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21-22 October 2024

Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise

Last chance to register!

Don't miss out

Engage with other emerging leaders shaping the future of accounting

Shape the future of the accounting profession by joining us at the Young Guns Workshop.

Designed to elevate the comprehension of accounting firm operations, this workshop is tailored for up-and-coming managers, supervisors, and accounting team members. Join us as we delve into strategies for effective leadership and shaping the future of our profession.

Don’t miss the chance to be part of this transformative experience!

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Who should attend?

This workshop caters to ambitious professionals on the fast track to leadership roles within the accounting profession. Whether you’re an emerging leader, a rising partner, a manager or a supervisor, this event is tailored to meet your needs and empower you for success.

Why attend?

Join fellow young, up-and-coming leaders in the accounting industry for a dynamic event focused on honing your leadership skills and shaping the future of our profession.

Learn from industry experts and connect with peers who are passionate about making a difference. Engage with other emerging leaders and be part of the transformation in accounting leadership.

Need approval from your boss to attend? Download a letter template here!

Reasons to attend

  • Business Advisory Services: Discover how to integrate business advisory services into your firm’s offerings to stay ahead of the competition.

  • People Management: Learn strategies for nurturing talent and fostering a culture of success within your firm.

  • Emerging Technologies: Stay abreast of the latest technological advancements and leverage them to drive efficiency and innovation.

  • Manage challenges: Learn tried and true strategies to deal with tough stuff in helpful ways.

  • Innovation Focus: Collaborate with peers to envision and design the accounting firm of tomorrow.

  • Client Engagement: Learn how to ask the right questions to uncover valuable insights and enhance client satisfaction.

  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded professionals and establish valuable relationships for long-term growth.

For Decision-Makers: Empower your team - invest in the future of your firm

Investing in the professional development of your team members is crucial for the growth and success of your firm. Support your team members and invest in their individual growth and also in the future success of your firm. Equip your team with the skills and knowledge they need to drive excellence in their roles and contribute to the overall success of your firm.

Don’t miss out on this transformative opportunity to invest in the future success of your firm and empower your team members to reach new heights.

Register now to secure their spot at the Young Guns Workshop and ensure their continued growth and contribution to your firm’s success.

Objectives and goals:

This workshop caters to ambitious professionals on the fast track to leadership roles within the accounting profession. Whether you’re an emerging leader, a rising partner, a manager or a supervisor, this event is tailored to meet your needs and empower you for success.

  • Unleash your potential and drive personal and organisational success.

  • Acquire the expertise needed to become a future leader in your firm.

  • Master effective team management techniques.

  • Understand the issues to consider when buying into a firm.

  • Embrace the latest technology to enhance firm operations.

  • Diversify income sources to fuel firm growth.

  • Collaborate and share information and ideas.

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Need your boss's approval to attend?

Program

Get ready to spend two jam packed days developing the skills and knowledge that will help take your career to the next level.

Day 1

Monday
21 October

8:30 am - 9:30 am

Leadership Tales from the Vault; stories of what it takes to be a gun leader

We may know that communication is the key to effective leadership, but the knack of putting it into practice
doesn’t always seem clear. In this engaging keynote Pam will share insightful case studies that will:

- highlight the triggers to act on
- expose effective (and not so effective) use of communication strategies
- provide you with tips and tools to put into practice

Pam Macdonald, Broadspring Consulting

9:30 am - 10:30 am

Developing the best diversified income model for your firm

Do you want accelerated business advisory growth for your firm through diversified income channels? The
typical advisory business service is underperforming. Revenue growth is flat, profit is slim and successful
diversification into business advisory remains elusive. With a growing realisation that compliance and
transactional services may be under fee pressure, the time is to act, not just hope. This session will focus on
developing a business advisory divisional approach with the right structure, infrastructure, engagement, and
delivery models to achieve sustainable, accelerated growth.

Mark Holton, Smithink

10:30 am - 11:00 am

MORNING TEA


11:00 am - 12:00 pm

The times they are a-changin

A reflection on 50 years of accounting technology. Why history is repeating itself. Old solutions are no longer fit for purpose, new solutions emerging. Transformative developments such as robotic process automation and artificial intelligence will change the way we work. New ways to collaborate and changing work practices underpinned by technology are changing how firms are organised. Are you equipped to capitalise on the new phase of technology transformation in your firm?

David Smith, Smithink

12:00 - 12:45 pm

Sponsors Panel Discussion

David Smith will facilitate a session with our event sponsors, delving into a discussion on how their products and services contribute to propelling the accounting industry into the future.

12:45- 1:45 pm

Lunch

1:45- 3:00 pm

Innovation Focus Collaborative Session - Part One

This year’s collaborative session will focus on innovation. Collaborate with peers to envision and design the
accounting firm of tomorrow. More details to come!

Facilitated by Mark Holton and David Smith

3:00- 3:15 pm

Afternoon Tea

3:15- 4:00 pm

Crunching the Numbers: What the Top Firms Do Differently

In this Q&A session, we will examine the key insights from our inaugural Australian Accounting Benchmarking Report: The Crunch, alongside the report’s editor, Julia Thomson. Julia will provide a detailed analysis of the data, focusing on the practices that set the most profitable accounting firms apart.

She will also review the latest industry trends uncovered in the report, allowing you to assess how these findings could influence your firm’s approach and positioning in the future. This session offers a unique opportunity to gain data-driven insights into what top firms are doing differently to achieve success.

Facilitated by David Smith with Julia Thomson, The Benchmarking Group

4:00- 5:00 pm

Persuasive Presentations and the Art of Influence

In this highly interactive session, we’ll explore, discuss and practise some of the essential elements in engaging and inspiring audiences. As well as a quick dive into first principles, we’ll unpack what sets apart the best presenters from the rest. And if you’d like some individual coaching, be ready to volunteer!

Derek Amer, Executive Coach, Facilitator and Actor

5:00- 5:15 pm

Networking introduction with Pam Macdonald

5:15- 6:45 pm

Networking session with drinks and canapes

In this “live” session you actually practice networking after being introduced to the:
- importance of networking to your career and success
- critical inhibitors to investing in your network
- easy to use techniques to actually get out there and network.

Day 2

Tuesday
22 October

8:00 - 9:00 am

Thinking of buying into your firm? Don't forget these issues.

Receiving an offer to buy equity in your firm is a great achievement. But don't go running headlong into the arrangement without considering a number of vitally important issues. Like marriage, tying the knot is a great time but it would be good to avoid situations that lead to divorce. David will outline some key issues that should be on your checklist.

David Smith, Smithink

9:00- 10:00 am

Ikigai: The Secret to a Fulfilling Accounting Career (Ikigai is actually my word of the year!)

This session introduces the Japanese concept of Ikigai, which means “a reason for being,” and explores how it can be applied to the accounting profession. Participants will learn how to find their unique intersection of what they love, what they are good at, what the world needs, and what they can be paid for. This framework not only aims to inspire a fulfilling career path but also encourages a balance between professional success and personal happiness.

Amanda Gascoigne, The Balanced Firm

10:00- 10:30 am

Morning Tea


10:30- 11:30 am

The keys to exceptional client service in your firm

Exceptional client or customer service is an ongoing challenge for accounting firms. This session will focus on the hugely successful Disney management model of “on stage and off stage” service delivery and “over managing” through an attention to detail that drives success. Experiences will be shared from a past US trip to Disney Institute in Anaheim to undertake the Exceptional Leaders and Keys to Customer Service programs that can be directly articulated to an accounting firm and enhance the quality of client service from day one.

Mark Holton, Smithink

11:30- 12:30 pm

The keys to dealing with tough stuff

There will always be difficult people, challenging conversations, horrendous deadlines, staffing shortages or things going on for you or at home. Tried and true strategies to deal with tough stuff in helpful ways. Years later people will stop me to tell me they still use these strategies.

Petris Lapis, Artisan of Change

12:30- 1:30 pm

Lunch

1:30- 3:00 pm

Innovation Focus Collaborative Session - Part Two

This year’s collaborative session will focus on innovation. Collaborate with peers to envision and design the
accounting firm of tomorrow. More details to come!

Facilitated by Mark Holton and David Smith

3:00- 3:15 pm

Afternoon Tea

3:15- 4:00 pm

Open Forum and Questions

Facilitated by Mark Holton and David Smith

4:00 pm

Workshop Close


It is highly recommended for attendees to stay for the entire duration of our workshop in order to maximise the value and benefits they will receive. Our workshop is carefully designed to provide comprehensive insights, practical skills, and valuable knowledge that build upon each other throughout the sessions.

Please organise travel for after the end of the workshop.

OUR 2024 YOUNG GUNS WORKSHOP FEATURES SPEAKERS & INNOVATIVE THINKERS INCLUDING:

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Amanda Gascoigne Amanda Gascoigne Consulting & The Balanced Firm

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David Smith Smithink

Derek Amer

Derek Amer Executive Coach, Facilitator & Actor

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Mark Holton Smithink

Pam

Pam Macdonald Broadspring Consulting

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Petris Lapis Artisan of Change

Julia Thomson

Julia Thomson The Benchmarking Group

Book your accommodation

Crowne Plaza , Surfers Paradise,
Queensland 4217, Australia
Tel: +61-7-56808000

Please refer to the hotel's cancellation policy on the booking link below.

Venue

Crowne Plaza
Surfers Paradise

Accommodation

Rates at the Crowne Plaza start at $235.

We recommend booking as soon as you can as these rates are subject to availability.

Pricing

Super Early Bird Pricing until 30 June 2024

Smithink Members

(discounted pricing)

$995 First attendee
$850 Additional attendees from the same firm

Non-Member firms

$1250 First attendee
$1095 Additional attendees from the same firm

Early Bird Pricing from 1 July - 7 October 2024

Smithink Members

(discounted pricing)

$1195 First attendee
$950 Additional attendees from the same firm

Non-Member firms

$1450 First attendee
$1195 Additional attendees from the same firm

Standard Pricing booking from 8 October 2024

Smithink Members

(discounted pricing)

$1450 First attendee
$1195 Additional attendees from the same firm

Non-Member firms

$1650 First attendee
$1450 Additional attendees from the same firm

Event Cancellation Policy

In the event that you are unable to attend, a complete refund will be issued upon receipt of written cancellation requests sent to [email protected]: submitted within 21 days prior to the workshop date.

Register Now!

Prepare yourself for two action-packed days dedicated to enhancing your skills and knowledge, enabling you to elevate your career to new heights.