Latest Articles
What accountants can learn from Canberra airport
I grew up in Canberra, have family there and do some work there. As a result, I’m a pretty frequent user of Canberra airport. Typically I come in and out of the airport once a month and every time find it a frustrating experience. Why? A lack of signage to guide you....
Some tasks to focus on before 15 May 2022
At this time of year in Australia accountants are turning their mind to tax deadlines. First 31 March and then most importantly for most, 15 May. I trust you are on top of what you wanted to get done before 15 May. The pandemic has added to the workload and I know...
Put yourself in the shoes of each client
I’ve recently had a couple of hotel experiences which have reinforced the importance of being able to put yourself in the shoes of your clients and understand what they are thinking, feeling and doing at each stage of their journey with you.Hotel Experience 1 Well...
Tips for using your calendar better
As an accounting firm coach, assisting firms across Australia, I am very reliant on my calendar in Microsoft Outlook. I use my calendar not just for client and other appointments but for appointments with myself for getting tasks done. I also use it for both personal...
The why and how of managing client expectations
When I was a senior accountant in business services, one of my managers shared with me some tips which were some of the wisest words I have heard. He talked to me about managing expectations. It made a big difference to how I interacted with clients and colleagues...
Cause for optimism in 2022 and how you can add to that
At the end of 2020 many people would have thought, surely 2021 will be better. Sadly, for many that did not turn out to be the case. At the end of 2021 many people again will have been thinking surely 2022 will be better. My own view is that it will be, and I want to...
Nine Skills Accounting and Advisory Firm Managers Need
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 the manager in successful firms. Here are nine skills I reckon great managers inside accounting and advisory...
Is the Great Resignation a real thing or just hype?
Most accounting firm owners and managers will have spotted quite a bit of chatter in various media regarding something called “the great resignation”. So what is it, is it real and should accounting firms be worried? What is it and is it real? The term has its origins...
Things to do before the Christmas break
The end of the calendar year is rapidly approaching and for many it probably can’t come soon enough. COVID has made it a particularly testing year for many people. I’ve turned my mind to some things accounting firm owners and managers could benefit from thinking about...
How much information about the business do you share with your team?
Going back many years I reckon lots of firm owners had a fear of sharing information, somehow thinking it could be used against them. Over time I’ve seen this diminish and yet I still occasionally come across a firm owner who is reluctant to share information about...