Education

Further reading for bookkeeping business owners

Articles and training recordings, sorted into the three parts of the program. Pick a section, or narrow it to what applies where you work.

51 articles

PriceApplies everywhereVideoHow to make sure you get paidA training recording on getting paid: the terms, the habits and the conversations that stop you from working for free.GrowApplies everywhereFinding your niche as a BAS agentAs a BAS agent, you possess a valuable skill set that allows you to help businesses manage their financial obligations effectively. Your expertise in taxation, accounting and regulatory...FlowApplies everywhere7 reasons standardised procedures matterStandardised procedures refer to a set of established guidelines, protocols and processes that are followed consistently within an organisation. These procedures outline the steps to be...PriceApplies everywhereBreak-even calculations and setting a profit targetAchieving profitability is the goal of any business. It is also one of the things that you are likely to be working with your clients to achieve, particularly if you work with business...GrowApplies everywhereVideoGet clients on repeatGet clients on repeat. I’ll share my personal approach to marketing within my practice, as different bookkeepers, accountants, and practice owners use various strategies to attract...FlowApplies everywhereTime management: tips for BAS agentsTime is a finite resource. In today’s fast-paced world, effective time management has become an invaluable skill for professionals across various industries. Within the realm of...PriceApplies everywhereHow to recognise imposter syndrome“I still believe that, at any time, the no-talent police will come and arrest me”. - Mike Myers, Actor - Austin Powers, Wayne’s World, Shrek If you’ve ever felt inferior compared to the...GrowApplies everywhere“Where are all the clients?” How to find clients as a BAS agentExperienced BAS agents understand how valuable their services are to businesses of all shapes and sizes. They also know that plenty of business owners are willing to pay qualified and...FlowAustralian rulesHiring your first employees: what to considerAs your business starts to gain traction, there comes a pivotal moment when you realise that it’s time to bring more people on board. Hiring your first employees is an exciting...PriceApplies everywhereStrategies for managing late payments and maintaining good business relationshipsSmall and medium-sized businesses play a significant economic role, generating jobs and driving growth. However, these businesses are often vulnerable to financial challenges, especially...GrowApplies everywhereHow to create a pipeline of clientsEstablishing a steady pipeline of clients is vital for the growth and success of any organisation. BAS agents are no exception. A well-structured and consistent flow of new customers not...FlowApplies everywhereHow artificial intelligence (AI) is disrupting accountingIn this article, we are going to be looking at how artificial intelligence (AI) is disrupting accounting. We will start by looking at what artificial intelligence (AI) is in a general...PriceApplies everywhereUnderstanding budgets for BAS agents and bookkeepersMost business owners have a clear picture in mind of what success looks like for their company, whether it be achieving a certain level of revenue, expanding into new markets, or...GrowApplies everywhereBranding for your BAS or bookkeeping businessHere’s the thing: No matter your level of expertise on the Australian tax systems or how reliable your services are, if prospective clients do not see your business that way, your BAS...FlowApplies everywhereHow to find your first employeeRunning a business as a BAS Agent can be both rewarding and challenging. You may have started out as a one-person operation, but there comes a point when hiring your first employee...GrowApplies everywhereHow to find (and use) a mentorIn the journey of personal and professional growth, finding a mentor can be an absolute game-changer. Briefly - a mentor is someone who guides, supports and shares their wisdom and...FlowApplies everywhereWhat is a skills matrix, and how it helps a bookkeeping businessA skills matrix is a tool businesses use to evaluate and document the skills and knowledge of their employees. It typically takes the form of a chart or table that lists the various...GrowAustralian rulesHow to save your client relationship when you miss a deadlineAs a BAS agent, you understand the significance of meeting deadlines and fulfilling your client’s expectations. However, despite your best efforts and meticulous planning, there may come...FlowApplies everywhereHow to run a remote team: a guide for BAS agentsRemote work has become a prevalent topic in the business world. The finance industry is no exception. Advancements in technology, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, have accelerated the...GrowAustralian rulesHow to effectively communicate: tips and tricks when dealing with clients, staff & the ATOEffective BAS Agent Communication is a critical skill for professionals across all industries - and especially as a BAS Agent. Whether you’re interacting with clients, staff, or a...FlowApplies everywhereMotivating people and teamsMotivating people and teams is a crucial factor in leadership and people management. Understanding what motivates individuals and teams can help managers inspire better performance and...GrowApplies everywhereThe ultimate guide to creating a business exit strategyRunning a successful business requires careful planning and strategic decision-making - there are so many moving pieces in play and often, a lot of these pieces are neglected or even...FlowAustralian rulesCyber security for BAS agentsBAS agents in Australia are responsible for providing a range of financial and taxation services to clients. These services often involve the handling of sensitive financial data, which...FlowAustralian rulesBusiness insurance basics for BAS agents and bookkeepersBusiness insurance is essential to protect against unexpected events that can lead to financial loss. Every business is unique, and the types of insurance coverage needed will depend on...FlowApplies everywhereXero vs MYOB vs QuickBooks: what do I choose?As a business owner eager to manage your money, you’ve probably heard of all the different bookkeeping programs on the market. If you’ve decided that now is the time to invest in an...PriceApplies everywhereCash flow: profit, loss and everything in betweenFrom small businesses and medium-sized enterprises to the large corporations in the world, one of the most important things that businesses need to focus on is their cash flow. This is...FlowApplies everywhereChart of accounts 101: what it is and why it mattersWhenever you record a business transaction whether it’s an incoming or an outgoing it’s imperative that you record it in the right account. That might sound simple but there are some...GrowApplies everywhereWhat is a professional code of conduct?In this article, we are going to be exploring professional codes of conduct, starting with what they are, why they are important, and what they might include or cover. From there, we...PriceApplies everywhereHow to manage your cash flow and grow your business at the same timeWhat counts that we are not counting? Chip Conley, head of global hospitality for Airbnb Cash flow management, especially how to manage my cashflow, isn’t just essential to keeping your...FlowApplies everywhereEleven bookkeeping tips for small businesses (that actually make life easier)You know how tough it can be if you own a small business. One of the most challenging aspects of it is ensuring all your financials are properly managed. This includes ensuring your...GrowApplies everywhereVideoRedefining success: a multi-dimensional approach for business ownersIn this video, I explore the importance of redefining success as a business owner, emphasising that our goals and metrics should truly align with our personal values rather than...PriceApplies everywhereThe importance of budgeting when running a companyIt takes more than just a vision to achieve success as a business owner. You have to achieve your company’s objectives through executing a solid plan - a plan that involves a detailed...FlowApplies everywhereHow to switch off when running a businessAs counterintuitive as it may sound, taking breaks from your business can propel you to greater heights, especially when it comes to the vital practice of switching off as a business...GrowApplies everywhereEthics and integrity in accountingIn this unit on ethics and integrity, we are going to be looking at the concepts of ethics and integrity, including what this means and why it plays an important role in our work as...PriceApplies everywhereVideoBudgeting and forecastingA training recording on building budgets and forecasts for your clients and your own practice.FlowApplies everywhereWorking smarter, not harder: why regular breaks pay offAs an entrepreneur, you have the freedom to turn your passions and talents into a thriving business. You get to make your own decisions, take calculated risks, and reap the rewards of...FlowApplies everywhereVideoAdvanced Microsoft Excel skillsA training recording on advanced Microsoft Excel skills for bookkeepers and accountants.PriceAustralian rulesBenefits of a BAS agent for businesses in AustraliaBusinesses in Australia need to stay up to date with their financial obligations, particularly when it comes to reporting their tax and financial information to the Australian Taxation...FlowAustralian rulesUnder reviewBusiness Activity Statements (BAS)In this article, we are going to be looking at business activity statements (BAS) - what they are, why businesses and companies need to complete one, and what some of the legal and tax...FlowAustralian rulesUnder reviewGoods and Services Tax: what you need to knowGoods and Services Tax (GST) Australia is an indirect tax levied on most goods and services sold or consumed in Australia. It was introduced on 1 July, 2000, and is a value-added tax,...FlowAustralian rulesHow to set up a payroll system and pay employees correctlyA payroll system is a crucial component of any organisation. It helps ensure employees are paid properly, so that your business runs smoothly. It is also essential so that you can ensure...FlowAustralian rulesUnder reviewEverything to know about Single Touch Payroll Phase 2Single Touch Payroll (STP) Phase 2 is a relatively new reporting framework introduced by the Australian Government to streamline payroll reporting for businesses. The system is designed...FlowAustralian rulesUnder reviewMinimum wages: an overview of payment laws in AustraliaAustralia has a long-established system of minimum wage protection, enshrined in federal industrial relations legislation. Minimum wages are seen as essential to ensure fair and just...FlowAustralian rulesUnder reviewEverything you need to know about payroll taxWhen paying employees, it is important to know whether you are liable to pay payroll tax. This type of tax is treated differently across the various states and territories in Australia,...FlowAustralian rulesBusiness registration numbers explained: ABN, ABRN and ACNOperating a business in Australia involves navigating a variety of regulatory requirements, including obtaining the appropriate business registration number. For newcomers and even...FlowAustralian rulesUnder reviewFinancial reporting: what you need to knowIn the world of modern business, financial reporting is a vital component to ensuring your business is consistently scaling. Having regular access to updated and accurate financial...FlowAustralian rulesUnder reviewSpecial purpose financial statements are history: the new rulesSpecial Purpose Financial Statements (SPFS) are a thing of the past. As you may be aware, the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) approved the removal of the SPFS in early 2020,...FlowAustralian rulesAudits 101: how to navigate them for your clientsWhen dealing with money, the importance of financial accuracy and reliability cannot be understated. Whether it’s for investors making decisions, creditors assessing creditworthiness, or...FlowApplies everywhereCyber risks in accountingIn this article, we are going to be exploring some of the biggest cyber risks, specifically focusing on cyberrisk, that accountants need to be aware of in their accounting practice. To...FlowApplies everywhereAccounting teams: on the frontline of cyberattack preventionAs accountants and finance professionals, one of our key responsibilities is to highlight and manage financial business risks. And in today’s digital-first work environment, that...FlowAustralian rulesmyGov scams: how to safely avoid fraudAs we approach tax time every year, scores of fraudsters zoom into the picture with the sole aim of ripping off hardworking Australians - including now through MyGov scams. It’s already...