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CA ANZ's Tax Committee for Smaller Practices decided to stop adapting around outdated systems and start challenging them, reshaping how innovation happens in the profession.
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:
These were fundamental obstacles to productivity and growth.
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.
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.