In a world where accounting firms use many of the same tools and systems, the real point of difference isn’t what you use – it’s how your clients experience working with you.
You can have the best tech stack, the fastest processes and the cleanest reports, but if your clients don’t enjoy interacting with your firm, none of it really matters. The firms that grow the fastest today are the ones that understand this truth – client experience is your competitive edge.
What a great client experience really means
A great client experience isn’t about flashy interfaces or complicated features. It’s about making every interaction feel simple, smooth and professional.
When clients log into your systems, open your emails or work with your team, they should think, “This is easy. I know where to go, and it just works.” That’s the magic of great design and thoughtful communication – when something just feels nice to use.
Whether it’s your client portal, your booking system or your onboarding process, every small detail adds up to an impression of quality. And that impression builds trust.
The hidden power of simplicity
People often think innovation means adding more features, but the real secret is in simplifying the client experience.
When your systems are fast, intuitive and consistent, clients are more likely to respond quickly and engage confidently. It saves time on both sides, reduces back-and-forth emails and creates a sense of ease in working with your firm.
That kind of smooth, premium experience doesn’t just look good – it strengthens loyalty and makes referrals effortless.
Why experience beats features every time
Technology is everywhere, and most accounting firms now use similar tools. What sets the best apart is how those tools feel to use.
Investing in design, communication and client usability might seem small, but it’s one of the smartest business decisions you can make. A positive client experience is what clients remember – and what they talk about.
Because in the end, clients don’t just stay for your service – they stay for how your service makes them feel.
Many business owners struggle to understand Division 7A – and that’s exactly why hosting a Division 7A webinar is one of the best ways for accountants to attract high-value clients. Most people have only half the story, end up with big tax bills, and don’t know how to fix them. When you explain it clearly in a webinar, you instantly position yourself as the go-to expert.
Why Division 7A makes a great webinar topic
When you take a tricky concept like Division 7A and simplify it, you set yourself apart from every other accountant. You’re not just lodging returns – you’re educating business owners on how to avoid unnecessary tax bills and build smarter structures.
Webinars that walk through how Division 7A works, why it exists, and the short-, medium- and long-term ways to manage it consistently perform well. They balance technical detail with practical solutions – and that’s what builds trust.
Speaking to the right audience
Division 7A isn’t a problem for every business – it’s what we call a “rich people problem”. It affects business owners and families earning a few hundred thousand dollars or more.
And those are exactly the clients you want. They value proactive advice and are willing to pay for quality strategy. Running a Division 7A webinar attracts the right audience while demonstrating your firm’s expertise in handling complex tax matters.
Combine Division 7A with related topics
Once you’ve nailed your Division 7A webinar, you can expand into complementary sessions such as:
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Structuring property developments
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Using SMSFs to invest in property
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Accessing funds from an SMSF effectively
These topics all position you as the trusted adviser for business owners looking to grow wealth while staying compliant. For example, the ATO provides guidance on SMSF investment requirements, including how your fund must comply with the sole purpose test and transact on a commercial arm’s-length basis.
Why sole practitioners should focus on Division 7A webinars
If you’re a sole practitioner, every marketing hour counts. A single Division 7A webinar can turn into weeks of content – short clips, social posts, blog articles and email snippets – all driving more visibility.
By teaching Division 7A in a clear, relatable way, you’ll attract the kind of clients who want an expert by their side, not just a tax preparer. It’s one of the smartest, most leveraged ways to grow your firm.
Public speaking can be nerve-racking, even for experienced professionals. Webinars feel comfortable because you are behind a camera, but when it comes to stepping onto a stage in front of someone else’s audience, the butterflies can start. That is why learning to conquer stage fright is a powerful skill for accountants and advisers who want to stand out.
Why Stage Fright is Normal
Even after delivering hundreds of presentations, both online and in person, nerves can still creep in. Butterflies, self-doubt, or that uneasy feeling before stepping on stage are all part of the process. The good news is, you are not alone, and it is completely normal. If you want to conquer stage fright, acknowledging that it is common is the first step.
Focus on Familiar Topics
One of the best ways to reduce nerves is to present on topics you know inside out. When you are familiar with the subject, you can speak naturally and confidently. It also makes it easier to handle questions from the audience without fear of being caught off guard. That level of preparation helps you conquer stage fright and build trust with your listeners.
Reframe the Fear
Stage fright is often about perception. You may think everyone is judging you, but in reality, the audience just wants to hear valuable insights. They are not focused on your nerves, they are focused on the content.
Remind yourself: the butterflies are a sign that you care. Channel that energy into enthusiasm for your topic instead of letting it spiral into fear.
Practical Tips to Conquer Stage Fright
Prepare well – Rehearse your material, but avoid over-memorising.
Breathe deeply – Calming your breath helps steady your mind.
Engage early – Make eye contact and smile to build rapport quickly.
Focus on service – Remember you are there to help the audience, not perform for them.
Building Confidence as an Accountant
Public speaking is rare in the accounting profession, which is why those who master it gain a powerful edge. Whether through webinars, live presentations, or client workshops, learning to conquer stage fright makes you more visible and trusted.
The Takeaway
Stage fright is normal, but it does not have to hold you back. By focusing on familiar topics, reframing nerves, and practising intentional strategies, you can step on stage with confidence.
Conquer stage fright, and you will unlock new opportunities to lead, influence, and inspire both clients and peers.
At Inspire, we’ve learned that having a client meeting framework in an accounting firm is one of the biggest differences between clients walking away overwhelmed… and clients thinking, “That was sensational value.” The framework you bring into the room shapes the outcomes you achieve.
Two main ways to approach clients
In our industry, there are two common approaches:
One-to-one meetings – personal, direct, and effective.
One-to-many strategies – like webinars, which are an incredible way to leverage your time.
We’ve tripled our business through webinars, and we know we’re not the only ones. Our friends at BusinessDEPOT have also used webinars as a key growth strategy.
But no matter which method you choose, the real power comes from having a client meeting framework. Without one, conversations drift. With one, you have focus, flow, and outcomes.
Why every accounting firm needs a client meeting framework
At Inspire, we’ve been using our Financial Health Check framework for over six years. It’s simple, but powerful.
Here’s what it does:
Gives structure to every client conversation.
Helps you identify areas of need — from mortgages to estate planning.
Prevents overwhelm by creating a clear list of priorities.
Because here’s the reality: many clients need more than one thing at once. They might have catch-up tax, a refinance, a bucket company setup, and no wills in place. If you dump all nine projects on their lap at once, they’ll freeze.
The framework helps you work out which project is the low-hanging fruit — the thing you can solve now — while building a roadmap for the rest.
The takeaway for sole practitioners
If you’re running your own firm, a client meeting framework isn’t just nice to have — it’s essential. It gives your meetings purpose, your clients clarity, and your firm consistency.
So whether you’re talking to one client or running a webinar for fifty, remember: it’s not about doing everything at once. It’s about delivering value step by step, in a way your clients can actually take action on.
That’s how you build trust, win more work, and grow your accounting firm sustainably.
Conducting surveys to gather feedback from team members is an excellent way to gauge opinions, understand concerns, and collect valuable insights.
⭐ Clearly outline the goals of the survey, and determine what specific information or feedback you aim to gather from team members
⭐ Formulate clear, concise, and unbiased questions. Ensure that the questions are relevant to the survey objectives and are easy for team members to understand.
⭐ Consider whether responses should be anonymous to encourage honest feedback. Assure participants that their responses will be kept confidential to foster openness.
Conducting thorough analysis and acknowledging team feedback post-survey lays the foundation for actionable plans. Transparently communicating outcomes, and implementing changes, demonstrates the team’s valued input in decision-making processes.
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In a world where people often expect free services, giving away valuable work can be tough. While it’s noble to share your skills and resources, it does come with challenges.
Common challenges when providing free valuable services:
Perceived Value
The concept of “you get what you pay for” can lead some people to undervalue or question the quality of free services. Overcoming this perception and demonstrating the true value of your work can be a constant battle.
Sustainability and Scalability
Free services can attract a large audience, but maintaining and scaling such services without proper funding or support can be unsustainable in the long run. This can lead to burnout or service discontinuation.
Balancing Generosity and Self-Worth
There’s a fine line between being generous and undervaluing your own worth. Striking a balance between giving freely and valuing your contributions can be a personal and psychological challenge.
Despite the difficulties, many still offer free valuable work out of a desire to help and make a positive impact. The satisfaction of contributing to the greater good often outweighs the challenges.
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Utilise phone calls to provide a personalised touch when communicating price changes to clients. This direct form of communication allows for a more empathetic and tailored approach, acknowledging the client’s concerns and fostering a stronger connection.
This enables businesses to address concerns promptly, offer solutions or alternatives, and demonstrate a commitment to meeting the client’s needs.
By employing these strategies, businesses can navigate price adjustments with professionalism and maintain positive client rapport in the long run.
📣 Join our vibrant Facebook Community and explore strategies to enhance the success of your accounting firm. Let’s grow together!
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Have a listen as Ben Walker talks about his challenges and breakthroughs as an Accounting Firm Owner
Here’s what he said –
Some of the feelings I’ve had throughout growing Inspire:
- Running on a hamster wheel with work, spinning but not going anywhere
- Not enjoying work
- Mental and physical health dwindling
- Strained personal relationships with friends, family, and wife
- Wondering whether you made a mistake starting a firm and if it’s better to work for someone else
- Feeling like a slave to your firm, it owns you. It dictates everything
- Feeling exhausted mentally and physically
These are the challenges I’ve had over the years.
I’m at a point now with Inspire where I’m creating a fun, and super rewarding accounting firm that runs like clockwork.
Stuff still breaks, and bad things happen.
Nothing’s perfect.
But it’s way better than looking back over the last 10 years and going, “Wow, lucky the lease isn’t a noose around my neck.”
Join our community and discover effective ways to build a thriving, enjoyable, and efficient accounting firm.
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One of our secret weapons for our growth is none other than workshops and webinars! 🚀
These interactive online and in-person sessions have been an absolute game-changer for us.
Our clients have gained invaluable knowledge, profound insights, and essential skills through these sessions, resulting in an organic boost to our growth.
From 2020 to 2022, we have successfully delivered 76 sessions with over 2000 attendees.
If you’re looking for a turbo boost in your growth and sales, we highly recommend giving virtual engagements a try. 🙌
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Are you constantly chasing your tail with work – never meeting ATO due dates, clients blowing up wondering where their job is at and always needing to work crazy hours to keep up?
Things that helped:
At Inspire, we have HPIs for every team member. HPI stands for High Performance Indicator, not KPIs. Every team member has at least one number that they are reporting on every week – which has been one of the ways we’ve replaced timesheets, is by having HPIs.
Additionally, being a master of project management, diving deep into what technology is needed for the firm as well as weekly team training has been extremely beneficial.
We also have a dedicated QA (Quality Assurance) – he’s our go to for all technical questions.
Also, our Q&A is incharge of training the team every week and manages their team planning.
Indeed, having a dedicated QA has absolutely changed the game when it comes to reviewing. He doesn’t manage clients directly, so wearing more than one hat at a certain size is no longer beneficial for that person in terms of their own enjoyment.
The solution:
As a result, your firm is meeting agreed deadlines, where clients are delighted with your efficiency, proactivity and turnaround. You are rarely involved in preparing or reviewing work.
Discover your firm’s performance score and identify opportunities of low-hanging fruit to increase your firm’s profit, value and overall enjoyment as the owner of the accounting firm.
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Grow a fun, super rewarding accounting firm that runs like clockwork. We help accountants go from feeling burnt out, working way too many hours, making an average profit and struggling to grow.
