21 October 2026
Financial abuse often hides in plain sight, but Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) is helping its 143,000 members identify the warning signs through a new playbook, Identifying and Preventing Financial Abuse.
Research shows 93 per cent of CA ANZ members believe Chartered Accountants have a role to play in identifying and preventing financial abuse, highlighting the profession's growing recognition of its role in protecting vulnerable people.
The resource was launched during CA ANZ's Global Ethics Day 2026 event, which attracted more than 20,000 registrations and brought together leaders from banking, community organisations and the human rights sector to discuss how trusted professionals can help prevent abuse.
CA ANZ Chief Executive Officer, Ainslie van Onselen, said accountants are often among the first professionals in a position to identify potential financial abuse.
“Accountants often have access to sensitive financial information and visibility over transactions and arrangements that others may never see.
“That places them in a unique position to recognise potential warning signs of financial abuse. While they're not investigators, they do have a responsibility to act in the public interest, ask questions and use their professional judgement when concerns arise.”
Financial abuse can occur within families, relationships and businesses, and can include coercive control, hidden debts, misuse of powers of attorney, unauthorised directorships, manipulation of financial structures and the exploitation of vulnerable people.
The Playbook provides practical guidance, including warning indicators, engagement letter wording, escalation pathways, ethical decision-making tools and referral options.
Australian Banking Association Chief Executive Officer, Simon Birmingham, said warning signs are often missed when viewed in isolation.
“Financial abuse thrives when warning signs are viewed in isolation. Banks see transactions, accountants see structures, and together those perspectives can help uncover harm that might otherwise remain hidden.”
Mr Birmingham said advances in technology make cross-sector collaboration increasingly important.
“As technology becomes more sophisticated, collaboration becomes more important. No single organisation can solve this problem alone.”
Australia's Age Discrimination Commissioner, Robert Fitzgerald AM, said trusted advisers can play a critical role in identifying and preventing elder financial abuse.
“Financial abuse of older people doesn't stop until someone steps in to stop it. Accountants, lawyers, banks and other trusted advisers often see the warning signs before anyone else, which means they have a unique opportunity to prevent significant harm.”
He said professionals should not wait for definitive proof before responding to concerns.
“Financial elder abuse is rarely a single event. It's often a pattern that escalates over time. The earlier trusted professionals intervene, the greater the opportunity to protect vulnerable people.”
Drawing on Good Shepherd New Zealand's work supporting women experiencing economic harm, Chief Executive Tania Pouwhare said financial abuse remains one of the least understood forms of abuse.
“Financial abuse is not a private financial matter. It is a form of violence that strips people of their independence, safety and future opportunities.
“Many victim-survivors do not realise what is happening to them is financial abuse. A simple question from a trusted professional can be the first step towards safety and recovery.”
The Playbook builds on CA ANZ's broader work to support members in identifying and responding to financial abuse, including member education, ethics guidance, policy advocacy and collaboration with government, industry and community organisations.
Ms van Onselen said the strong response to this year's Global Ethics Day reflects the profession's commitment to protecting vulnerable people.
“More than 20,000 people registered for Global Ethics Day because they understand that trust carries responsibility.
“Chartered Accountants want to be part of the solution, and this Playbook gives them practical tools to help protect vulnerable people and respond confidently when concerns arise.
“My message to members is simple: download the Playbook, use it and keep it close at hand. If your instincts tell you something isn't right, don't ignore it. Pause, ask questions and use the resources available to you.”
About Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand represents nearly 143,000 financial professionals, supporting them to make a difference to the businesses, organisations and communities in which they work and live. Chartered Accountants are known as Difference Makers. The depth and breadth of their expertise helps them to see the big picture and chart the best course of action.
www.charteredaccountantsanz.com
For more information contact:
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Zoe Delamare, Public Affairs Lead M +61 431 601 002
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Owen Roberts, Public Affairs Specialist M +61 422 644 847
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