In this episode of Accountants Minute Podcast, Peter Towers busts the myth that R&D is “only for engineers” and shows how accountants and bookkeepers can lead as the internal-audit partner—keeping evidence tight, forms right, and AusIndustry-ready. Learn how to spot eligible clients, ensuring at least $20,000 was spent on approved R&D work in the financial year being claimed, and turn refundable offsets for sub-$20m companies into real cash flow—opening pathways to ESIC, crowdfunding, and ongoing Virtual CFO work.

You can also access our podcast on:

Amazon Music

Apple Podcasts

Audible

Spotify

YouTube

Only 15% of SMEs see their accountant as a true strategic partner.

In this episode of Accountants Minute Podcast, Peter Towers unpacks why – spotlighting MYOB’s findings on poor debtor practices (no credit vetting, weak follow-up, rising DSO) – and outlines how firms can flip the script. Learn practical, billable ways to implement robust debtor systems, set clear terms, use pre-due reminders, and track Debtors Days Outstanding monthly. Equip your team to lift cash flow for clients – and your positioning as their essential advisor.

You can also access our podcast on:

Amazon Music

Apple Podcasts

Audible

Spotify

YouTube

Selling advisory isn’t about luck – it’s a system.

In this Accountants Minute Podcast episode, Peter Towers sits down with master sales trainer Trevor Marchant to unpack how firms can move from transactional compliance to true “key strategic partner” status. Learn the internal prep you need (team training, SME needs analysis, rhythm of reporting), how to frame value around dominant buying motives, and practical steps to confidently package, price, and sell advisory services that SMEs will say yes to – consistently.

You can also access our podcast on:

Amazon Music

Apple Podcasts

Audible

Spotify

YouTube

Peter Towers – Managing Director of ESS BIZTOOLS, and Darren Gleeson – Founder of Tax Fitness, presented a live podcast on moving beyond once-a-year compliance to true strategic partnership.

The podcast covers the following:

✅ Why so few SMEs see their accountant as a key strategic partner—and how to change that.

✅ A simple advisory rhythm: quarterly/monthly reviews, onsite conversations, and deep client discovery.

✅ Turning plans into numbers: collaborative business plans that feed predictive accounting (budgets, cash flow, projected balance sheet) and weekly performance.

✅ Benchmarking that drives profit: focus on a handful of KPIs vs the top 20% in your client’s industry.

✅ Faster cash: tighten debtors days with practical steps.

✅ Packaging & capacity: tiered offers, client selection, and standing up an advisory division.

This podcast episode provides a crisp blueprint to shift firms from compliance-only to ongoing advisory – powered by metrics, quarterly reviews, and benchmarks that matter.

You can also access our podcast on:

Amazon Music

Apple Podcasts

Audible

Spotify

YouTube

Andrew Geddes – FMRC co-founder, long-time Chair of Greencross Ltd, and renowned industry mentor – joins Peter Towers to cut through the noise on where the profession really stands three years after Chris Jordan’s Xerocon warning. We unpack why many firms remain “compliance factories,” and lay out a practical four-step pathway to advisory:

✅ Set clear revenue, profit, and weekly activity targets

✅ Lift margins with pricing, client mix (A/B/C/D), and sales focus

✅ Strengthen cash and controls (stock/WIP, billing, debtor management)

✅ De-risk and build value (leadership, succession, scalability)

Real firm examples, candid insights on outsourcing/offshoring, and how to create fewer, deeper, higher-yield client relationships. If you’re serious about moving to external CFO/Board of Advice work, this is your blueprint.

You can also access our podcast on:

Amazon Music

Apple Podcasts

Audible

Spotify

YouTube

Profitability isn’t a matter of luck—it’s the result of smart, deliberate strategies. In this episode of the Accountants Minute Podcast, Peter Towers, Managing Director and Founder of ESS BIZTOOLS, unpacks why pricing is one of the most critical levers for small business success.

Peter challenges the traditional “historian’s role” of accountants, urging professionals to step forward as trusted advisors who help SMEs set charge-out rates, create budgets, and monitor performance in real time. Drawing on years of experience and insights from industry leaders, he highlights why so many SMEs are struggling – and why accountants must do more than prepare tax returns after the fact.

You’ll discover:

✅ How to guide clients in calculating charge-out rates that truly reflect costs and profit goals.

✅ The importance of ongoing KPIs, cash flow forecasts, and performance reviews.

✅ Why SMEs need proactive advisory – not retrospective compliance.

✅ Practical ways to use tools and calculators that take the guesswork out of pricing.

If your clients are undercharging, guessing their margins, or missing key performance indicators, they’re not just at risk – they’re running blind. This episode shows how you can step into the role of “profit partner” and deliver the strategic advice SMEs are crying out for.

You can also access our podcast on:

Amazon Music

Apple Podcasts

Audible

Spotify

YouTube

In this episode of Accountants Minute Podcast, Peter Towers, Founder and Managing Director of ESS BIZTOOLS, explores one of the most overlooked drivers of SME success: getting the price right.

Far too often, small businesses rely on industry hearsay, competitor benchmarks, or guesswork when setting their charge-out rates. The result? Underpricing that eats away at margins or overpricing that drives customers away.

As accountants, bookkeepers, and business advisors, you hold the key to guiding your clients toward accurate, sustainable pricing strategies. Peter breaks down the fundamentals of calculating true charge-out rates – from labour on-costs and overheads to productivity percentages and profit margins – showing how these elements directly shape business performance.

You’ll also hear practical examples across trades, professional services, and retail, and learn how the ESS BIZTOOLS’ Charge-Out Rate Calculators can help advisors remove the guesswork from pricing. More than compliance, this is about helping SMEs thrive, scale up, and achieve the profitability they deserve.

You can also access our podcast on:

Amazon Music

Apple Podcasts

Audible

Spotify

YouTube

In this episode of the Accountant’s Minute Podcast, Peter Towers, Founder and Managing Director of ESS BIZTOOLS, takes a deep dive into the proven advisory essentials that can help accounting firms, bookkeepers, and business advisors scale up their SME clients into stronger, more resilient businesses.

Through real-world client stories, Peter illustrates the stark difference between businesses that embrace continuous improvement and those that simply “mark time.” You’ll discover why business health checks, pricing reviews, KPI monitoring, and forward-looking cash flow forecasting are not optional extras – but critical tools for protecting and growing any business, whether they aim to expand or simply remain stable and efficient.

Peter also explores practical systems, automation opportunities, and funding strategies – from charge-out rate calculators to Crowd-Sourced Funding equity raising – that you can implement to add measurable value to your clients. With clear, actionable insights, this episode challenges you to move beyond tax returns and become the trusted advisor SMEs truly need in today’s challenging business climate.

You can also access our podcast on:

Amazon Music

Apple Podcasts

Audible

Spotify

YouTube