Delivering fiscal management skills - a VITAL role

SMEs require systems similar to larger businesses

SMEs face significant challenges beyond the scope of ‘Traditional Accounting Services’, such as preparing annual accounts and tax returns. Paul Robson, CEO of MYOB in a recent Financial Review article, highlighted the pressing issues SMEs encounter, including rising operating costs, cash flow management and fiscal management skills knowledge. SMEs require more comprehensive financial information, including Business Metrics and Costing Advice, to navigate these challenges effectively.

To address these needs, Accountants and Bookkeepers should encourage SMEs to adopt a more strategic approach akin to larger businesses. This involves establishing a Leadership Team and documenting the business’ vision and goals. For most SMEs, the Leadership Team will comprise some full-time members and others with expertise in particular areas who are retained on a part-time consulting basis. The Leadership Team should oversee various aspects of the business, including products/services, communications, marketing, sales, and finance.

Accountants and Bookkeepers can assist SMEs in preparing essential documents like Business Plans and Predictive Accounting Reports, which offer insights into future financial performance. They can also analyse financial projections to identify funding requirements and explore financing options, such as Government Grants or Equity Raising.

Furthermore, maintaining robust financial records is crucial for SMEs, serving as the foundation for informed decision-making. Bookkeepers play a vital role in ensuring accurate and real-time financial data, enabling SMEs to track KPIs, manage cash flow, and make strategic decisions promptly.

As technology evolves, SMEs must adapt to changes in business operations, including direct interactions with the Australian Taxation Office. The Tax Commissioner has warned that traditional business models may become obsolete, emphasizing the need for Accountants and Bookkeepers, “to diversify their services and focus on becoming trusted advisors.”

In response to these challenges, ESS BIZTOOLS offers resources to support Accountants and Bookkeepers in ‘DELIVERING ADVISORY SERVICES’ To SMEs. The ‘ADVISORY INTRO PACKAGE’ equips professionals with the tools and knowledge to establish solid financial foundations and provide SMEs with the business insights they need to survive and thrive.

Bookkeeping advisory services adds value

Bookkeeping Firms and Accounting Bookkeeping Sections dedicated to SMEs play a crucial role in maintaining regular contact and recording basic accounting information for their clients. However, the evolving landscape demands that these entities expand their role to offer Advisory Services, assisting SMEs in achieving their Visions.

ESS BIZTOOLS, recognizing the need for Bookkeepers to provide Advisory Services, has introduced an ‘ADVISORY INTRO PRODUCT PACKAGE’. This package encompasses services like, due diligence reviews on business operations, offering a comprehensive understanding of Clients’ businesses beyond financial data.

Bookkeepers are encouraged to engage in broader involvement, moving beyond the conventional preparation of financial recordkeeping, ledger postings, payroll and team member records, to KPI Information and the establishment and monitoring of daily and weekly processes to aid the leadership team in the performance of their duties.

The ‘ADVISORY INTRO PRODUCT PACKAGE’ also emphasizes the implementation of systems to generate daily/weekly information similar to what larger businesses receive, which they use to their competitive advantage to the detriment of SMEs who traditionally have not received these types of reports. This introduces weekly performance reports, weekly profitability estimates, and KPIs, business health analysis reports, enhancing the Bookkeeper’s role in guiding SMEs towards success.

The ‘Due Diligence Review’ serves as the foundation for creating living documents like Business Plans, regularly reviewed and updated by the Leadership Team. The ‘Predictive Accounting Process’ follows, involving the preparation of Predictive Accounting Reports such as budgets, key drivers, cash flow forecasts, and projected balance sheets. The Leadership Team actively participates in this process, adopting Financial Forecasts for the next 12 months and potentially extending to 3-5 years.

Bookkeepers and Accountants engaged in this process become ‘Storytellers’, using projected balance sheets to illustrate the business's future position based on achieved budget forecasts. Monthly utilisation of budgets helps calculate budget variance reports, facilitating adjustments to forward forecasts in a ‘Dynamic Business Environment’. The entire process is geared towards setting SMEs up for success, with ESS BIZTOOLS providing resources to guide Accountants and Bookkeepers in implementing strategies to ‘assist SMEs to thrive’.

Companies need accounting assistance to raise funds to participate in grants

The 'Early-Stage Commercialisation' segment of the newly introduced 'Industry Growth Program' focuses on assisting small companies in the R&D phase. These companies, typically SMEs, are seeking guidance from Accountants/Bookkeepers on business matters relative to their ‘Innovation Journey’. The program offers grants on a 50-50 basis, ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 for eligible activities, including establishing critical functions, laboratory testing of prototypes, and verification of prototype systems.

Accountants/Bookkeepers have an opportunity to support these companies by aiding in obtaining external funding for their 50% share of Early-Stage Commercialisation costs. This involves providing services such as business plans, predictive accounting reports (budgets, cash flow forecasts, and projected balance sheets), and ‘documentation assistance for Early-Stage Innovation Company Qualification’, enabling Capital Raising from Incentivised Investors.

Companies can now submit applications for the Early-Stage Commercialisation Grants. This presents a significant opportunity for Accountants and Bookkeepers to assist SME clients at the start of their ‘Innovation Journey’.

Companies aspiring to attain 'Early-Stage Innovation Company Status' must pass either the Gateway Test or the Principles Test.

The Gateway Test requires aggregating 100 points through questions related to R&D expenditure, admission to the Accelerating Commercialisation Program, participation in an Accelerator Program, equity Interests, and ownership of patents. If the company achieves a score of 100 or more, it is considered to have 'self-assessed' under the Gateway Test.

Alternatively, if the company does not meet the 100-point threshold, it can undergo the Principles Test, which involves submitting supporting documentation for examination by the ATO. The five questions in the Principles Test assess the company's focus on commercialization, growth potential, scalability, market reach, and competitive advantage.

ESS BIZTOOLS offers the 'Early Stage Innovation Company Product Package' to assist Accountants and Bookkeepers in providing services to SMEs seeking Early-Stage Innovation Company status.

Delivering services that SMES NEED!

For the month of April, ESS BIZTOOLS is presenting a series of complimentary webinars for Accountants and Bookkeepers.

These webinars will provide an overview of our different Advisory Packages. All are developed with Accountants and Bookkeepers, like you, in mind, to assist you to DELIVER ADVISORY services, SMEs desperately need.

Advisory Intro Product Package

Business Advisory Services Starter Package

Advanced Package

Financial Forecasting Package

Following each webinar, we are hosting a ‘Q & A Session’ on Zoom. This will give you the opportunity for a discussion on matters that were raised in the webinar, answer any questions that you may have and to provide suggestions on how these Advisory Services may be introduced for your SME clients.

CLICK HERE to view the webinar and forum schedule and to register, FREE of charge.

Want to know more?

Visit www.essbiztools.com.au .

If you would like to have a discussion about how this concept of virtual CFO services can be supplied by Australian accounting firms please ring our Managing Director, Peter Towers, on 1800 232 088 and we will arrange a complimentary 45-minute Zoom meeting to discuss your firm’s position and to give you our advice.

We believe that this is the blueprint for the delivery of an enhanced range of services by Australian Accounting and Bookkeeping firms to assist SME businesses to add value to their businesses and to assist accountants and bookkeepers not only to attract but to retain outstanding talent who want to be involved in the delivery of “real accounting services”.

Tell us what you think

We would like to ensure that our articles remain relevant, insightful and informative.? We value your input, so it would be appreciated if you could take a few minutes of your time to complete our survey.

Thank you for your assistance in making Accountants Minute better.