Accounting Business Expo 2020 Agenda
Sydney, 16 - 17 November 2020
Schedule
Create your personal agenda –check the favourite icon
Nov 1609:30
Conference pass
Business And Politics - The Next 10 Years
Keynotes
New political movements in the UK, the US and much of Europe have overturned the status quo, mostly moving to the right. Xi Jinping’s China is exerting its might with the Belt and Road initiative and other projects. Business leaders are weighing into public conversations on the limits of free speech and climate change. What does leadership look like in the next decade?
- Will business leaders and businesses become advocates for political causes and not just profits?
- How will political parties revitalise trust with constituents when technology is outpacing governance?
- Will the era of trillion dollar companies drive Australia towards lesser equality in wealth?
Interviewee: The Hon Nick Greiner, Federal President, Australian Liberal Party
Interviewer: Julian Morrow, Managing director, Giant Dwarf
Nov 1610:00
Conference pass
Why An Innovation Strategy Is Not About Technology
Keynotes
How can a firm approach innovation? Does it look different in a small firm compared to a large one? The biggest challenge is convincing people that innovation doesn’t equal technology. It’s about creating a culture and a mindset. Hear one accountant’s exploration of innovation from within her award-winning, 20-staff firm to a $300 million mid-tier.
- Discover the seven conditions to create a culture of innovation
- Learn how you can innovate with your business model, process or market
- Find out how to coordinate innovation within a larger firm
Tanya Titman, Head of Innovation, BDO
Nov 1610:50
Conference pass
Margin Impossible: How To Get Better Returns Servicing Mum And Dad Property Investors
Tax Today
Mum and Dad property investors can suck up a lot of time. Chasing documents, wading through statements, waiting... it’s not always well paid, glamorous work. And it’s hard to give useful tax advice if you’re only talking once a year, post June 30. Learn how you can shift the workload to your clients, slash time for tax prep and give on-demand tax advice.
- Discover how to improve your customer service and reduce hours chasing information
- Learn how to use automated tax calculations and live data feeds to streamline compliance
- Find out how to slash the time spent on individual returns and smooth out your team workflow
Jake Sewell, Business Development Manager, TaxTank
Nicole Kelly, Director, TaxTank
Nov 1610:50
Conference pass
How To Become A Client Centric Practice
Practice Management
Every firm wants to differentiate but most struggle to deliver what clients value most – an amazing customer experience. This is usually because information about clients is scattered across multiple systems, making it much harder to know which services your clients need. Hear about a new approach that gives clients more options to communicate, leading to higher satisfaction.
- Learn how to track the most important information about your clients in one system – without writing a single line of code
- Discover how to pull client information from your practice management software and third-party applications
- Find out how to provide an enriched client experience, with instant messaging and community access for collaboration and self service
Gary Weisz, Director Strategic Accounts and Alliances, Sage
Nov 1610:50
Conference pass
How To Assess Your Corporate Compliance And SMSF Software
Business Advisory
If a software supplier shows you a PowerPoint presentation and not their software, this should ring alarm bells. If they bring their developer to fix bugs during the presentation, this should ring sirens. Software plays a critical role in lifting productivity in your business. The wrong choice could force you to pay for two apps, staff downtime and expensive retraining.
- Understand the warning signs of incomplete software
- Learn how to measure the value and ROI of competing applications
- Discover how due diligence reduces the risk of a dud choice – and expensive re-training
Ron Lesh, Managing Director, BGL
Nov 1610:50
Conference pass
New Clients On Auto-Pilot: Is Marketing Automation Hype Or Substance
Automation & Analytics
If only you could buy an app that sends you a consistent stream of high-quality clients. Marketers regularly overpromise what their products can do, especially when it comes to marketing automation software. What can marketing automation really do for an accounting firm? Should you spend thousands on all-in-one platforms like HubSpot or "stitch together" cheaper apps?
- Find out which processes you can automate in your firm’s marketing and client communications
- Get a template for mapping out marketing automations
MC Carter, Director, Practice Paradox
Nov 1610:50
Conference pass
The Impact Of AI On Accounting
CIO Summit
AI and data analytics are powering a wave of groundbreaking technologies. Is your company ready? In this session we will explore how AI and analytics are changing the role of accountants and what finance teams need to do today to reimagine their organisations.
- Find out where AI is transforming business and having the most significant impact
- Discover where you and intelligent machines can work together to reach new levels of productivity and why your strategy can’t ignore them
- Learn how other Australian SMEs like you are unlocking the value from data and accelerating their growth
Chelsea Wise, Marketing Director, Hyper Anna
Nov 1610:50
Conference pass
STP with the ATO: An Insider’s Guide To How STP Is Progressing And What’s Next
Intuit QuickBooks
All employers should have commenced STP reporting – except those who have deferrals or exemptions in place, or those with closely held payees. Do you have clients who qualify for a reporting concession? Hear from the ATO and tax experts about your reporting options and, obligations.
- Hear about how STP implementation is progressing
- Learn about employer on-boarding
- Understand the available reporting concessions to some employers
- Discover how STP will apply to closely held payees from 1 July 2020
Session led by: 
Nov 1611:00
Conference pass
How To Get The Most Out Of Class’ Time Saving Features
Tech Talks
- Reduce your annual SMSF administration processing time down to 1-3 hours per fund per year through automation
- Administer up to 250 SMSFs and process tax statements in just a few clicks
- Simplify complex corporate actions with bulk processing across multiple funds
Tom Eustice, Cloud Solutions Manager, Class
Matthew Bambrick, Cloud Solutions Manager, Class
Nov 1611:20
Conference pass
Close The Gap Before They Do – A Primer On The Cyber Scams Targeting Finance Teams And What To Do About Them
Tech Talks
This tech talk will
- Unpack the latest social engineering scams, duping and defrauding finance teams
- What to do about them
- How to mitigate the rest of loss in the payments process
- How to enhance payment controls to prevent successful cyber-attacks
Gavin Levinsohn, Chief Marketing Officer, EFTsure
Nov 1611:30
Conference pass
A New Approach To Div7a
Practice Management
The Division 7A rule was introduced to prevent private company shareholders paying themselves through loans or debt forgiveness and thereby avoiding paying tax at marginal tax rates. However, the implementation of Div 7A has proven to be remarkably complex. The ATO is attempting to simplify these rules, with enormous implications for your clients.
- Understandthe Board of Taxation recommendations and the Treasury and ATO’s response
- Get practical tips on how to prepare your clients
- Hear fearless predictions about the most likely outcome
Geoff Stein, Partner, Brown Wright Stein Lawyers
Nov 1611:30
Conference pass
Why Most Firms Fail On Customer Experience – And How To Fix It
Practice Management
After finishing a job, accountants tell the client where to sign, what and when to pay. Lodgement stats are in order, tax is minimised – a job well done. But half of businesses think their accountant isn’t acting in their best interests, so the job can’t be well done. Most firms completely fail to consider how to improve the customer experience.
- How better customer service helps you get work out the door quicker
- Discover how easy it is to offer a better service without changing your technical workflow
- Learn how to make standardised rules for customer service
Moderator: David Boyar, Chief Executive Officer, ChangeGPS
Amanda Newton, Head Of Community, Xero
Nov 1611:30
Conference pass
How To Access Private Money
Business Advisory
Do you understand the difference between private money and bank money? Bank money comes with different lending criteria, rates and charges imposed by banks and mortgage lenders. Private lenders aren’t subject to the same restrictions, and are more flexible about the amount and terms you want to borrow.
- Find out how private money works and the scenarios in which it is useful
- Learn how to capitalise on opportunities with private funding
- Discover the types of financial solutions offered by private money
Alfonso Villegas, National Credit Specialist, Lever Private Loans
Nov 1611:30
Conference pass
How To Automate Your Firm Using Microsoft Power Automate
Automation & Analytics
Outlook has received a shot in the arm with the release of Microsoft’s Zapier competitor, Power Automate. Formerly named Flow, it can send you notifications when you receive emails from your VIP clients, automatically save email attachments– it now even does robotic process automation.
- Find out how you can automate your inbox and other parts of Office 365
- Discover the automation “recipes” used by a tech-savvy firm
- Understand which processes you should automate first
Dan Beck, Director, PT 2.0
Nov 1611:30
Conference pass
Innovation In Mid-Tiers In 2020
CIO Summit
Innovation is more than a buzzword – it opens up opportunities for new service lines, diversification and higher revenues. The mid-tiers are working through a smorgasbord of technologies and ideas to determine which ones will translate into high-value products for existing clients. Or, looking internally, which ones will improve service delivery and efficiency.
- Discover the range of options for firms that are prepared to invest in change
- Find out which ideas are the most attractive to the mid-tier firms
- Learn how mid-tiers are tackling the tricky issue of change management
Tanya Titman, Head of Innovation, BDO
Adrian Gardiner, Digital Transformation, Achemar Advisory
Nov 1611:30
Conference pass
10 Ways To Build Your Profile & Better Market Your Practice
Intuit QuickBooks
In the past, you had a handful of competitors in your area. Today, you have literally thousands and they come from every corner of the country. Learning how to effectively market yourself and your business has never been more important. Hear 10 powerful ways to attract more clients and grow your practice.
- Find out how to become the trusted authority in your area of expertise
- Understand why it pays to create podcast and how to do it correctly
- Learn how to leverage the power of Google to get more free traffic
Session led by:
Nov 1611:40
Conference pass
Introducing Sage Data Hub
Tech Talks
- Fusing insights into workflows to optimise practice compliance
- Unifying Sage and Non-Sage data into a cloud data warehouse
- Delivering scalable and proactive advisory-driven engagement
Bruce Minty, Product Marketing Manager, Sage
Nov 1612:00
Conference pass
Has Your Business Adapted Well In 2020 And Beyond? When Is It The Right Time To Move To NetSuite?
Tech Talks
- How many current systems are you operating?
- Too many spreadsheets?
- Too much administration? Are you duplicating information with a lot of copying and pasting?
Steve Paea, Sales Manager, Liberate I.T. Limited
Nov 1612:10
Conference pass
Think You Know Client Business Software? Think Again
Practice Management
MYOB has completely reimagined what your clients should expect from their business software. This is not a session of tweaks and enhancements – it’s a complete rebuild from the ground up of your clients’ software. Want to give your clients a wealth of new opportunities? Give them faster, more powerful, responsive tools.
- Learn about major updates to our SME solutions that will empower you as an adviser
- Discover a wealth of new opportunities to improve the way you work with your clients
- Reduce your clients’ admin while improving their cashflow and working capital
Melissa Roberts, Training Consultant, MYOB
Nov 1612:10
Conference pass
Towards Zero Debtor Days: A Transactional Day In The Life Of An Ideal Firm
Practice Management
The proliferation of payment solutions has brought new hope to increasing cash flow, yet also complicated a simple idea. By taking a systematic approach to getting paid you can dramatically lower your debtor days. Tools such as engagements, invoice funding and integrating your payment system to your invoicing engine will make it easier to get paid sooner.
- Learn of all your transactional touch points with your clients and how they impact on your debtor days
- Understand why a non-systematic payment solution can actually cost you time and money
- Discover some simple steps that can instantly lower your debtor days
Gabor Szekernyes, Director, Apxium
Nov 1612:10
Conference pass
Offshoring Accounting Services In Australia - State Of Play And Critical Success Factors
Business Advisory
The first and exclusive release of Bond Business School’s (Bond University) research into how small and medium businesses are succeeding with the offshoring of accounting services. Learn the blueprint for offshoring success based on this research and understand exactly how many firms are using offshoring to grow.
- Discover the roles small and medium businesses are offshoring, and how!
- Learn from the experiences of Australian small and medium accounting firms
- Find out exactly what it takes to successfully offshore your services
Justin Pavsic, Managing Director, Staff Domain
Tim Hasso, Professor of Accounting, Bond Business School
Nov 1612:10
Conference pass
There's A Zap For That! How To Plug Your Leaky Sales Funnel In Your Accounting And Bookkeeping Firm
Automation & Analytics
Most small accounting and bookkeeping firms want to grow (who doesn't, right?) but often the whole marketing and sales side of the business just seems so time consuming. If only you could easily convert leads to prospects – Well, now you can! Find out how to use the power of Zapier to get organised, save time and grow sales.
- Learn how to send leads follow up messages on autopilot
- Find out how to automate your sales funnel so it's working behind the scenes like a loyal team member
- Discover how to connect marketing and sales apps together
Tania Allen, Founder, Vision Alliance
Nov 1612:10
Conference pass
Masterclass: How Firms Can Digitise Processes With The Microsoft Power Platform
CIO Summit
Process automation is widespread among banks, insurers and other financial services companies. Now the technology has been commoditised in Microsoft’s Power Platform and Power Apps, a high-powered replacement for macros. Discover how to use a low-code platform for rapid application development and process automation in an accounting firm.
- Learn how to identify tasks and processes that are best suited for digitisation and automation
- Understand how to use the Power Platform within the Microsoft cloud
- Discover the benefits of process automation and app creation
Lee-ann Dias, Partner Technical Architect, Microsoft
Nov 1612:10
Conference pass
Report: The Trends Transforming The Accounting Profession Over The Next Decade
Intuit QuickBooks
A landmark report by Australia’s largest accounting association has unearthed the major trends shaping the way accounting practices will operate. Transformative technologies at the government, banking and practice management level will eliminate some jobs and create others. Find out how you can navigate these trends and build a sustainable, long-lasting practice.
- Understand which technologies will have the greatest impact, and their current timeframe
- Learn about the new opportunities for accounting practices and what they must do to win them
- Find out how the changing regulatory environment will affect practices
Session led by:
Nov 1612:20
Conference pass
Major Changes To ATO Correspondence Delivery
Tech Talks
- The ATO document system changes you will need to make
- Getting the security right when delivering ATO documents
- See an NOA processed in less than 10 seconds using AI and Machine learning
Ron Drost, Chief Executive Officer, ATO SmartDocs
Nov 1612:40
Conference pass
ATOmate: The Ultimate ATO Document Automation
Tech Talks
- Discover how easy it is to automate the processing of ATO documents
- Discover how to cut administration time by 90% so you can focus on your customer and client
- Find out how to get your team to love you for automating time consuming tasks
Stan Corner, CEO, Business Automation Works
Nov 1612:50
Conference pass
Don’t Take It Offline - How To Deal With Overwhelmed Clients
People & Culture
Anyone who has ever advised SMEs will have encountered business owners with concerning mental health problems like anxiety and depression. We often try to sidestep the issue by “taking it offline”, “parking” it or finding another convenient reason to not confront our client’s mental health well-being. Starting a conversation now may just be the best action you could take.
- Find out how to recognise poor mental health conditions in those around you
- Learn how to start a conversation with someone you are concerned about
- Discover the best resources and guides available for you to share with business owners
Moderator: Alexi Boyd, Panel Moderator, Small Biz Matters
Tim Hoopmann, Founder, Spinn Business Solutions
Linda Sheahan, Workplace Engagement Manager, Linda Sheahan
Nov 1612:50
Conference pass
Taming The Email Beast – Why One Size Doesn’t Fit All
People & Culture
The problem isn’t that we are all drowning in email; the real issue is that we are using email ineffectively. Too often we take a “one size fits all” mentality to setting rules in Outlook. Instead we need to configure our email programs to accommodate each person’s unique strengths, weaknesses and preferences.
- Discover why “one size fits all” rules are fine in theory but poor in practice
- Inbox Zero or Crowded Inbox – who cares? Why your garage might have the answer to managing email
- Scheduling for success – how to understand your priorities and make informed decisions in even fluid environment
Glenn Tranter, Productivity Expert, Glenn Tranter Consulting
Nov 1612:50
Conference pass
App Stacks For Managing The Client Relationship (Not Just Onboarding)
Automation & Analytics
Many firms don’t spend much time thinking about the quality of their relationship with clients. However, a good relationship is the secret to higher referrals, lower churn and higher revenue per client. With the right mix of apps you can set up automations and alerts to proactively help clients meet their goals and improve customer satisfaction.
- Understand which apps you need in your stack to manage client relationships
- Discover how automation gives you more time to focus on the relationship
- Learn why you should embrace alerts to stay proactive
Rebecca Mihalic, Head of Accounting APAC - Practice Ignition, businessDEPOT
Nov 1612:50
Conference pass
How To Optimise Customer Lifecycle Management In The Cloud
CIO Summit
When the client picks up the phone, they expect their firm to know what’s going on. Behind the scenes, every firm is trying to track everything relating to that client: documents, expenses, billing, sales opportunities – and of course, phone conversations, emails and meetings. How can firms integrate cloud tech and legacy systems at a reasonable cost?
- Find out how mid-tier firms are integrating their key systems
- Learn how to set priorities for managing client data
- Discover how a connected system can increase collaboration between departments
Paul Lenton, Business Advisory Director, Nexia
Adam Irwin, Chief Operation Officer, Partner Advisory Services, Pitcher Partners
Craig Stanmore, Chief Executive Officer, Enspira Financial
Nov 1612:50
Conference pass
How To Grow A Practice In An Era Of Digital Transformation
Intuit QuickBooks
The internet is continuing to transform the way consumers of professional advice make purchasing decisions. Find out the fundamental elements you must have in place if you want to attract and onboard the right type of clients by leveraging the internet, technology and automation.
- Discover methods to grow your firm beyond referrals and word of mouth
- Learn about the new way to find your ideal clients quickly and on mass
- Find out how to optimise your LinkedIn profile and online presence to get the right people contacting you
Session led by:
Nov 1613:00
Conference pass
Breaking Down The Common One-Size-Fits-All Approach To Cloud Accounting With IPA Books+
Tech Talks
- Discover how a modular approach can personalise the cloud accounting experience
- Learn how IPA Books+ enables collaboration and promotes improved productivity
- Understand how you can adhere to mandatory ATO requirements like Single Touch Payroll (STP)
Tristan Daniell, Business Development Manager, IPA Books+
Nov 1613:20
Conference pass
MyBMT. Everything You Need To Manage Tax Depreciation And More
Tech Talks
- Manage schedules – View and update client depreciation schedules and download in CSV or Excel format
- Estimate depreciation – Check the likely deductions on your client’s property before ordering a schedule
- Record keeping – Your clients can track property income and expenses, upload files, photos and receipts and share them with you
Chris Palagy, Business Development Officer, BMT Tax Depreciation
Nov 1613:30
Conference pass
Connectivity And The Gig Economy: Why You Need To Think Of Yourself As An Online Business
Practice Management
Accountants, like all small businesses, are discovering the opportunities to increase profits and decrease costs when you have reliable, high-speed internet. You can outsource backoffice services such as HR and legal, outsource your actual compliance or bookkeeping work, or tap into a vast pool of cloud software. Hear how leading firms have tuned their performance with internet-based services.
- Understand how digital connectivity improves the customer experience
- Find out how to convert customer experience to profit
- Get tips on how to start or finish your journey to an online business
Moderator: Andrew Sims, Chief Executive Officer, SuiteFiles
Patrick Frigo, Consultant, Xero
Dan Osborne, Podcountant, CATS Accountants
Tim Garth, Podcountant, CATS Accountants
Nov 1613:30
Conference pass
The Revolution Continues: The Next Chapter In The ATO’s Correspondence Roadmap
Practice Management
The biggest change in 30 years in ATO document delivery has already hit – and the ATO has another lot of changes in the pipeline. Practices need to implement five key changes to their processes for handling Notices of Assessment and stay compliant with privacy and security guidelines.
- Discover the fastest way to process, check and file NOAs and deliver to your client
- Learn how you can apply the latest in machine learning and robotics to ATO documentation
- Get some tips for developing a solid digital delivery strategy
Ron Drost, Chief Executive Officer, ATO SmartDocs
Nov 1613:30
Conference pass
What You Must Know About Depreciation Legislation Changes And Industry First Insights Into Investor Behaviour
Business Advisory
We look at how depreciation deductions have changed since the May 2017 Division 40 changes and how the latest 2019 effective life changes impact existing property purchasers. We’ll also share industry first data showcasing the changes in investor behaviour over the last four years with some critical insights into missed deductions and how they can be avoided.
- See the true impact of the recent depreciation legislation changes
- Discover how investors have missed out on 2.88 billion worth of depreciation deductions
- Find out how investor behaviour and deductions have changed over the past four years
Mike Mortlock, Managing Director, MCG Quantity Surveyors
Nov 1613:30
Conference pass
Sick Of Entering Addresses Twice? How To Tie Your Sprawling App Stack Together
Automation & Analytics
Firms have never had so much tech. While this explosion of riches has helped us improve efficiency in areas from proposals to compliance, it has created a tangle of disconnected databases. Ironically, the most tech progressive firms still need to update a client’s address in multiple places. Hear how one firm is tying it all together.
- Discover the options for connecting apps, from platforms to custom development
- Find out which database you should make your single source of truth
- Learn how to evaluate apps based on their ability to connect to others
Dan Beck, Director, PT 2.0
Nov 1613:30
Conference pass
Robotic Process Automation: How To Apply It In Accounting Firms
CIO Summit
Robotic process automation has taken off in financial services, especially banking and insurance. Now mid-tier firms are experimenting with RPA software and other process automation platforms to eliminate data entry on a broader scale. Hear how firms are using RPA, the processes they are automating, and how SMEs are using the same technology to automate tax reporting themselves.
- Find out about how firms use 150+ “instructions” or “robots” to manipulate, validate, convert, map, aggregate and share data
- Learn how drag-and-drop programming is replacing the use of VBA
- Discover how SMEs are using process automation to reduce manual data entry and find savings for Fuel Tax Credit, FBT, And GST
Michael Flanderka, Chief Executive Officer, Data Interactive
Nov 1613:30
Conference pass
How To Supercharge Your Practice With AI And Machine Learning
Intuit QuickBooks
You have seen the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning in your Uber rides, FaceBook feeds and NetFlix recommendations. How would these transformative technologies work in an accounting firm? What kinds of automation are even possible? Find out what happens to your workflow when you integrate AI into practice software.
- Find out how to leverage the power of automation to eliminate unnecessary admin and non-billable time
- Learn how AI-powered automation drives efficiencies in practice
- Understand why it’s important to invest in technology to keep up with your competitors
Session led by:
Nov 1613:40
Conference pass
STP Made Easy. How 5000 Accounting Firms Are Running Payroll 10x Faster With Payroller
Tech Talks
- Using Payroller's agent portal to set up and run STP for your clients
- Simplifying payroll with simple design and effective features
- Finding solutions for small businesses to comply with regulations
Madison La Pira, Content Marketing Manager, Payroller by Bookipi
Nov 1614:00
Conference pass
Streamlining Your Firm’s Efficiencies Whilst Improving Your Clients Tax Position Using TaxTank
Tech Talks
- Help your clients be tax confident - Discover how features like live bank feeds, core logic integration, built-in smart tax tools, real time tax reporting, centralised portfolio management and permanent document archive will simplify tax for property investor clients and safeguard against audit
- Simplified Workflow & Effective Collaboration - TaxTank gives you a centralised platform to better manage and communicate with your clients. You’ll be able to easily share and access information from a secure platform your clients will love
- Real-Time Reporting & Instant Messaging - Monitor your clients' tax all year round, flag problems and offer advice when it matters most. You’ll be able to quickly answer questions, improve collaboration, and get the information you need in real-time
Jake Sewell, Business Development Manager, TaxTank
Nicole Kelly, Director, TaxTank
Nov 1614:10
Conference pass
Voluntary Administration – An Effective Way To Resuscitate A Business
Practice Management
Business can be tough and change is inevitable. But what happens if an otherwise viable business follows the wrong path? Or is victim to an extraordinary loss? Sometimes the ground can fall away underneath your feet due to competition, technology advances or regulatory reform. As trusted advisers to business, how do you help your clients through the tough times?
- Discover when voluntary administration is the right option
- Understand the pros and cons of a voluntary administration
- Find out the costs of a voluntary administration (financial and non-financial)
Andrew Spring, Partner, Jirsch Sutherland Services
Nov 1614:10
Conference pass
The Honest Truth About Advisory – How To Build A Genuine Business Advisory Service
Business Advisory
Would you be confident enough to charge your full fee only after your clients hit their financial targets? Forget the theory; take a peek inside a highly profitable advisory business. Learn how to build a 12-month growth strategy for clients where you are committed to their success – and share handsomely in the rewards.
- Discover the mindset shift required to deliver business advisory
- Understand the level of investment in time and operational efficiencies to open this new revenue stream
- Hear how you can introduce business advisory as a high-impact, high-margin activity
Aidan Parsons, Partner, The Outperformer
Nov 1614:10
Conference pass
Technology Is The Gateway To A Future Focused Practice
Automation & Analytics
The accountancy industry is evolving fast – increasing client demands, shorter turnaround times for jobs, the need for staff to spread themselves across multiple disciplines. Practice owners need to adopt a future-first mindset to see their businesses thrive, remain competitive and maintain a healthy work/life balance.
- Learn how to adapt and capitalise on this evolution
- Find out how new technology can make it easier to manage business finances and compliance
- Understand how to position your firm so you can ride out whatever changes the industry throws your way
Sam Allert, Chief Executive Officer, Reckon
Nov 1614:10
Conference pass
How To Open Up Microsoft Teams To Your Clients - Without Breaching Security
CIO Summit
Nearly every large firm is trying out Microsoft Teams to replace internal email. Yet this is only the beginning. Smaller firms have shown that adding clients to chat applications (Slack or Teams) can greatly improve staff efficiency and customer experience. Large firms can’t see past the risk of opening up chat communications to external parties – but the rewards are enormous.
- Find out why chat is a far more effective form of communication for quick requests to or from clients
- Discover why clients love chat and see it as a superior experience
- Learn how you to run a trial with clients on chat
Nov 1614:10
Conference pass
Innovation And Your Clients’ Data: How Open Banking Changes The Game
Intuit QuickBooks
Starting with the big four, banks will gradually give businesses access to their own product data, customer data, transaction data and account data. This data could raise the number of auto-reconciled transactions in accounting software from 70% using bank feeds to 100%. It will also trigger a new level of competition among banks and other financial services.
- Learn how sharing and integrating financial data will change the landscape of advisory with your clients
- Hear how open banking in the UK has created budgeting apps that automatically track and optimise spending
- Find out how you can access clients’ data and what you can do with it
Session led by:
Nov 1614:20
Conference pass
Empowering Your Firm By Creating A Connected Practice
Tech Talks
- What does a connect practice look like?
- The positive impact that a connected practice has on your workflow
- By using BGL, how can you create a connected practice
Adriana Cavallo, Head Of Partnerships, BGL
Nov 1614:40
Conference pass
Getting The Best Out Of NowInfinity
Tech Talks
- How to increase company, trust, SMSF by 30%
- Why your firm needs to go cloud based with corporate compliance
- New cloud based trust register
- How to update your SMSF’s within seconds
Ben Gill, Sales Director, NowInfinity
Nov 1614:50
Conference pass
Maximising Access To The Downsizer Contribution Concession
Tax Today
The downsizer contribution concession can be an extremely valuable option for older Australians to boost superannuation entitlements. It provides an additional $300,000 contributions cap per individual, it is not subject to the ‘work test’ or the $1.6 million total superannuation balance restriction, and can increase the tax-free component of an individual’s accumulation entitlements in their fund.
- Find out who qualifies for making a downsizer contribution
- Learn about the common tips and traps with applying the downsizer contribution concession
- Find out how to use this concession with existing contribution caps in order to maximise the amount contributed into superannuation
James Deliyannis, Senior Taxation Manager, National Tax & Accountants' Association
Nov 1614:50
Conference pass
The Danger Of Ignoring The Move To Progressive Reporting
Tax Today
The ATO’s push for further transparency into SMSFs means that regular fund processing is no longer an option – it’s standard. Two years on from major reforms, administrators who fail to process funds more frequently are living dangerously. Hear two experts unravel the shift to progressive processing and why technology is the core to transforming your SMSF service.
- Learn about compliance reporting requirements and potential pitfalls
- Discover the progressive processing approach to SMSF administration
- SuperMate’s game changing AI introduction
Mark Ellem, Executive Manager, SMSF Technical Services, Super Concepts
Brad Ackermann, Chief Technology Officer, Super Concepts
Nov 1614:50
Conference pass
How To Turn Accounts Payable Into A Profitable, Client-Focused Service
Business Advisory
Paying bills or payroll for clients is a thankless task. Batching payments, fiddling with ABA files and online banking – and doing it all again when the client doesn’t approve in time. But what if it took two minutes to select and send a list of invoices, salaries or any accounts payable item, for approval directly to the manager or business owner?
- Learn how to set up a scalable, highly efficient system for processing bills, salaries, BAS and super
- Find out how to reduce the risk of business email compromise and invoice fraud
- Discover how to reduce the risk in handling clients’ bank details
Dean Martin, Chief Executive Officer, PayVu
Nov 1614:50
Conference pass
How Can Bookkeepers And Accountants Capitalise On The Growing Demand For SMSF Services
Automation & Analytics
Accounting firms are usually either stretched to capacity or using expensive resources to do SMSF bookkeeping services in-house. Or they have decided to outsource it altogether. The reality is that providing SMSF services is a valuable and achievable opportunity for accountants and bookkeepers. Find out how the two can work together for mutual benefit and capitalise on this growing area.
- Find out how to build a successful A2B (accountant to bookkeeper) or B2A partnership
- Understand the different solutions available for SMSF services
- Discover why diversifying into SMSF is valuable for both accountant and bookkeeper
Daniel Tramontana, Chief Operating Officer, BGL
Lielette Calleja, Director, All That Counts
Nov 1614:50
Conference pass
Beyond COVID: Australia’s Economic Outlook
CIO Summit
The necessary health response to the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant economic impact. The lockdown of parts of the economy has pushed Australia into recession and triggered a sharp jump in unemployment and underemployment. The policy response by the Federal Government and the RBA has been unprecedented, acting to soften the economic blow considerably.But the job is not finished. The economy will likely require considerable help for a number of years if the negative economic and social consequencesof elevated unemployment are not to be compounded.This session will:
- Consider the economic consequences of the pandemic;
- Examine the policy response; and
- Plot the possible course for the economy as it emerges from lockdown.
David Plank, Head of Australian Economics, ANZ Research
Nov 1615:00
Conference pass
Real Life Stories From The Frontline Of Cyber Crime
Tech Talks
- Real life examples of accounting firms that got breached
- Why hackers don’t hack anymore: they log in
- Simple steps to secure your data & stay trusted
Jamie Beresford, Chief Executive Officer, Practice Protect
Nov 1615:20
Conference pass
Culture - How The Small And Medium Firms Can Compete With The Big 4 In A Real Way!
Tech Talks
- Do all of the talented people want to work for the Big 4? Or do they work for those firms that have been around forever? The truth is that it doesn’t matter.
- Talented people will work for firms that offer them the best culture. And they will stay
- Think about recruitment from a new, but very real perspective. We look at the environment, the software and the psychology of recruiting (and retaining) the best people
- How you do things can have an impact on your recruitment today, but this will become absolutely critical in the very near future
Tom Port, Vice President of Sales, AutoEntry
Nov 1615:30
Conference pass
How To Build A Firm Of The Future – Industry Report
Practice Management
Accountants face rapid change on a daily basis due to new technologies, a complex regulatory environment, shifting business needs and an increasingly engaged public. CPA Australia’s “My Firm. My Future” is a landmark report which uses industry data and qualitative and quantitative research to provide practical insights on building a sustainable practice for the future.
- Find out how to set your firm up for the future based on research findings
- Discover how to leverage technology to build a smarter business
- Understand the value in technology and the role it can play in your practice
Keddie Waller, Head Of Public Practice, CPA Australia
Nov 1615:30
Conference pass
Don’t Become Your Clients’ Black Economy Scapegoat
Progressive Bookkeeping
The Tax Office’s Black Economy Taskforce is turning the heat up on industries that hide billions of dollars in taxpayer revenue. Mobile Strike Teams are targeting clients and also their tax and BAS Agents. What are the Mobile Strike Teams looking for? How can you avoid being drawn into the vortex by your clients’ behaviour?
- Understand how Mobile Strike Teams operate
- Know the preventative steps BAS Agents can take to protect clients and themselves
- Find out the steps you can take to avoid becoming a black economy statistic
Peter Thorp, Director, Australian Bookkeepers Network
Nov 1615:30
Conference pass
What Works And What Doesn't: How I Teach My Accountants To Be Advisers
Business Advisory
One of the hardest problems facing firms today is how to train accountants to handle higher level advisory work. It’s a mix of soft skills, practical knowledge and processes; but can you really buy this stuff off the shelf? Hear a warts-and-all journey of how one firm increased the value of services and fees charged by retraining existing staff.
- What should advisory look like in your business? See one list of options
- Discover how to make advisory a part of your business and culture
- Templates, steps and information – get the structure that accountants want
Amanda Kenafake, Chief Executive Officer, Power Tynan
Nov 1615:30
Conference pass
Outsourcing vs Automation For SMSF: What Is The Most Efficient Solution For Your Firm?
Automation & Analytics
It’s a classic argument about any service in a firm today – should you automate it or outsource it? Or both? SMSF processing is a paper-heavy, manual and repetitive compliance process. Walk through three scenarios and hear how firms increased efficiency while maintaining control, transparency and quality over their SMSF service.
- Understand which solution best aligns to your firm's strategy
- Learn about the benefits and pitfalls of outsourcing versus automation
- Find out where technology can improve workflow and efficiency in your SMSF workflow
Clint Estavilla, Head of SMSF Sorted, Cloudoffis
Nov 1615:30
Conference pass
Practice Management Is For Billing a Client. A CRM Is For Knowing Them
CIO Summit
Firms often mistake practice management for CRM – after all, it does come with a client database. The problem is that practice software is built to improve internal productivity. It isn’t designed to assist you in knowing, helping and growing your clients. The move to the cloud is giving firms more options for improving client engagement and revenue.
- Learn about the new crop of enterprise-grade CRMs customised for larger firms
- Find out how firms can use CRMs to identify which clients are likely to buy more services
- Discover the benefits of a CRM for event management, email marketing and succession planning
Alan FitzGerald, Boss, Practice Connections Advisory
Nov 1616:00
Conference pass
Where To From Here For The Australian Economy?
Keynotes
What a year! 2020 heralded a global pandemic and consequently Australia’s first recession in 29 years. Where does this leave the economy now, and what can we expect to see in 2021 and beyond?
Jeremy Thorpe, Partner and Chief Economist, PwC
Nov 1616:30
Conference pass
The Role Of The Accountant In Shaping The Modern Business Of 2020
Keynotes
A discussion between Australia's fastest growing Fintech and an established giant of SME business technology. Airwallex and Xero will discuss the concept of the modern business and the importance of thinking and acting globally for customers, suppliers and employees.
- Find out how SMEs are using technology to compete with big business and how their accounting partners are supporting them
- Hear how Airwallex became the fastest unicorn in Australian history and how startups can supercharge their growth
- Learn how to identify opportunities to save time and money with automating, offshoring and innovating
Neil Luo, Head of Growth, Airwallex
Ian Boyd, Financial Industry Director AU/NZ, Xero
Create your personal agenda –check the favourite icon
Nov 1709:00
Conference pass
CFO’s Story: How To Manage A $13 Billion Company In Growth Mode
Keynotes
What’s on the plate of a CFO of a $13 billion company that is experiencing rapid growth? Mirvac’s assets under management nearly doubled to $23 billion in five years and are on track to hit $32 billion by 2024. How do you scale up an organisation to handle that growth and avoid inefficiency?
- Discover the technology trends that are changing the skillset needed in the finance team
- Find out why employee engagement is such a critical metric to supporting high growth
- Get tips on how to create a high-performing culture
Shane Gannon, Chief Financial Officer, Mirvac Group
Kylie Parker, Director, Lotus Accountants
Nov 1709:30
Conference pass
Why Everyone Will Move to Real-Time Audits, and When
Keynotes
The basics of carrying out an audit haven’t changed for centuries. The tectonic shifts in technology are giving rise to new ways of thinking that could see sampling dumped for real-time audits of every single transaction – even if a SME sells thousands of items a day.
- Discover how changes access to banking data will give accountants much more power
- Learn about the potential new models for audit and when they are likely to emerge
- Find out how firms can redesign their audit teams and create radical new services
Gavin Whyte, Principal And Chief Data Scientist And Honorary Adjunct Fellow Of The University Of Technology Sydney, Whyte Consulting
Nov 1710:00
Conference pass
Innovating By Systems – How An E-Commerce Giant Goes Global
Keynotes
Ecommerce giant Carsales.com.au is a household name for cars, motorcycles and marine classifieds. But it’s not just in Australian households. The $4.5 billion ASXer operates across the Asia Pacific and has interests in Brazil, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Mexico.
- Understand how systems are critical to hitting operational and financial metrics
- Discover how operations and finance teams work together
- Find out how to innovate quickly within the constraints of ASX regulations
Interviewee: Tanya Drerup, General Manager, Corporate Systems, Carsales.com.au
Interviewer: Sholto Macpherson, Editor, Digitalfirst.com
Nov 1710:50
Conference pass
How Small And Medium Firms Can Outperform The Big 4 – With Culture
Practice Management
Does every talented accounting professional want to work for the Big 4? Or do they work for firms that have been around forever? The truth is that a firm’s brand is becoming less important when it comes to recruitment and retention. Talented people will work for firms that offer them the best culture. And they will stay.
- Understand the environment, software and psychology of recruiting (and retaining) the best people
- Find out why recruitment will become absolutely critical to your firm’s performance in the very near future
- Get practical ideas for creating a culture that supports staff and why concepts such as hotdesking have fallen from favour
Tom Port, Vice President of Sales, AutoEntry
Nov 1710:50
Conference pass
MYOB Practice – New Heights In Compliance
Practice Management
MYOB has built the most efficient compliance solution in the market. Discover how a solution developed in close consultation with accountants and bookkeepers can give you easy access to the information you need when you need it and create huge opportunity to increase your revenue.
- Discover how to save time collecting data, preparing, doing and reviewing work
- Uncover opportunities to drive new efficiencies through your practice
- Streamline your compliance workflow like never before
Leigh Gatherer, Connected Practice Consultant, MYOB
Nov 1710:50
Conference pass
Your Survival Strategy: Facing Up To Two Years With Out Revenue And How To Come Out On The Other Side
Business Advisory
Adam Campbell, Chief Financial Officer, Flight Centre Travel Group
Nov 1710:50
Conference pass
Solving App Overload: How To Select And Streamline Your Tech Stack
Automation & Analytics
Small firms never had so much choice – literally dozens of apps can improve some aspect of your operations. But all those monthly subscriptions can add up; you spend too much time connecting multiple databases; your staff now train on too many interfaces. Sometimes less is more when it comes to software.
- Learn how to map out your tech stack and data flows
- Understand the pros and cons of collaborative evaluation
- Get a Comparison Matrix template
MC Carter, Director, Practice Paradox
Nov 1710:50
Conference pass
Reach A Higher Level Of Financial Intelligence With Automated Reporting In Excel
CFO Summit
New regulations and technology advancements have shouldered CFOs with increased responsibility for data analysis and business models. The move to financial storytelling gives leadership the information they need to make more informed decisions and reach a higher level of financial intelligence.
- See how finance-owned solutions enable fast, accurate reporting, forecasting, planning and close directly from your core financial systems
- Why the right data matters and how to get it in real time from your systems in a few clicks
- How we have helped thousands of customers save hundreds of hours each year on reporting and provided them with more time for analysis
Shirley Riddick, Director - Pacific, insightsoftware
Nov 1710:50
Conference pass
9 Steps To Offering A Complete App Advisory Service
Intuit QuickBooks
Clients want to know what apps to use with their accounting software, but few firms know how to recommend them. One approach is to learn about as many apps as you can – but with 6,000 applications in the QuickBooks ecosystem this is impossible.This presentation will look at a methodology firms can use for undertaking app advisory and cover some of the most common traps that firms can fall into."""
- Discover the skills firms need for app advisory: analytic skills, accounting knowledge, professional networks
- Find out how to ask the right questions before deciding on a solution
- Learn how to analyse a business, understand its processes and common constraints
Nov 1711:00
Conference pass
Major Changes To ATO Correspondence Delivery
Tech Talks
- TheATO document system changes you will need to make
- Getting the security right when delivering ATO documents
- See an NOA processed in less than 10 seconds using AI and Machine learning
Ron Drost, Chief Executive Officer, ATO SmartDocs
Nov 1711:20
Conference pass
Has Your Business Adapted Well In 2020 And Beyond? When Is It The Right Time To Move To NetSuite?
Tech Talks
- How many current systems are you operating?
- Too many spreadsheets?
- Too much administration? Are you duplicating information with a lot of copying and pasting?
Steve Paea, Sales Manager, Liberate I.T. Limited
Nov 1711:30
Conference pass
Why You Shouldn't Use VLookup, And Other Excel Power Tips
Practice Management
People think that Vlookup is a great tool but it’s better not to use it. There are plenty of ways to screw up formulas with Vlookup especially when wanting to insert columns within the database. Upgrade your Excel skills with index/match, arbitrary lookups, user-defined formulae and other essential features.
- See examples of the problems that arise with Vlookup
- Discover why altering a database to get information can introduce errors
- Learn about new functions that most people don’t know exist (XLOOKUP)
André Croteau, Microsoft Excel Expert, Milandre Accounting Services
Nov 1711:30
Conference pass
A Synergy Of Peers: The Best Approach To Collaborating With Accountants
Progressive Bookkeeping
Why do bookkeepers always end up playing second string to the accountant? Especially when they are even closer and know more about the client’s business? Reframe your role as equal in value to the accountant – in the accountant’s eyes, as well as the client’s. Then it becomes much easier to charge what you're really worth.
- Find out why collaboration never works without mutual respect
- Learn how to explain your value and find accountants who will listen
- Discover how your pricing is tied to your client’s perception of your value
Cassandra Scott, Director, Laurus Bookkeeping
Nov 1711:30
Conference pass
Why Microsoft Could Replace Your App Stack
Business Advisory
The latest incarnation of Microsoft Office has a toolset far greater than Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Microsoft has added an array of add-ons that are of instant benefit to accounting firms of any size. And these low-cost tools could replace the hodgepodge of expensive apps you currently use.
- See an ROI shootout between a typical cloud app stack vs Office alternatives
- Understand the different Office 365 plans and what you get with each
- Find out which practice apps firms have already replaced with Microsoft equivalents
Alan FitzGerald, Boss, Practice Connections Advisory
Nov 1711:30
Conference pass
Taking back control of your firm’s internal reporting
Automation & Analytics
Do you want immediate solutions to get your internal reporting back on track? This will be relevant for firms using (or consideringusing) Xero Practice Manager.Welcome to the world of BI - You'll see how you can retain staff profitability, efficiency and job reporting with an out of the box model. Easy and simple to use and implement.Learn about:
- How to integrate Xero Practice Manager and Microsoft PowerBI
- Best practice reporting methodology with Xero Practice Manager (XPM) for your firm
- How to build meaningful staff profitability reports with XPM & Microsoft PowerBI
- Gamifying the professional services – checking out how you can have firm-wide leader boards – checking “Have you done your timesheets?”
- Using Job Categories to track different services inside your firm
Cameron Lynch-Etani, Founder, Etani Business Platform
Nov 1711:30
Conference pass
CFO’s Story: How To Reinvent Your Back Office In A $160m Business
CFO Summit
It’s a common scenario – lean, well-performing mid-size companies are serviced by a back office drowning in paper remittances. The finance team often misses out on cool technology and productivity improvements because it’s not driving revenue. But digitising your back office can make a huge difference to the speed and confidence of decision-making.
- Hear how one CFO removed hours of labour from the finance team by removing paper
- Find out why Excel supports 80% of the work in the financial month end, and how to tame it
- Understand how APIs in your finance platform can dramatically improve customer engagement and AR
Interviewee: Cheryl Richardson, Chief Financial Officer, DFP Recruitment Services
Interviewer: Sholto Macpherson, Editor, Digitalfirst.com
Nov 1711:30
Conference pass
Tax In The Cloud: How Pre-Fill Forms Radically Improve Productivity
Intuit QuickBooks
The biggest advantage of moving to a cloud-based tax program is the amount of data that you can pre-fill from the ATO or your client’s accounting software. This can save a huge amount of time on each return – and reduce errors. Find out how pre-filled data and automated workflows reinvents the tax return process.
- Learn how to pre-fill data into the right labels for QuickBooks, Xero and all versions of MYOB
- Understand where you save time on your current compliance workflow
- Find out how to test cloud-based tax systems alongside your current system
Session led by:
Nov 1711:40
Conference pass
How To Get Your Audit Done Smoothly
Tech Talks
- Record keeping and providing supporting documentation
- Working with your auditor
- Response to technical queries
Wafaa Said, SMSF Auditor, Probe SMSF Audits
Nov 1712:00
Conference pass
ATOmate: The Ultimate ATO Document Automation
Tech Talks
- Discover how easy it is to automate the processing of ATO documents
- Discover how to cut administration time by 90% so you can focus on your customer and client
- Find out how to get your team to love you for automating time consuming tasks
Stan Corner, CEO, Business Automation Works
Nov 1712:10
Conference pass
How To Build A Firm Of The Future – Industry Report
Practice Management
Accountants face rapid change on a daily basis due to new technologies, a complex regulatory environment, shifting business needs and an increasingly engaged public. CPA Australia’s “My Firm. My Future” is a landmark report which uses industry data and qualitative and quantitative research to provide practical insights on building a sustainable practice for the future.
- Find out how to set your firm up for the future based on research findings
- Discover how to leverage technology to build a smarter business
- Understand the value in technology and the role it can play in your practice
Keddie Waller, Head Of Public Practice, CPA Australia
Nov 1712:10
Conference pass
Why Outsourcing Solves Your Succession Problem
Practice Management
Everyone used to think that outsourcing would mean fewer local jobs – now it’s clear it has the opposite effect. Counterintuitively, most firms with outsourced teams end up hiring bigger local teams because they have more capacity for new clients. It also gives your junior staff more time to learn soft skills from partners, and move into business advice.
- Learn how to map out a plan for succession
- Find out how you can build a people strategy for your firm
- Identify the types of tasks for the right roles
Nick Sinclair, Chairman & Founder, The Outsourced Accountant
Nov 1712:10
Conference pass
Making The Best of a Bad Situation – Options For Clients In Distress
Business Advisory
Creditors mounting, ATO arrears or fintech debts? Impending insolvency? Every client’s circumstances are different. Is just appointing a liquidator the answer? Your client needs a well-developed insolvency strategy. The outcome could save your client’s future. Presented in a case study format you will see first-hand the enormous benefits that can be obtained.
- Discover the most common early warning signs of a business in trouble
- Learn new ways to help clients in financial distress
- Understand the costs of inaction
Hank de Jonge, Executive Director, de Jonge Read
Nov 1712:10
Conference pass
Why You Need More Than A Reporting Tool To Optimise Compliance And Grow Your Practice
Automation & Analytics
Have you tried delivering business advisory using small business reporting tools? How does workflow and automation achieve efficiencies in compliance and practice management? You will have discovered it takes a little more grunt to say something useful. The real gold in strategic advice requires information from operational software and external data sources as well as the accounting file. Hear about a different take to delivering proactive advisory services that scales.
- Discover the power of instant access to data and insights to make data driven decisions
- Learn how to provide timely insights and report packs to clients instantly
- Find out how to update your clients and colleagues with alerts and automated reports
Bruce Minty, Product Marketing Manager, Sage
Nov 1712:10
Conference pass
Sick Of Slow Loading Screens? Tips For Selecting The Best Internet Connection For Your Business
CFO Summit
Every modern business these days is dependent on reliable internet connection because they use cloud software and Google search. Without it, staff can’t access information about customers, check inventory, or process sales. The internet is now a mission critical service, yet many put their faith in consumer NBN services because they don’t realise there are business-grade options.
- Understand the difference between consumer NBN services and business grade NBN services
- Discover solutions and tools to improve the productivity of your firm
Brendan Donohoe, Executive General Manager Business Sales, NBN Co
Elizabeth Aris, Chief Executive Officer, TasmaNet
Nov 1712:10
Conference pass
Wage Watch: Major Employee Award Changes In 2020
Intuit QuickBooks
Investigations into wage theft in franchises and hospitality have triggered a new round of changes to Federal, State-based, and award-based legislation. Updates to how you record working hours, how super is calculated and record-keeping mean that staying compliant is even more challenging under the strict employee award system.
- Find out how to stop your falling foul of the emerging wage theft and underpayment trend
- Understand how overtime is now calculated and what records need to be kept
- Learn about the changes to super payments for employees that salary sacrifice
Session led by:
Nov 1712:20
Conference pass
How HR Tech Helps You Avoid People Management Headaches And ‘Wage Theft’ Scandals
Tech Talks
People management headaches can be damaging to your business. They can also be costly and time-consuming to resolve. ‘Wage theft’ scandals can also be very-expensive and damaging to your brand.
- Discover how HR tech can help you manage people and compliance more effectively,
- See how HR tech can help you manage mandatory employee records more efficiently,
- Learn how HR tech can reduce people management stress and save you time & money!
Sean Wilson, Chief Executive Officer, Workforce Guardian
Nov 1712:40
Conference pass
How NETSTOCK Inventory Optimisation Can Help Transform Businesses
Tech Talks
- Free up cash and improve the balance sheet
- Increase sales
- Improve planning and replenishment efficiency
Andrew Hiscox, Chief Executive Officer, NETSTOCK
Nov 1712:50
Conference pass
Forget Making Partner. Your Best Staff Want Impact
Practice Management
The drive to diversify into advisory services is often about the benefits in fees, margins and team capacity. But this misses the mark. Your best staff aren’t in it to make partner, they want to make a difference in someone's life. When we focus on impact we’re speaking the language of our talent and our future leaders.
- Find out how an impact-led approach helps clients appreciate the value of advisory
- Discover how to reframe your services in terms of customer experience
- Learn about better ways of planning for succession in your firm
Shaye Thyer, Director, BDODrive
Nov 1712:50
Conference pass
Not Licensed For SMSF Advice? Here's What You Can Say And What You Can't
Practice Management
Are you wondering exactly what you can say when talking about superannuation? About making contributions, payments out of superannuation, setting up and closing a self-managed super fund? The majority of accountants didn’t get licenses to provide advice on super. But there are still many conversations you can have to pass superannuation information onto clients.
- Understand the difference between accountants who held a licence before 1 January 2019, and those without
- Learn about what you can still say even when not licensed and what crosses the line
- Know the options still available for your business in superannuation financial advice
David Moss, Accountants Services Director, Easton Wealth
Nov 1712:50
Conference pass
Solving The Growth Problem – The Solution May Surprise You
Business Advisory
One of the most difficult issues facing the accounting industry today is how to continue to grow in the face of increased competition, rising costs and the apparent commoditisation of compliance. How do you juggle the doing and the growing? Is compliance really dead? Is advisory the answer? Hear some real world experience from a firm that has a history of high organic growth and won the 2019 Australian Boutique Firm of The Year.
- Why the accounting industry has a growth problem
- How to focus on the factors that systematically drive growth
- How to improve client retention and referrals
Alistair Dent, Managing Director, Quantum Advisory
Nov 1712:50
Conference pass
Best Tool For Cash Flow? Hear One CFO’s Top Picks
Automation & Analytics
Cash flow forecasting is a critical tool in business but one that remains frustratingly manual for many businesses and accountants. Despite a proliferation of reporting apps, it often feels like a toss-up between automation, flexibility and price. Find out how the alternative solutions compare and the types of scenarios that have a clear winner.
- Get an independent perspective from a heavy user of cash flow forecasting
- Hear the pros and cons for the most popular tools
- Learn how to find the best compromise of flexibility versus automation
Sarah Lawrance, Founder, Hot Toast
Nov 1712:50
Conference pass
AI For SMEs? What It Means For The CFO & Finance Teams
CFO Summit
AI is often portrayed by robots taking over the world, disconnected from the real world of customers, spreadsheets and numbers. In this session, we’ll share customer stories adopting AI for analytics in moderation today, and how a simple use case using your finance data, positions you competitively for the future.
- Discover what AI is (and isn’t)
- Learn how to run a successful AI initiative and not waste time or money, and how this can start with something as simple as your finance data
- Have better appreciation for collaborative intelligence: people and AI joining forces, re-imagining your business today
Chelsea Wise, Marketing Director, Hyper Anna
Nov 1712:50
Conference pass
How Do You Get Over Your Fear Of Business Development?
Intuit QuickBooks
Everyone hates “being sold to” – and that naturally turns into a fear of making your own sales. You don’t want to be “that person”. But if you believe in the quality of your work, and you have satisfied customers, then providing services to others is helping them run their own business.
- Learn how to reframe sales as helping potential clients – for their benefit, as much as your own
- Find out how to scale your practice through business development and marketing
- Discover the easiest way to bring up what you do in conversations with prospects
Session led by:
Nov 1713:00
Conference pass
How To Get The Most Out Of Class’ Time Saving Features
Tech Talks
- Reduce your annual SMSF administration processing time down to 1-3 hours per fund per year through automation
- Administer up to 250 SMSFs and process tax statements in just a few clicks
- Simplify complex corporate actions with bulk processing across multiple funds
Tom Eustice, Cloud Solutions Manager, Class
Matthew Bambrick, Cloud Solutions Manager, Class
Nov 1713:30
Conference pass
How To Build An Intelligent Practice
Practice Management
Working in accounting and tax can be overwhelming. Keeping up with case law, legislative changes, ATO rulings and announcements and macro-economic events on top of a heavy workload is nearly impossible. Emerging technologies can manage this burden by transforming the way we work. Find out how to escape repetitive processes and focus on selling intelligent insights instead.
- Discover how to mine your existing client database for new business opportunities
- Learn how to demonstrate value to clients when compliance services are becoming commoditised
- Find out how to move away from retrospective compliance to proactive advisory work
Ben Miller, Senior Writer CCH IQ, Wolters Kluwer
Nov 1713:30
Conference pass
Refresh Your Vision By Becoming Your Own Customer And Listening To Others
Practice Management
Today, portfolios are becoming so diverse – you can invest in Uber drivers, vending machines and desks as well as residential and commercial property. These unconventional portfolios can generate large volumes of transactions – and a lot of reconciliation errors in Xero and QuickBooks. A single-platform approach can reduce the time it takes to manage client assets.
- Find out how to increase data quality (and reduce your workload) by sending journals to Xero rather than transactions
- Discover when it is better to reconcile transactions outside Xero or QuickBooks
- Learn how to reduce discrepancies, and eliminate frustration and blame with clients
Marc Trup, Co-Founder & CEO, Arthur Online
Nov 1713:30
Conference pass
Sex, Lies And Revolution - Stop Talking Price. Start Talking Value
People & Culture
Want to know how to offer and sell advisory services to your public practice clients on a consistent and ongoing basis? You need to stop talking price and start talking value. Join Lynda for this energetic, lively and thought provoking topic about how to get clients who value what you do and will happily pay for it.
- Find out why you should talk about Coaching
- Understand why advisory is not the answer and how to do something about it
- Walk away with a free copy of Accounting Revolution: How to Instantly Connect With Your Clients In a Way That Makes You Money
Lynda Steffens, Founder, The Small Business Project
Nov 1713:30
Conference pass
Analysis: Treasury Review Of The Tax Practitioners Board And Tax Agent Services Act
Automation & Analytics
Treasury has completed a sweeping review (with government announcement re changes pending) into the effectiveness of the TPB and the operation of the Tax Agent Services Act. The review has huge implications for tax and BAS agents – CPE, the Code of Conduct, registration requirements including qualifications, sanctions and safe harbour are all on the table, as is the TPB’s own governance.
- Learn about the key recommendations for TASA/TPB reform
- Understand how these changes will affect you
- Will the tax profession be better off for the Review?
Peter Thorp, Director, Australian Bookkeepers Network
Nov 1713:30
Conference pass
The Transformative Power Of SaaS For the Mid-Market – An Insider’s Guide
CFO Summit
Unilever, Stuart Alexander and Seven Miles Coffee Roasters have run transformation projects that implemented SaaS across functional silos such as CRM, ERP, HCM and SCM. Hear a CFO’s first-hand account of these projects and how a SaaS strategy gives you modern best practice and the latest in technology innovation.
- Go beyond the buzzwords to discover how SaaS really helps midsize companies to ‘digitally transform’
- Identify the opportunities and potential pitfalls with SaaS solutions
- Hear real world examples of companies large and small that are using SaaS to break the upgrade cycle
James Burt, Director, Officer of Finance ANZ, Oracle
Nov 1713:30
Conference pass
Workflow Tips To Stop Jobs Slipping Through The Cracks
Intuit QuickBooks
Workflow automation, design thinking, integrated databases. The latest ideas for practice management can have a huge impact on simplifying your workflows, reducing the time it takes to complete core business activities. Learn how to keep on top of the right jobs at the right time, and improve the consistency and quality of your work.
- Hear practical examples of how firms have improved their workflows
- Discover how to rethink workflows and how they differ between single-partner firms and multi-partner firms
- Find out how auto-summaries and pre-filling forms will increase efficiency
Session led by:
Nov 1713:40
Conference pass
Reporting Can Be Tedious And Time Consuming. Come Along And See How insightsoftware’s Excel-Based Reporting Solutions Can Help You
Tech Talks
- Easily create fast, real-time financial and operational reports
- Drill-down down to transactional and invoice details
- Low cost and quick to install
Session led by: 
Nov 1714:00
Conference pass
The Big Bang Theory (The Evolution Of Audit Insurance)
Tech Talks
- Avoid having that awkward conversation with your client if they are ever audited by the ATO
- In this post royal commission era, we make sure our solution keeps you compliant with ASIC and the Privacy Act
- You, the Accountant get ultimate flexibility around how you promote this to your clients
Chris Ristevski, Partner Acquisition Manager, Guild Insurance
Nov 1714:10
Conference pass
Improving Your Business One Project At A Time
Practice Management
Somewhere you have stashed a list of ideas to grow and optimise your business that only gets longer. It’s time to bite the bullet – remembering that the likelihood of success is higher if you tackle that list one project at a time. Find out how to pick a project with the biggest financial impact, and then strategically plan and implement it.
- Hear how two firms successfully planned and launched new services
- Find out about the "hustle factor" and why it matters
- Learn how to get your team to own projects and care about business performance
Sharon McClafferty, Chief Executive Officer, Slipstream Coaching
Nov 1714:10
Conference pass
How Valuing Yourself Can Improve Your Business And Your Mental Health
People & Culture
The value you place upon yourself is the only type of worth you can control. As a business owner every day we need to value ourselves, our services and our teams. There is a fear we will get it wrong. Understanding our value and clearly communicating this to clients sets us up for success.
- Understand what it is to value yourself and the services your provide
- Learn how to communicate your value to clients
- Discover the best way to set yourself up for success when onboarding a new client
Tim Hoopmann, Founder, Spinn Business Solutions
Nov 1714:10
Conference pass
How To Pick A Good One: Tips On Partnering With A Financial Planning Firm
Automation & Analytics
In the wake of the royal commission into the financial services industry, it’s more important than ever to make sure you choose your partners wisely. Financial planners can give clients a broader range of options and give you referral revenue – without the risks of working in the financial advice sector. But how do you partner with a FOFA compliant financial planner?
- Learn how to spot the warning signals and avoid the dangers of commission-driven advisers
- Discover the types of compensation arrangements
- Understand what a successful financial planning partner relationship looks like
David Silberstein, COO, Cooee Wealth
Nov 1714:10
Conference pass
Falling Prices: How ERP Is Targeting Xero And Inventory Apps
CFO Summit
When is the right time to move to ERP? Cloud ERPs are lowering their prices and introducing rapid implementation programs to make it easier for SMEs to move up to ERP. But inventory apps such as Dear, Unleashed, Cin7 and TradeGecko are becoming more powerful, extending the life of cloud accounting software.
- Find out how to evaluate complex software for your business
- Learn about the strengths and weaknesses between ERP and inventory apps
- Understand the limitations of accounting software and the implementation costs of ERP
Moderator: Inbal Rodnay Steinberg, Director, Digital First
Robert Jurcec, NetSuite Architect & Owner, OneKloudX
Taminda Polle, Director, Transmogrify
Nov 1714:10
Conference pass
Innovation And Your Clients’ Data: How Open Banking Changes The Game
Intuit QuickBooks
Starting with the big four, banks will gradually give businesses access to their own product data, customer data, transaction data and account data. This data could raise the number of auto-reconciled transactions in accounting software from 70% using bank feeds to 100%. It will also trigger a new level of competition among banks and other financial services.
- Learn how sharing and integrating financial data will change the landscape of advisory with your clients
- Hear how open banking in the UK has created budgeting apps that automatically track and optimise spending
- Find out how you can access clients’ data and what you can do with it
Session led by:
Nov 1714:40
Conference pass
Topic: Unlocking The Power Of Your Firm's Data
Tech Talks
- How does current real time data affect your workflow & planning
- How your client engagement can improve by embracing data
- How to make data driven decisions by using BGL
Daniel Tramontana, Chief Operating Officer, BGL
Nov 1714:50
Conference pass
The Future Of Advice: How To Position Yourself To Become An Expert Adviser
Practice Management
The work of advisers is becoming increasingly complicated, driven by the globalisation of financial markets, ever-more sophisticated financial products and low interest rates. Consumers are also looking for socially and environmentally responsible investment opportunities. New research from Deloitte Access Economics reveals how accountants can help Australians and New Zealanders overcome their challenges by meeting people’s changing financial needs.
- Understand the definition of advice and the different types of advice in relation to changing needs
- Learn about the trends in advice such as demographic preferences and differences, technology and regulatory environment
- Discover what the future of advice looks like
Geraldine Magarey, Leader, Research and Thought Leadership, Chartered Accountants ANZ
Nov 1714:50
Conference pass
The Revolution Continues: The Next Chapter In The ATO’s Correspondence Roadmap
Practice Management
The biggest change in 30 years in ATO document delivery has already hit – and the ATO has another lot of changes in the pipeline. Practices need to implement five key changes to their processes for handling Notices of Assessment and stay compliant with privacy and security guidelines.
- Discover the fastest way to process, check and file NOAs and deliver to your client
- Learn how you can apply the latest in machine learning and robotics to ATO documentation
- Get some tips for developing a solid digital delivery strategy
Ron Drost, Chief Executive Officer, ATO SmartDocs
Nov 1714:50
Conference pass
Productivity Tips For Your Firm's Power Users In Xero
Automation & Analytics
Did you know that you can sync data from multiple Xero files to tabs within the one spreadsheet? And that not only will the data refresh automatically monthly, daily, or even hourly – but that you can push changes into Xero from the spreadsheet? Google Sheet can do things that Excel just can’t. Hear how one power user uses integrations with Google Sheets to automate large chunks of her bookkeeping practice.
- Find out how to monitor payroll, P&L or transactions from multiple Xero files in one Google Sheet
- Discover a rock-solid way to track intercompany loan transactions and reconciliations
- Learn about the features in Sheets that you don’t get in Excel
Anita Da Encarnacao, Head Honcho, Bookstar
Nov 1714:50
Conference pass
Digital Transformation, Organisational Agility And Revenue: Making The Connection
CFO Summit
Everyone seems to have a digital transformation project these days. How do you ensure that it has the right impact on business? The latest research shows a strong correlation between revenue growth and organizational agility. The right culture can shift digital transformation from a one-time event to an ongoing, new way of operating.
- Learn about the behaviours that help businesses drive revenue growth
- Discover how the work, the workforce and the workplace are changing
- Understand why companies are blending third party and operational data together with financial, HR and planning in one place, in real time
Steve Skinner, CFO, Advisory Practice, ANZ, Workday
Nov 1715:30
Conference pass
How To Deal With The ATO
Tax Today
What do you do when the ATO comes knocking on your client’s door? High wealth individuals and SMEs – often your best clients – are the most likely targets. Learn the best way to handle an audit based on the inside knowledge of a 40-year ATO veteran and former Deputy Commissioner.
- Find out how to ensure your clients receive a fair go during an audit
- Understand the mindset of ATO officials and what they are looking for
- Discover how to present the best possible face to increase the chance of a successful, quick outcome
Michael Cranston, Director, Partner Waterhouse Lawyers
Nov 1715:30
Conference pass
How Can Bookkeepers Maximise Return On Their CPE
Progressive Bookkeeping
If you do the minimum number of CPE hours, you may be short-changing yourself. With rapidly evolving technology and legislation, the need to keep up to date has never been stronger. How do you seek both quantity and quality in professional education? Find out why CPE should be viewed as “maximum amount of quality” rather than “minimum number of hours”.
- Understand the difference between the CPE you have to do and the CPE you should want to do
- Develop a structured approach to your CPE
- Find out the sorts of CPE activities most BAS Agents should be targeting
Moderator: Peter Thorp, Director, Australian Bookkeepers Network
Kerrie Jarius, Director, Brilliant Admin Solutions
Nov 1715:30
Conference pass
Want A Better Firm? Give Your Team The Power To Drive Change Themselves
People & Culture
It’s easy to come back from a conference and tell your team that things are going to change – maybe a new process, tool, or hire. But will they buy into it? Three top firms discuss how giving greater autonomy to staff to find their own solutions and a safe space to test them reaped the best results.
- Understand why some of the best changes can come from juniors on the front line"
- Discover why staff are more likely to adopt new ideas discovered through their own research
- Find out about guidelines for staff including cost-benefit analyses and business cases
Moderator: Alexi Boyd, Panel Moderator, Small Biz Matters
Shaye Thyer, Director, BDODrive
Rebecca Mihalic, Head of Accounting APAC - Practice Ignition, businessDEPOT
Nov 1715:30
Conference pass
Hacking Corporate Australia: Tales From The Field
Automation & Analytics
The job of a penetration tester is to find loopholes in a company’s digital and physical defences. Looking at the world through hacker tinted glasses reveals all the opportunities for compromising security, finding valuable data, and extracting it without tipping off staff. It also helps you understand which solutions really work.
- Hear real-world examples of common pitfalls in networks, applications, premises and people
- Find out which security controls are effective
- Learn how you can reduce your exposure without blowing your budget
Chris Gatford, Co-Founder, Hacktive
Nov 1715:30
Conference pass
Business Intelligence: Why It Will Become An Essential Knowledge Platform For Accountants
CFO Summit
"Business intelligence" is a phrase often associated with complex systems, corporate clients and expensive operators. But BI is going through a phase of affordable democratisation. SMEs want to understand correlations in financial and operational data. They are turning to their accountants to find these commercial insights and to guide decisions based on data.
- Find out what is driving SMEs’ increased interest in BI
- Learn about the main components of BI and how it crosses over with Excel
- Understand the change in skill set required to use BI tools
Francesco Fava, Technical specialist, Modern Workplace, Microsoft
last published: 17/Sep/20 05:35 GMT
Organiser
