ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant's Minute)

Does your SME client have a plan — or are they simply reacting to problems as they arise? In our latest podcast, I explore how Business Planning can help Australian Accountants, Bookkeepers and Business Advisors better understand your SME clients, identify opportunities and build stronger advisory relationships. We look at the Think Tank Meeting, financial forecasting, KPIs and how a Business Plan can become a living document that guides the business throughout the year. You can also access our podcast on: Amazon Music Apple Podcasts Audible Spotify YouTube

PROFIT DOESN'T ALWAYS MEAN CASH An SME can be profitable on paper and still face serious cash flow pressure. In this podcast, I explore where cash can become tied up in a business and how accountants, bookkeepers and business advisors can help SME clients better manage their cash flow. You can also access our podcast on: Amazon Music Apple Podcasts Audible Spotify YouTube

Buying a business can be one of the biggest financial decisions an SME client will make — and accountants, bookkeepers and business advisors can play an important role in helping them make an informed decision. In the latest episode of Accountants Minute Podcast, we explore how you can guide clients through the buying process, including due diligence, debtors and suppliers, working capital, business planning, financial forecasts, premises, employees, competitors and other important considerations before a contract is signed. Discover how a structured Buying a Business Advisory Service can help your clients do their homework while creating an opportunity for your firm to deliver valuable, chargeable Business Advisory Services. You can also access our podcast on: Amazon Music Apple Podcasts Audible Spotify YouTube      

Are your tradie clients charging enough? In this episode, Peter Towers explores how accountants, bookkeepers and business advisors can help tradie clients establish the right charge-out rates to achieve their targeted profit. Discover the key factors that influence charge-out rates, including labour on-costs, productivity, overheads, material markups and profit targets — and why these figures should be regularly reviewed against actual business performance. Learn how this can become a valuable advisory service that helps your tradie clients improve pricing, profitability and financial decision-making. You can also access our podcast on: Amazon Music Apple Podcasts Audible Spotify YouTube

Making the sale is only the beginning. The sale isn't complete until the business gets paid. In this ESS BIZTOOLS podcast, Peter Towers discusses how accountants, bookkeepers and business advisors can help SME clients establish an effective Debtors Management System. Discover the importance of credit assessment, Debtors Days Outstanding (DSO), payment terms, debtor follow-up and structured credit management. Learn more about ESS BIZTOOLS and the SME Debtors Management System: www.essbiztools.com.au You can also access our podcast on: Amazon Music Apple Podcasts Audible Spotify YouTube

Are accounting firms doing enough to support SME clients beyond tax compliance? In this episode, Peter Towers explores why accountants, bookkeepers, and business advisors need to embrace advisory services, predictive accounting, business planning, cash flow forecasting, KPI monitoring, and capital raising support. Discover how firms can strengthen client relationships, create new revenue opportunities, retain talented team members, and help SMEs survive and thrive in challenging economic conditions. You can also access our podcast on:

In this episode of Accountants Minute Podcast, Peter Towers explores why accounting firms, bookkeepers and business advisory firms are at a critical crossroads: remain focused on compliance or begin building structured advisory and Virtual CFO Services. Peter reflects on the original FMRC vision for accountants to become trusted business advisors to SMEs, then compares that ambition with today's reality — where only 15% of SMEs identify their accountant as a Key Strategic Partner. This episode highlights the opportunity for firms to move beyond tax returns and annual accounts by delivering practical advisory support, including business planning, budgets, cash flow forecasting, KPI analysis, debtor management, costing reviews and 52-week business performance systems. For firms ready to take the first step, Peter explains how ESS BIZTOOLS helps accountants and bookkeepers build repeatable advisory services, develop internal champions, and support SME clients with the guidance they need to survive, grow and succeed. You can also access our podcast on:           

Why are so many firms struggling to attract and retain accountants? In this episode of Accountants Minute Podcast, Peter Towers explores the talent challenges facing accounting firms in Australia, and why younger accountants are looking for more meaningful, advisory-driven work. He discusses how broadening your services beyond compliance can help your firm build stronger teams, deliver greater value to SME clients, and position itself as a true Key Strategic Partner. You can also access our podcast on: Amazon Music Apple Podcasts Audible Spotify YouTube  

Discover why only 15% of SMEs see their accountant or bookkeeper as a Key Strategic Partner, while many firms believe they are already delivering that level of service. In this episode, Peter Towers explores the disconnect, the missed advisory opportunities, and the practical questions firms need to start raising to become more valuable to their SME clients. You can also access our podcast on: Amazon Music Apple Podcasts Audible Spotify YouTube

How do you start offering advisory services without disrupting your firm? In this episode, Peter Towers explains why advisory services are too important to ignore – and how accounting firms, bookkeepers, and business advisory firms can begin with a simple, practical step-by-step approach. Discover how to start small, deepen client relationships, and position your firm as a true Key Strategic Partner with the support of proven tools, training, and client communication resources from ESS BIZTOOLS. You can also access our podcast on: Amazon Music Apple Podcasts Audible Spotify YouTube