It’s a catch-22. Businesses large and small know that without great number crunching they can’t generate the data needed to increase revenue, control costs and promote business growth. Yet this ‘back-end’ of the business is non-billable time and takes most owners away from what they love doing most.

Noone knows this better than Karen Groves, owner of Successful Alliances. "It’s extremely hard for businesses to stay on top of numbers," says Karen. "To solve this dilemma, we’ve structured Successful Alliances so it can 'be there' for businesses and keep them on track. We have developed a strategic, yet practical approach for helping them achieve great things through effective management of numbers."

 

 

For its unique approach, Successful Alliances has placed finalist in two prestigious Australian Accounting Awards. Placing finalist for both Bookkeeper of the Year and Bookkeeping Firm of the Year has placed the company amongst Australia’s leading accounting professionals.

"At Successful Alliances, we want clients to think of us as another member of their team, working hard to make their business succeed," says Karen. "It’s about analysing needs and tailoring our advice and bookkeeping solutions so clients run better businesses. We provide support daily, weekly, monthly, annually or even provide a one-off service for businesses needing to catch up, realising that no two businesses are alike."

 

Image: Leighton Hutchinson

 

Karen has a Master in Commerce and consults with the Australian Taxation Office on software systems, bookkeeper and small business needs. She moved Successful Alliances to the Cloud so she could offer clients greater productivity (no travel time), greater responsiveness (can respond to client requests immediately) and better collaboration (between clients and other advisors).

Successful Alliances opened in 2000 as a sole trader and today has grown to eight experts in bookkeeping and accounting. The team specialises in more than bookkeeping. The company excels at financial systems reviews, management reporting and the special needs of not-for-profits (including, importantly, accurate reporting to Boards). It’s expert at a range of software systems, including MYOB, Xero and Quickbooks Online.

 

 

"We’ve implemented an online practice management system so all client jobs and deadlines are met and so we maintain high satisfaction levels," says Karen. "This includes detailed instructions for each task. If the client’s dedicated bookkeeper isn’t available, another team expert can pick up the task and complete it seamlessly."

Now in its fourth year, the Australian Accounting Awards are designed to recognise industry leaders. They’re hosted by Accountants Daily, Australia’s top publication for the accounting industry.  Winners of the awards will be announced at a black-tie awards dinner on Friday, 26 May at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth.

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[Successful Alliances]

Header image by Steve Keough