This episode explores how a Chartered Accountant can move beyond traditional finance roles to create meaningful community impact. Josh Hickford shares his journey from Big Four accounting and banking to founding a cancer support app and leading Taranaki Foundation. It is a conversation about resilience, technology, philanthropy and the evolving role of accountants in a digital world.

• Josh Hickford’s career journey from PwC and TSB Bank to CEO of Taranaki Foundation
• Founding Ripple after a Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis in partnership with the Cancer Society
• Building a donor journey using digital tools like Raisely and Stripe
• Technology, automation and trust in community foundations
• Why human connection remains central to the future of Chartered Accountants

This episode reminds us that accounting is not just about compliance or reporting. It is about leadership, confidence and using financial skills to build stronger communities. Technology may accelerate the journey, but purpose and people still lead the way.

Apps & Tools Mentioned:

Raisely - https://www.raisely.com/

Sharesies https://sharesies.com.au/

Stripe, GoFundMe, Otter.ai, Xero,

Episode resources and links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshhickford/

https://taranakifoundation.org.nz/

If this episode helped you, the best way to support the show is to leave a review somewhere as it helps more people find us. And if you want to continue the conversation, come find me Heather Smith | Accountant and Storyteller on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/

Accounting Apps newsletter: http://accountingapps.io/

Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting

X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU