We’re excited to announce our list of the Top 50 Cloud Accountants of 2018 in Australia!
Hubdoc launched in Australia in 2016. Since then, we’ve had the privilege of seeing many firms flourish as they refine their accounting technology stack and transform their practices to provide amazing client experiences.
This year is the third year we’ve released our Top 50 list to recognise accounting and bookkeeping firms in Australia who are setting an example when it comes to leveraging cloud technology. While reviewing the applications for this year’s list, we were continually amazed by the incredible stories shared by the accounting and bookkeeping community – it’s clear that advisors are necessary for helping small businesses thrive.
Without further ado, please give a virtual round of applause to our list of the Top 50 Cloud Accountants in Australia!
Kirsten Forrester, Accounting For Good
Accounting For Good provides outsourced accounting and bookkeeping services, CFO support services, cloud implementation, training, and coaching to not-for-profits and associations. “We work hard to support organisations that care about making a difference – our real skill is in empowering their people, at both management and governance level,” says Kirsten. “Using a great accounting tech stack to automate our processes saves our clients’ time, ensures the accounts are accurate and complete, and keeps their vital data secure.” Congrats, Kirsten and team, and thanks for leveraging technology to make the world a better place!
Matt Sharwood & Erin Roughley, Advise Accountants
With a mission to help their clients win and “not just keep score”, Advise Accountants understands the importance of providing advisory services. Tools such as Xero, Spotlight Reporting, Hubdoc, Karbon, and Practice Ignition enable the Advise Accountants team to help their clients understand their businesses and provide them with a “game plan” for success. Matt and Erin’s dedication to coaching their clients to victory makes them true cloud champions!
Aly Garrett, Lee Duffield & Lucinda Rasmussen, All In Advisory
The All In Advisory team believes in being “all in or all out – there is no halfway”! An early adopter of cloud technology, Aly understood the potential that the cloud could have on small businesses and started specialising in cloud software implementation back in 2010. Today, the All In Advisory team lives true to their values, leveraging cloud accounting technology to go “all in” for their clients so they can find their passion, try new things, and take initiative. Well deserved, Aly and team!
Lielette Calleja, All That Counts
All That Counts has a straightforward mission: to simplify small business life. While cloud technology enables them to accomplish this mission, Lielette (an award-winning cloud accounting specialist) understands that technology must be supported by a solid workflow: “Cloud technology alone does not make the real difference, it's the updated business processes we implement with [our clients] around the tech that is the real driver.” We couldn’t agree more!
Jo Doye, Alluvia Financial
The Alluvia Financial team are not your typical number crunchers – they leverage cloud technology to help their clients discover their richness, whether that’s spending time with family, volunteering, or even running for office! Jo recently identified an opportunity to help startups build meaningful businesses. While collaborating with a brand strategist, she noticed that startups had often given thought to their business model, but had neglected their brand strategy, or vice-versa. In 2019, Jo will provide the best of both worlds in a business planning workshop. Awesome!
Rebecca Mihalic & James Solomons, Aptus Accounting & Advisory
As a Xero Gold Partner and the winner of the Innovator of the Year award at the 2018 Accountants Daily Australian Accounting Awards, it’s clear that Aptus Accounting & Advisory are leaders in providing innovative cloud solutions for clients! At the helm of this talented team are co-founders Rebecca Mihalic and James Solomons. Talk about cloud leadership!
Denise Twigger, Bas’s & Balances Bookkeeping Services
Denise is on a mission to provide efficiency to small businesses by implementing effective cloud-based solutions. Using tools such as Fathom, KeyPay, WorkflowMax, and Hubdoc, Denise is able to support her clients by focusing more on advisory and training, and less on processing and day-to-day compliance. Congrats for making our Top 50 list for three years in a row, Denise!
Meryl Johnston & Wayne Richard, Bean Ninjas
Since its inception in 2015, Bean Ninjas has been well on its way to world domination! Bean Ninjas’ mission is to create freedom for entrepreneurs through stress-free business finances. One of the key ways they accomplish this is by operating as a distributed team and living their values of Freedom, Always Growing, and Trust. As a Xero Gold Partner, leveraging cloud technology not only allows them to operate globally, it also enables them to help their clients experience growth – they were even able to help one client grow by 300% year-over-year! Learn more about how Bean Ninjas embraces flexibility and manages a distributed team by watching this webinar interview with Meryl!
Allison Gardiner, Carbon Group
Carbon Group offers a full suite of services to empower their clients, employees (a.k.a., “Carbonites”), and community to achieve business and personal success. Their cloud innovation has enabled them to win a number of awards and create amazing client experiences. This past year, Allison helped a cutting-edge digital design agency move to the cloud. By implementing tools such as Xero and Hubdoc, the client was able to cut costs by thousands of dollars, but that’s not all: “Added to this are the intangibles – easy access to up-to-date data for all necessary parties, documents stored conveniently with the transactions in Xero (no more clunky old filing cabinets!), and customisable reporting for the external board.” Nice one, Allison!
Jane Pollard, Catalyst Accounting & Tax
Catalyst Accounting & Tax is on a mission to be “an employer of choice for women who love numbers and want to work in a supportive educational environment so that they can add value to the small business community of Australia.” In addition to being able to serve remote clients and improve efficiency using cloud technology, they also focus on education and empowerment within their own all-female firm. We can’t wait to see Jane and the Catalyst team continue to conquer in 2019 and beyond!
Chris Beavis, Chieftains Accountants
One key attribute all cloud leaders share is the ability to continually find ways to better serve their clients with cloud technology. Chris and the Chieftains Accountants team were looking for ways to better manage client document collection to prepare financial information for ATO deadlines. Fortunately, they were able to increase efficiency in this process with Hubdoc and Xero: “Having the documents stored on Hubdoc is not only handy from an ATO substantiation perspective – the real benefit is that it allows us to view the information and integrate it with Xero,” explains Chris. Here’s to many more efficiency gains in 2019!
Diane Lucas, Jackie Lane, Karen Honeysett & Kelley Burke, Direct Management
Back on our list for the third year in a row (!), the Direct Management team continues to prove their dedication to empowering their clients with cloud technology. Last year, they were able to help one of their clients reduce their administrative workload from three to four days per week to less than one. Amazing work, Diane, Jackie, Karen, Kelley, and team!
Sarah Parkinson, Diverse Business Consultants
The Diverse Business Consultants team loves enabling their clients to have that “light bulb” moment – i.e., helping them simplify processes with the cloud. Moreover, they also offer Xero training and support to fellow accountants and bookkeepers. Cloud technology has also had a major impact on Sarah’s own life: “I live in Western Queensland on a cattle and cropping farm with three young children. I am able to enjoy a challenging career and operate a thriving bookkeeping business in Brisbane with happy, interesting clients through cloud technology. You wouldn't have been able to do this just ten years ago.” In Sarah’s words: “What a wonderful cloudy world it is!”
Chad Legh, Amanda Egan & Jason Crofts, Essentia Partners
Essentia Partners is committed to making a real difference to their clients’ financial outcomes, and leverages cloud technology to enable them to build a lifestyle they dream about. They’re also passionate about helping clients optimise their Self-Managed Superannuation Funds. This past year, they worked to increase their clients’ visibility into SMSF, enabling them to make real-time decisions and better manage contributions. Congrats, Chad, Amanda, Jason, and team!
Paolo Coniglio, Evolution Cloud Accounting
Paolo and the Evolution Cloud Accounting team support their customers by helping them improve business efficiency, achieve and maintain compliance, and take ownership of their financial activities. This past year, they were able to help one client save three to four hours of admin per week using Hubdoc and other cloud accounting tools! Evolution Cloud Accounting has big plans to take their advisory services to the next level and find new ways to better serve their clients in 2019 – we can tell it’s going to be an exciting year for Paolo and the team!
Ian Shaw, Extrado Accountants & Advisors
Extrado Accountants & Advisors uses tools such as Xero, QuickBooks Online, Hubdoc, and Dropbox to help their clients build better businesses and better futures. Operating as true business partners to their clients, the Extrado team also uses technology to increase efficiency so they can advise, assist, and achieve! Congratulations, Ian and team!
Stuart Reynolds & Paul Silkman, Fullstack Advisory
Fullstack Advisory’s mission is to help entrepreneurs build successful and innovative businesses, thrive, and give back to community. They leverage cloud accounting tools such as Xero, QuickBooks Online, Hubdoc, Skippr, and Practice Ignition to provide financial intel. With this data, their clients are better prepared to make the best decisions so they can create the industries and products of tomorrow!
Kelli Beauchamp, Go Figured Bookkeeping
Go Figured Bookkeeping is a Xero Gold Partner that operates 100% in the cloud. Altogether, the Go Figured Bookkeeping team has more than 34 years of experience in bookkeeping and administration, and they’re always looking for ways to improve the client experience. One of the ways they accomplish this is through their resource center, which contains helpful, easy-to-digest information targeted to SMBs. Way to go, Kelli and team!
Steph Hinds, Growthwise
Upon arriving on Growthwise’s website, their mission becomes pretty clear: think, learn, grow, and kick arse! Steph and the Growthwise team of “ninjas” are at the forefront of cloud accounting technology adoption and are always looking for new ways to #BanAdmin and increase efficiency. They leverage tools such as Xero, Hubdoc, Spotlight Reporting, and Float to help business owners take control of their business so they can lead the life they want and deserve. We’re excited to see what’s next for Growthwise in 2019!
Lyn Ho, GS&T Accounts
For the GS&T Accounts team, providing top-notch client services is a key focus: “We don't just leave clients to fend for themselves, we guide and support them throughout the year,” says Lyn. “Our clients are not restricted by region as we use cloud technology to communicate, such as Zoom, and provide clients with online training as required.” Going above and beyond, GS&T Accounts also collaborates with a graphic design team to help their clients improve their visual branding. Congrats!
Stacey Price, Healthy Business Finances
Healthy Business Finances has two missions: 1) to make numbers fun (so business owners don’t dread working with their advisor), and 2) to help small businesses thrive! In 2019, they plan to create and offer a social media course to small business owners so they can continue to fulfill these missions. Having seen success generating leads and connecting with clients on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, they hope to distribute their knowledge to SMBs so they can leverage another channel for growth. Cheers, Stacey and team!
Sarah Lawrance, Hot Toast
A number of factors contribute to Sarah and the Hot Toast team’s success, including a niche client focus, forward-thinking, and a commitment to empowering their clients with a holistic view of their business data. “With real-time financial data at everyone’s fingertips, we’re able to present deep strategic advice and inform decisions that will ultimately increase growth for our clients,” says Sarah. This past year, Hot Toast was recognised as a finalist for the Accounting Firm of the Year award at the 2018 SMSF and Accounting Awards. We expect even more great things to come for Sarah and the Hot Toast team!
Andrew Van De Beek, Illumin8
One of the things that distinguishes Illumin8 is their dedication to understanding a client’s purpose or “why”, and helping them achieve it. “We want our clients to get out of bed every day and devote their time to what they value most,” explains Andrew. The Illumin8 team even goes so far as to check in on their clients’ health and ensure their businesses are operating stress-free so they can focus on the most important aspects of their lives. Cloud technology plays a big part in achieving this, but it also wouldn’t be possible without an amazing team of people behind-the-scenes. We love your philosophy, Andrew and team – keep up the amazing work!
Cassandra Scott, Laurus Bookkeeping
Helping business owners make sense of a world dominated by technology is one of the things that Laurus Bookkeeping does best! In addition to offering bookkeeping support to small businesses, Cassandra also offers “Pick my brain!” sessions to business owners, as well as training for fellow bookkeepers. Thanks for sharing your knowledge to better the bookkeeping community, Cassandra!
Christopher Tinta, Link Advisors
How is it possible for a firm to achieve Xero Gold Partner status in just two years?! According to Link Advisors, the answer lies in creating incredible client experiences. Since their launch in 2016, Link Advisors has been leveraging cloud technology to fuel growth and provide a “nowhere else” experience for their clients. “We want to provide our clients with an experience they haven't received before or are going to be hard-pressed to find elsewhere,” explains Christopher. We’re excited to see how Link Advisors continues to grow in 2019 and beyond!
Kylie Parker, Lotus Accountants
Kylie and the Lotus Accountants team are on a mission to provide financial confidence to their clients, but they understand that this isn’t easy (even with cloud technology!). As their website states: “Like the lotus flower, financial success does not happen overnight. It requires persistence, dedication, sacrifice and some dirty hard work to grow from muddy beginnings into something beautiful.” In 2018, Kylie released her book, Planning Plan B. This year, she hopes to continue to promote the book’s key messages, including the importance of documenting and storing online life contingency plans.
Canio Muscillo & Michele Romano, Muscillo Romano
Education is a major focus for Muscillo Romano. In addition to leveraging cloud technology to provide valuable advisory services to their clients, they also have an awesome resource center and host free Xero and cloud technology-focused workshops. In 2019, Canio and Michele plan to continue their education initiatives and generate excitement about the cloud: “The goal of this project is to educate business owners, and show them what efficiencies and information they can unlock through the use of technology,” says Canio. Cheers, Canio, Michele, and team!
Noel Tiufino, My Accounts
My Accounts is one of Australia’s largest bookkeeping firms, focusing on using cloud technology such as Xero and Hubdoc to gather real-time data so business owners can make better decisions. As one of the first firms to partner with Xero, Noel has been cloud-savvy since the early days, and My Accounts has since grown to become a Xero Platinum Partner. Congrats to Noel and the team for making our Top 50 list for three years in a row!
Reuben Bergola, New Wave Accounting & Business Advisory
Reuben and the New Wave Accounting & Business Advisory team have accomplished some impressive feats with cloud technology, using tools such as Hubdoc, KeyPay, and QuickBooks Online to help them save time and focus more on what matters in their business. “We want to implement a streamlined bookkeeping and accounting system so that each client can focus on the bigger picture, which is growth, profit and ultimately reaching their goals,” says Reuben.
Shaun Farrugia, Optimised Accounting
Shaun and the Optimised Accounting team are pros when it comes to collaboration and supporting their clients with cloud accounting technology. As a team of true cloud leaders, they also understand that there are always ways to improve: “Our focus is to review and document each and every process in our business so we have a baseline, and then work with the team to continuously improve what we do – all in the name of making us as efficient as possible in order to achieve operational excellence.” Sounds like they’re well on their way to achieving that goal!
Dale Trickett, Poole Group
Dale and the Poole Group team love seeing cloud technology impact their clients’ lives: “The delight clients have when you show them how simple their bookkeeping and accounting functions can be with the right applications and instructions, and the weight lifted off clients’ backs when they implement these systems is amazing.” Poole Group is a Xero Platinum Partner and next year, they’re working to become 100% cloud-enabled. We’re looking forward to seeing Dale and The Poole Group team continue to create efficiencies with the cloud!
Peter McCarthy & Kelly Eke, Precision Taxation Accounting & Management
It’s been a big year for Peter, Kelly, and the Precision team! In July 2018, Precision was recognised at the Lake Macquarie Business Excellence Awards as Business of the Year, as well as for Excellence in Customer Service and Excellence in Digital Technology. Serving clients in the building and construction industry, they have also been able to completely transform their clients’ businesses with cloud accounting tools such as Xero, Hubdoc, Spotlight Reporting, and Asana. Talk about small business superheroes!
Katie Bryan, Propeller Advisory
As their savvy name would suggest, the Propeller Advisory team is focused on helping clients drive forward by giving them the tools they need to continue with growth and onward motion. Propeller Advisory is a Xero Gold Partner and was recognised at the Professional Services Awards 2018 as Best Accounting Firm. Keep propelling your clients into the cloud, Katie and team!
Shamir Gadani, Prosperity Advisers
Walking into an introductory client meeting and walking out with a fully prepared plan for a cloud accounting makeover is just another day in the life for Shamir and the Prosperity Advisers team! With a mission to help clients attain financial independence and an award-winning record of excellence, Prosperity Advisers understands that implementing cloud accounting technology for clients isn’t enough – it’s also important to train and empower them on how to effectively leverage these tools. Congratulations, Shamir and team!
Jonathan Teiffel, Quantum Advisory
When a rural-based client approached Quantum Advisory for help, Jonathan and the team knew just what to do: “We led them in an educational journey to uncover the possibilities the cloud can provide to businesses anywhere in the world. We began automating processes such as data entry and data collection and used an ecosystem of sales, marketing, admin, and communication apps to improve internal efficiency and accuracy.” The results speak for themselves, going far beyond helping the client increase efficiency: “With current drought conditions challenging rural New South Wales, our client has been able to give back to the community, donating time and money to farmers in need.” Thanks for enabling your clients to give back, Jonathan!
Janie Holdstock, QuickData Business Solutions
Back again! Janie joins our Top 50 list for the second year in a row. Over the past year, Janie has continued to help QuickData Business Solutions’ clients grow, learn, and take charge of their businesses with the help of cloud technology. Tools such as QuickBooks Online, Hubdoc, and KeyPay help her to accomplish this mission while working remotely. Congratulations, Janie!
Debbie Demooy, Rad Bookkeeping & Business Solutions
Rad Bookkeeping & Business Solutions has a proven track record of helping their clients alleviate administrative burdens with cloud technology. In 2019, they’re looking to step up their game even further by going 100% paperless. “Getting all our clients paperless will create less filing and sorting of clients’ paperwork for our receptionist, and she can take on more important work,” says Debbie. Way to go, Debbie and team!
Anthony Turner, Jason Robinson, Greg Bramich & Jonathan Kane, RBK Advisory
RBK Advisory has become a model for scalable growth in Australia, having reached over 3,000 clients in just three years of business. Given their mission to inspire businesses, individuals, families, team members, and the community, as well as their commitment to adopting cloud technology, it’s no wonder they’ve been able to achieve such massive success. Watch our webinar with Jason to learn more about how RBK Advisory operates behind-the-scenes!
Shantelle Yesberg & Ian Yesberg, Regional Business Services
Regional Business Services’ mission is to change the way bookkeepers are perceived in the business community. Between their incredible client services and cloud tech savviness, they’re well on their way to accomplishing their mission! Last year, Regional Business Services was selected as the Australian Finalist for the Intuit Firm of the Future Award 2018. We’re excited to see what’s next for RBS!
Jade Hendriks, Rubycube Consulting
Jade is on a mission to change lives, one small business at a time! Operating 100% in the cloud, Rubycube Consulting is able to serve clients regardless of location, including scheduling regular check-ins via Zoom, getting their receipts and bills on time with Hubdoc, and forecasting cash flow with Float. Keep your head in the cloud, Jade!
Nicole Lynch & Monika Stelzner, Streamline Management
Over the past few years, Streamline Management has been able to accomplish some amazing feats for their clients, and also for their practice. Although they’ve come a long way in their cloud journey, they’re still excited for what’s to come: “Since we started our move to cloud tech in 2012, we have had massive improvements in our productivity and happiness. We know that we can accomplish so much more!” says Nicole. Stay cloud-y, Nicole and Monika!
Mark Lawry, Daniel Riley & Brent West, Suntax
Suntax leverages cloud technology to help their clients increase efficiency and to better serve specific niches (such as pharmacy). Above all, they understand the importance of keeping people and relationships front and center at their business. “We make it mandatory for each member of our team to set a 'bucket list' item that they are going to achieve over the next 12 months, and we monitor and reward them with champagne when they achieve their amazing life experience. We also encourage our clients to [do the same] and we continually check in with them to see how they are going.” Congrats, Mark, Daniel, Brent, and team!
Emma Piccione, The Accounting Division Pty Ltd
The Accounting Division is a forward-thinking firm that offers a range of services, including bookkeeping, Xero training, tax planning, financial statement preparation, and more. Since adopting Xero three years ago, Emma and The Accounting Division team have been able to help clients better understand their businesses. “With the help of cloud-based accounting programs (like Xero), we are able to [help] clients transition from having 'no idea' to having regular reviews of their numbers and make key business decisions based on the results.” Thanks for lighting up business owners’ lives with the cloud, Emma!
Greg Dennis, The Orbit Group
The Orbit Group is committed to demystifying accounting and tax for small businesses, and cloud technology has played a major role in helping them to accomplish this mission. The Orbit Group uses tools such as Xero, Futrli, Hubdoc, and Box to achieve their vision of uncomplicated accounting – generating simply awesome results for their clients.
Rouli van der Linde, Thrive Advisors
Thrive Advisors launched in 2018 with a mission to “help each Australian business be ahead of the game through the use of cloud technology and better business information.” Having already achieved Xero Gold Partner status, Rouli and her team also use tools such as SuiteFiles, Practice Ignition, and KeyPay to help their clients achieve their goals. Way to go, Rouli!
Marrianne Parkes, Timewise Financial Solutions
Marrianne has leveraged cloud technology to help clients accomplish some pretty incredible feats. They were able to help one struggling client get back on track with just a few tools: “We put them on cloud accounting software (Xero), uploaded all receipts into Hubdoc, and set up the staff to use Deputy for timesheets.” The results? “They went from zero staff to seven in the space of a year. It has helped this business grow significantly, and for that, she thanks me every day!” Here’s to changing many more lives with the cloud, Marrianne!
Natalie Lennon, Two Sides Accounting
Two Sides Accounting is a true cloud technology success story. Having launched in 2017, they’re already achieving their mission to “to empower our clients to achieve their ‘why’ through sharing our knowledge and providing them with the tools to run and grow a successful business.” What’s next for Natalie? Keep an ear out – Natalie is planning on launching a podcast documenting the journeys of business owners. We can’t wait!
Nick Hill & Andrew Walker, Walker Hill Chartered Accountants
“We believe that if we take a step back and take a breath, then cloud technology is going to leave us behind,” says Nick. Walker Hill Chartered Accountants’ forward-thinking philosophy is one of the key attributes that makes them a cloud leader – having been in business for six years, they’ve embraced cloud technology since day one. Now, Walker Hill uses tools such as Xero, Futrli, Practice Ignition, Dropbox, and Hubdoc to continue to deliver incredible services to their clients. This past year, they developed their own cloud system to improve document management. We’re excited to see even more innovation from, Nick, Andrew, and the Walker Hill team!
Michael Renton & Suzanne Faulkner, Xact Accounting
When it comes to empowering small business owners in Australia, Michael, Suzanne, and the Xact Accounting team know what it takes to put clients in control of their finances. In addition to leveraging cloud technology and offering valuable business advice, Michael and Suzanne also share their expertise through various speaking engagements. Xact Accounting was recognised at the 2018 Savour Australia Awards for Excellence as winners in the Product Supply category. Congrats, team!
Michael Kirby, XO Accounting
XO Accounting believes that a trusted advisor is not a separate entity, but an important member of their clients’ teams. Thanks to cloud accounting technology, Michael and the team are able to live true to their values and help their clients achieve their dreams! This year, they’re venturing even further into the cloud accounting ecosystem, looking to increase client communication with tools such as Slack. We can already tell it’s going to be another exciting year for Michael and the XO Accounting team!
That’s our list! Subscribe to the Hubdoc blog to stay in-the-know about how this year’s #HubdocTop50 Cloud Accountants are empowering small businesses.
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