Speakers

Maya’s approach is based on compassionate understanding of clients’ needs. She works in a non-judgmental and empathetic manner with her clients to achieve long term well-being, balance across important areas of their lives, and greater psychological stability.
Her expertise is with adults who are experiencing eating disorders, anxiety, depression, self-esteem concerns, relationship problems, and difficulties dealing with stress.
Maya’s goal is to help people to change self-defeating patterns by using a treatment approach that combines the best aspects of Cognitive Behavioural, Experiential, Interpersonal, Acceptance and Commitment, and Schema therapies. Maya also uses Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in her practice.
Maya is a keynote speaker at ABDO 2020.

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So why not then start a Mobile SMS Messaging company in 4 countries? Then why not a large number of residential investment houses?
Phil is a FCPA (Fellow of CPA for non-accountants) and has bought and still owns 16 Accounting Practices in NZ and consolidated them into a group.
For a number of years Phil was the king of Butter Chicken with a manufacturing factory in Delhi, India selling to big Brand Supermarkets and he is also the founder of SmartPayroll, a large cloud Payroll software company in AUS and NZ, with over 20,000 customers paying $6B of payroll per annum.
He has had 4 multimillion dollar exits.
At the ripe age of 35, Phil retired and decided it was more fun to be an Iron Man and has completed 10 Iron man races including 2x finisher at the Hawaii, Ironman World Champs.
Wait until you hear what Phil has achieved since we postponed ABDO 2019. Two massive succession planning feats!

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Jason Robinson lives and breathes success habits and disciplines, and therefore he is successful. Come and learn why he is a 2018 award winner and what these success principles are and how you can apply them to your firm.

As a CPA accredited tax accountant and co-founder of RBK Advisory, Jason’s passion is to guide individuals and SMEs through their maze of financial options. He gets to the core of the bigger picture about what you – as a business owner and an individual – want to achieve with your life. He maps out a personalised tax strategy that will assist you in realising your personal and business success.
His “relationships first” mentality pervades every aspect of the culture at RBK Advisory.
Whether you’re dealing with Jason or one of his trusted colleagues, you will always be dealing with someone who genuinely cares about forming a long-term relationship with you and your business. Every advisor at RBK is driven by the goal of building your personal success and happiness.
Jason Robinson is a keynote speaker at ABDO 2020.

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Troy is highly experienced in creating a firm that is an employer of choice, not easily achieved in rural areas, and transitioning to a 9-day fortnight. Troy’s firm has successfully launched financial planning from a $0 base and remarkably achieved profitable operations in only 90 days!

Troy and his business partner Brad have also created some innovative and leading HR strategies including hiring local talent as young as 19 years of age and teaching them Accounting. One of these recruits will be offered equity next year!

Troy attended Personal & Business Mastery this year as a speaker, hand-picked for winning the 2019 Best Practice National Accounting Firm of the Year for having a highly efficient firm producing $1.5M in revenues with only a 5.2 FTE headcount.

Troy Doudle is a “not to be missed” keynote speaker at ABDO 2020. It’s time to secure your ticket! To register your spot and have 100% of the ticket proceeds donated to a charity of YOUR choice, click via the link below.

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Tony owns and leads his insolvency and reconstruction practice Vincents in Canberra, focusing on value preservation and protection strategies, asset management and realisation as well as stakeholder management in a range of complex bankruptcies, voluntary administrations, liquidations, and receiverships, including major trading engagements across a range of industries.

Tony has significant experience in applying his analytical skills to the identification of the warning signs of business failure, the analysis of alternative strategies available to struggling enterprises, and the development of strategies to minimise value loss and protect asset integrity.

Tony Lane is a “not to be missed” keynote speaker at ABDO 2020. To register your spot and have 100% of the ticket proceeds donated to a charity of YOUR choice, click the link below.

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John is the original ideas man behind Business Depot and is responsible for strategy, growth and managing the group. Leading the Business Advisory service offering, John often presents at conferences, facilitates workshops, consults on specific projects and delivers one-on-one coaching services.

As an accountant John excels at blending his skills, experience and expertise in broader business strategy to bring a unique service offering to the clients he works with. John still delivers tax advice, management reporting design, project management and cloud system migrations with the assistance of his team.

With a background in business valuation John also assumes responsibility for any valuations that leave the office, but enjoys combining his valuation expertise with his business knowledge to help business owners focus on enhancing their value rather than just delivering a number in a report.

John is well known within the real estate industry as a leading adviser and accountant to real estate businesses on all things from profit to strategy, growth, accounting processes, tax and succession.

Don’t miss out on John’s presentation at ABDO 2020! To secure your ABDO ticket and have 100% of the ticket proceeds donated to a charity of YOUR choice, click the link below.

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In 2009, Justin set up a family business with his father and brother, taking over a small rundown boatyard and marina facility on the Yeppoon coast. With no figures, Justin took the business to $900K t/o per annum, in 2 years, including a team of five employees.

During this time, Justin was headhunted to take over the financial management of two companies for a dynamic husband and wife. The first was a real estate business and the other a contracting business for industrial painting/sandblasting. His achievements included taking the contracting business from $1M to $3M in 2 years.

In 2011, Justin started his own part-time accounting practice with $18K fees, while still working for the husband and wife team and supporting his own family business. It wasn’t long before Justin decided to shift his focus and go full time into his own Accounting practice. Initially working from home and soon after, in 2014, moving into a small office. In May 2015 Justin hired his first two employees, simultaneously, one accountant, and a receptionist, while his practice fee income had grown to $350K.

On July 1st, 2016, Justin committed to a merger with another sole practitioner, creating a two-partner firm with 6 employees, and by December 2016 they grew the team to 8. By 2018 Meridian Accounting had grown substantially, becoming a $850K-$900 turnover firm.

In late 2018, Justin and the owner – and mentor – from his old firm crossed paths after many years, and the idea of a potential acquisition of the old stomping grounds was floated. In June 2019, the acquisition was completed, and Meridian Accounting became the successor of the highly respected firm Christmas & Volling Chartered Accountants in Rockhampton. Overnight, Meridian Accounting became a 13 staff, $1.4M turnover firm.

During this period, and while attending to and managing the growth of his own firm, Justin worked on large external projects, including financially managing the turnaround of a $13M, 200 staff national childcare group of companies – including totally rebuilding the architecture of their financial information systems, providing full management accounting services and reporting to Japanese foreign owners.

2020 saw many challenges with the first year of trading after the recent acquisition and a curveball from the pandemic. Nevertheless, Meridian accounting finished the financial year at $1.6M, exceeding growth expectations.

Justin Smith is a “not to be missed” keynote speaker at ABDO 2020. He will share with you the lessons he learnt from such rapid growth, and his journey along the way. It’s time to secure your ABDO ticket! To register your spot and have 100% of the ticket proceeds donated to a charity of YOUR choice, click via the link below.

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In 2014, Adriana graduated university with a dual bachelor’s degree and commenced the CPA program immediately afterwards in 2015, completing it at the end of 2018 all by the age of 25.

Whilst only young, Adriana found a new path at Christmas & Volling Chartered Accountants Rockhampton and quickly progressed through the ranks taking on more responsibility, complex clients and matters, social media and adding a modern and technology driven focus to the firm. Adriana featured as a presenter in a seminar series targeted at SME’s in 2018 around Central Queensland, where she spoke about accounting software programs and the use of technology in business today.

Adriana was a part of the Christmas and Volling firm when Meridian Accounting merged with the firm in June 2019, playing a key role in the transformation of the firm which grew overnight. Adriana has experienced first hand the fear, challenges and opportunities of a merger as an employee and knows the right mindset, attitude, patience and adequate support are vital to not only surviving but thriving through a merger.

As a result of the merger, Adriana has now progressed in 2020 to a team leader role at Meridian Accounting. She has taken on greater responsibility and has an evolving role, not only because her previous employer and mentor retired, but adapting to the ‘new’ firm organizational structure, objectives, staffing, goals and outlook for the future.

At ABDO 2020, Adriana alongside Justin Smith will share with you what lessons she has learnt from the merger process and provide some tips and insights into navigating this tumultuous but very rewarding journey.

It’s time to secure your ABDO ticket! To register your spot and have 100% of the ticket proceeds donated to a charity of YOUR choice, click via the link below.

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Upon returning to Australia in 2014, Sarah found her niche working with film, media, advertising and marketing companies.

Sarah founded Hot Toast in 2015 with the goal of helping small to medium businesses scale. Being able to understand the story the numbers tell and provide insights and value to these businesses in a way that supports aggressive growth strategies is why she does what she does.

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He is currently working with one of the fastest-growing SaaS businesses in Australia, helping financial service businesses run more efficiently and improve their client experience by integrating proposals, payments and workflow.

He strives to be an effective communicator across technical and strategic teams while delivering value to internal and external stakeholders. He is committed to continuous improvement and deeply enjoys fostering meaningful relationships within his team and the broader accounting, bookkeeping & SaaS communities.

Outside of work, he is a passionate musician and lover of good food & wine. If you’re interested in grabbing a coffee and talking shop, send him a message.

Ethan Cooney will be speaking on the tech panel at ABDO 2020. Register now to secure your spot and have 100% of the proceeds donated to a charity of YOUR choice!

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He is regularly engaged by and presents to the membership of CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia & NZ, and The Tax Institute on the topic of technology for firms. He is also prolific on LinkedIn.

His vendor agnostic approach provides strategies for accounting firms in all areas including practice and document management, tax/compliance software and is much sought-after for his independent industry insights.

When not in business mode, he plays the guitar, swims year-round, 6 days per week in Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne, has run five marathons, speaks fluent German, very rusty French and is trying to learn Spanish and the ukulele, but not at the same time.

Alan FitzGerald will be speaking at ABDO 2020 about the GreatSoft MYOB takeover/buyout and what this could mean for firms and vendors. Register via the link below to secure your spot and have 100% of the proceeds donated to a charity of YOUR choice!

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Amanda is a Chartered Accountant and former Gold Xero Partner. She’s a technology geek, especially when it comes to tech that improves efficiencies in the financial aspects of business. She’s been adopting and adapting systems from Lotus 123 spreadsheets through to modern day cloud computing. Anything that is going to save her and her clients time and help generate cash flow, she’s all for it!
Amanda has always been a numbers person from her early school days where maths was always her favourite subject. Along with a passion for numbers, she has a keen interest in business as a whole.
Her insatiable curiosity and desire to learn has led Amanda to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on business courses and seminars. She has been strongly influenced by many of these, particularly Key Person of Influence Brand Accelerator and Business Blueprint. You name it, she’s probably read about it, studied it, or implemented it within her own business. Her strong desire to add value and educate fuels her urgency to pass on her knowledge to others.
Under the guidance of one of Australia’s most prolific business authors, Andrew Griffiths, Amanda has written not one but three books, with the fourth book, “Strangled By The Numbers”, launching in November. It’s a no-nonsense guide that makes the complex financial reporting simple and easy to understand.
“Strangled By The Numbers” provides the framework for medium sized business owners to achieve business success. Amanda has been recognised for her expertise as a financial educator by multiple International Awards and her books are No. 1 Amazon best sellers. In addition to her book writing, she has a podcast, does regular videos and is a prolific article writer.
Amanda Fisher is a “not to be missed” keynote speaker at ABDO 2020. Come and listen to Amanda talk about the framework she uses to educate her clients!

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Kelly is passionate about working with you on Management Accountant tasks such as job costing, cashflow management, budgeting, processes and procedures. She supports Bookkeepers and small business owners to grow and build their business and their dream through guidance, education, and accountability.

Kelly just does not stop! She loves a coffee and is passionate about helping people, in any way she can. She runs 4 businesses of her own, 2 with her husband Glen, a trucking business with two tandem tippers, and also a car restoration business from her factory office in Epping. Her main business is Business Simplicity, where Kelly offers business bookkeeping, management and coaching services, and her other business is called Bookkeepers Support Group, where she helps other Bookkeepers across Australia, NZ and USA, running training sessions and group retreats. Her vision knows no bounds.

Kelly has her Advanced Diploma in Financial Services, a Diploma in Project Management, a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration and a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration. She is an MYOB Certified Consultant and trainer. She is also a registered BAS agent with the Tax Practitioners Board.

Kelly has worked across many industries, including Bookkeepers, Accountants, Web Developers, Carpenters, Construction/builders, Engineers, Authors, Life Coaches and more!

Kelly Berger is a “not to be missed” keynote speaker at ABDO 2020. To register your spot and have 100% of the ticket proceeds donated to a charity of YOUR choice, click via the link below.

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With almost 20 years’ experience in business advisory and a passion for practice process improvement, Allyson started Ally Advisory to help accounting practices to progress and grow using the methods that she has developed throughout her career.

Allyson has worked with corporate boards, large private clients groups, Government and not-for-profits from a range of industries. Helping improve internal systems and processes, improve practice efficiency and working to develop and grow staff have always been the parts of her work that energise her.

Allyson decided to turn this passion into a business to help other accountants and bookkeepers work smarter, not harder.

Allyson Pannier will be speaking alongside Kelly Berger at ABDO 2020. To register your spot and have 100% of the ticket proceeds donated to a charity of YOUR choice, click via the link below.

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TOA are the most professional accounting outsourcing partner to help you build and grow an offshore team. Nick and his team live and breath the accounting industry and are the experts to select and develop your best people.
Everything he does is about making your life easier and he understands the value of your time and the trust your clients place in you. Their eco-system provides people experience, professional development, technology, security, peer to peer community, social impact and leading-edge facilities.
The Outsourced Accountant is currently working with over 550+ accounting firms with over 1600 team members employed globally and growing. These are high-performing offshore teams of our clients across USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the rest of the world. Nick considers it an honor and privilege to sit down each week with accounting firm owners, partners, and decision-makers as they share their valuable insights on how they were able to build thriving businesses by building their global teams with him at The Outsourced Accountant.
Nick joined our talented ABDO speaker panel in 2018. He delivered an extremely practical keynote with authenticity and genuine concern for our audience in terms of his key messages and learnings. It was a pleasure working with Nick and we’re excited to have him join us for another successful ABDO!

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Bill’s last role with NAB was the National Director of deal structuring and execution for NAB Business, Australia’s largest business bank. In 2020 and seeing a gap in the market, Bill founded Curate Capital, a mid-markets debt and business advisory firm with the aim to help navigate the complex and ever-changing Banking and Finance environment for larger SME’s.

With access to major Banks, other forms of capital and decades of debt structuring and deal advisory experience, Curate successfully provides a one stop shop for Banking and Finance.

Bill’s passion for business and business owners assists them in extracting business enterprise value. Curate Capital provide multiple strategies around growth, succession, risk management, marketing, margin management and corporate governance. This provides business owners with a clear and strategic way forward to monetise the Investment in their own business.

Bill finds no greater pleasure than dealing with Australian business owners, getting them off the dance floor onto the balcony, assisting them in building systems and sourcing opportunity that grows true enterprise business or intergenerational family wealth.

Join Bill and Best Practice for ABDO 2020 to gain valuable insights around debt funding for accountants and why succession planning is more viable than you think. To secure your spot and have 100% of the proceeds donated to a charity of YOUR choice, register via the link below.

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Ben’s company FirmChecker is Australia’s premiere ratings & reviews site for professional services. It boasts:
– Over 10,000 detailed reviews for hundreds of law and accounting firms,
– More than 350 subscribing professional services firms,
– Thousands of monthly service-seekers that use FirmChecker.com.au to make better purchase decisions.
Ben combines this experience with FirmChecker’s unique data to bring an analytical approach to professional services marketing.

Ben Farrow is a “not to be missed” keynote speaker at ABDO 2020. Ben will be discussing how accounting firms are using FirmChecker and what they’re saying about it. He will also be involved in a tech panel alongside Ethan Cooney and Alan FitzGerald.

Register via the link below to secure your spot and have 100% of the proceeds donated to a charity of YOUR choice!

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