated to assisting them to reach their personal and business goals.

Brad is passionate about seeing his clients succeed and utilises his extensive experience in public practice to provide a holistic service to his clients. He also has a wealth of experience in superannuation, particularly self managed superannuation funds.

In his spare time, Brad likes to play a round of golf with friends and enjoys watching his two sons play various sports.

Peter Davison

Peter graduated from RMIT with a Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) with distinction in 1976. He joined Rundles upon graduating. Peter has been a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants since 1979 and a Fellow since 1991. As an active yachtie of many years, Peter can often be found on the water. Otherwise, he and his wife spend time with their friends and extended family.

Sandy Gilbert

Sandy was admitted to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1973 and has been a Fellow since 1983. He gained extensive experience in auditing and accounting services over seven years at Pannell Kerr Forster before joining Rundles in 1973. Sandy is married with three children. A former amateur footballer of some note, Sandy is still an avid follower of the game and enjoys weekends at his country retreat.