Jeff Marsden
Partner, Business Restructuring
BDO in Australia
BDO in Australia
Transforming challenges into opportunities
Join us at the BDO Connect National Forum 2025, our exclusive flagship event for members across the country. This year, we continue to evolve, focusing on turning challenges into opportunities. Our program is designed to provide actionable insights and practical strategies in key areas, including tax, SMSFs, and broader business strategy.
Agenda
|
Agenda item |
Speakers |
|
Registration |
|
|
Members welcome |
Dr Mark Pizzacalla |
|
Private client tax matters Private client tax issues are becoming increasingly complex, with evolving regulations and new compliance challenges. In this session, we’ll explore key tax considerations affecting individuals, families, and closely held businesses. You’ll gain practical guidance on planning strategies, risk management, and client advisory approaches to help deliver confidence and clarity for your clients. Recent case studies will illustrate common pitfalls and opportunities to optimise outcomes. |
Pulin Desai Claire Baker Pavlina Zdraveski |
|
Our choices make us: Navigating financial distress Clients in financial distress face critical and often defining choices. This session will explore current economic challenges and how they can impact your clients, while providing practical strategies to guide them through restructuring options with clarity and confidence. You’ll also hear real-world "war stories" providing context for insolvency solutions and learn how your guidance can shape informed decisions and better outcomes. |
Jeff Marsden Partner, Business Restructuring, BDO |
| Industry updates from our key sponsors | Accountancy Insurance | MoneyGPS |
|
Morning tea |
|
|
Lending landscape with the CBA Join us for an engaging discussion on the Lending Landscape, where experts from BDO and CBA will share insights on the latest trends and challenges shaping the lending market. We will cover real estate investment, funding requests, and market competitiveness, along with emerging areas such as ESG standards, green finance, and the potential impact of AI. Designed for SME accountants and advisers, this session will provide practical guidance to help you support clients in today’s evolving financing environment. |
Cassandra Crawford Kevin Stanley Yasmin Siely Darren Stacey Elysia Rothwell |
|
Allocation of firm profits to professionals (PCG 2021/4) The ATO’s view on the allocation of profits to professionals has been an eventful journey taking many years and number of turns. In this session, we will outline the current ATO views, what to look out for and how to make sure your clients are in the “Green zone”. |
Ravi Amirthalingam |
|
Navigating SMSFs in 2025 SMSFs are evolving fast, and so are the rules. In this practical session, we’ll break down what’s new, what’s changing, and what it means for you and your clients. From the latest tax and compliance updates to real-world scenarios, you’ll gain fresh insights and actionable strategies to help your clients stay on track with their SMSFs. |
Simon Conolly |
| Sponsors spotlight | BGL | Practice Protect | Tax Depreciation | Xero |
|
Lunch |
|
|
Financial and sustainability reporting update Mandatory climate reporting is now firmly embedded in corporate legislation and the business psyche. This session will break down the latest developments in climate and financial reporting, providing a pragmatic roadmap for preparedness and effective operation by companies and their assurance providers. |
Kevin Frohbus Nick Fox |
|
AI in action: Practical insights AI is rapidly reshaping advisory workflows, and small firms are starting to see real results. In this session, we’ll share key lessons learned and provide practical advice on where to focus to unlock efficiency, quality, and staff satisfaction gains. We’ll also discuss the key challenges, risks, and ethical considerations. You’ll walk away with tangible steps to take as both a firm and an individual, with time for an open Q&A to address your questions. |
Fahim Khondaker |
|
Afternoon tea |
|
|
Indirect tax updates Substantial updates to GST and state taxes, including recent surcharge duty and payroll tax cases – which have reshaped the indirect tax landscape in 2025, with compliance and cost implications for businesses across Australia. We will highlight the key changes that may be relevant. |
Joel Brown |
| Closing remarks | Pulin Desai Partner, Corporate & International Tax, BDO |
|
Networking event |
|
Disclaimer: Correct at time of publishing. May be subject to change.
