Connect with peers. Explore what’s next. Strengthen your business.
Join us at our BDO Connect National Forum 2026, our exclusive flagship event for members across the country. The Forum provides the opportunity to hear from industry leaders, explore emerging trends, and connect with peers facing similar opportunities and challenges.
Whether you are looking to stay ahead of industry developments, strengthen your network, or identify new opportunities for your business and clients, the Forum delivers practical, commercially focused insights you can apply within your firm immediately.
Event details
Wednesday, 14 October 2026 | 8.30am – 5.00pm sessions; 5.00pm – 6.30pm networking event
Sydney CBD, revised venue to be announced
Sessions
|
Sessions
|
Speaker
|
|
Registrations
|
|
|
Members welcome
|
Jeff Marsden
Partner Business Restructuring, BDO
|
|
Business and tax updates
Stay up to date with the latest tax developments, ATO activity and emerging issues affecting SME clients. We'll highlight recent changes, explain what they mean in practice and share examples and insights you can apply immediately with your clients.
|
Claire Baker
Partner Corporate & International Tax, BDO
|
|
Morning tea
|
|
|
Early intervention in client distress
By the time many businesses seek help, their options have already narrowed. This session looks at the warning signs advisers should be watching for, the conversations clients often avoid, and the difference early intervention can make. Through real examples, we'll discuss how timely action can help preserve value, improve outcomes and avoid more difficult decisions later.
|
Jeff Marsden
Partner Business Restructuring, BDO
|
|
Indirect tax risks: The issues advisers find too late
GST and state tax issues are often identified long after the original transaction took place. This session will highlight common risk areas, recent developments and the warning signs that are easy to miss. Learn where issues typically arise and what advisers can do to identify potential problems earlier.
|
Joel Brown
Partner Indirect Tax, BDO
|
|
Lunch
|
|
|
Building firm value: Creating options before you need them
The strongest firms don't wait until retirement is around the corner to think about succession and value. Drawing on real examples from the SME market, this session will discuss the factors that drive firm value, common succession challenges and the steps advisers can take today to improve future flexibility and options.
|
Paul Childers
Partner, Deal Advisory, BDO
|
|
Afternoon tea
|
|
|
ESIC tax incentives & Proposed Innovative Business CGT Concession – Tricks and traps
The Early Stage Innovation Company (ESIC) regime offers significant tax incentives for eligible investors, yet many businesses and advisers remain unfamiliar with the rules. This session will explain how the concessions work, who may be eligible and the questions advisers should be asking to help clients identify potential opportunities. We will also explore the proposed Innovative Business CGT Concession rules where the eligibility criteria are similar to ESIC.
|
Pulin Desai
Partner Corporate & International Tax, BDO
|
|
SMSF risk and retirement strategy
From contribution strategies and pension issues through to compliance and retirement planning, the SMSF landscape continues to evolve, creating new complexities for advisers. This session will examine the areas generating the most questions in practice, highlight common risks and provide practical guidance to help support better client outcomes.
|
Vivi Chen
Partner, Business Services, BDO
|
|
Networking Event
|
|
Disclaimer: Correct at time of publishing. May be subject to change.
