Resources to become a brilliant and trusted advisor

Advisory Services require Bookkeepers and Accountants to assist SMEs with their problems today and in the future – being the ‘HISTORIAN’ is only for taxation purposes!

At Xerocon 2022, the then Tax Commissioner Chris Jordan urged Bookkeepers and Accountants to offer a broader range of services and “FOCUS ON BECOMING A BRILLIANT AND TRUSTED ADVISOR.” This was also mentioned in Issue 369 of Accountants Minute .

ESS BIZTOOLS is committed to the preparation of resources to assist Bookkeepers and Accountants in the ‘Delivery of Services beyond Taxation’. This is the type of service that will assist SMEs in the actual conduct of their businesses. As important as it is, the “taxation return does not assist your client to survive the challenges that are confronting all SMEs in 2024.”

If you agree with Mr Jordan’s advice, ESS BIZTOOLS can assist you to become the ‘Trusted Advisor’, commencing with the resources within the ‘Advisory Intro and Starter Packages’, which you can add by subscribing to the Advanced and/or Financial Forecasting Product Packages if you wish. Each of these resources will enable you to deliver ‘Advisory Services’ to your SME clients.

The ADVISORY INTRO PACKAGE incorporates these resources:

SME Needs Analysis

Suggested topics for you to raise with your client so that you have a better understanding of the problems that your client is confronting.

Client Profile Form

To facilitate the delivery of Advisory Services – different questions need to be asked from those relating to taxation returns.

340 Articles

Articles on about 50 different subject headings that you can badge and send to your clients. These articles are designed to illustrate to your clients that you can aid them in a wide range of business matters.

CLICK HERE to access one of our papers, free of charge (Characteristics of a Well-Run Business).

Business Plus

Monthly newsletter of issues confronting SMEs that you can badge and send to your clients and prospects. This newsletter has been developed to inform clients/prospects that you are able to assist in a wide range of commercial matters that affect SMEs.

You’re most welcome to utilise the April edition of this newsletter – CLICK HERE .

Introduction to Business Planning

This is a key concept that all SMEs should be aware of, the importance of preparing a business plan and updating it annually. Your clients will need your assistance in the preparation of this document.

Introduction to Predictive Accounting Reports

This is the ‘financial interpretation of the business plan’ as it relates to budgets, cash flow forecasts and projected balance sheets – vital information for your SME clients.

52-Week Business Enhancement System

This is a ‘must’ if you are guiding your client in the right direction. They need information daily, weekly, monthly - not just at some distant time at the end of the financial year for the tax return preparation.

Tradie Charge Out Rate Calculator

You will have the tools to assist your client to establish charge out rates which will generate their targeted profit.

Introduction to Research and Development Income Tax Rebate

This is a major area for SMEs. If you aspire to be the TRUSTED ADVISOR to SME clients, you need to have knowledge of how the R&D system works. You will have material that will assist you to answer the basic questions from a client. Alternatively, you could volunteer information on R&D because the client has told you that they are interested in undertaking innovative activities. Your client will appreciate your proactive advice. ESS BIZTOOLS supplies you the resources to deliver this type of service to your client.

Introduction to Government Grants

There is no repayment necessary on government grants. We will keep you informed of the emerging grants and how you complete the application process, so that you can deliver key Advisory Services to your clients.

Introduction to Capital Raising

SME companies can raise capital through a variety of processes. You will have access to the ‘Introductory Material’ so that you could discuss with your clients how the capital raising process works for:

Section 708 of the Corporations Act: up to $2M in 12 months from a maximum of 20 investors.

Early-Stage Innovation Company: only available for very small companies, but there is also a reward for investors – 20% of the investment becomes a tax rebate for the investor!

Crowd Sourced Funding: a company with a turnover less than $25M can raise up to $5M from the public in 12 months and repeat it again in the next 12 months, if there is market support and the Crowd Sourced Funding Intermediary agrees. If you don’t know who the Intermediary is, that’s all right. We will give you full details and contact information to these Australian Government appointed businesses.

Buying a Business

We have a detailed step-by-step summary of what’s involved and what should be checked when your client wants to buy a business.

Debtors Management

One of the biggest problems confronting SMEs. A few years ago, Australia received the dubious award of having the ‘LONGEST DEBTORS DAYS OUTSTANDING IN THE WORLD’. This highlights the real problem many SMEs have because of the level of Debtors Days Outstanding. The Debtors Management Package will assist you to offer suggestions to your clients as to how Debtors Days Outstanding can be reduced thus improving their cash flow.

Introduction to Corporate Governance Issues Confronting Directors and Board of Advice

This is important knowledge that will help your client develop a ‘Key Advisory Group’ that can assist just like Directors do in larger companies. Having this knowledge and assistance will help overcome the loneliness that many SME Directors/Owners experience.

Do you understand the role of a Board of Advice?? ESS BIZTOOLS contains details and suggestions that you could use as the “Trusted Advisor” to guide your SME clients on the establishment and functioning of a Board of Advice.

This is the array of ADVISORY SERVICES that ESS BIZTOOLS have contained in the ‘ADVISORY INTRO PACKAGE’, so that you can deliver outstanding advice to your clients.

The choice is yours – be the ‘HISTORIAN’ of past events…or the STORYTELLER of current and future projections to assist your SME clients to survive and prosper.

ESS BIZTOOLS Subscription Packages

Advisory Intro Package

$99 (including GST) 12 x monthly or upfront discounted price of $990 (including GST) – more information HERE

Business Advisory Services Starter Package

$198 (including GST) 12 x monthly or upfront discounted price of $1,980 (including GST) – more information HERE

Advanced Package

$594 (including GST) 12 x monthly or upfront discounted price of $5,940 (including GST) – more information HERE

Financial Forecasting Package

$1,056 (including GST) 12 x monthly or upfront discounted price of $10,560 (including GST) – more information HERE

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”.

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