How to avoid ending the financial year in a frazzle

As an Accountant, Financial Coach and Cloud Accounting Guru to start-ups and entrepreneurs, I often see clients come to me after 30th June filled with stress, anxiety, fear and embarrassment. “It doesn’t need to be this way.” So, instead of heading into the end of financial year in a frazzle, follow our simple checklist to being organised. It will make the tax return process so much smoother and easier, and dare…  Read more

How unpaid staff can cost your business in the long run

Unpaid staff sound great, but have you thought for a minute about the implications from a business, accounting, tax and legal perspective?   I know, I know – starting a business is hard work. Cash flow is ….well….often non existent, so advertising for a volunteer role, or an unpaid role, unpaid staff (or any other variation of those terms) does sound like a solution to all your problems. Hallelujah. But…  Read more

I don’t have mothers guilt, and I am a better person for it

Isn’t it funny how we automatically assume a successful woman in business who is also a mum MUST have “mothers guilt” for working hard and assume they are missing out on quality time with their children. Recently I attended an event run by BSchool in Melbourne where the speaker was Carolyn Creswell from Carmen’s Muesli fame.  I have always wanted to hear Carolyn speak – but our diaries never seemed to align…  Read more

Don’t treat your customers like idiots (especially if you want to grow your business)

When customers buy from you, please don’t treat them like an idiot. Customers and fans are the future of your business. This week I was researching business products that I could purchase to then give to my clients at end of financial year.  You see, as an accountant, EOFY is kind of a happy time for us -we tend to celebrate 30th June like it is Christmas. I found some…  Read more

Stop the contradictions on outsourcing

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

Dear JB Hi-Fi – you are not accountants…don’t try to be

Clker-Free-Vector-Images / Pixabay Dear Mr JB Hi-Fi Firstly, congrats on a great range of laptops in your Airport West store. You see, this week my laptop decided to go to laptop heaven. So, in a mad Friday 3pm dash I did the rounds of technology shops. To be honest, I really don’t understand computer specifications, so I need to ask for advice and get help (and try not to get…  Read more

Creative Accounting v A Creative Accountant

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

How inaccurate job costing can bleed your business dry

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

A bookkeeper, BAS Agent and Accountant walked into a bar…

Just kidding – numbers nerds don’t have a life! So what is the difference is between a Bookkeeper, a BAS Agent and an Accountant?  And who do you need in your business?  They all serve a purpose – but a different purpose. Sometimes we all just get lumped together in the “numbers nerds” pile – however I am here to tell you that what each of these roles can legally do…  Read more

Why your accounting software needs to be the right fit

“Too often I hear “I’ll have what she’s having” Sadly, that might work when ordering dessert or choosing a cocktail…but the same should not be said when choosing your accounting software. So many people, especially those new in business, do a shout out to friends when it comes time to choosing their accounting software.  They may be trusted friends, but do they understand all the behind the scenes facets of your…  Read more

To GST or not GST ….that is the question?

“GST – sure you can google it, but is the answer accurate and are you even asking the right question?” You see, in all my 17 year of working in accounting and finance I think I have seen every mistake or error under the sun, so nothing surprises me too much anymore. However it is since the introduction of GST in 2000 that I have seen some real doozies. Sometimes…  Read more

Who is holding your hand to help you reach your financial goals?

Take my hand and we’ll make it I swear Woah Oh….Living on a Prayer…. Sorry – tragic Bon Jovi fan here. But let’s take a minute to talk about who you are working with in your business, who is holding your hand on this roller coaster ride and who is helping you “make it” and reach your financial goals. Recently I had a Financial Coaching Session with a client and…  Read more

Keeping receipts for 4 years….HOW??

  Do you at times feel like you are drowning in paperwork? Do you have folders and in trays and filing cabinets filled with receipts, invoices, bills, statements…..or a combination of all of those? So what if I told you to rewind to 4 years ago and find me a receipt to prove a purchase…could you do it?  And if you could do it how long would it take you?…  Read more

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