It starts to get pretty scary and exciting for accountants when someone from the ATO makes a series of comments on the industry.

Listening to the Second Commissioner of the ATO, Geoff Leeper, speak at the Accountants Technology Showcase Australia (ATSA) Conference in October, recently got me scared and excited. Mr Leeper outlined the ATO’s policy in relation to the Standard Business Reporting Strategy (SBR Strategy). He indicated that the ATO had advised the Productivity Commission that there would be $500 million a year in ‘Red Tape Saving’ from the introduction of the SBR Strategy. Now that isn’t really the issue that got me thinking, the next part was what got me really thinking.

Have a look at some of the key points on the 4 minute video below:

Geoff Leeper at ATSA 2014 (Extracts) from Smithink 2020 on Vimeo.

Even the ATO is advising accountants to become business advisors. The question is why are so many accountants finding this a challenge. It is our view that firms have struggled to develop the skills and implement the appropriate processes to engage effectively with their clients to develop these services.

By attending the Smithink 2020 Business Advisory Conference in February and the Global Business Camp with clients in March you will be ready to move forward and expand your service offering.

We are committed to helping you get your Business Advisory services going and have a number of value adds to consider as part of your plan:

– Commit to either of our Business Advisory Enabled or our Optimised Practices Enabled 12 month programs within 3 months of the event, and we will credit the entire Business Advisory Conference fee for one person against the program cost.

– Attending firms receive a one hour free teleconference with Mark Holton to work through commencing your business advisory implementation plan.

– If you register for both the Business Advisory Conference AND the Global Business Camp, we will refund you $1000 off your Business Advisory Conference registration fee.

If you have any questions on any of the above please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Regards,
Mark

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