ESS BIZTOOLS - Podcast Details

Shows

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastHow Accountants Can Navigate The Current Market Conditions Peter Towers, Managing Director of ESS BIZTOOLS and Mark Holton, Director of SmithInk discuss How Accountants could navigate the market conditions that their SME clients are encountering in 2003/2004 with some insights from the Accountants Boot Camp and the Thomson Reuters White Paper 2023-07-2733 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastChanging from compliance dominance to business advisory servicesThis podcast episode is presented by Peter Towers, Managing Director of ESS BIZTOOLS, and Andrew Geddes, the “public face” of FMRC. They discuss a wide range of issues affecting accountants implementing services beyond compliance, to assist SME clients to improve their business performance. You can also access our podcast on: Amazon Music Apple Podcast Audible Spotify YouTube 2023-05-1638 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastAccountants/Bookkeepers Role in Assisting SMEs in R&D Claims In this podcast episode, Peter Towers, Managing Director of ESS BIZTOOLS, addresses the question some accountants/bookkeepers ask, “Why should we get involved in Research and Development?”2023-03-0918 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastDiscussion with Peter Towers and Duane HunterPeter Towers, Managing Director of ESS BIZTOOLS, conducted an interview with one of his consulting clients, Duane Hunter. They discussed Duane’s “innovation journey”, which highlights the need for accountants to provide assistance to enable their SME clients achieve their objective of being able to turn their invention into a profitable, marketable product.2023-02-2317 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastHow to use The BOSS Factor Library for AccountantsPeter Towers, Managing Director of ESS BIZTOOLS, and Trevor Marchant, Managing Director of Marchant Dallas, discuss the best use of The Boss Factor Library for Accountants, so not only you can generate more revenue but also attract and retain talent.2023-02-1619 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastOur 'AFTERS' PromiseWe believe in the importance of after-sales service or ‘AFTERS’ being critical in the delivery of Financial Storytelling. This podcast summarises the ‘AFTERS’ that we at ESS BIZTOOLS will provide when you subscribe to one of our packages.2023-01-1917 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastAttraction and retention of accountants and other issues facing businessesPeter Towers, Managing Director, ESS BIZTOOLS and Jordan Lowry, Director, Blackstone Business Group discuss attraction and retention of accountants and other issues facing businesses.2022-10-0618 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastUsing PlanGuru software to enhance Financial ForecastingPeter Towers, Managing Director of ESS BIZTOOLS and Paul Barnaby, Regional Integration Consultant for PlanGuru and Managing Director of Beyond Accounting Technologies discuss using PlanGuru software to enhance Financial Forecasting.2022-09-2823 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastWhy Research and Development is very important for SMEsPeter Towers, Managing Director of ESS BIZTOOLS discusses why Research and Development is very important for SMEs.2022-09-2011 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastIntroduction to Virtual CFO DeliveryPeter Towers, Managing Director, ESS BIZTOOLS talks abut the Introduction to Virtual CFO Delivery, including the report card on the Australian Accounting Industry by the CommBank Market Pulse.2022-09-1917 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastR&D – whilst not perfect, is important for SMEs and Are you aware of domain registration problems for SMEs?Peter Towers, Managing Director of ESS BIZTOOLS, present a podcast incorporating R&D – whilst not perfect, is important for SMEs and Are you aware of domain registration problems for SMEs?2022-09-0915 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcasteNewsletters for AccountantsPeter Towers, Managing Director of ESS BIZTOOLS and Brad Smart, Director of Pinecam discuss the benefits of Accountants producing newsletters for their clients/prospects.2022-09-0117 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastIssues Relating to Accountants in 2022-23Peter Towers, Managing Director of ESS BIZTOOLS together with Mark Holton, Director of SmithInk discuss the Australian Accounting Industry and Overseas Accounting Industries.2022-08-2617 min $ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant\'s Minute)$ ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant's Minute)Want to know more about the Accounting Revolution?ESS BIZTOOLS is in the process of reconfiguring our product packages following the strong response we have received from the webinar, presented by the Academy of CPAs (Certified Predictive Accountants) 3 weeks ago, when Adam Hale, partner Summit CPA an American accountant who was described by the Managing Director of PlanGuru as an “accounting industry rockstar”, gave an outstanding overview of the Virtual CFO Service that his firm had introduced for their clients. More: https://www.essbiztools.com.au/ess-biztools-blogs/want-to-know-more-about-the-accounting-revolution 2022-08-1924 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastDiscussion With Peter Towers and Paul BarnabyPeter Towers, Managing Director, ESS BIZTOOLS had a podcast discussion with Paul Barnaby Managing Director, Beyond Accounting Technologies and PlanGuru’s Regional Integration Consultant – Asia/Pacific to discuss the findings outlined in the “Accounting Market Pulse” and to outline how the Academy of CPAs (Certified Predictive Accountants) can assist accountants to deliver a broad range of value-added services that will assist clients to operate value-added businesses and at the same time assist in overcoming the major problem confronting the accounting industry at this time – “worsening talent shortage” because your team will have interesting and challenging work to perform.2022-07-1914 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastSME Needs Analysis - A New Way to Provide Enhanced Business Services to Your ClientsThe “SME Needs Analysis” is the most important component of our new ESS BIZTOOLS package offering. This module has been based on the original research that was produced by Andrew Geddes – the Joint Founder of the Financial Management Research Centre at the University of New England. Andrew is well known as an Accountancy Industry Consultant and for ten years was the Chair of Green Cross Ltd a top 200 ASX company. Andrew consulted to Green Cross for thirty-five years from its beginning as a “one vet one nurse veterinary surgery in Townsville”.2022-03-3117 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastOffering Business Advisory Services Without Having to Commit to a ContractPeter Towers, Managing Director of ESS BIZTOOLS discusses how Accountants, Business Advisors and Bookkeepers can offer Business Advisory Services to their SMEs clients without being committed to a contract.2022-03-2522 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastWhat are the Challenges for AccountantsOur guest is Andrew Geddes, the well-known Accounting Industry Consultant who was the Chairman of Green Cross Ltd, a company which grew from a one veterinary surgery practice in Townsville to a Top 200 ASX company. Andrew is joining Peter Towers to discuss the challenges confronting accountants in 2022.2022-03-0923 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastHow to Fund Your Research and Development ProjectDid you know there are many grants and incentives to help fund early stage innovation companies? And small and medium businesses can access them - they are not just for the large companies. Peter Towers from ESS BizTools explains what opportunities are available around research and development. Find out about the application process and steps you will need to take to gain early stage innovation company status.2022-02-2239 min

The Business Behind Your BusinessHow to Fund Your Research and Development ProjectDid you know there are many grants and incentives to help fund early stage innovation companies? And small and medium businesses can access them - they are not just for the large companies.Peter Towers from ESS BizTools explains what opportunities are available around research and development.Find out about the application process and steps you will need to take to gain early stage innovation company status.Peter TowersPeter has many years of business experience including working as a principal of an accounting firm, as a CFO and as a...2022-02-1539 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastESS BIZTOOLS Overview of 2021 (The Real Issues)2021-12-1438 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastCommunication is Important - Discussion Brad Smart and Peter Towers 2021-12-0820 min $ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant\'s Minute)$ ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant's Minute)Implementing Systemisation - Session 5” “An Amazing Program for Accounting Professionals“We joined ESS BIZTOOLS five years ago as a subscriber and we have never looked back – it is an amazing set of products and tools that we utilise with our clients but we also utilise the system to guide young accountants in our mentoring program to better understand the challenges of delivering a wide range of non-compliance services to SMEs.” “ESS BIZTOOLS enables us to empower young accounting professionals with tools and knowledge to achieve their goals”. Priscilla Bea Smith, Director, Cloud Nine Associates who joined Peter Towers, Managing Director, ESS BIZTOOLS in the final webinar presentation of the ESS BIZTOOLS...2021-12-0612 min $ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant\'s Minute)$ ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant's Minute)Implementing Systemisation - Session 3 Newsletter Leverage Communication with a Firm’s ClientsIn session 3 of the Black Friday webinar extravaganza Amanda Gascoigne, Amanda Gascoigne Consulting joined Peter Towers, Managing Director, ESS BIZTOOLS for a discussion on 5 Key Product Packages that are part of the ESS BIZTOOLS’ Business Advisory Services offering for Accountants, Business Advisors, Chief Financial Officers and Bookkeepers. Read more: https://www.essbiztools.com.au/index.php?option=com_zoo&task=item&item_id=419&Itemid=639 2021-12-0312 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastPredicitive Accounting is a Key Tool that Accountants Should be Delivering to their SME Clients 2021-12-0232 min $ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant\'s Minute)$ ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant's Minute)Implementing Systemisation - Session 2 Accountant’s Role Is A Bit Like A ‘Financial Sherlock Holmes’Andrew Geddes, Accounting Industry Coach and former Chair of Greencross Ltd, a Top 200 ASX company joined Peter Towers, Managing Director, ESS BIZTOOLS for a discussion in Session 2 of the ESS BIZTOOLS’ Black Friday webinar series and made the following comments relative to the utilisation of: Read more: https://www.essbiztools.com.au/index.php?option=com_zoo&task=item&item_id=418&Itemid=639 2021-12-0108 min $ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant\'s Minute)$ ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant's Minute)Implementing Systemisation - Session 1 Reflection on ESS BIZTOOLS’ Systemisation JourneySYSTEMISING BUSINESS ADVISORY SERVICES In last week’s ESS BIZTOOLS’ Business Advisory Services Podcast – “Systemising Business Advisory Services”, Peter Towers, Managing Director, ESS BIZTOOLS discussed recent comments made by experienced accountants on why systems are important for the effective delivery of Business Advisory Services. Read more: https://www.essbiztools.com.au/index.php?option=com_zoo&task=item&item_id=417&Itemid=639 2021-11-2908 min $ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant\'s Minute)$ ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant's Minute)Systemising Business Advisory ServicesAmanda Gascoigne, Principal, Amanda Gascoigne Consulting, made this comment in the ESS BIZTOOLS’ Business Advisory Services Podcast last week - “I can assure you that if you’ve got the systems, you will get that extra work, but you have to make a proactive decision to be reactive and respond to the type of services that your clients want you to provide to them”. Read more: https://www.essbiztools.com.au/index.php?option=com_zoo&task=item&item_id=416&Itemid=639 2021-11-2315 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastSystemising Business Advisory Services - Black Friday Promotion 2021-11-2326 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastWhere do Small and Solo Accounting Firms Begin - Discussion with Amanda Gascoigne 2021-11-1641 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastImplementing Buisness Advisory Services - Discussion with Mark Holton 2021-11-1023 min $ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant\'s Minute)$ ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant's Minute)You’ve Got To Start It Now - This Afternoon!Andrew Geddes, Australian Accounting Legend, Chair for 10 years of Greencross Ltd, a company which developed over 30 years from a very small veterinary surgery to be a Top 200 ASX company utilising the “Scaling up Process” that Geddes introduced to the Greencross leadership team 15 years ago. We invited Andrew Geddes to participate in the ESS BIZTOOLS’ Business Advisory Services Podcast with Peter Towers, Managing Director, ESS BIZTOOLS on the subject “Scaling up Strategies for Team Building”..... [Read the Full Article Here]2021-11-0505 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastDiscussion Scaling Up Strategies for Team Building - Andrew Geddes and Peter Towers 2021-11-0238 min $ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant\'s Minute)$ ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant's Minute)Business in a Post-Pandemic World – Presents Great Opportunities!At long last the COVID-19 lockdowns are ending and there is an air of optimism in the marketplace as businesses go about the task of reopening and repositioning themselves for what is expected to be boom conditions in 2022. Accountants, this is a great opportunity to identify yourselves as a proactive accounting firm that is willing to supply a range of business enhancement services to your SME clients. In the “ESS BIZTOOLS Business Advisory Services Podcast” this week Phil Chynoweth, Managing Director, Bridge Global joined Peter Towers, Managing Director, ESS BIZTOOLS to review the recent Zoom pres...2021-10-2611 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastBusiness in a Post-Pandemic World - Discussion with Philip Chynoweth 2021-10-2133 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastCOVID 19 Employment Issues - Conversation Jordan Lowry, Blackstone Business Group and Peter Towers 2021-10-1822 min

The GRAPHICS PRO FilesEp. 28 – Dana Curtis: Business Mistakes to AvoidDana Curtis of Biztools talks about the mistakes many new shops make, the importance of consistent branding, and why it’s a great idea for those who haven’t to take that leap and start their own business. This episode is Sponsored by GRAPHICS PRO EXPO 2021-09-2824 min $ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant\'s Minute)$ ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant's Minute)The Balanced Firm Masterclass / Peter Towers ESS BIZTOOLSDiversification Strategies for Small and Solo Firms is the title of Peter's presentation. Peter has already produced a 50 minute webinar on Diversifying Accounting Services – Why? which I have uploaded in the group, so we thought we would discuss the key requirements of diversification on how small and solo practitioners can implement diversification strategies to their accountancy services. In this session Peter and Amanda talk about why diversification makes good commercial sense and strategies to get started on this pathway 2021-09-2459 min $ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant\'s Minute)$ ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant's Minute)Diversification of Services Assisted by Outstanding Support OffersAccording to the recent report released by CommBank Accounting Market Pulse, diversification of services is a major objective by accountancy firms all over Australia this financial year. ESS BIZTOOLS is pleased to contribute to this diversification strategy by offering a 50% discount on four product packages which are significantly diversified to give accountants, bookkeepers and business advisors a great choice of the type of services that they wish to offer to their SME clients. Read more: https://www.essbiztools.com.au/index.php?option=com_zoo&task=item&item_id=392&Itemid=639 2021-08-0203 min $ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant\'s Minute)$ ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant's Minute)Packages To Help Introduce Business Advisory ServicesOne of our Affiliates has agreed to support professional firms who subscribe to ESS BIZTOOLS’ Special Package Offers before 6th August 2021 with ten packages being available to the first ten new subscribers to ESS BIZTOOLS. Read more: https://www.essbiztools.com.au/index.php?option=com_zoo&task=item&item_id=391&Itemid=639 2021-07-2306 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastSWOT Analysis HelpsAccountants can help SMEs by encouraging the preparation of a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) Analysis at the beginning of a new calendar year. You could encourage your clients to take some quality time and sit down alone or with their team to consider the key areas of the business. For the individual business activities, it’s a good idea to ask the following questions for each of the key business areas: What are we doing well? What are we doing not so well... Read The Full Article Here 2021-01-1803 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastKey Drivers for ‘Predictive Accounting’The key driver for utilising ‘Predictive Accounting’ is to clearly summarise the various “non-financial items” before attempting to produce a budget. ‘Predictive Accounting’ embraces a systematic approach to the preparation of budgets, starting with basic information relating to: The types of products to be manufactured. The targeted quantity of the various products to be produced daily. Read The Full Article Here 2021-01-1803 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastSuccession Planning Starts With A ConversationSuccession planning is not something that business operators should think about when they get old and are ready to retire. It is a process that should be thought about in every segment of the business journey. Questions that you could ask: What is your vision for the business?... Read The Full Article Here 2021-01-0704 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastSuperstar for Budgeting and Forecasting?In our final Business Advisory Services conversation on Wednesday 16th December at 12-noon AEDT (11.00am AEST), Peter Towers, Managing Director of ESS BIZTOOLS will be joined by Paul Barnaby, Chartered Accountant and Managing Director of Beyond Accounting Technologies. Paul’s proud claim is that he can turn an accountant into a ‘budgeting and forecasting superstar’ in a relative short time.... Read The Full Article Here 2021-01-0703 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastPredictive Accounting Encourages DiscussionPredictive accounting is an important part of the delivery of Chief Financial Officer Services because it requires accountants to discuss with clients all aspects of their business and then to commit that vision into Budgets, Cashflow Forecast and Predicted Balance Sheet to determine the level of investment required in stock, debtors, and capital expenditure. The aim is to determine what the effect will be on the business’ bank position and/or level of loans. If there is a shortfall in the cash available for the business, decisions can be made before any commitments have been made as to...2021-01-0703 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastPredictive Accounting HelpsKnowing the financial impact of decisions, before a client implements those decisions, is very important for financial stability. The process commences with an examination of the key drivers relative to the physical number of units to be produced and the calculation of the direct costs that will be involved in that process. The calculation of estimated stock holdings can be made based on manufacturing/purchase estimates and the unit sales can be based on estimates from sales people..... View The Full Article Here 2021-01-0703 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastAccounting For Departments As If They Were BusinessesBenchmarking is a great tool for accountants to utilise to analyse a business so that information on the business’ performance can be conveyed to the directors, owners, leadership team. To enable credible figures to be produced, it is very desirable that the individual departments within a business are segregated so that separate Profit & Loss Accounts, Key Performance Indicator Reports, Budgets and Comparisons to Budgets are produced for the leadership team to be better informed of the individual “department’s” performance... Read The Full Article Here 2021-01-0704 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastEvery Question Should Lead to a Service EngagementNow is the time for accountants to be having a cup of coffee with SME clients to help set the business’ strategic plan for 2021. Some of the questions that you could ask include: What are your top 5 sales lines? What mark-ups do you make from these products? What are your bottom 5 sales lines?..... Read The Full Article Here 2021-01-0704 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastScaling UpAs we consider the challenges, potential problems and rewards that might be possible in 2021, SME leadership teams and their accountants could do well to incorporate the strategies of “scaling up” in their strategic plans for the next few years. The key concepts of “scaling up” require businesses to: Attract and keep the right people - leadership team and team members with adequate training and motivation. Create a truly differentiated strategy - relating to customers, suppliers, supply chains, communications.... Read The Full Article Here 2021-01-0703 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastStrategic Planning Other IssuesThere are numerous other areas in the strategic planning process in which accountants can assist SMEs, including: Review of charge out rates being utilised by tradies to ensure that the charge out rates will ensure that, if productivity is in accordance with the estimates, the targeted profit will be generated. Review of retail businesses’ expectations of product mix and mark-ups relative to those various products to determine... Read The Full Article Here 2020-12-1803 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastStrategic Planning 2021There is a strong expectation that 2021 will be a better year than 2020. However, this will not occur unless there has been some strategic planning undertaken over the next 4 weeks so that the strategies and expectations for 2021 are identified and promoted to the team. Accountants, who are supplying Business Advisory Services, will be able to assist SMEs to clearly identify strategies for this new cal.... Find The Full Article Here 2020-12-1803 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastCrowd Sourced Funding Game Changesrowd Sourced Funding Equity Raising has certainly introduced new opportunities for SMEs as well as for accountants and business advisors. SMEs can access a retail investor audience for a fraction of the typical cost for public companies under a prospectus. Proprietary limited companies can now have a potentially unlimited number of investors under the Crowd Sourced Funding regime (previously limited to 50 non-employees shareholders). CSF offers can be advertised publicly, whereas other public offers have heavy restrictions on permissible advertising, or can’t be advertised at all. Shares issued directly to shareholders – nominees/trust structure is not permitted. Crowd Sour...2020-12-1802 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastBusiness StrategiesAccountants could spend some quality time with their SME clients at present planning their business strategies for 2021. Why not have a cup of coffee with your clients and discuss these strategies with them, particularly those clients who have received JobKeeper payments. In the Business Advisory Services Update Webinar/Conversation on Wednesday 9th December at 11.00am AEDT (10.00am AEST) Mark Holton, Director of Smithink will... Read The Full Article Here 2020-12-0805 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastGovernment Grants Awareness HelpsThere are hundreds of government grants available from the Australian, State and Territory governments, primarily targeted at businesses with turnovers under $50 million per annum. The range of services that government grants will finance include: - Funding of research and development activities undertaken by a company at a rate of 43.5% of eligible research and development expenditure. - Up to $150,000 in grants to assist exporters and suppliers of services to overseas’ visitors under the Export Market Development Grant.... Read The Full Article Here 2020-12-0803 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastDebtors’ Management a Problem Area for Many BusinessesDebtors’ management is often not given a high priority in a business and this can lead to high levels of debt owed to the business. Accountants can assist their clients to improve their debtor’s management systems by encouraging a monthly calculation of “Debtors’ Days Outstanding”. Debtors efficiency will be enhanced by the utilisation of a written debtors’ management system which will assist the team member, assigned to this task, to perform his/her duties... Read The Full Article Here 2020-12-0805 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastCrowd Sourced Funding Popularity GrowingMatt Vitale, Co-Founder of Birchal, Crowd Sourced Funding Intermediary, indicated this week that during 2020 his company had assisted more companies than it had in 2019. Birchal expects to assist even more companies to raise capital during 2021. To be eligible, a company needs consolidated turnover of less than $25 million, gross assets under $25 million and not listed on a stock exchange.... Read The Full Article Here 2020-12-0802 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastPassing the “Principles Test” Helps Raise FundsYoung companies can qualify for the “Early Stage Innovation Company” status by passing the “Principles Test”. Five questions need to be answered: Is the company genuinely focused on developing for commercialisation one or more new, or significantly improved products, processes, services, marketing or organisational methods? Is there high growth potential?.... Read The Full Article Here 2020-12-0803 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastSection 708 Great for Capital RaisingSection 708 of the Corporations Act enables a private company to raise up to $2M in a 12 month period from a maximum of 20 retail investors. “Retail Investors” are defined as people who are not “Sophisticated Investors”. “Sophisticated Investors” are people certified by an accountant as having a net wealth of $2.5M or, for the last 2 years, had a gross income for in excess of $250,000. There is a probation on advertising that the company is seeking to raise capital.... Read The Full Article Here 2020-12-0802 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastPlanning Strategies for 2021If you haven’t already planned your strategies for 2021, now is a great time to be holding some “think tank” meetings to identify key strategies that your accountancy firm should be implementing during the next 12 months Following on from the Com Bank “Accounting Market Pulse Report” which identified that Business Advisory Services would be the most in demand service supplied by accountants in the next 6 to 12 months, the recent Accounting Business Expo enabled a significant number of presenters to make presentations relating to the subject headings..... Read The Full Article Here 2020-12-0802 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastCapital Raising Options Available for SMEsThere are 3 distinct capital raising opportunities for SMEs, as an alternative to borrowing money from a bank. The capital raising requires companies to issue shares to new shareholders and, in so doing, the company and its directors avoid having to offer security, sign personal guarantee documents and make monthly repayments.... Read The Full Article Here 2020-12-0404 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastBusiness Advisory Services – Personal Property Securities RegisterThe consequences of not registering on the Personal Property Securities Register can be very expensive. Risk management is very important for every business and one of the major risk categories that accountants can assist clients on is an awareness of the Personal Property Securities Register. Every business should develop a policy of registering customers on the Register so that the business.. Read The Full Article Here 2020-12-0402 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastEnabling Businesses Can Access Business Growth GrantBusinesses that provide enabling or supporting technologies, imports or services to drive business growth or improve business competitiveness in one or more of the government’s targeted sectors can also access the grants of up to $20,000, on a 50% funding basis, to undertake virtually any activity which will contribute to an improvement in the company’s performance. The types of businesses which meet the eligibility requirements include: - Freight and Logistics - Infrastructure Related Construction and Services... Read The Full Article Here 2020-12-0401 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastBusiness Growth Grant Helps BusinessesThe Australian government, via the Entrepreneurs’ Program, operates the Business Growth Grant Program which is targeted at companies which operate in the following targeted segments: - Advanced Manufacturing - Food and Agribusiness - Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals - Mining Equipment, Technology and Services - Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Read The Full Article Here 2020-12-0402 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastMarketing Assistance Helps AccountantsIn my discussions with accountants it is obvious that, if an accountancy firm decides that it’s going to offer Business Advisory Services, there needs to be a marketing campaign to alert clients & prospects that the firm is offering a broader range of services. If there is no marketing campaign, how is the target audience going to know that the firm is now able to assist with the verification of charge out rates, assist in a Crowd Sourced Funding Equity Raising campaign, offer a Virtual Chief Financial Officer Service etc? Marketing for an accountancy firm ca...2020-12-0403 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastBusiness Advisory Services High Rating at Expo!At the Accounting Business Expo held on 16/17 November the number of presentations relating to Business Advisory Services was very high – probably the highest ever for this type of forum. A wide variety of speakers spoke on numerous components of the services that accountants could deliver under the banner “Business Advisory Services” and “Chief Financial Officer Services”. This response adds significant support to the research undertaken by the Commonwealth Bank “Accounting Market Pulse Report” for the accountancy industry which identified that “the supply of.... Read The Full Article Here 2020-12-0402 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastSetting Professional Charge Out RatesAccountants can assist professional practices by implementing a strategy for the setting of charge out rates to ensure that the key components that contribute to a professional practice generating a profit have been considered. The key component for the calculation of charge out rates include: Read The Full Article Here 2020-12-0403 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastReset Your PracticeIn the first presentation of our new Business Advisory Services Update weekly webinar presentations I’ll be joined by Amanda Gascoigne, Chartered Accountant, Coach and Mentor, Amanda Gascoigne Consulting and we’ll discuss the issues of ‘resetting your practice’, particularly as it relates to servicing tradies’ businesses. How many tradie business clients does your accountancy firm have?.... Read The Full Article Here 2020-12-0403 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastDelivering Business Advisory Services to Add Value This is an overview of my presentation to the “Accountancy Business Expo” this afternoon at 1.30pm AEDT (12.30pm AEST). Register for your FREE ticket to the Accounting Business Expo - https://secure.terrapinn.com/V5/step1.aspx?E=10138&p=1&_ga=2.139956148.680047742.1604884253-2119313395.1604884253 The key items that I’ve included in this presentation cover the major issues that, I believe, are important for accountants who are... Read The Full Article Here 2020-12-0404 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastRetailers Chasing Profits!A common question that accountants hear from retailers is “Why, if we are selling so much product, aren’t we making a profit?” In my presentation to the Accounting Business Expo on Tuesday 17th November at 1.30pm AEDT (12.30pm AEST) I’ll briefly discuss this very important question. Register for your FREE ticket to the Acco.... Read The Full Article Here 2020-12-0402 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastWhat Changes Has COVID-19 Caused For Accountants?Accountancy firms have experienced significant increases in work activity directly as a result of assistance being given to business clients relative to surviving the COVID-19 crisis. In many respects this is the first prolonged experience that many accountancy firms have had with delivering a broader range of professional services (commonly known as 'Business Advisory Services') to assist clients. The real impact from COVID-19 for accountants has been: Read The Full Article Here 2020-12-0403 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastCharge out Rates for Tradies Need ReviewMany accountants have large numbers of tradie businesses as clients. In my presentation to the Accounting Business Expo on Tuesday 17th November at 1.30pm AEDT (12.30pm AEST) I’ll discuss the proactive role that an accountant can play to assist individual tradie businesses set realistic targets and then assist those clients to achieve those targets by ongoing support during the year. Register for your FREE ticket to the Accounting Business Expo - Read The Full Article Here 2020-11-1702 min

ESS BIZTOOLS - Business Advisory Services Update PodcastBusiness Funding In DemandThere is an expectation that businesses are going to find tougher conditions for financing their businesses. A key component of my presentation to the Accounting Business Expo on Tuesday 17th November at 1.30pm AEDT (12.30pm AEST) will relate to activities that accountants can contribute to assist SMEs with their financing arrangements whether it is borrowing money to an understanding of the capital raising opportunities that are now available for small private companies. Read The Full Article Here 2020-11-1703 min

Accounting Industry Insights with Mark HoltonBusiness Advisory & COVID-19 - where are we at? With guest speaker, Peter Towers of ESS BIZTOOLS.For the first podcast episode, I asked Peter Towers to share what he has seen after talking to many accountants around Australia during COVID-19. He shares his view on how COVID-19 has affected accounting firms, what specifically he has seen with some firms really taking advantage of the crisis and how he thinks Business Advisory offerings should be managed out of this. Peter has worked with accountants for many years and his insights are very valuable.2020-10-2327 min

Empowering SMEsFinal COVID-19 Survival Panel for SMEsThe final COVID-19 Survival Panel webinar for SMEs is being presented on Wednesday, 28th October 2020 at 12-noon AEST (1.00pm AEDT). The keynote presenters are Ashley Evans, Managing Director, AAA+ Financial Solutions and Peter Towers, Managing Director, ESS BIZTOOLS and ESS Small Business. Read more: https://www.esssmallbusiness.com.au/index.php?option=com_zoo&task=item&item_id=273&Itemid=639 2020-10-2205 min

Empowering SMEsCOVID 19 Survival Assistance for SMEsGreetings from ESS BIZTOOLS and our affiliates. Welcome to this weekly update on issues confronting accountants, business advisors and bookkeepers from the COVID 19 coronavirus. This week we looked at: Financing your Business Engaging your Accountant to add Value to your Business Read The Full Article Here 2020-05-2900 min

Empowering SMEsCOVID-19 Survival Assistance for SMEsGreetings from ESS BIZTOOLS and our Affiliates, welcome to this weekly update on issues confronting small businesses and medium-sized enterprises from the COVID-19 coronavirus. Preparing for the end of the lockdown. Read More: https://www.esssmallbusiness.com.au/index.php?option=com_zoo&task=item&item_id=256&Itemid=639 2020-05-1100 min

Empowering SMEsCOVID 19 Survival Assistance for SMEsGreetings from ESS BIZTOOLS and our Affiliates, welcome to this weekly update on issues confronting small businesses and medium-sized enterprises from the COVID-19 coronavirus. Read more: https://www.esssmallbusiness.com.au/index.php?option=com_zoo&task=item&item_id=255&Itemid=639 2020-05-0600 min

Empowering SMEsOver 30,000 People Have Endorsed CSFER by InvestingThe Crowd Sourced Funding Equity Raising Scorecard produced by ESS Small Business / ESS BIZTOOLS as at 31 July 2019 has identified that 31,141 investors have invested an average of $1,207 each in the 44 companies that have raised $37,586,246. (Click here to view the Scorecard) This uptake indicates that after a slow start Crowd Sourced Funding Equity Raising is starting to raise much needed capital for small businesses and medium-sized enterprises operating their businesses all over Australia. Crowd Sourced Funding Equity Raising has been established in Australia following amendments to the Corporations Act by the Australian Government.... ...2019-08-1400 min

Empowering SMEsWhat 3 things Do You Need to Nail This QuarterHello, I’m Peter Towers, Managing Director of ESS Small Business and ESS BIZTOOLS. Welcome to Empowering SMEs. Directors of SME companies, business operators, committee members of not-for-profits, charities sporting and social organisations need to be able to write these three things down. Have you formulated your plan for the next three months? If not, let me help you.2018-08-0900 min

Empowering SMEsUnderstanding “Business” is Corporate GovernanceHello, I’m Peter Towers, Managing Director of ESS Small Business and ESS BIZTOOLS. Welcome to Empowering SMEs. Directors of small/medium enterprise companies, committee members of not-for-profits, charities and sporting organisations need an overall understanding of “business” to carry out their duties. An understanding of “business” is what “corporate governance” relates to. Many directors and committee members do not fully appreciate the wide range of items that they are legally responsible for, once they are appointed a director or committee member. It is this awareness and understanding of a director’s key role and responsibil...2018-06-1400 min

Empowering SMEsAwareness of Legislation for Directors & Committee MembersHello, I’m Peter Towers, Managing Director of ESS BIZTOOLS. Welcome to Empowering SMEs. Today I want to talk to you about awareness of legislation, because this is a very important component of the new Corporate Governance Network Product that we are releasing, with the first webinar/workshop on the 9th May 2018.2018-04-0900 min

Empowering SMEsInnovation is Important for SMEsToday I want to talk to you about innovation. Innovation is important in Australia. The Australian government has recognised this by introducing an Innovation Statement and a range of legislation to support innovation. The first new law to be introduced related to Early Stage Innovation Companies. That will apply to: entrepreneurs inventers companies; and business people who are developing new products, processes or services and other new types of products. This legislation commenced from 1st July 2016; yes, it's already operating. Unfortunately, the government, for whatever reason, has not fully promoted and public...2016-10-3100 min

Empowering SMEsEarly Stage Innovation Company Investor OpportunitiesHello, I'm Peter Towers, Managing Director of ESS Small Business. Welcome to Survival Hints for Small Business. There are tremendous opportunities for investors under the Early Stage Innovation Company legislation. What is an Early Stage Innovation Company? This is a new corporate structure that the Australian government legislated for in May 2016 and commenced operations from 1st July 2016. The legislation is targeted at companies that are developing new products, processes or services. In the main the companies have to be under three years of age, but in some circumstances the companies could be und...2016-09-0700 min

Empowering SMEsAre you Receiving a CFO Service from your Accountants?Do you know that there are accountants/advisors around Australia who are committed to supplying a Virtual Chief Financial Officer (CFO) service to their small/medium enterprise clients? ESS Small Business and ESS BIZTOOLS have developed material for those accounting/advisory businesses to utilise, to give you a more effective service and to give you the products that you’ve asked for as an industry of small/medium enterprises, in survey after survey over the last 15 years. In fact, the ESS Small Business and ESS BIZTOOLS’ package gives accountants/advisors access to a w...2016-08-1000 min

Empowering SMEsBusiness PlansHave you got a business plan? Do you know what purpose it will serve your business? Have you talked to your accountant/advisor about helping you to prepare a business plan? This is the facilitation role that accountants/advisors could perform. The main group of people involved in a business planning process are you and your team and your accountant/advisor is there to facilitate, ask the questions, record what you’re saying and try to get feedback from you and your team as to what they perceive should be happening within your business. ESS BIZTOOL...2016-07-2700 min

Empowering SMEsAre you Aware of the PPSR?As a small business operator, are you aware of the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR)? Has your accountant/advisor talked to you on how you can minimise the risks under this register? Do you know that, in Australia, over $120M has been lost by small and large businesses in court cases involving the Personal Property Securities Act (PPSA)? Virtually in every one of those cases, the company or business had not registered on the PPSR. It’s rumoured that over $200M in addition has been lost by other businesses who haven’t registered on the PPSR, sought some legal advice a...2016-07-1400 min

Empowering SMEsHappy New Financial Year!Welcome to 2016/17! A new financial year – what are you going to try to achieve this year? Are you happy with your financial performance? Are you happy with the support that you’re receiving from your accounting/advisory firm? Are you getting feedback? I’m going to ask you six questions to undertake a review of your preparation to be an outstanding business during 2016/17. If you would like some further advice on the questions that I’m going to raise, I will have suggestions on where you can turn to for su...2016-06-2700 min

Empowering SMEsThe Finalisation of the ESIC Legislation will be a Great Boost to Many BusinessesThe Australian government has finalised the legislation for the Early Stage Innovation Companies (ESICs) prior to the Parliament being adjourned for the Federal election. Unfortunately, the legislation for Crowd Funding Equity Raising entities was still being debated in the Senate when the Senate adjourned. Hopefully, this legislation will be finalised after the election when the Senate reconvenes. The ESIC legislation has benefits for small/medium enterprises, sole traders, entrepreneurs and inventors who have some new innovation products, processes, services, organisational or marketing methods that wish to raise capital. There are also significant benefits for investors via...2016-06-2200 min