Accountants After Hours

Accounting Sisters
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This is the podcast for accountants who want honest conversations, real stories, zero fluff and a little bit of industry gossip. Hosted by two friends Natalie Lennon & Sarah Lawrance who know the industry, know the pressure, and know exactly why you sometimes fantasise about throwing your laptop into the ocean. We are oversharers who talk about the parts of practice life most people only admit over a wine: client chaos, money, tech meltdowns, leadership wins (and losses), boundaries, burnout and industry gossip. Think of it as a warm hug with friends in a space where it’s safe to laugh, question the status quo, and feel a little less alone in this wild profession. Honest. Human. Occasionally unhinged. Always useful. Proudly Sponsored by Ignition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 6d ago

    Episode 13: On the Road to Xerocon Denver 2026

    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 are counting down to Xerocon Denver 2026 and taking you through everything they're excited about, who they want to talk to, and why international conferences are worth every cent. They kick off by looking back at Xerocon Nashville two years ago - the connections made, the things learned, and how relationships built at that conference have continued to pay dividends (including being able to refer clients to US-based accountants when tariffs hit). The takeaway is clear: international conferences break the echo chamber and open up opportunities you just don't get at home. Nat and Sarah are returning as roving reporters and will be recording interviews, behind-the-scenes content, and a podcast episode on the ground. If you're going, they want to hear from you - send them your questions and let them know if you'll be there. For attendees, the tips are simple but important - have a plan and a checklist (Nat's specialty), wear comfortable shoes, stay hydrated, get to the gym in the morning (they're doing it this time), and whatever you do, don't skip the wrap party at Mile High Station. You will always find a friend on the dance floor. Be sure to be following along on socials when they hit the road early August for Xerocon Denver. 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.com.au or DM on socials. 🔗 Episode links: Xerocon Denver 2026 agenda and ticketsJoma Blue app (conference companion app) 💬 Join in on the conversation: - Follow us on Instagram (it’s where we have the most fun) - Like us on Facebook - Follow us on LinkedIn - Watch and subscribe on YouTube 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 for more information.

  2. Jul 15

    Episode 12: State Of The Accounting Industry

    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 do a round of the grounds on the Australian accounting industry - and there is a lot to unpack. First up, the Australian Accounting Awards. Natalie took out Thought Leader of the Year 2026, making it back-to-back wins with Sarah's 2025 title. They reflect on what the night meant, the incredible energy in the room, and a few process notes they've fed back to Accountants Daily around how finalists are notified. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners - including Davey Mack and the brilliant Amanda from Amanda Loves to Audit who took out the Academic Award. Then it's straight into the industry headlines. The Senate Economics Legislation Committee held a two-day public hearing on the budget with 150 published submissions. Nat and Sarah break down the concerns around the rushed timeline (11 days of consultation compared to two-plus years for the GST and Henry Review), the nine unwritten ministerial instruments, and CPA Australia's cost estimates coming in at three to six times higher than Treasury's figures. They highlight Derek Francis (former NSW Parliamentary Budget Office chief economist) appearing on the Karl Stefanovic podcast to call out wrong assumptions in the budget modelling - and they're both seeing a pause in client confidence with businesses holding off on capital investment until the dust settles. The Bendel case gets a deep dive. The High Court ruled 5-2 that unpaid present entitlements (UPEs) are not loans under Division 7A, overturning the ATO's position held since 2009. Nat and Sarah discuss what this means in practice, the Part IVA considerations that remain, and the professional indemnity questions Robyn Jacobson raised in her AFR article. Shout out to Robyn Jacobson and Tracy Dunn for their incredible work breaking down complex tax law for practitioners. The political landscape gets a mention too - One Nation's rise in the polls, Pauline Hanson as the preferred PM, and Barnaby Joyce's appointment as One Nation's Treasury spokesperson. On the tech front, Intuit cut 17% of its global workforce (around 3,000 jobs) and has effectively exited the Australian market. Xero has its AGM coming in August with stock under pressure and the Melio acquisition in play. Carbon launched Kai - its AI agent, note taker, and MCP server - and Nat and Sarah are loving it. And Ignition announced its expansion into AML compliance ahead of the 1 July deadline, which feels like a natural extension for firms already using it for engagements. The episode wraps with a look at how Nat and Sarah are using Viktor, their AI coworker in Slack, to automate workflows across Carbon, Xero, and client channels - and tea time delivers a spicy discussion about Jason Statz's LinkedIn post on accountants promoting paid software, transparency around creator incentives, and the importance of aligning with products you genuinely believe in.  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.com.au  or DM on socials. 🔗 Episode links: Karl Stefanovic podcast featuring Derek Francis on budget assumptions Robyn Jacobson AFR article on the Bendel case and Div 7ACPA Australia - Jenny Wong's commentary on the budgetKarbon Kai announcementIgnition AML complianceViktor 💬 Join in on the conversation: - Follow us on Instagram (it’s where we have the most fun) - Like us on Facebook - Follow us on LinkedIn - Watch and subscribe on YouTube 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 for more information.

  3. Jul 6

    Episode 11: Best Client Stories

    Proudly brought to you by Ignition who we both love and use in our businesses to automate proposals and streamline invoicing. This episode is a love letter to the accounting profession. In a season full of stress and pressure, Nat and Sarah take a step back to celebrate the incredible impact accountants have on their clients and communities. They share powerful stories from their own practices, from helping a tradie client who almost lost everything turn his business around and start saving for an investment property, to supporting an overwhelmed business owner through an SBR that completely transformed their financial position. The episode also features stories from the wider accounting community. Highlights include Nathan Rigney helping save marriages through financial stress relief, Christopher Dodson's client with 23 years of outstanding tax who became "a different man" after getting up to date, Justine Vorick receiving flowers from a grateful client (in a mop bucket, no less), and Clayton Wood in regional Albury helping a family go from no money for groceries to saving for a house deposit and commercial building purchase. The conversation also dives into AI tools the hosts are loving right now Nat walks through her meeting notes workflow using Vinyl for transcription, Granola for meetings that don't allow bots, and WhisperFlow for voice-to-text on the go, plus a look at how AI can automate client action items straight into Karbon. Tea time serves up a spicy industry story about award criteria and a reminder that not all growth metrics tell the full story. 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 Vinyl - AI meeting transcription (shout out to Trent McLaren)Granola - background meeting notesWhisperFlow - voice-to-text app 💬 Join in on the conversation: - Follow us on Instagram (it’s where we have the most fun) - Like us on Facebook - Follow us on LinkedIn - Watch and subscribe on YouTube 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 for more information.

  4. Jun 17

    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 programCAANZ - 6 sessions with a psychSmall Business Accountants & Advisers Brain Trust, Australia Facebook Group  💬 Join in on the conversation: - Follow us on Instagram (it’s where we have the most fun) - Like us on Facebook - Follow us on LinkedIn - Watch and subscribe on YouTube 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 for more information.

  5. Jun 3

    Episode 9: Growing your firm in 2026

    Proudly brought to you by Ignition 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 💬 Join in on the conversation: - Follow us on Instagram (it’s where we have the most fun) - Like us on Facebook - Follow us on LinkedIn - Watch and subscribe on YouTube 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 for more information.

  6. May 18

    Episode 8: Accountants React to 2026 Federal Budget

    Proudly brought to you by Ignition 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 webpageTwo Sides Accounting Blog - 2026 Federal Budget SummaryElectric Car FBT Exemption  💬 Join in on the conversation: - Follow us on Instagram (it’s where we have the most fun) - Like us on Facebook - Follow us on LinkedIn - Watch and subscribe on YouTube 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 for more information.

  7. May 6

    Episode 7: Show Me the Money: Re-Engagements

    Proudly brought to you by Ignition 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 GroupIgnition Pricing Benchmark report 💬 Join in on the conversation: - Follow us on Instagram (it’s where we have the most fun) - Like us on Facebook - Follow us on LinkedIn - Watch and subscribe on YouTube 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 for more information.

  8. Apr 29

    Episode 6: Tax Planning Made Simple

    Proudly brought to you by Ignition 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 (it’s where we have the most fun) - Like us on Facebook - Follow us on LinkedIn - Watch and subscribe on YouTube 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 for more information.

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About

This is the podcast for accountants who want honest conversations, real stories, zero fluff and a little bit of industry gossip. Hosted by two friends Natalie Lennon & Sarah Lawrance who know the industry, know the pressure, and know exactly why you sometimes fantasise about throwing your laptop into the ocean. We are oversharers who talk about the parts of practice life most people only admit over a wine: client chaos, money, tech meltdowns, leadership wins (and losses), boundaries, burnout and industry gossip. Think of it as a warm hug with friends in a space where it’s safe to laugh, question the status quo, and feel a little less alone in this wild profession. Honest. Human. Occasionally unhinged. Always useful. Proudly Sponsored by Ignition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Accounting Sisters
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Accounting Sisters
  • Show Website
    Accountants After Hours

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