Australia remains one of the few advanced economies still using PDFs for financial reporting – a format most global markets have already left behind.

In this episode, you'll gain expert-led insights on why adopting digital financial reporting in Australia is critical to supporting trust, transparency and competitiveness in global markets.

Explore how structured data allows regulators, investors and businesses to analyse and compare information more efficiently, driving better decision-making and reducing capital costs.

Listeners will learn:

How structured data improves accountability and investor confidence

Why global markets already mandate digital reporting standards

The link between digital disclosure and lower capital costs

How AI will enhance – not replace – digital reporting workflows

What Australian policymakers can learn from global peers

Learn why CPA Australia is recommending a mandate for digital reporting by listed entities in this expert-led discussion.

Listen now.

Host: Ram Subramanian, External Reporting Lead, Policy, Standards and External Affairs, CPA Australia

Guest: John Turner ,CEO of XBRL International, a global, non-profit standards body dedicated to improving business performance through enhanced transparency and accountability in reporting. With a background in law, IT, and government, he has led innovation in business model design, systems development and data standards for over two decades.

For more, INTHEBLACK has an article on why digital reporting should be mandatory in Australia.

Additionally, this interim report from 2025 by the Productivity Commission provides broader context to digital reporting.

And you can find out John Turner's organisation XBRL at its website.

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CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance, and accounting:

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Email the podcast team at podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au