Running a business, no matter how busy you are, does not give you the right to “mis-place” your manners. Common courtesy and respect seem to be not so common these days with the busy entrepreneur expecting, or perhaps it could even be classed as demanding, answers at the drop of a hat (and usually for free). So lets rewind a little bit and get old school for a minute. Do… Read more
There is so much choice when it comes to accounting software. So how do you choose the right one? How do you choose the accounting system for your business – the one you really need. So not the one everyone tells you that you need – but the accounting system which is the right fit for YOUR business? We face this question with every new client we see. Not to… Read more
Coming up to 8 years ago I was faced with a health scare – 6 weeks pregnant (first time mum – I should have been so excited), I had developed a 20 cm blood clot in my lower leg, I was in agony, I had a job I loved – and I was told I was unable to reduce my hours to part time, as my condition didn’t warrant it.… Read more
We see posts all the time asking “How do I choose an accountant?” or even worse “My accountant is ripping me off, who can you recommend?”. I can’t stress enough that any service provider, whether it is an accountant or anyone else, needs to be offering you value. What you need to firstly understand is that there are various types of accountants. If you are looking to get a tax… Read more
I know when you start a business finances are tight and every cent is watched like a hawk but if I had a dollar for every time I heard a startup say “I couldn’t afford an accountant so I just googled the answer…but I think I have stuffed it up…can you fix it” – well let’s just say I wouldn’t be sitting here at 9:05pm writing this blog post from… Read more
Cash Flow is the major cause 56% of small businesses don’t survive past their 5th birthday. It is time to turn the tables on that horrific statistic and be in charge of your cash flow (with confidence) and remove the stigma and fear around asking for your invoices to be paid. The first thing to consider is that cash flow is not just chasing debtors. Cash flow is understanding – when… Read more
Yesterday I met an inspirational man. Michael Crossland. Someone I had never heard of until I googled him the night before attending MYOB Partner Connect Conference. Accountants are not supposed to have emotions – but let me tell you why I spent time on the beach crying after listening to his key note speech. During the day – I was learning, networking, seeking advice, making connections, seeing developments in the… Read more
I am not a travel operator. I am not a travel guide. I don’t even travel that often. But seriously, how hard it is to show some common sense and respect when travelling? Clearly much harder than I thought. So the past month has seen me “get around a bit” as I sleep my way around Queensland attending accounting/bookkeeping software conferences. Next up is MYOB Partner Connect conference starting tomorrow… Read more
Why do I invest so much in training, education & development? This month alone I have two conferences which are interstate that I will be attending. And when I say I am going to the Gold Coast to attend the MYOB Partner Conference, people say to me, “Oh, you are just going for a holiday!” And I know they are only saying that in jest (well I think they are),… Read more
Not all accountants are the same. We don’t all want to do the same things, we are not all extroverts (surprise surprise), and we don’t all love big accounting conferences and sitting down with people that we don’t know (even if they are in the same industry). Some of us even have a life outside the accounting space, and love, (dare I say it), AFL. So, yes, while I am going… Read more
Social Media – it slowly starts to consume your life (if you let it). But as a professional serviced based Financial Coaching, Accounting & Bookkeeping business, I need to remind myself that I am not “in the business” of social media. “Social media is a tool. A tool I can choose to use, or a tool I can choose to ignore.” I think a lot of business owners (**disclaimer –… Read more
EOFY Payroll is easy right – I mean your accounting software does it for you so what have you got to worry about? A few clicks of a button and payment summaries are issued to staff. Done, feet up and champagne cracked open. But wait…. “If you don’t understand payroll and accounting terminology chances are your payroll is incorrect – FACT.” I know what you are thinking….my accounting data file… Read more
It is 2016 and if you are not an agile business, you will simply get swallowed up by your competitors before you have a chance to adapt. Times are changing – and so are your surroundings. But are you aware of what is happening? Business owners are becoming far more savvy, their expectations are much higher and technology is moving at a rapid pace. So where does an agile business… Read more
Earlier this week I got into a bit of a “bun fight” within a Facebook group as I tried to show people how their contradictions about outsourcing effects small business in Australia. Sadly it was clear I was in a minority – but that doesn’t mean I will change my views. Sadly I also think people will learn the hard way – costing them time and stress. Yes, the age… Read more
You don’t want a rogue accountant on your team…you want someone you can trust – with knowledge, experience and a lot of credible advice and care. Here is something I wrote which was published on Smart Company earlier this month…no Rogue Accountants at Healthy Business Finances. For original article, click here. Many small business owners and entrepreneurs understand the benefits of leveraging outsourcing to scale their business. Smart business owners… Read more
I believe we all learn in different ways. I also believe that we all recall information in different ways. Now on one hand I am very “bog standard” accountant – I love numbers, I love a good spreadsheet, I love old fashioned pen and paper and I love adding stuff up on my (one of many) calculators. However I am also non traditional in many ways. I don’t wear a… Read more
When you work in a service based industry, part of your life becomes focused on what you have quoted for a job and what it actually costs you. Well, let me rephrase that – it should be focused on that. Fixed prices, monthly packages, paid upfront, deposits collected or a combination of all of these – if you are not accurately looking at and recording costs per job, you business could… Read more
As a business owner – you have an obligation – part of that obligation is understanding what your numbers tell you. You need to understand cash flow to pay your suppliers and the ATO. Ignorance is not an excuse. I know what you are thinking….it is that harsh Stacey again throwing around her comments about numbers and ATO – blah blah blah. Well yes – it is me. As soon… Read more
You will know when you find your perfect accounting software match. And when you find it, that one is a keeper.
My privacy has been breached – and I want answers Usually a security breach and privacy hack is not thought of in a positive light, and trust me I have spent all day dealing with it and really asking myself…”How can I not get disillusioned with today’s events?” So let me explain – I am an Accountant and I run a Financial Coaching & Bookkeeping business. I work in the cloud… Read more