Differentiate or Disappear: Why Your Firm Must Stand Out

Nine times out of ten, you’ll hear something about tax returns.

That’s the perception we’re working against – and the opportunity we must seize.

The accounting and bookkeeping landscape is changing fast. With automation, outsourcing and new technology reshaping compliance, firms that want to thrive need to offer more than just tax solutions. The firms that stand out are the ones that differentiate.

Advisory That Reflects Real Business Experience

ESS BIZTOOLS wasn’t created from theory. It was built on decades of real business experience – across public practice, corporate leadership, listed companies and SME advisory.

Peter Towers, Founder and Managing Director of ESS BIZTOOLS, brings a career that spans everything from CFO responsibilities in a listed company to mentoring SMEs on scaling up, innovation, and capital raising.

His journey started in a chartered accountancy firm, then led to regional finance roles and a CFO position where real-time reporting, business health checks, and weekly performance reviews were critical to business success – not annual tax reviews.

From creating performance-driven finance systems to managing cash flow disruptions caused by export logistics, Peter learned firsthand what SMEs really need from their accountants. And that knowledge powers every ESS BIZTOOLS product package.

The Building Blocks of a True Advisory System

From these experiences came a clear vision: accountants and bookkeepers must evolve into trusted advisors, ready to answer the tough “what if” questions SME clients face every week.

With this in mind, ESS BIZTOOLS developed a wide range of resources, some of them are as follows:

52-Week Business Enhancement System: A structured, repeatable service delivery model that helps identify and correct problems before they snowball.

Predictive Accounting Tools: Budgets, cash flow forecasts, KPIs and reports – designed for SMEs, not just large corporates.

Capital Raising Packages: Including systems for Section 708 of Corporations Act, Early-Stage Innovation Companies, and Crowdsourced Funding Equity Raising – essential for innovative SMEs ready to scale up.

Client Mentoring & Coaching Resources: Equip your firm to offer value beyond the numbers by addressing the leadership, marketing, operational, and strategic needs of SME clients.

Rhythm of Meetings Strategy: Daily, weekly, and monthly reporting and review structures that empower decision-making, improve accountability, and build financial confidence.

Turning Knowledge Into Tools for You

Peter’s deep understanding of finance, risk management, business operations, and capital raising has been transformed into practical tools and systems that you can implement with your SME clients.

With 26 years of development and refinement, ESS BIZTOOLS offers more than templates – it offers a complete business advisory framework grounded in real-world insight.

This isn’t just about ‘adding advisory’. It’s about transforming your firm into a dynamic, trusted partner that drives SME performance and success.

It’s Time to Stand Out

The marketplace is crowded. Clients are demanding more. Technology is levelling the playing field.

ESS BIZTOOLS gives you the framework, tools, and proven strategies to do exactly that.

Let your firm be the one SME clients turn to – not just for tax time, but every time they ask: “What happens if we…?”

Unlock Advisory Growth at Half the Cost – Offer Ends 30 June!

Now is the perfect time to position your firm for growth and stand out as a true business advisor to your SME clients.

Take advantage of our limited-time 50% discount across all ESS BIZTOOLS product packages before 30 June 2025.

For example, the complete Financial Forecasting Package – our top-of-the-range system – can be yours for just $3,990 (incl GST) for a full 12 months of access. That’s a saving of $3,990 off the standard investment!

Other comprehensive advisory tools and packages are also available at half price – including systems for business planning, capital raising, succession strategy, and more.

💡 Whether you're starting your advisory journey or scaling up your existing services, now is the time to invest in proven tools developed by accountants for accountants.

EXPLORES ESS BIZTOOLS PACKAGES AND SUBSCRIBE HERE

Help your clients plan, predict, and perform – while you build a more profitable, future-ready firm.

👉 Don't miss out. This 50% EOFY offer ends 30 June 2025.

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

From Idea to Incentive: Unlocking R&D Success

📅 Thursday 26 June 2025

🕚 11:00 AM AEST

💻 Live and Complimentary

Great ideas are just the beginning. Learn how to guide your clients from R&D concept to commercial success - using government grants, tax incentives, and early-stage funding options like ESIC and crowd-sourced funding.

We’ll walk you through a proven R&D process - from identifying innovation opportunities to lodging claims with AusIndustry and the ATO. You’ll also discover how to position your firm as a key advisor in capital raising and business growth strategies.

Help your clients innovate, grow—and get funded.

👉 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW

ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast

In this episode, Peter Towers, Managing Director of ESS BIZTOOLS, shares a compelling roadmap for accountants, bookkeepers and business advisors ready to transition from tax-focused work to delivering high-impact advisory services for SME clients.

Discover how to implement a structured business planning process, identify key client concerns with the SME Needs Analysis, and coordinate meaningful leadership team discussions. Peter outlines the critical steps in developing business plans that don’t just sit in drawers – but actively drive performance. From predictive financial reports and budgeting per business unit to real-time performance tracking and KPI management, this episode is a practical guide to becoming your client's trusted advisor.

If you're ready to help clients survive and thrive with a systemised advisory approach, this episode is your blueprint. Don’t miss Peter’s insights into the ESS BIZTOOLS Financial Forecasting Package, including the training and tools that can elevate your firm’s services in 2025 and beyond.

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”.

Tell us what you think

We would like to ensure that our articles remain relevant, insightful and informative.  We value your input, so it would be appreciated if you could take a few minutes of your time to complete our survey – click here.

Thank you for your assistance in making Accountants Minute better.

Subscribe to Accountants Minute

Want to keep up to date with the latest issue of our Accountants Minute newsletter?

Click here to subscribe, free of charge.