Expo Archives - The Latest on Accounting Tech for SMEs

Not sure what to see at the Accounting Business Expo 2017? This short series of posts by industry experts reveals their top picks from more than 80 sessions and 110 exhibitors. The Expo will be on March 21-22 in Darling Harbour, Sydney, showcasing the latest thinking in accounting careers, technology and business models. Check out the full program here.

With so many sessions on offer and so many streams to choose from, how do you make a selection? My choices are based on developing my understanding of what is happening in our industry.

What will impact us as bookkeepers, and what I do need to be aware of to stay viable?

I am also keen on innovation – what can we use in our businesses to make them even better. I hope my selection encourages you to step outside your comfort zone and attend some sessions you may not have considered.

Day 1 – Tuesday 21 March

Value Pricing for Bookkeepers – Diane Lucas 10:20 am – 10:50 am

One of the hot topics today. I will be talking about the why and how of pricing your business for profit. Be sure to attend the follow-up session on Day 2 (Capacity planning for Bookkeeping Teams – Planning for Growth 2:10 pm – 2:40 pm)

Mega-Trends in Accounting and how to survive them – Tim Reed 10:30 am – 11:00 am

Tim Reed, CEO of MYOB, presents the findings of a recent study on changes to expect in our industry over the next 10 years. That in itself will make this session worth attending. No doubt these changes will affect the way we currently operate. Tim will no doubt also explain how to position yourself in order to stay in business.

How to bridge the cultural divide and succeed at long term offshoring – Nick Sinclair 11:50 am – 12:20 pm

CEO of the Outsourced Accountant, Nick knows what he is talking about when it comes to outsourcing and offshoring. Always a controversial discussion amongst bookkeepers, I’ll be interested to learn more about how offshoring can be used effectively to scale for business growth.

Single Touch Payroll – Bracing for Impact – Panel 2:10 pm – 2:40 pm

There’s no stopping it now – Single Touch Payroll is a reality. I am still unsure about what impact it will have in my business and my bottom line. So this panel presentation will be a must-attend for me.

Survive and thrive as a Bookkeeper – Peter Thorp 2:50 pm – 3:20 pm

As Director of ABN and ABA, Peter is very much aware of how the changes occurring in our industry are impacting bookkeepers. Learn what to do in your business to not just survive but to thrive.

Day 2 – Wednesday 22 March

Slack it to me! Creating a culture of innovative communication – Tanya Titman 10:20 am – 10:50 am

Slack has been the preferred communication tool in my business for some time now. I am keen to learn more about this from Tanya, MD of Consolid8. Especially about using it to automate communication! That’s a new one for me.

Outsourcing or Offshoring? Pick the right strategy – Dorothy Crosby 11:00 am – 11:30 am

This session seems to be a natural follower from the Day 1 session, How to bridge the cultural divide and succeed at long term offshoring. Offshoring intrigues me but I don’t know enough about it to say if it is for me and my business or not. I hope Dorothy from Panalitix can finally confirm my positioning one way or the other.

Ecosystem vs Platform: A radical new approach to accounting software – Elzerie Van Wyk 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm

I love apps and I love the way they help to make business more efficient. The new approach of a shared platform for app and accounting software is already happening. You may be using this combo already and not even realise it. I’m keen to learn from Elzerie, product evangelist from Sage, what the impact will be to my business.

How to run your firm on your phone – Kane Munro 1:40 – 2:10

I get my clients onto apps and encourage their use via a mobile device. I even use a few of them in my own business. But Kane, Director of Accountancy Online, takes the use of mobile to a whole new level. I am keen to learn more about the client/bookkeeper interaction through mobile and how I can incorporate this into my business.

Not sure what to see at the Accounting Business Expo 2017? This short series of posts by industry experts reveals their top picks from more than 90 sessions and 120 exhibitors. The Expo will be on March 21-22 in Darling Harbour, Sydney, showcasing the latest thinking in accounting careers, technology and business models. Check out the full program here.

Accountants and finance leaders from both practice and business will be making a pilgrimage to the first Accounting Business Expo in Sydney this March. I’ve been impressed with the huge line up of speakers and I’m interested to hear and learn more from a number of thought leaders.

Sessions

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN BUSINESS: CASE STUDIES

Tuesday 21 March 2017 // 2:40 pm – 3:10 pm // The Modern CFO

JONATHAN SPENCE, CEO, Xtracta Limited

We are all acutely aware of business and industry undergoing transformation. Jonathan Spence will be talking not only about the use of automation and AI in different industries, but exploring the changing skill requirements impacting accounting, finance and the broader business.

KILLER KPI’S FOR E-COMMERCE BUSINESSES

Tuesday 21 March 2017 // 11:00 am – 11:40 am // Red Room

ANNA LEE, CFO, THE ICONIC

Anna is a CFO has a fantastic reputation not only as a leader in a highly competitive and fast paced industry. She is also known for the people she nurtures and attracts to her team. I’m especially interested in listening to one of the few CFOs who has managed to build an impactful personal brand.

ROADMAP TO BECOMING A CFO

Tuesday 21 March 2017 // 11:45 am – 12:15 pm // The Modern CFO

BRAD EISENHUTH, Co-Founder, The Outperformer; DAVID MARSHALL, CFO

I’m talking with a highly experienced CFO, David Marshall, about the evolution of the CFO function and the development curve accountants need to explore to move from “doer to leader”.

David has held both CFO and general management positions in private equity, IPOs and multiple industries.

BUSINESS IS A GAME AND THE BEST TEAM WINS

Tuesday 21 March 2017 // 4:00 pm – 4:40 pm // RED ROOM

STEPH HINDS, Head Ninja, Growthwise

I’m passionate about career management, development and leadership, so I’m extremely interested in what Steph Hinds has to talk about. This topic covers ground for leaders in the never-ending challenge of putting “players in the right position”. And from a career management angle ask yourself, “What position should I play in my team?”

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO OFFERING CFO SERVICES

Tuesday 21 March 2017 // 3:30 pm – 4:00 pm // The Modern CFO

ADRIAN PIN, Managing Director, ForwardCFO

Many accounting and finance leaders are exploring CFO consulting as a career move. SMEs are becoming acutely aware of the need for leadership on complex financial issues, ranging from funding, cash management, expansion, to optimising business performance. This talk will explore the traits that hold accountants back from making the transition to effective CFO consulting.

What to see at the Accounting Business Expo – for Bookkeepers