Business Advisory Conversations that Drive Impact

In today’s rapidly evolving business environment, accountants, bookkeepers, and business advisors are expected to be more than just tax professionals. SME clients are facing a complex landscape – from rising interest rates and cash flow struggles to business restructuring, succession planning, and growth strategies. They’re not just looking for someone to prepare their BAS – they want a trusted advisor.

That’s where Business Plus+, monthly newsletter and coaching resource developed by ESS BIZTOOLS, becomes an essential part of your advisory toolkit.

Each month, Business Plus+ delivers four to six professionally written, practical articles that cover a wide range of financial, commercial, and management topics relevant to small and medium-sized business owners. Topics include buying or selling a business, planning for expansion, understanding corporate governance, preparing for business exit strategies, and improving fiscal management. Over the course of a year, that means 50 to 75 high-quality articles ready to be branded with your firm’s identity and shared with your clients and prospects.

We encourage firms to not only distribute these articles but to actively follow up. For example, if one of your clients has expressed interest in acquiring another business and the latest issue features an article titled “Thinking About Purchasing a Business?”, this is your cue. Reach out three or four days after sending the newsletter with a friendly call:

This simple step transforms a passive newsletter into an active advisory engagement. It shows clients that you're tuned in, proactive, and ready to help them solve real business challenges – not just file returns.

What makes Business Plus+ even more effective is the ecosystem behind it. Each edition links to a curated reference library within the ESS BIZTOOLS platform – giving you and your team additional background information, conversation guides, and support material. So when a client wants to discuss issues such as cash flow forecasting, charge-out rates, or the risks of operating as a sole trader, you have the resources to confidently lead the conversation and offer strategic guidance.

In the most recent edition, some of the featured articles included:

✅ Thinking About Purchasing a Business?

✅ Are You Planning to Sell Your Business?

✅ What’s the Lifetime Value of a Customer?

✅ The Director’s Role in a Small Business

✅ Corporate Governance for SMEs

Each article is designed to align with different stages in the SME lifecycle. Whether your client is launching, scaling up, or preparing for succession, there’s relevant content to open doors and deepen your advisory relationships.

With over 17 years of continuous production, Business Plus+ has proven itself as a sustainable, consistent resource that helps firms:

✅ Position themselves as proactive, knowledgeable business advisors.

✅ Increase client loyalty and engagement.

✅ Generate new advisory revenue opportunities.

If you’re looking to build a scalable, repeatable advisory strategy, Business Plus+ is ready to support you.

Take the next step in your advisory journey. Empower your firm to deliver timely insights and start more meaningful conversations with SME clients.

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 .

ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast

In this episode of Accountants Minute Podcast, Peter Towers, Managing Director of ESS BIZTOOLS, explores how accountants, bookkeepers, and business advisors can put Business Plus+ into action to spark meaningful conversations with SME clients. Learn how this monthly communication tool becomes a gateway to advisory services - covering everything from business planning and R&D to selling a business and improving cash flow. Peter also reflects on industry shifts, including warnings from Chris Jordan and Mark Wickersham on the decline of compliance work, reinforcing the urgent need to evolve into proactive advisory roles. If you're ready to move from insight to implementation, this episode is essential listening.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST

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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