In this compelling episode, Peter Towers, Managing Director of ESS BIZTOOLS, explores how offering Research & Development (R&D) advisory services can transform your firm into a strategic partner for innovative SMEs. Discover why R&D is not just a tax incentive – it’s a powerful differentiation tool for accountants, bookkeepers, and business advisors.

Peter outlines:

· Why R&D services are critical in a post-compliance world

· How to guide clients from idea to incentive and beyond

· Key requirements: company structure, $20K minimum spend, documentation

· The ripple effect: mentoring, commercialisation, and capital raising

· How ESS BIZTOOLS supports your journey with 46 R&D tools and templates

With looming changes in compliance workflows and increasing SME demand for innovation support, now is the time to diversify your service offerings.

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In this powerful episode Accountants Minute Podcast, Peter Towers, Founder and Managing Director of ESS BIZTOOLS, urges accountants, bookkeepers, and business advisors to reflect on a vital question: Are you really helping your clients grow, or just lodging their tax returns?

Peter shares compelling insights from his journey—ranging from CFO of a public company to advisor on innovation and capital raising—highlighting how traditional compliance work is rapidly losing value in today’s tech-driven world. With AI, value-based pricing, and government-backed funding options reshaping the landscape, firms that fail to diversify will be left behind.

Tune in to learn:

✅ Why most SMEs don’t see their accountants as advisors

✅ How to break free from the “compliance-only” trap

✅ The real-world benefits of offering services like R&D support, cash flow forecasting, and capital raising

✅ What you can learn from corporate finance that applies to SME clients

✅ How ESS BIZTOOLS packages are built to help you stand out—and scale up

If you want your firm to thrive, not just survive, this episode is your wake-up call. It's time to differentiate—or disappear.

You can also access our podcast on:

Amazon Music

Apple Podcasts

Audible

Spotify

YouTube

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.

You can also access our podcast on:

Amazon Music

Apple Podcasts

Audible

Spotify

YouTube