Chartered Accountants ANZ case study
CA ANZ & Stone Chalk Innovation Challenge
Turning professional pain points into scalable innovation
Smaller accounting practices are vital to Australia's economy. yet the systems they rely on weren't designed for them.
Inefficiencies in basic interactions with the ATO create daily roadblocks: hours on hold, manual workarounds, and friction that drains time from higher-value work.
CA ANZ's Tax Committee for Smaller Practices decided to stop adapting around outdated systems and start challenging them, reshaping how innovation happens in the profession.
The challenge
Despite the rise of digital tools, small practices still face slow, manual processes for basic tasks.
Addressing simple issues like a compromised TFN meant phone calls to the ATO and long delays. There was no easy way to integrate client data with government systems, and security gaps around sensitive personal data added constant pressure.
CA ANZ identified three core friction points that were barriers to running a modern practice:
- Tax data visibility — eliminating manual tracking and verification of PAYG instalments
- System integration — connecting client data with ATO/ASIC/ABR systems to remove duplication
- Cybersecurity resilience — managing sensitive data and enabling continued operation after security breaches
These were fundamental obstacles to productivity and growth.
The solution
Stone & Chalk partnered with CA ANZ to launch the Innovation Challenge - a national callout for innovators to co-design solutions alongside practicing accountants who understood the problems firsthand.
Over 30 innovators responded with clear, scalable proposals. These were refined through technical Q&A sessions and ideation workshops with the Tax Committee.
Stone & Chalk shortlisted five standout solutions, which are now being developed through the CA in Residence program with technical mentors and CA-qualified experts.
The initiative culminates in a showcase pitch event in July 2025, where final solutions will be presented to the broader CA ANZ community.
The impact
- 33 innovators submitted real-world solutions to complex industry challenges
- 5 solutions selected for intensive development and expert mentorship
- Deep collaboration established between practicing accountants, founders, and industry experts
- New innovation model created for how professional bodies can drive change with and for their members
Through reframing daily frustrations as solvable innovation challenges, CA ANZ has sparked action that extends beyond their membership to benefit the entire accounting profession.
The program proves that the best solutions come from those who understand the problems, and the innovators who can solve them.
