Blog

Hello Gold!

Break out the champagne ?! Bookkeeping Mums is now a GOLD Xero partner! What a surprise that was! This has all been achieved with hard work, fabulous clients who support working parents and our super amazing, easy to work with Bookkeepers/Mums/All round Superstars Carla and Bec!

Xero is the emerging global leader of online accounting software that connects small businesses to their advisors and other services. Xero provides business owners with real-time visibility of their financial position and performance in a way that’s simple, smart and secure.

Having achieved Gold partner status with Xero demonstrates that Bookkeeping Mums has very quickly grown into a solid reliable business that you can trust. We provide on going support and advice to our clients whilst taking away the daily stress of keeping your books in order.

Thank you ? to our amazing clients who support what we do, so they can do what they do!

Adding Value

This is a moment too good not to share.  As BAS is due this month, one of my clients was at her wits end this week with the thought of having to enter all of her receipts for her business into Xero.  Thinking she would have time to do it all herself as she went she discovered by the end of the quarter she’d spent more time running the operations of her business that entering receipts was the last thing she wanted to do.  So the pile grew.  Sound familiar?!

I’m pretty good at clocking when it’s time for drastic action and fast decisions.  Within 10 minutes of her turning up at my door with a folder bursting with receipts, we had signed her up to Receipt Bank and integrated into her Xero.  After showing her how it worked, she was brave enough to take the folder of receipts back with her.  An hour later I get a text saying she’d snap a pic of her first receipt and it was in processing.  Total excitement from her end.  I checked later and she’d loaded up all of her receipts within the hour!  What would have taken us multiple hours (and that’s just the procrastinating while thinking about the daunting task ahead) was reduced to a fraction of the time.

This my friends is winning.  No more drowning in paperwork.  No more stress.  This isn’t a plug for Receipt Bank or Xero but an example of how adding value can change the way businesses run.

the philosophy of outsourcing

Did you know only 10% of our clients actually LOVE to do their own bookkeeping!  Not really a surprising result!

For everything an entrepreneur doesn’t like to do, there is someone who loves to do it and can do it well.  By surrounding yourself with someone who fits your business – whether it’s marketing, bookkeeping, social media, graphic designers – it is money well spent if it means you get to do what you love doing in your business.  More often than not what you love is seeing your business grow, making sales and feeling you are all over your business.

Over the last couple of years our portfolio of clients is bursting with the most amazing businesses and entrepreneurs who have taken the step of outsourcing their bookkeeping.   Why?  Some took the plunge after feeling like a sinking ship every BAS quarter, some were startups at the time and just wanted it done right from the start and some are existing businesses wanting to grow so are setting themselves up and getting it right now.

Whatever your reason, outsourcing can help grow your business but most importantly free you up so you can focus on the things you really need to do.

Can’t get into your MYOB?

Just in case you’ve missed it and are still struggling to get into your MYOB, see below a statement released by MYOB last night.   If your computer is set up like mine, it automatically updates for Windows on a Monday – this has caused issues with the MYOB software.  See below on how to fix this.

I find it interesting that MYOB and Xero both have had issues this month.  When Xero went down at the start of this month and there were MYOB loyals tweeting #justsaying …. those people were very quiet yesterday.  With technology nothing is perfect.  Both accounting packages are fantastic for SME’s, some suit some better than others.  But rubbishing one over the other is not ok.  They are just different and what is working for you might not work for others.  I have clients still on MYOB so I’ve been affected by both issues.  Doesn’t make Xero better than MYOB or vice versa.  The only difference is I actually still have to do something to get my MYOB to work (which I haven’t done yet!).  Xero just fixed the issue and it was working again.

Happy bookkeeping!

Nicola

ACTION REQUIRED: Microsoft security update & AccountRight

Microsoft has released a Windows security update that is impacting numerous clients worldwide, and may prevent you accessing your AccountRight company files. Microsoft is working to address this issue and will be releasing communications and a fix within the next 24-hours. MYOB have developed a solution to ensure continued access to your company file. WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

  • If you have already installed the Windows update and are having difficulty accessing AccountRight We’ve created a tool that solves this issue. You’ll need to run this tool on all AccountRight company files that you use. Follow our easy step-by-step guide on the MYOB Community Forum .
  • For all other users To maintain access to your company files, go to the Help menu and choose Confirm Company File. You will then be able to apply the Microsoft Windows security update.

Regards, The MYOB Team

HI HO SILVER!

Hip hip hooray!  Bookkeeping Mums reached the milestone of Xero Silver Partner a few weeks back.  Coupled with a wonderful account manager at Xero and all of our amazing clients on Xero, we did this together.  Who would have thought the idea of mums bookkeeping and keeping it real could grow so quickly in just such a short time.  I still remember vividly when it was just me and 1 client, then it was 2 and so on.  Organically this niche business is going from strength to strength and improving.

There are a band of Mums now gaining traction with Bookkeeping Mums and it’s a really exciting time for us.  Our kids range from 5months to very mature teenagers!  We are supportive, flexible and love our kids.  Watch this space, I am so excited about what the next chapter will bring.

Get in touch if you are a business that can jump on this bandwagon of quality flexible bookkeeping support, what you need can range from a few hours a month to half a day a week to 1 day a month… nothing is too small!

If you are a bookkeeper with a minimum of a Cert IV in bookkeeping and preferably Xero and/or MYOB experience I’d also like to hear from you if you think we could be the right for you!

Happy days!

Nicola

2015 Budget helping small business grow

Do you want to start your own business? After the budget announcements recently, this might just be the right time to do it.  The budget announced changes that impact directly on small businesses.  A small business for these purposes is expected to be a business with annual turnover of less than $2 million:

  • From 1 July 2015, business with an annual turnover of less than $2million (and let’s get real, we’d be stoked if we earn $2 million in our first year!) will get a 1.5% tax cut to 28.5% but only if your business structure is a company;
  • Unincorporated businesses with annual turnover less than $2 million, there is a 5% tax discount
  • Starting from budget night, small businesses can immediately receive a tax deduction for any individual assets purchased that cost less than $20,000. In effect, a very accelerated depreciation! It isn’t capped at only one asset, you can apply this rule for all purchases costing less than $20,000. We are not sure how long this will be effective for but at least the next year.
  • There is a removal of fringe benefits tax on mobile devices

The aim of all of this – to encourage small businesses to invest in their businesses.

So if you are a small business, speak to your accountant about how these changes can benefit you!  If you are thinking about setting up your business, this is as good a time as any!

Nicola

The evolution of bookkeeping

I just got super excited today over the ease at which I could export data and create reports to tell one of my clients just how their business sales were tracking.  At the drop of a hat!  It made me revel in the evolution of bookkeeping from using counting machines, cash book ledgers, calculators, excel, computer based accounting packages and finally the cloud.  At each progressive development stage, the financial clarity we can achieve in a business got clearer and clearer.

Bookkeeping has been around as long as the civilised world with the primary role of keeping track of your numbers.  Bookkeeping and businesses have both evolved to take advantage of the technological advances in accounting.  No one can deny the introduction of the calculator made the job of bookkeeping easier.  But it was the introduction of the computer and accounting software packages that revolutionised the way businesses managed their finances.

We said goodbye to ledger books, writing paper invoices, cheques, pencils, erasers, filing in returns by hand and the trusty calculator.

We said hello to online banking, the cloud, bank feeds, email, filing our taxes online, real time accounting and a paperless way of working.

As accounting technology continues to evolve, keeping track of our money and budgeting has become easier and easier.  Not only that, bookkeeping is now a fast paced and dynamic profession that requires fast paced and progressive people.  With the introduction of the cloud based accounting systems such as Xero, accountability is at an all-time high with Directors, shareholders and managers all having access to the same financial information and in real time.  Businesses are transparent and those that have kept up with the evolution of bookkeeping are seeing the benefits first hand.

With the extensive information accounting systems can now generate, I am finding the role of a bookkeeper and accountant is also evolving to become a business consultant as well.  It’s an exciting time to be in this industry with all the changes!

The advantages of embracing technology has always meant increased speed and efficiency.  If embracing technology means:
  • Fewer mistakes (and mistakes are easier to find)
  • Greater accountability
  • Faster calculations
  • Less hours spent on bookkeeping (and more time in growing your business)
  • More time to interpret data
  • Meeting your compliance deadlines
Why wouldn’t you?!

Merry Christmas from Bookkeeping Mums

Thank you to my clients, colleagues, family, mentors and friends who have wholeheartedly supported Bookkeeping Mums in 2014. 

It’s been an AMAZING YEAR!

It’s been a pleasure working with so many wonderful and progressive clients and watching their businesses grow.

I wish you a very merry Christmas and a 2015 filled with positivity.  I look forward to seeing you all in 2015 and working towards kicking a few more goals together!

Best wishes

Nicola xx

Free 6 Month Xero Subscription!

Bookkeeping Mums has had a fabulous year thanks to many businesses in our community supporting what I do.  I am super excited to announce that Xero have given me something for being awesome and now I’m passing it on!

Bookkeeping Mums has

two 6 month free Xero subscriptions

to give and I would like to give it to a

small business and a community organization

for well

just being awesome!

You could be a sports club, support children in your community, a local business, an association, a life coach, a restaurant, an artist, an entrepreneur, a start up… anything you are is fine because YOU ARE AWESOME!  You just need to tell me what you do, how you help the community and why you would love to sign up to Xero!  One subscription will be given to a community organisation and the other to a small business. 

The catches:

  • Your business or association is registered in Australia
  • Only valid for NEW Xero customers
  • You need to sign up before 31 March 2015
  • Complete the attached form below and tell me in less than 200 words why your organisation should set up on Xero
  • Submissions via the attached form must be received by 15 January 2015!
  • Bookkeeping Mums will notify the lucky business and organisation by 31 January 2015!
  • Credit card details will be required during sign up, after the six month free access period expires, Xero will begin charging your credit card for your nominated plan
  • Conversion fees and training not included (if required)

 

Converting to Xero is a jog in the park

No doubt you’ve heard of cloud accounting by now. Xero, MYOB and Quickbooks are all in the game. But you still have a data file on your computer because quite frankly the thought of changing accounting systems ranks right up there with running a marathon. It’s outright scary! It’s not just the event itself that’s confusing you, but also the lead up and the training that is required. What if you don’t like it and what if it takes too long?

We are creatures of habit, we like what we know because it works. It might not be the best or perfect but it’s functional.   But does your current accounting data file continue to add value to your business? Unlearning a system is just as hard as learning a new one. But unlearning may also be your undoing.

In the last couple of months I have had the pleasure of working with businesses to convert them to Xero. Watching business owners come to the realization that they worked in the dark for so long is reward enough. The clincher is REAL TIME ACCOUNTING. The ease at which they can manage their finances and see what I can see means they are in touch with their business and can get answers to their questions. The primary one being “what is my bottom line?”

Lately my conversions have had a focus in the hospitality industry. Hospitality operates in an economic environment where you need to keep up to date on how much you owe and what your bottom line is. It can mean the world of difference in making decisions affecting your trading hours, staffing and your menu. Cafe, bar and restaurant owners are finding Xero gives them a snapshot of their business this week, not last quarter and it’s exactly what they need to ensure their survival in a competitive environment.

Here’s my bit of business intelligence to help with your conversion.

Approval

You just need to say yes let’s do it.  I’ve had businesses think and think about it some more and really plan the right time.  On the other hand I recently met a client for less than 30 minutes and he on the spot said “Let’s do it”.  And so we did.  The result for both is the same and depends entirely on your business.

To convert any system, your whole team should be engaged to accept the change. From the business owner right down to the bookkeeper.   To alleviate any concerns, try a Xero demonstration or book in training session on how to use Xero once the conversion has happened.

Pick a date to convert

At the end of a quarter or financial year is the best. However have the Xero account set up a couple of weeks before end of quarter so it is ready to go by the 1st of the month and bank feeds will start being automated around the same time.

Choose the right conversion partner

When you make the decision to convert to Xero, make sure you chose the right conversion partner. Ensure they are a certified partner. Ensure their conversion packages also have the option to include training and support should you need it and any ongoing support you might need. Some conversion companies merely convert the file and hand it back without training or additional support so just check beforehand.

Make sure your data file is up to date

Up to the date of conversion, ensure your financial records are complete. This includes reconciled bank accounts, no duplicate contact files, payroll and Chart of Accounts.

Training and ongoing support

Training and education rarely get the attention they deserve in terms of planning the conversion. Many business owners don’t think past the actual conversion. No matter what qualifications your finance team already has, training is important to help manage change and the expectations of business and ensure everyone uses it consistently.  Xero update and improve their software constantly and many users will learn best when explained by someone practically and also when they can get their questions answered in real time.

How long will it take?

You can be up and running within days and from this point your business can invoice and pay bills. Provided you can supply the information your bank accounts can be completely reconciled in 2-3 weeks (depending on how fast your bank feed applications are submitted and activated – most banks say 10 working days from receiving the application but depending on the bank it’s often sooner). You’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner!

I have come across stumbling blocks when businesses or their existing bookkeepers don’t provide the information in a timely fashion, and this only causes delays. Therefore it’s good to make sure in the lead up to converting to the cloud you start preparing your finance team early and get everyone talking to each other.

THE BOTTOM LINE

A conversion to cloud accounting is an achievable goal. With a progressive attitude and the thought of improving your business, you only need to say yes LET’S DO IT!  Don’t think of it as a marathon.  Think of it as a jog in the park, it doesn’t take that long and it makes you feel good.