ABN Helpline

Get help when you need it!

Help from qualified accountants and ABN representatives is right at your fingertips with email-based support through the ABN Helpline. Bookkeepers now have someone to turn to when they need professional advice and technical support.

The ABN team of qualified accountants is here to help answer your bookkeeping questions on BAS-related matters, GST, income tax, PAYG, superannuation, FBT, legal issues, and other topics relevant to bookkeeping. They can also provide an unbiased perspective on ethical issues that may arise or offer professional advice as a second opinion. If it’s reassurance and help on bookkeeping matters you need, look no further.

The ABN Helpline is one of a kind with qualified accountants offering one-on-one communication that is fast and reliable. Answers are only a click away and you have the reassurance that our response is private and professional every time.

Benefits

• Expert advice from qualified accountants on technical or ethical questions affecting members and/or their clients
• Written responses with explanations and reasoning
• Reassurance on issues you are not familiar with or experienced in
• Someone to turn to when you're in need of help

The ABN Helpline can be accessed through ABN’s Member Centre & ABN BAS. Responses can be expected within 1-3 business days depending on the complexity of the question.

Bookkeepers Knowledge Base

The technical support you need!

Imagine having access to your own library of technical help! The Bookkeepers Knowledge Base (BKB) publications can be downloaded and kept on file for when you need them, giving a catalogue of technical information right at your fingertips.

The BKB focuses on topics that matter most to bookkeepers and features detailed explanations, case studies, and pro-forma journal entries, with an emphasis on GST tax codes and BAS treatments. Written purely for bookkeepers, the publication is essentially a how-to guide and is an invaluable tool for any bookkeeper wishing to maintain and improve their knowledge and skills.

ABN is committed to providing up-to-date information and will email members whenever the content of an earlier edition requires updating due to changes in laws.

Benefits

• A technical guide that can be referred to at any time
• Continued Professional Education resource for you and/or your staff
• Relevant information, written and tailored for bookkeepers
• Reassurance whenever you need it

As an ABN Member, you have unlimited access to the vast Bookkeepers Knowledge Base (BKB) library through ABN’s Member Centre. You will receive an email notification whenever a new edition of the BKB is released or when a previous edition is updated.

My Bookkeeping Business

Develop better business practice!

Whether you’re starting up your business or looking at taking the next step in your business plan, don’t sit around wondering what should be done next - build solid business foundations and take your bookkeeping practice to new standards of professionalism with ABN’s My Bookkeeping Business.

The My Bookkeeping Business takes an in-depth look at key components (pillars) which are vital to running a successful bookkeeping practice, whether you’re a sole trader or run a business with employees. Each pillar houses an extensive range of short papers, practical tools, and templates that you can use time and time again, allowing you to maximize efficiency and productivity, increase profits, and ultimately extract the most from your business.

Benefits

• Provides a framework for a professional bookkeeping business
• Offers an extensive range of tools and resources
• Explores many business techniques for maximizing efficiency, productivity, and profit
• Becomes a guiding path for when you need to know what comes next

ABN’s My Bookkeeping Business can be accessed through the ABN Member Centre. Members can browse online and explore the various pillars and the suite of resources contained within each or download them for quick and easy reference.

GST & PAYG Ready Reckoner

Get clever with your coding!

Introducing your quick and easy reference guide to GST & PAYG! Developed by ABN for the exclusive use of our members, this is the pre-eminent industry reference for GST coding, PAYG-Withholding, and PAYG-Instalment.

The guide contains a comprehensive listing of transactions, hyperlinks to the relevant ATO Fact Sheets, applicable BAS labels, and likely tax codes for major accounting software packages. For PAYG, it offers coverage on different payment types and guidance on BAS labels and superannuation applicability.

Benefits

• Helps take the guesswork out of unfamiliar transactions
• Offers clear guidance on PAYG Withholding & Instalment procedures
• Saves valuable time and effort in sourcing relevant information

The Ready Reckoner can be accessed and downloaded from the ABN Member Centre.

Member's Only Facebook Group

Join the online bookkeeping community!

The ABN Members Facebook Group is a place where bookkeepers can connect by joining in on the conversation. Share topics, news, interests, and gain valuable advice from other bookkeepers.

The group provides you the opportunity to connect with bookkeepers all over Australia. Discuss software-specific guidance, bookkeeping business tips, industry-related issues, ethical advice, and more.

Benefits

• Seek alternate perspectives from your industry peers
• Deepen your understanding of technical and industry issues
• Connect and share knowledge with the community
• Option to remain anonymous

Search for Australian Bookkeepers Network on Facebook today to join!

The Buzz

Stay updated on industry issues that matter most!

Bookkeepers are now operating as registered professionals who are subject to a professional Code of Conduct. With the bookkeeping industry constantly growing and evolving, staying up-to-date with news from the Australian Taxation Office and the Tax Practitioners Board is more crucial than ever.

The Buzz is your one-way pass to the most important news developments happening in the bookkeeping industry. All important aspects of the latest news stories are summarized and include direct links to more information. The Buzz is distributed in an easy-to-read email format and allows members to read the news on the go from their mobile and tablet devices.

Benefits

• Easy access to the latest industry news and information
• Save valuable time by having news delivered directly to you
• Get prompted to take action where necessary

The Buzz is delivered to your inbox when important industry news breaks. You can also forward the news to a friend who is not a member, allowing them to opt-in to receive The Buzz as well.

Getting Technical

Get it right!

As a registered professional, you have an obligation to get things right. However, with tax and GST laws becoming increasingly complex, this can sometimes prove challenging.

Getting Technical is an email publication that provides concise, practical guidance on technical issues that bookkeepers commonly face in practice.

Benefits

• Relinquish bookkeeping mistakes by defining correct practices
• Provides concise answers to commonly raised technical questions
• Convenient access to information directly from your inbox
• Includes links for further technical support

Getting Technical is distributed monthly in a summarized email format, allowing you to print, store, or share the information with your staff to stay on top of industry practices.

Business Bulletin

Build stronger Client Relationships!

Building and maintaining successful client relationships is the cornerstone of your business! The ABN Business Bulletin is a quality business newsletter that you can personalize and send to your clients. Developed quarterly by ABN, it offers easy reading and insightful financial articles that your clients can relate to.

Benefits

• Personalized with your business details and a personal message
• Delivers two-way communication between you and your clients
• Builds rapport and shows your clients you are thinking of them
• Professionally presented and saves time
• Easy to implement and highly effective marketing

The Business Bulletin is delivered seasonally and can also be downloaded from the ABN Member Centre.

Bookkeeper Workshops & Seminars

Upgrade your knowledge and business skills!

ABN hosts workshops and seminars around Australia, enabling bookkeepers to stay on top of key industry and business issues. These events feature expert guest speakers and are excellent local networking opportunities.

Benefits

• Stay abreast of industry happenings
• Learn skills that directly impact your business
• Network with bookkeeping colleagues locally
• Accumulate CPE hours

Roadshows are open to both members and non-members. ABN promotes upcoming events via email and website updates.

Coffee Clubs

Meet your peers, build relationships, create networks!

ABN Coffee Clubs gather bookkeepers together to discuss relevant topics over a coffee. Hosted by Network Leaders, these clubs provide a platform for learning, networking, and sharing knowledge in a relaxed environment.

Benefits

• Meet local bookkeepers
• Build professional networks
• Stay updated on industry news
• Accumulate CPE hours

Coffee Clubs are open to everyone, including non-members. Visit the Events page to find your nearest club.

Conference - THE Bookkeeper Event

Discover, share & connect at the biggest event of its kind!

Held biennially, the ABN Conference is a unique learning and networking experience tailored for bookkeepers. It focuses on both business-building and technical issues, featuring industry experts and key stakeholders.

Benefits

• Discover business insights relevant to bookkeepers
• Share knowledge with experts and peers
• Connect with industry professionals
• Accumulate CPE hours

The ABN Conference is open to members and non-members. Tickets go on sale approximately six months in advance.

Surveys

Reach new heights by benchmarking!

The Bookkeeping Business Benchmark Survey, performed annually, captures financial data to provide a comprehensive picture of the industry landscape. It helps bookkeepers understand key performance drivers and benchmark their business.

Benefits

• Learn about the industry landscape
• Analyze your business performance
• Set benchmarks and reach new heights

The Benchmark Report is a free resource for members to download.

Webinars

Upskill!

ABN offers periodic webinars on a range of timely topics, such as preparing for EOFY, business growth strategies, and updates on legislation. Webinars are most often held live, with recordings emailed to participants afterward.

Benefits

• Continuing professional education
• Keep updated with technical and topical issues
• Flexible and convenient learning opportunities
• Discounted for ABN members

Webinars are sold via the ABN Shop. Members need to log into the ABN Member Centre to receive their discount.