Building Future-Ready Advisory Firms
Accountants Minute 423
Why Accountants, Bookkeepers and Business Advisors Must Seize the Opportunity
On 8 September 2022, then-Tax Commissioner Chris Jordan AO stood before thousands at Xerocon and delivered a message that shook the industry:
“Tax will never ‘just happen’ without you.”
It was a call to action. A reminder that even in an age of automation, the role of accountants and bookkeepers was not disappearing – it was evolving. Three years on, his words ring louder than ever.
The ATO’s Digital Shift: Tax Administration 3.0
The Australian Tax Office is racing towards Tax Administration 3.0, a future where compliance reporting is integrated, automated, and almost invisible. Lodgements, reconciliations, and data submissions are increasingly performed through technology platforms, leaving less room for traditional compliance work.
For firms built on high-volume, low-margin tax returns, this shift represents a looming crisis. Margins are eroding, competition is intensifying, and technology is dismantling what was once the bedrock of the profession.
But this isn’t just a story of disruption. It’s a story of opportunity.
Beyond Compliance: Why Advisory Matters Now More Than Ever
When compliance “just happens,” what remains is the heart of true professional value: advice. SMEs don’t just need tax lodgements – they need guidance, strategy, and insight. They need accountants and bookkeepers who can:
✅ Help them navigate cash flow pressures and working capital challenges.
✅ Translate financial data into clear business strategies that fuel growth.
✅ Monitor KPIs and provide real-time corrective action.
✅ Support them in accessing funding pathways, from bank loans to government grants and capital raising.
✅ Deliver systems that strengthen resilience, efficiency, and profitability.
The Mindset Shift for Firms
Many firms have already begun the transition. They’re introducing business health checks, rolling out financial forecasting, embedding debtor management systems, and creating the “rhythm of meetings” that keeps SMEs accountable and future-focused.
Others, however, are still holding tightly to a compliance-first model. For these firms, the danger is clear: without adapting, their service offering risks becoming irrelevant in a world where technology is doing the heavy lifting.
The firms that will thrive in the years ahead are those that embrace the identity of trusted advisors. That means investing in systems, training, and advisory methodologies that are scalable, repeatable, and profitable.
Upcoming Webinar: Advisory in the Age of ATO Digital Transformation
To help you take action, ESS BIZTOOLS is hosting a timely and practical webinar.
During this session, we’ll revisit Chris Jordan’s key messages, assess how the industry has responded since 2022, and outline what’s next for firms determined to succeed in the advisory era.
You’ll discover:
✅ Why the traditional compliance model is under threat
✅ How to reposition your firm as a trusted advisor in the digital era
✅ Practical advisory services that SMEs urgently need
✅ How ESS BIZTOOLS equips your firm with proven systems, training, and resources
This is your chance to get ahead of the curve, strengthen your client relationships, and position your firm as a brilliant and trusted advisor in the digital era.
Why This Matters for You and Your Clients
This webinar isn’t just about future-proofing your firm – it’s about future-proofing your clients. SMEs across Australia are navigating high interest rates, inflation, supply chain challenges, and funding pressures. They’re crying out for guidance that goes far beyond tax.
By stepping into the advisory space, you:
✅ Deepen client relationships.
✅ Create consistent, recurring revenue streams.
✅ Differentiate your firm in a crowded market.
✅ Attract and retain top talent who want to do more than churn out tax returns.
This is about building a future-ready firm that delivers lasting value and secures long-term growth.
Visit our website – www.essbiztools.com.au – to discover the detailed overview of the services provided by ESS BIZTOOLS. You are also welcome to contact us on 0418 190 181 or email .
Free Webinar by ESS BIZTOOLS
Advisory in the Age of ATO Digital Transformation
📅 Wednesday 10 September 2025 | 11am AEST
Turning Tax Into Strategy: The New Advisory Edge
📅 Wednesday 17 September 2025 | 11am AEST
How to Sell Advisory Services with Confidence
📅 Wednesday 24 September 2025 | 11am AEST
ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast
We’re excited to announce that this week’s Accountants Minute Podcast will be going LIVE!
Presented by Peter Towers, Managing Director of ESS BIZTOOLS, with decades of experience helping accountants and advisors deliver high-value services to SMEs.
Joining us will be Andrew Geddes, Co-Founder of the Financial Management Research Centre (FMRC) at the University of New England, one of Australia’s leading accountancy industry trainers and mentors. Andrew also served as Chair of ASX Top 200 company Greencross Ltd for 10 years, overseeing its growth from a single veterinary clinic to a national network of practices and pet supply businesses.
This is your chance to hear first-hand insights from two industry leaders on the future of accounting, advisory services, and building successful firms.
Attendees will be invited to submit questions live during the session. If you’d like to send your question in advance, please email:
Don’t miss this interactive session. Mark your calendar for Thursday11 September at 4pm AEST.
Listen to more Accountants Minute Podcast episodes here
Want to know more?
Visit www.essbiztools.com.au.
If you would like to have a discussion about how this concept of virtual CFO services can be supplied by Australian accounting firms please ring our Managing Director, Peter Towers, on 0418 190 181 and we will arrange a complimentary 45-minute Zoom meeting to discuss your firm’s position and to give you our advice.
We believe that this is the blueprint for the delivery of an enhanced range of services by Australian Accounting and Bookkeeping firms to assist SME businesses to add value to their businesses and to assist accountants and bookkeepers not only to attract but to retain outstanding talent who want to be involved in the delivery of “real accounting services”.
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