Testimonials
We at ABN believe that our organisation has something special to offer our members. But don't take our word for it! Please select from the testimonials below to read what others think.
Deb Hawke : Hawke's Business Services
Irene Smith : Sunshine Coast, QLD
David Mewing : Kasnic Investments Pty Ltd
David Cowling : Roberts & Cowling, Brisbane
Sue White : Girl Friday Office Services, Kingsley WA.
Yvonne Martin : Alstonville Bookkeeping & Secretarial Services, Alstonville NSW
Lesley Johnston : Bookkeeping For Business Centre, Rockhampton QLD
Deb Hawke : Hawke's Business Services
Joining ABN has been the best thing I've done since starting my own bookkeeping business. The level of support, encouragement and commitment they give is fantastic. I now wonder how I survived without them.
Leanne is always on the phone encouraging me and having a chat. The web site has loads of information and the Discussion Forum has become the best networking tool. I now log on at least once a day and always look forward to reading other member postings. I used to be scared of networking with other bookkeepers but now I've found that it can be a lot of fun and a great way to learn.
Bookies Bulletins & Bookkeepers Knowledge Base is the best resource material I've found. Each one covers a different topic and they are always written in plain English so everyone can understand. I keep these filed and they are now my first reference source should I need to research a particular topic for a client.
BAS Wizard has made the greatest impact on my business. Not only am I now legally covered for preparing BASs, I can on charge the cost to clients. My business now has a more professional image, as clients are more confident that I am doing the very best for them by using BAS Wizard.
Irene Smith : Sunshine Coast, QLD
I was a latecomer to the ABN family, only discovering the site in August 2004. I sent an email to the ABN on discovering the site and 20 minutes later Leanne rang me, apologising for taking so long to get back to me.
The Discussion Forum is so very, very useful. As we all know, bookkeeping can be a very isolated calling. Each morning I open my office, put the jug on, check my phone messages and emails, and then I access the ABN Discussion Forum, anxiously looking for replies to my posting or others.
The Bookies Bulletin is also eagerly awaited. Congratulations to whole team on a fantastic site. "The Year of the Bookkeeper" - I hope so.
David Mewing : Kasnic Investments Pty Ltd
I was a little apprehensive at first, worried if I could cover the costs of being 251L compliant. I should not have worried! With your suggested letters explaining the background of the ATO's requirements, I had no trouble explaining to my clients why I had to follow these procedures and to have them agree for me to prepare and lodge their BAS.
Using the BAS Wizard has helped develop and tighten my procedures and allows me to present a more professional service to my clients. The income generated from providing an ATO compliant BAS service, has more than covered my ABN Membership and PI Insurance. The support of ABN has been nothing short of brilliant.
The Bookkeepers Knowledge Base has become a great resource and the ability to have access to prompt professional accounting advice has only added that extra professional touch to the service I can provide to my clients.
I have recently been involved (thanks again to ABN) with an ATO pilot for electronic lodgement of Activity Statements and was impressed with the level of assistance from the people at the ATO - what a great step forward for the bookkeeping industry.
Thank you Leanne and all the people involved with ABN for your efforts in having this industry recognised. I consider my membership of the Australian Bookkeepers Network a 'blue chip' investment in the future of my business.
David Cowling : Roberts & Cowling, Brisbane
Australian Bookkeepers Network has provided my firm with knowledge, support and services that cannot be measured in monetary terms.
We are so impressed with the professionalism of the organisation and thoroughly recommend them to all bookkeepers in practice.
Sue White : Girl Friday Office Services, Kingsley WA
One phone call from Leanne was really all it took for me to become an ABN member. I had previously subscribed to another similar program, but it was more directed towards accountants and, to be honest, I found it all a little too in depth. The idea of bi-monthly newsletters written especially for bookkeepers was fantastic. The reports have all been informative, yet easy to understand. The topics are useful and very relevant to the situations of my clients.
I received the application form for BAS Wizard at the same time, and although I believed the concept was great, I wasn't sure that it was an area I wanted to specialise in. Many of my clients did their own BAS from the information I gave them. I went through the BAS Wizard program on ABNs website very carefully over a period of time and finally took the plunge, so I am now up and running.
The program is brilliant. I found it straightforward and easy to use. With the comprehensive checklists, I can be sure I haven't forgotten anything, and knowing it has balanced means that I am confident that the BAS I've produced is correct. If it doesn't balance, I know I've entered something wrong and can then go through and find my mistake, something that may have ordinarily been overlooked. Also, knowing it is being checked by accountants, adds to the peace of mind.
Dealing with ABN is always very easy, even from Western Australia where I am based. BAS authorisations are faxed back promptly and the extra services offered have always been well researched to be sure we are getting the best deal. It's nice to have these additional services there if we need them, without any sort of pressure being applied to use them.
I am pleased to say that my experience with ABN has completely exceeded my expectations and based on this I would highly recommend an ABN membership to all other bookkeepers.
Yvonne Martin : Alstonville Bookkeeping & Secretarial Services, Alstonville NSW
When I commenced my home-based bookkeeping service, it was my first venture into self-employment. At the time I was having concerns over the interpretation of section 251L of the Income Tax Assessment Act regarding the preparation of BASs being restricted to "a bookkeeper working under the direction of a registered tax agent". Even after speaking to several accountants and the ATO, I was not totally clear as to the strict interpretation of the clause, with everyone having a different view.
A call from Leanne at the ABN provided me with the answer to the problem. Becoming a member has enabled me to prepare BASs in compliance with the Act, allowing me to charge a fee for doing so. It also provides my clients with the continuity of service they are looking for.
The BAS Wizard software is easy to use and provides peace of mind knowing that any errors in the recording of GST will be detected. Along with the prompt BAS certification service, it makes the whole process quick and easy.
Working under the name and logo of the ABN also gives my business a more professional presentation and gives me added confidence and incentive for further expansion. I have found it a real pleasure dealing with the helpful and friendly staff at the ABN. Knowing that assistance is at the end of the phone is most reassuring while the monthly Knowledge Base and Bookies Bulletins are also a great help.
Many thanks to all at ABN. I look forward to your ongoing support in the future.
Lesley Johnston : Bookkeeping For Business Centre, Rockhampton QLD
Bookkeeper-Client Connect has lifted our MYOB training and bookkeeping services to a more professional level! Data transfer now has a high level of security, sending and receiving files for clients and their accountants. We work smarter and we save time in travel, postage and courier costs for both the client and ourselves.
Unlike email, Bookkeeper-Client Connect enables us to easily transfer files to and from our clients, knowing that the information is totally secure and without worrying about the size of the file.