INTHEBLACK September 2026 - Flipbook - Page 9
“By 2036, the word ‘accountant’ will be obsolete. We will be known
as business architects and changemakers, entrepreneurs who own
the full business and societal impact layer.”
SARAH LAWRANCE FCPA, FOUNDER AND CEO OF HOT TOAST,
SHARING HER PREDICTIONS IN KARBON’S THE FUTURE OF ACCOUNTING REPORT
MONEY TALKS,
BUT EMPLOYEES
STILL WALK
Counteroffers are emerging as
a popular tactic in a tight labour
market, but research from Robert Half
reveals they may not increase
employee retention. The research
shows that while 85 per cent of
Australian employers extended
a counteroffer to employees with
external job offers in the past year,
32 per cent of those employees
given a counteroffer still left within
12 months.
Nicole Gorton, director at
Robert Half, says that while
counteroffers may help retain
staff in the short term, they are
not a “silver bullet”.
“Money alone is not enough
to keep workers from leaving, as
deeper factors like career progression,
culture and engagement are at play,”
she says. “Employers should view
counteroffers as a tactical response,
not a substitute for a proactive
retention strategy.”
Read the research
FINANCIAL ANXIETY ON THE RISE
Rising living costs and growing family responsibilities are reshaping
the financial priorities of Asia’s middle class. A consumer outlook
survey from life and health insurer FWD Group shows 71 per cent
of Asia’s middle class feel anxious about their overall financial
wellbeing and their primary financial goals are focused on
a two-to-three-year timeframe.
The findings also show the sense of financial pressure differs
across generations.
Gen X
62 per cent worry that their savings will not keep pace with
inflation, and 52 per cent rank guaranteed lifelong income as
their top retirement need.
Gen Y
49 per cent worry about saving for their own retirement and
85 per cent are supporting their parents, in addition to caring
for their children.
Gen Z
53 per cent expect difficulties in the next five to 10 years due
to rising daily expenses.
Read the report
intheblack.cpaaustralia.com.au 9
