It's Time to Go Beyond the Numbers
ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant's Minute)
Release Date: 05/29/2025
Differentiate or Disappear: Why Your Firm Must Stand Out
ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant's Minute)
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...
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Help SMEs Navigate Growth with Business Planning
ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant's Minute)
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...
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Corporate Governance: Guide SMEs with Confidence and Clarity
ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant's Minute)
In this edition of Accountants Minute Podcast, Peter Towers, founder and Managing Director of ESS BIZTOOLS, dives deep into the essential – but often overlooked – topic of corporate governance for SMEs. This episode is a must-listen for accountants, bookkeepers, and business advisors who want to provide stronger leadership and risk management guidance to their clients. From understanding directors' duties under the Corporations Act to improving board meeting practices, internal controls, and financial literacy, Peter outlines practical steps professionals can take to help SME clients...
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It's Time to Go Beyond the Numbers
ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant's Minute)
In this episode of Accountants Minute Podcast, Peter Towers challenges accountants, bookkeepers, and business advisors to step into the role of true strategic partners for SMEs. Discover how financial forecasting, real-time reporting, and predictive accounting can transform your client relationships and your practice. From cash flow management to capital raising through crowdsource funding, Peter outlines the practical tools and advisory opportunities waiting for firms ready to move beyond compliance. If you're looking to deliver deeper value, build recurring advisory revenue, and help clients...
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Family Business Advisory: Your Next Growth Opportunity
ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant's Minute)
In this episode of the Accountants Minute Podcast, Peter Towers explores why family businesses are the cornerstone of the Australian SME sector—and what that means for accountants, bookkeepers, and business advisors. With 70% of SMEs being family-run, understanding the unique dynamics, challenges, and opportunities of these businesses is essential. Peter dives into real-world advisory questions—from employing family members and paying fair wages to succession planning and funding options like crowd-sourced equity and early-stage innovation. Discover how ESS BIZTOOLS can equip you with...
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Let's Talk Business, Not Just Tax.
ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant's Minute)
In this episode of Accountants Minute Podcast, Peter Towers, founder of ESS BIZTOOLS, challenges accountants, bookkeepers, and business advisors to rethink their role with SME clients. It's time to move beyond tax returns and embrace the full potential of business advisory services. Peter explores how tools like the SME Needs Analysis, Business Plus+ newsletters, and Predictive Accounting Reports can empower accountants to deliver real impact – helping clients manage cash flow, reduce debtors days outstanding, plan for succession and raise capital. He also reflects on why many SMEs are...
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Scaling Up: Why Getting the Foundations Right is Critical
ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant's Minute)
In this episode of the Accountants Minute Podcast, Peter Towers dives into why so many Australian businesses struggle to scale—and how accountants and advisors play a pivotal role in building the right foundations. From strengthening internal systems and cash flow forecasting to debtors management, supplier negotiations, and business planning, Peter unpacks practical ways professionals can guide SME clients toward sustainable growth. Tune in to discover how you can help your clients avoid costly pitfalls and position your firm as a trusted advisor on their scaling journey. You can also...
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New to Advisory Services? We've Got You Covered.
ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant's Minute)
In this episode of Accountants Minute Podcast, Peter Towers explores how accountants, bookkeepers, and business advisors can respond to the mounting pressures faced by SME clients—and their own firms. With compliance services rapidly evolving and advisory opportunities expanding, Peter outlines how the ESS BIZTOOLS Starter Package equips you to become a virtual CFO, deliver ongoing commercial insights, and support clients through financial forecasting, R&D, charge-out rates, and more. If you're ready to move beyond tax returns and help businesses truly thrive, this episode is your...
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Business Advisory Conversations that Drive Impact
ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant's Minute)
In this episode of the Accountants Minute Podcast, Peter Towers, Managing Director of ESS BIZTOOLS, explores how accountants, bookkeepers, and business advisors can create meaningful conversations that go beyond compliance and drive real results for SME clients. Drawing from decades of experience, Peter highlights the importance of proactive client engagement, effective communication of advisory services, and the power of tools like the Business Plus+ newsletter to spark valuable dialogue and deliver measurable improvements in client outcomes. Discover how to shift your conversations from...
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Business Plus+ in Action: From Insight to Implementation
ESS BIZTOOLS Podcast (Accountant's Minute)
In this episode of Accountants Minute Podcast, Peter Towers, Managing Director of ESS BIZTOOLS, explores how accountants, bookkeepers, and business advisors can put Business Plus+ into action to spark meaningful conversations with SME clients. Learn how this monthly communication tool becomes a gateway to advisory services - covering everything from business planning and R&D to selling a business and improving cash flow. Peter also reflects on industry shifts, including warnings from Chris Jordan and Mark Wickersham on the decline of compliance work, reinforcing the urgent need to evolve...
info_outlineIn this episode of Accountants Minute Podcast, Peter Towers challenges accountants, bookkeepers, and business advisors to step into the role of true strategic partners for SMEs. Discover how financial forecasting, real-time reporting, and predictive accounting can transform your client relationships and your practice.
From cash flow management to capital raising through crowdsource funding, Peter outlines the practical tools and advisory opportunities waiting for firms ready to move beyond compliance. If you're looking to deliver deeper value, build recurring advisory revenue, and help clients scale with confidence
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