The Bookkeeper Event 2024

Early risers win! Doors are open, get ready for fun and learning! Get in early, grab your lanyard, check out the sponsors around the Expo area, and settle in for a day of learning and fun!

A world-renowned expert in artificial intelligence (AI), specialising in the augmentation of human intelligence, and advancing the evolution of 'integrated AI'. A former chairman for Mensa International's gifted families, Alan applies a rigorous background in human intelligence to artificial intelligence.

• Published author
• Doctorate from Emerson
• Fellow of the Institute of Coaching (Harvard Medical School)

Join MYOB CEO Paul Robson as he shares insights from his first year at the helm of Australia’s leading business management platform, key trends impacting the bookkeeping profession, and how MYOB is transforming to meet the future needs of bookkeepers and their clients.

• Key trends impacting the bookkeeping profession
• How MYOB is transforming to meet the future needs of bookkeepers and their clients

Take a quick break, say hi to a few of the sponsors in the Expo area, and grab a coffee before settling down for the rest of the morning's sessions.

Bookkeepers live and breathe their client’s businesses and see the hardships business owners face on a daily basis, having to make tough decisions when cash flow is tight. As headlines highlight the growing rate of insolvencies across all shapes and sizes of business, we explore those things bookkeepers are uniquely positioned to identify and act on, often before the books get anywhere near an accountant. We will look at different options for clients in financial difficulty and how your client’s personal assets can be better protected. These insights will be wrapped up in a practical case study to make this highly relevant and relatable.

• Options for Clients facing Financial Difficulties
• How to better protect a client’s assets
• Real-life Case Study

Join HR Central CEO, Damien Gooden, in exploring the growth of a bookkeeper in the market place. From the days of the abacus to tech, bookkeepers are so much more than a valued outsource managing the finances of their clients. They are trusted advisors, who are looked at as a source of knowledge that extends their traditional role of expertise. With a focus on HR and the close relationship to payroll and compliance, Damien will provide key pointers as to how any bookkeeper can extend their service offering, secure new business and/or maintain trust and retention with existing clients, whilst protecting themselves from liability.

• Open the “info access gate” to HR legislation changes and guidance without having to do the leg work yourself
• How to spot potential compliance risks of your clients and what you can offer via tech solutions that can help keep them on the straight and narrow! You use tech, so should they!
• How to have the conversation with your clients regarding the benefits of an outsourced HR process

Enjoy a long lunch and take in all that our Expo area has to offer!

In this technical but practically grounded session, we review the biggest changes in the tax & super landscape throughout 2024, and look at what awaits in 2025. This session will deliver you important knowledge to not only be across the latest changes affecting your clients, but also your own affairs.

• Review of the biggest changes in Tax & Super
• A look at what's coming in 2025

The objective of Australia’s Digital ID System is that it is secure, convenient, voluntary and inclusive. There are lots of myths around it, but with the successful passage of the Digital ID legislation through the parliament earlier this year, we are on course for its implementation from 1 December 2024. This will enable the expansion of the existing system to enable more choice of providers and start to reduce the over-sharing of identity information in our everyday lives. This will reduce costs and risks to businesses who are collecting and storing information.

• Digital ID Legislation
• Dispelling the Myths around Digital ID

Take a quick break, say hi to a few of the sponsors in the Expo area, and grab some afternoon tea before settling down for the rest of the afternoon's sessions.

Payday Super is the most impactful change to Superannuation Guarantee since its inception. Due to commence in less than 2 years, it significantly impacts BAS Agents, employers, Clearing Houses, Super Funds, the ATO and employees. Understanding the impact of Payday Super on the payroll function is essential for all bookkeepers processing payroll. Get the latest update on the progress of this initiative direct from the ATO’s Sonia Corsini.

Australian Bookkeepers Association (ABA) directors work tirelessly for its members in representing them in all the right government forums. This panel session features three of its directors together with ATO Co-Chair of the key BAS Agent consultative forum. Moderator Joanne Crumpton is joined by fellow ABA directors Kerrie Jarius and Peter Thorp as well as the ATO’s Sonia Corsini as they discuss the current issues that are most relevant to BAS Agents and bookkeepers.

Unlock the potential of artificial intelligence to revolutionise your marketing efforts in this dynamic session designed specifically for bookkeepers. Learn how to develop a strategic marketing plan and automate your content creation process using cutting-edge AI tools. This session will provide you with the knowledge and practical steps to enhance your marketing efficiency, reach your target audience more effectively, and drive business growth.

• Strategic Marketing Planning
• AI-Powered Content Creation
• Efficiency and Scalability

Early risers win! Doors are open, get ready for fun and learning! Get in early, check out the sponsors around the Expo area, and settle in for a day of learning and fun!

Are you looking to enhance your bookkeeping practice? While there are many app options available, they alone cannot drive efficiency. To achieve optimal workflows, it's crucial to identify the appropriate app, role, and boundary for each task. By doing so, you can create a streamlined client experience that empowers you to deliver exceptional service and take control of client relationships with ease. This session will show you how to build a low-friction client lifecycle that elevates your bookkeeping practice!

• Identify the best Apps for your business
• Streamline your clients experience
• Building a low-friction client lifecycle

Join Louise as she navigates the evolving landscape of payroll. Delve into the latest updates and upcoming changes that are impacting payroll. Gain invaluable insights as Louise addresses the most pressing questions and intricate challenges encountered by payroll professionals today. Don't miss this opportunity to stay ahead in the ever-changing world of payroll management.

• Latest Payroll updates and upcoming changes
• Biggest Payroll challenges encountered by payroll professionals

Take a quick break, say hi to a few of the sponsors in the Expo area, and grab a coffee before settling down for the rest of the morning's sessions.

Choose from six practical workshops that will offer you invaluable opportunities for a more hands-on learning approach! Further details to come.

Practical demonstration

• Pre-engagement - the value of using XBert to see what is "under the hood" - how a data quality review can be a paid service line in your practice
• Strategic Pricing - clarity around what is rescue work and what is ongoing work - leveraging off the Health Check Reports, Client Comparative Reports and XBert Intelligence to provide more structure around pricing
• Pricing Conversations - how not to talk about pricing, but talk about outcomes - sell your knowledge and experience, not your time
• Pricing Review - leverage off XBert data and visualisations to know when to have repricing conversations - what also needs to be included in your letter of engagement

Practical demonstration

Unlock the power of intentional thinking with Thinking, for Life and Business. Together, we’ll explore how thinking shapes our decisions, actions, and ultimately, our position in life and business. We'll explore the process of clear thinking, uncover common obstacles, and introduce powerful mental models to supercharge your problem-solving skills. With practical strategies inspired by Design Thinking, you'll leave equipped with tools to think more effectively and solve the right problems in both your personal and professional life.

Practical demonstration

Join Ignition’s Michelle Timperley for an insightful workshop on process mapping, your secret weapon for enhancing client and staff onboarding. By visualizing steps, integrations, and decision points, you'll gain clear insights into areas for improvement, with actionable steps you can implement immediately. This session not only covers process mapping techniques but also showcases leading bookkeeping apps to help you build an app stack that works best for your business. Embrace technology to stay ahead in 2024 and beyond.

Practical demonstration

Discover how Artificial Intelligence (AI) will revolutionise bookkeeping in this practical session. Learn how AI-driven tools can streamline your workflow, improve accuracy, and automate routine tasks like reconciliations and reporting. You’ll gain valuable insights on integrating AI into other areas of your business all while ensuring data security and maintaining personalized service. Stay ahead of the curve and explore the future of bookkeeping with AI!

Practical demonstration

Join us for an in-depth exploration of the ABN website and discover how it can propel your business forward. This session is ideal for current members looking to update their knowledge of the ABN website, as well as non-members interested in discovering the benefits of the ABN Member Centre. We’ll guide you through a comprehensive range of the resources, tools, and templates available, offering practical tips and insights to help you make the most of these features. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your understanding and leverage ABN's offerings for your business success.

Practical demonstration

Tom will dispel common myths surrounding outsourcing, revealing the truths behind each misconception. He'll present real-world insights into the strategic advantages that firms have gained through outsourcing, helping you understand how it can drive efficiency and growth.

Enjoy a long lunch and take in all that our Expo area has to offer!

This panel session will explore how embracing AI can transform your practice. Gain practical takeaways that you can immediately implement in your business. The session will focus on:

• How embracing AI can solve problems and remove pain points
• What efficiencies can be gained
• What everyday tasks can be managed differently

Join Liss McLaren in this transformative session designed specifically for the bookkeeping community, where you will learn how to build and harness your creative confidence to drive innovation and success in your practice. This session will equip you with the mindset and tools needed to overcome creative barriers, embrace new ideas, and implement effective solutions tailored to the unique challenges of bookkeeping.

• Developing a creative mindset
• Overcoming the fear of judgment
• Practical tools for innovation
• Empathy-driven solutions
• collaborative creativity

Janine takes her audiences on a roller-coaster ride of emotional, funny, and inspirational tales—many from her own life and borrowing from her intensive studies. Janine's TEDx talk is so compelling that Ted.com made it the talk of the day, and it's been viewed by millions worldwide. Janine's presentations are so engaging that you'll lose yourself in the excitement.

• Published Author
• Ex-Olympic Athlete
• Over 1million views on TEDx

After all the learning is done, you've networked with all our amazing sponsors, you've made friends with bookkeepers near and far, you've been inspired by our keynotes, and you've taken in all you can about AI, innovation and technology, it'll be time to let your hair down at ABN's iconic Bookkeeper Event After Party! Cocktail attire is encouraged, so dust off your frocks and bring along your dancing shoes!