In this episode of the ICB News Channel Podcast, host Rob Marshall is joined by Institute of Certified Bookkeepers CEO Amanda Linton for an important discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing Australia's small business community.
Following up on our previous episode examining the state of regional small business, this conversation broadens the lens to explore the outlook for small businesses across Australia, drawing on insights from the COSBOA National Small Business Summit 2026, held over two days in Sydney during August.
Amanda shares the key themes, concerns and opportunities raised by business leaders, industry representatives and policymakers, including the ongoing impact of regulation and compliance requirements on Australia's small business sector.
The discussion also highlights the critical role that bookkeepers play as trusted advisors, helping business owners navigate government red tape, improve productivity, make better-informed decisions and identify opportunities for growth.
Amanda also provides an update on the National AI Skills Forum, where she represented the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers, outlining the growing importance of artificial intelligence and digital capability development across the Australian economy.
Together, Rob and Amanda examine one of the forum's most pressing themes: addressing workforce challenges while accelerating AI adoption. They discuss why Australia is falling behind many parts of the world in enterprise AI implementation, what this means for businesses and their advisors, and how the ICB is working to equip bookkeepers with the knowledge and tools needed to support clients through this transition as well as in their own Bookkeeping practices..
This episode explores why AI readiness is not just a technology issue or a challenge for selected industries, but an \"all of us\" challenge that requires coordinated action across business, education and government.
Key topics discussed:
• The state of Australia's small business sector
• Key takeaways from the COSBOA National Small Business Summit 2026
• Red tape, regulation and productivity challenges
• The evolving role of bookkeepers as business advisors
• Insights from the National AI Skills Forum
• Australia's AI adoption gap and workforce challenges
• Upskilling Australia at scale for an AI-enabled future
• How the ICB is helping bookkeepers lead the conversation
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