The Bucket List Accountant

David Patterson

The Bucketlist Accountant helps you bridge the gap between financial security and chasing epic dreams. Join David Patterson, a certified financial expert passionate about living life to the fullest, as he cracks the code on managing your money for your present and future. David is an accountant with a difference. He combines the concept of bucket lists for your personal and professional life. For small business owners in particular, he examines the business and how it impacts you and your family. David Patterson is the Bucket List Accountant: https://www.bucketlistaccountant.com.au/ Produced by Podcasts Done For You: https://www.commtogether.com.au/podcasts-done-for-you/

  1. Tax Time: Why Spending to Save Tax is a Trap

    6d ago

    Tax Time: Why Spending to Save Tax is a Trap

    As the end of the financial year approaches, the pressure to spend money for the sake of tax deductions can be overwhelming. We are bombarded with advertisements promising massive savings if we buy now, but does spending a dollar to save forty cents actually make sense for your bottom line? In this episode, I break down why the traditional approach to tax time might be costing you more than you realise. We explore the difference between spending for the sake of it and making strategic investments that move your business forward. From the traps of luxury car purchases to the benefits of investing in your team, this conversation is about shifting your mindset from tax-driven to growth-driven. It is about making sure that every dollar you spend is a step toward your bucket list goals, not just a way to lower a tax bill. What You Will Learn: • Why spending money solely to save tax is often a losing financial strategy • How to use the June 30 deadline as an impetus for genuine business growth • What are the common pitfalls of luxury vehicle purchases at tax time • Why bringing forward planned investments can give you a three month head start • How to avoid making rash decisions on the 28th of June that you will later regret • Why team culture investments can be the best use of your end of year budget Notable Quotes: • A hundred dollars spent to save thirty-five to forty dollars in tax has never made a lot of sense to me. • The tax deduction becomes a bonus, an added benefit of doing what you have just done. • Don't make a decision for a tax deduction, make it to improve your business. • If you have done the planning, you are less likely to fall prey to the marketing. Key Takeaways: • Strategy should always come before tax considerations when making business purchases. • Use end of year sales to buy items you were already planning to purchase later in the year. • Be aware of the limits on car deductions to avoid unexpected tax bills. • Investing in a business coach or team morale can have a higher ROI than physical equipment. • Effective tax planning is a twelve month process, not a last minute rush in June. For more tools to help you align your business with your life goals, download our episode workbook at bucketlistaccountant.com.au or via the link in these show notes. TaxTime Contact details: David Patterson on LinkedIn The Bucketlist Accountant: Because financial freedom shouldn't mean sacrificing your wildest dreams. Subscribe now and get ready to take control of your money and your life! Co-host: Anthony Perl Produced by: 'Podcasts Done for You' #SmallBusinessGrowth #BucketListAccountant #FinancialStrategy #BusinessPlanning #TaxDeductions #EntrepreneurLife #WealthCreation

    19 min
  2. The Power of Trusted Advisors and Coaching

    May 26

    The Power of Trusted Advisors and Coaching

    Why do so many business owners feel they have to carry the weight of the world on their own? There is a common misconception that asking for help is a sign of weakness, yet in the world of professional sport, the highest performers would never dream of working without a coach. This episode explores the transformative power of surrounding yourself with trusted advisors who see the forest when you are stuck among the trees. I share my personal realisation that being an accountant is about far more than just tax and numbers. It is about becoming a trusted advisor who understands your deepest personal goals and helps you build a business that actually delivers them. We unpack how to move from a generalist mindset to building an arsenal of experts who can help you tick off every item on your bucket list. What You Will Learn: • Why the pride of doing it all yourself is holding your business back • How a coach or mentor provides the perspective needed to escape the day to day grind • What it means to move from a tax agent relationship to a trusted advisor partnership • Why your bucket list should be the primary driver of your business strategy • How to build a network of experts that covers everything from health to travel • What to look for when interviewing a potential business coach or mentor Notable Quotes: • It is less about asking for help and it is more about getting guidance. • You cannot be good at all those areas, so do not be afraid to reach out in the areas that are not your area of expertise. • The bucket list is nothing without you being able to actually achieve the bucket list. • Sometimes the vibe is just not there, and it is okay to change who you are dealing with to stay aligned. Key Takeaways: • Professional athletes use coaches to maximise their potential, and business owners should do the same. • A trusted advisor brings a wealth of experience from different industries that you can adapt to your own business. • Your personal goals and bucket list must be linked to your business budget and planning. • Building a circle of trusted experts makes achieving large goals, like a three month trip to Europe, much more manageable. • It is essential to review your professional relationships regularly to ensure they still serve your evolving needs. For more resources on aligning your business with your life goals, download our episode workbook at bucketlistaccountant.com.au or via the link in these show notes. bucketlist #businesscoaching #trustedadvisor #accountant #mentorship #businessgrowth #lifestyleplanning #entrepreneurship Contact details: David Patterson on LinkedIn The Bucketlist Accountant: Because financial freedom shouldn't mean sacrificing your wildest dreams. Subscribe now and get ready to take control of your money and your life! Co-host: Anthony Perl Produced by: 'Podcasts Done for You'

    20 min
  3. Engineering Your Business for Your Bucket List

    May 12

    Engineering Your Business for Your Bucket List

    Most business owners are running a race without a finish line. They take on every client, chase every lead, and manage every fire, only to realise they are further away from their personal dreams than when they started. This episode uncovers how to stop the cycle of reactive business management and start engineering a business that actually funds your bucket list. David Patterson breaks down the psychological and practical barriers that keep entrepreneurs stuck in the grind. From the paralysing effects of FOMO to the difficulty of having honest conversations with team members, we explore how to align your professional vehicle with your personal destination. It is about moving beyond the balance sheet to create a life of purpose and fulfilment. What You Will Learn: • Why saying no to lucrative opportunities is often the best move for your long term growth • How to use quarterly planning to reverse engineer your personal bucket list into business milestones • What steps to take when a team member's values no longer align with your business vision • Why the fear of missing out is the biggest threat to your lifestyle business • How to facilitate daunting but necessary conversations with your staff about your dreams Notable Quotes: • There is nothing wrong with passing up on opportunities that do not fit in with what you are trying to achieve. • The more you can involve your team in what your business goals are, the better chance you have got of achieving them. • Your business should be the vehicle for your ultimate lifestyle. • Tough decisions are easier to make if you have a clear understanding of why you are making them. Key Takeaways: • Business and personal goals are inextricably linked and must be planned together • Quarterly reviews aligned with your BAS are the perfect time to check your progress toward bucket list items • A cohesive team requires total transparency regarding the owner's vision and values • Engineering a business is not a straight line, but a clear goal makes the downs easier to navigate Download the episode workbook at bucketlistaccountant.com.au or via the link in these show notes to start your engineering process. BucketListAccountant #BusinessEngineering #LifestyleBusiness #Entrepreneurship #StrategicPlanning #WorkLifeBalance #FinancialFreedom Contact details: David Patterson on LinkedIn The Bucketlist Accountant: Because financial freedom shouldn't mean sacrificing your wildest dreams. Subscribe now and get ready to take control of your money and your life! Co-host: Anthony Perl Produced by: 'Podcasts Done for You'

    19 min
  4. Five Conversations Every Business Owner Needs to Have

    Apr 29

    Five Conversations Every Business Owner Needs to Have

    In this episode, David Patterson walks through the five essential conversations every business owner needs to have — not just with their accountant, but with themselves, their family, and the people who matter most. These aren't just financial conversations; they're life conversations that lay the foundation for building a business that truly serves the life you want to live. David shares why most business owners drift through their working lives without ever articulating what they actually want, and how simply writing down your goals gives them a life of their own. From aligning family goals to planning a business exit that isn't defined by the word "retirement," this episode offers a powerful framework for living and working with purpose and intention. What You'll Learn: • Why getting your personal goals out of your head and onto paper changes everything • How to align your goals with your family's goals so the business works for everyone • Why money conversations are easier when everyone understands the purpose behind them • How to build your business to be exit-ready from the earliest stages • Why replacing "retirement" with "the next phase of life" leads to better planning and fewer regrets Connect with The Bucket List Accountant: David Patterson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bucketlistaccountant/ Website: https://www.bucketlistaccountant.com.au/ Because financial freedom shouldn't mean sacrificing your wildest dreams. Subscribe now and get ready to take control of your money and your life! Co-host: Anthony Perl Produced by: Podcasts Done for You Hashtags: #BucketList #BusinessOwners #FinancialPlanning #ExitStrategy #LifeGoals #SmallBusiness #NoRegrets

    17 min
  5. Stop Being Flat Out: How to Buy Back Your Time | The Bucket List Accountant

    Apr 7

    Stop Being Flat Out: How to Buy Back Your Time | The Bucket List Accountant

    In this episode, David Patterson tackles the most common complaint in the business world: the feeling of never having enough time. He challenges the idea that being flat out is a sign of success and instead explores how it often indicates a failure to value our own time correctly. David shares his personal journey from a solo operator doing everything to a business owner who prioritises lifestyle and delegation. We dive into the practical steps of buying back your time, featuring a powerful story of a client who transformed their life from being a stressed, overworked single parent to enjoying a four-day work week and laptop-free holidays. David explains why having a written bucket list is actually a vital business tool that helps you stay focussed on what truly matters. What You'll Learn: - Why do we use being busy as a badge of honour and how is it holding you back? - What is the true opportunity cost of doing 20 dollar an hour tasks yourself? - How can you transition from a five-day to a four-day work week using a 12-month plan? - What specific steps can you take to ensure you can actually leave your laptop at home on your next holiday? - Why is having a written bucket list essential for effective delegation in your business? Notable Quotes: - Everyone has the same 24 hours in a day as Richard Branson, so what is the difference between you and the people who seem relaxed and successful? - If you are doing a task that is the equivalent of 20 dollars an hour, you are losing your opportunity cost of 500 or 700 dollars an hour. - Not having enough time indicates that you are missing out on something. Unless you know what that is, you will continually say you do not have enough time. - Whilst a task has to be done, it does not have to be done by you. Contact details: David Patterson on LinkedIn The Bucketlist Accountant: Because financial freedom shouldn't mean sacrificing your wildest dreams. Subscribe now and get ready to take control of your money and your life! Co-host: Anthony Perl Produced by: 'Podcasts Done for You' Hashtags: TimeManagement #BucketList #BusinessOwners #WorkLifeBalance #Delegation #FinancialFreedom #SmallBusinessAdvice

    21 min
  6. Does Your Business Own You? | The Bucket List Accountant

    Mar 24

    Does Your Business Own You? | The Bucket List Accountant

    In this episode, David Patterson tackles the difficult realisation many entrepreneurs face: their business has become a glorified job that leaves no room for a personal life. David explores the telltale signs that a business is running the owner instead of the other way around, from working midnight hours on admin to only taking holidays when the industry dictates. Through personal stories of clients at a crossroads, David explains the difference between building a scalable asset and creating a high-pressure burden. Whether you are chest-deep in debt or simply feeling the weight of being the sole bottleneck in your operations, this conversation offers a roadmap to take a step back and move forward with purpose. What You'll Learn: - How to apply the one-week test to see if you truly own a business or just a job. - Why choosing holiday dates based on business lulls is a sign the business is ruling you. - The critical questions to ask if you are missing out on family time and considering an exit. - Why scaling to millions in turnover isn't always the right answer for your bucket list. - Practical steps for clearing overwhelming debt by focusing on one small win at a time. Notable Quotes: - If you stop showing up to your business tomorrow and it can't carry on, then it's running you. - Taking holidays should be done when you want to, not when you're thinking you can squeeze it in. - There is nothing wrong with having a go at running your own business and then realising it is just not for you. - A 20-million-dollar turnover business does not necessarily mean a successful business. Dowload a workbook from this episode HERE with key things you need to be asking yourself, key quotes from the episode and action steps to set you on the path to making your Bucket List and then ticking them off. Contact details: David Patterson on LinkedIn The Bucketlist Accountant: Because financial freedom shouldn't mean sacrificing your wildest dreams. Subscribe now and get ready to take control of your money and your life! Co-host: Anthony Perl Produced by: 'Podcasts Done for You' Hashtags: #BusinessOwner #FinancialFreedom #WorkLifeBalance #BucketList #SmallBusinessTips #Entrepreneurship

    21 min

About

The Bucketlist Accountant helps you bridge the gap between financial security and chasing epic dreams. Join David Patterson, a certified financial expert passionate about living life to the fullest, as he cracks the code on managing your money for your present and future. David is an accountant with a difference. He combines the concept of bucket lists for your personal and professional life. For small business owners in particular, he examines the business and how it impacts you and your family. David Patterson is the Bucket List Accountant: https://www.bucketlistaccountant.com.au/ Produced by Podcasts Done For You: https://www.commtogether.com.au/podcasts-done-for-you/