The biggest bet we’ve made is people. We created not just scale but also capacity by hiring fantastic talent. That’s been the biggest, really, the biggest investment we’ve made as a business, because we want to grow. We know we can’t grow unless we can hire the right talent. And the fact that we’ve been given the ability. We’ve literally doubled the headcount in the last three months, and we’re only going to continue to grow from here. Technology is the enabler, no doubt about it. AI is going to make our business grow exponentially, but people are going to be intrinsic to being able to use that technology.

John Munden, Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) at Cloudoffis.

In this panel discussion recorded at the Cloudoffis end-of-year event in Sydney, Heather Smith is joined by John Munden (Cloudoffis), Tyler Caskey (The Bean Counters), and Natalia Clark (Easy Super) to reflect on 2025 and forecast on the future in 2026 and beyond in the accounting and auditing industry.

In this episode, we talk about . . .

• Key 2025 trends: AI integration, automation pain points, rapid tech change.
• The obsession with building AI agents into workflows.
• Insights on award-winning success and staying unique.
• The shift to remote-first work and global team building.
• Strategic investments in talent vs. tech at Cloudoffis.
• The call to kill receipts, wet signatures, and corporate cheques.
• Bold forecasts for AI replacing admin roles and fast decision-making gaps.
• Final takeaway: ethics, professionalism, and agility are your superpowers.

Highlighted Timestamps

• Opening and Purpose of the Panel [0:00:11]: Heather Smith introduces the podcast, sets the context from a Sydney hotel for the Cloud Office end-of-year panel, and frames the session’s purpose of reflecting on 2025 and looking ahead for accounting and auditing professionals.
• Technology Evolution and the Role of AI [0:04:01]: Heather discusses the transformation of accounting technology from paper to AI, emphasising the centrality of clean data, smart tools, and the growing impact of artificial intelligence on workflows and client service.
• Automation Pain Points and Integration Challenges [0:08:16]: Panellists share their current obsessions: the ongoing struggle to fully automate accounting practices, the fragmentation of software tools, and the search for effective AI/automation solutions tailored for modern firms.
• Rapid Change and Industry Adaptation [0:14:51]: The discussion spotlights the industry’s accelerating pace of change in 2025, emphasising how accountants must adapt quickly to shifting technologies, standards, and business models to remain competitive.
• Remote Work and Global Talent Strategies [0:20:28]: Panellists describe how remote work models have transformed their businesses, enabled global hiring, and encouraged flexible, professional new ways of structuring teams and rewarding employees.
• AI as a Strategic Investment for Growth [0:24:06]: John Munden explains Cloud Office’s major investments in AI and talent, underlining how these factors drive rapid company growth and create future capacity—framing AI and people as fundamental growth levers.
• Practical Advice for Accountants in 2026 [0:31:52]: The panel delivers direct guidance for the future: embrace new tech, experiment, stay ahead of client adoption, prioritise learning, and hold fast to ethics and professionalism as part of one’s brand.
• Closing Thoughts and Call to Community [0:36:59]: Heather wraps up, encouraging accountants to view ethics and integrity as their “superhero powers,” and invites further connection and ongoing learning in the community.