by Rob Pillans | Jul 23, 2025 | Articles
In this second article in my series on M365, I highlight Microsoft Bookings. Like Microsoft Stream, What’s in M365? Microsoft Stream for Accounting Firms – Planet Consulting which I highlighted last time, I’ve noticed that some accountants are not aware that...
by Rob Pillans | Jul 23, 2025 | Articles
As an accounting firm coach, mentor and consultant I am in and out of firms pretty much every day. One of the things I have observed is the critical role of non-techncial skills. My experience is that as a person gets more senior in a firm these skills increase in...
by Rob Pillans | Jul 23, 2025 | Articles
A few recent experiences have prompted me to come back to thinking about how client expectations are managed. In particular, I’ve reflected on a “trap” I think many firms still fall into when trying to manage and guide client expectations. It’s a trap that typically...
by Rob Pillans | Apr 9, 2025 | Articles, EOFY
As we are in the final quarter of another financial year in Australia, please pause to consider if you are on top of what you want to get done before 15 May and 30 June. If you are not, time to get your skates on! For accounting firms in Australia there is a well...
by Rob Pillans | Apr 9, 2025 | Accounting Firm Management, Articles
I recently had a visit to Specsavers for my regular eye test and update of my glasses. It was a very good experience which made me realise that Specsavers could teach accountants a lot about processes and customer service. And of course in my role as an accounting...
by Rob Pillans | Apr 9, 2025 | Accounting Firm Management, Articles, Technology
In the first of a series of articles on M365, I start with exploring Microsoft Stream. It’s one of the applications that comes with many M365 subscriptions and which a lot of people are probably not conscious of. So what is Microsoft Stream, and how can it be...
by Rob Pillans | Feb 11, 2025 | Accounting Firm Management, Articles, Marketing, Planning, Technology
As an accounting firm owner I believe it wise for you to spend a little time considering what might go wrong in your business and what your “Plan B” will be. I was prompted to think about this by an unexpected event for me in January. I tried Pickle Ball (in South...
by Rob Pillans | Feb 11, 2025 | Accounting Firm Management, Articles, Marketing, Planning, Technology
As an accounting firm coach, consultant and mentor I’m privileged to see inside a lot of firms and talk to owners about what’s on their mind. Here are some of the common themes I believe will occupy the minds of accounting firm owners in 2025. The opportunities,...
by Rob Pillans | Feb 11, 2025 | Articles
Timesheets have long been a staple in accounting firms, originally helping to track billable hours and measure team member productivity. However, as firms evolve with automation and value-based pricing models, the relevance of timesheets is open to question. As an...
by Rob Pillans | Dec 18, 2024 | Articles
In July 2024 Kate and I had the good fortune to spend five weeks in Europe. As part of this we spent some time in Denmark, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The short summary is these are all fabulous countries and I highly recommend them as places to visit. Denmark I’d...
