Accountants After Hours

Episode 10: Mental Health in Accounting

Proudly brought to you by Ignition who we both love and use in our businesses to automate proposals and streamline invoicing. In this episode, Nat and Sarah tackle an issue close to every accountant's heart - mental health in accounting - especially during the pressure cooker of EOFY season. They open up about what's been keeping them busy: Natalie's nomination for Thought Leader of the Year at the Australian Accounting Awards, Sarah's CPA AI Build Day pilot event, onboarding new clients and team members, and gearing up for tax planning season. The conversation gets real as they explore the unique mental health challenges facing accountants - from the emotional weight of client crises, to managing perfectionism and imposter syndrome, to the always-on nature of working from home. They share personal strategies that help them stay grounded, including the 5am gym club, setting boundaries with work hours, prioritising sleep, and building routines that create separation between work and life. The episode wraps with a tea time reminder to be kind - after hearing about an accountant who blasted another via email over Xero file mistakes. Pick up the phone, sleep on that angry email, and remember we're all in this together. Follow, subscribe and share with an accountant who needs a space where the real conversations happen. ☕️ Send us your accounting industry tea and how you are using AI in your firm - hello@accountantsafterhours or DM on socials. 🔗 Episode links: * New Access for Small Business Owners coaching program -https://www.beyondblue.org.au/mental-health/work/small-business-owners-and-sole-traders [https://www.beyondblue.org.au]    * CAANZ - 6 sessions with a psych https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/member-services/mentoring-and-support/ca-wellbeing [https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/member-services/mentoring-and-support/ca-wellbeing]  * Small Business Accountants & Advisers Brain Trust, Australia Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1bZrkuRGSJ/ [https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1bZrkuRGSJ/]  💬 Join in on the conversation: - Follow us on Instagram [https://instagram.com/accountantsafterhours] (it’s where we have the most fun) - Like us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/accountantsafterhours] - Follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountantsafterhours] - Watch and subscribe on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@AccountantsAfterHours] DISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Listeners should seek their own professional advice and conduct their own due diligence before acting on any information discussed. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 9: Growing your firm in 2026

Proudly brought to you by Ignition [https://ignitionapp.info/accountants-after-hours] who we both love and use in our businesses to automate proposals and streamline invoicing. In a rapidly changing industry, your growth strategy can't just be "do good work and hope for referrals". This episode explores how to build a multi-pronged marketing strategy for 2026 and beyond..  Natalie discusses her shift from 100% online visibility to a mix of social media and local networking, while Sarah shares her "North Star" of building an AI-native firm. They cover the hidden costs of referrals that aren't the right fit, the dangers of buying growth through messy firm acquisitions, and the power of simple consistency over perfection.. Follow, subscribe and share with an accountant who needs a space where the real conversations happen. ☕️ Send us your accounting industry tea and how you are using AI in your firm - hello@accountantsafterhours or DM on socials. 🔗 Episode links: * Nat's iconic Tiktok bathtub video [https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSHw568o] 💬 Join in on the conversation: - Follow us on Instagram [https://instagram.com/accountantsafterhours] (it’s where we have the most fun) - Like us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/accountantsafterhours] - Follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountantsafterhours] - Watch and subscribe on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@AccountantsAfterHours] DISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Listeners should seek their own professional advice and conduct their own due diligence before acting on any information discussed. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 8: Accountants React to 2026 Federal Budget

Proudly brought to you by Ignition [https://ignitionapp.info/accountants-after-hours] who we both love and use in our businesses to automate proposals and streamline invoicing. The 2026 Federal Budget has landed and accountants across Australia are sounding the alarm.  In this episode Natalie Lennon and Sarah Lawrence unpack the biggest tax changes, including the removal of negative gearing on existing properties, changes to capital gains tax, the new 30% trust tax, bucket company issues, R&D updates, PAYG reforms, and what it all means for small business owners, investors, and accountants. This is an honest, unfiltered discussion about the real-world impact these proposed changes could have on everyday Australians, business owners, and the economy. ☕️ Send us your accounting industry tea and how you are using AI in your firm - hello@accountantsafterhours or DM on socials. 🔗 Episode links: * 2026 Federal Budget Government webpage [https://budget.gov.au/] * Two Sides Accounting Blog - 2026 Federal Budget Summary [https://www.twosides.com.au/single-post/2026federalbudget] * Electric Car FBT Exemption [https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/hiring-and-paying-your-workers/fringe-benefits-tax/types-of-fringe-benefits/fbt-on-cars-other-vehicles-parking-and-tolls/electric-cars-exemption]  💬 Join in on the conversation: - Follow us on Instagram [https://instagram.com/accountantsafterhours] (it’s where we have the most fun) - Like us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/accountantsafterhours] - Follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountantsafterhours] - Watch and subscribe on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@AccountantsAfterHours] DISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Listeners should seek their own professional advice and conduct their own due diligence before acting on any information discussed. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 7: Show Me the Money: Re-Engagements

Proudly brought to you by Ignition [https://ignitionapp.info/accountants-after-hours] who we both love and use in our businesses to automate proposals and streamline invoicing. Stop slapping a flat 5% increase across every client and calling it a pricing strategy. In this episode Natalie and Sarah break down how to turn annual re-engagements into a strategic reset for your firm. They discuss why a service-by-service pricing review is a critical "time to shine" for accountants to protect their margins, lock in recurring revenue, and demonstrate value beyond basic compliance. Follow, subscribe and share with an accountant who needs a space where the real conversations happen. ☕️ Send us your accounting industry tea and how you are using AI in your firm - hello@accountantsafterhours or DM on socials. 🔗 Episode links: * SBAABTA FB Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/977122739056681] * Ignition Pricing Benchmark report [https://ignitionapp.info/benchmark-report-aah] 💬 Join in on the conversation: - Follow us on Instagram [https://instagram.com/accountantsafterhours] (it’s where we have the most fun) - Like us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/accountantsafterhours] - Follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountantsafterhours] - Watch and subscribe on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@AccountantsAfterHours] DISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Listeners should seek their own professional advice and conduct their own due diligence before acting on any information discussed. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 6: Tax Planning Made Simple

Proudly brought to you by Ignition [https://ignitionapp.info/accountants-after-hours] who we both love and use in our businesses to automate proposals and streamline invoicing. Stop leaving money on the table by only calling clients on June 30th with last minute instructions. In this episode Natalie and Sarah break down how to turn tax planning into a high-value advisory service. They discuss why proactive tax planning is a critical "time to shine" for accountants to demonstrate value to clients beyond basic compliance. Follow, subscribe and share with an accountant who needs a space where the real conversations happen. ☕️ Send us your accounting industry tea and how you are using AI in your firm - hello@accountantsafterhours or DM on socials. 💬 Join in on the conversation: - Follow us on Instagram [https://instagram.com/accountantsafterhours] (it’s where we have the most fun) - Like us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/accountantsafterhours] - Follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountantsafterhours] - Watch and subscribe on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@AccountantsAfterHours] DISCLAIMER: This podcast is general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Listeners should seek their own professional advice and conduct their own due diligence before acting on any information discussed. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.