Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, in collaboration with Deloitte, convened over 75 senior leaders from finance, governance, sustainability, and policy to explore the future of corporate reporting. The roundtable, held in Sydney on 5 August 2025, revealed a strong consensus: digital financial reporting is no longer a future ambition, it’s an urgent national priority.

The insights paper captures this momentum, highlighting the economic opportunity and the need for reform. With 89% of attendees supporting a digital reporting mandate for listed and disclosing entities, the message is clear: voluntary uptake has not worked, and legislative action is required.

The report outlines six key themes, including the importance of aligning with global standards, supporting entities through the transition, and investing in infrastructure to enable high-quality, machine-readable data. It also explores how digital reporting can enhance investor confidence, reduce compliance costs, and improve access to capital.

A coordinated approach across regulators, clear guidance for preparers, and investment in digital infrastructure are essential to realise these benefits. Structured data formats and AI-ready systems are central to improving transparency, comparability, and decision-making.

This is a pivotal moment for Australia to lead globally by integrating digital reporting into climate disclosure reforms and embracing AI-ready infrastructure. The findings offer a roadmap for policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders to act decisively and collaboratively.