2-3 November
Young Guns★ Workshop
The Young Guns Workshop 2023 has been created with the aim of enhancing the understanding of accounting firm operations, this program is intended for up-and-coming managers, supervisors, and members of accounting teams.
The Access Group Young Gun of the Year Award will run again for the second year!
*13 CPE points will be available
After the incredible success of 2022, we are thrilled to bring back the
Access Young Gun of the Year Award
For full details CLICK HERE!
Who should attend?
This program is tailored for aspiring young leaders who wish to strengthen their management expertise, gain insight into the accounting industry, and explore strategic prospects for both their firm and personal growth.
Why you need to attend:
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Learn how to get business advisory services working in your firm in a divisionalised structure similar to financial planning and other diversified services.
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Learn how to manage the most important asset in your accounting firm… People individually and in teams.
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Discuss the emerging technologies and plan for their delivery now.
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Discover the benefits of doing work with charities and other not for profit organisations.
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Interact with fellow Young Guns who have succeeded in their firms and leverage their experience and viewpoints.
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Develop and enhance your presentation skills with presentations that really engage.
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Consider what the firm of the future looks like in an interactive workshop format.
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Develop your questioning style and skills to engage with clients and expand your value added services.
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Meet like minded young professionals and build a long-lasting network.
Objectives and goals:
Unlock your potential to create greater personal and firm success in the future.
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Develop the skills and knowledge to become a future leader in the profession.
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Manage the people within your teams and firms effectively.
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Develop and enhance your presentation skills to get the right message across to clients.
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Learn how to leverage the latest technology in your firm.
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Develop diversified income streams in your practice that will really excite clients
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Learn how to ask the right questions of clients.
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
Thursday
2 November
Registration
Being a gun leader - have you really got what it takes?
For most of us, career (and salary) growth involves taking on a leadership role. When you are great at what you do now, you want to be great at the next thing you do too.
Join Pam Macdonald to explore what it takes to be a great people leader and truly set yourself up for success.
This session will cover:
- the #1 thing that great leaders do (and that others completely miss)
- tips to build your reputation in that #1 thing
- where to watch out for this and who to learn from
Pam Macdonald, Broadspring Consulting
How to be a Financial Storyteller
Today’s accountant, consultant, or coach must provide high-level diversified value-added services as well as people management. Learn how to be a proficient storyteller, turning numbers into knowledge and help clients understand their financial story, using smart techniques like the 4 Profitability Strategies, the Power of One and the 3 Big Cash Flow measures. Create success through client engagement and help your practice at the same time.
Mark Holton, Smithink
Morning Tea
You need an IT strategic plan
Information Technology is a critical component of the modern day accounting business. Particularly, in a resource constrained world, we need to squeeze maximum efficiency out of our people by leveraging technology.
This session will provide a framework for a plan, discuss the opportunities to leverage technology and highlight where firms are achieving success.
Management of risks is also a critical component.
David Smith, Smithink
Accountant wanted; Must work well with AI
In this session, we will look at the changing landscape of personal and professional productivity in the next phase of technological advances.
What will change and what will stay the same, and what does this mean for career planning and professional development in professional services?
David Francis, The Access Group
Lunch
T4 Group introduction session
Iain will share how his vision to provide international quality IT strategy, performance and solutions to Australian companies, particularly working with the accounting and professional services industries, lead him to start T4 Group.
Iain’s vision has seen the role of ‘IT provider’ progress from basic service delivery to one of a respected business partnership with his clients. By working closely with senior partners and business owners, Iain has changed the face of the IT industry from a basic trade practise to an elite business discipline. Find out why this is important for your accounting firm.
Iain Enticott, Managing Director
Collaborative Industry Challenge - Part One
Join us for an exciting collaborative challenge. This unique opportunity will enable you to work closely with your fellow attendees on crucial topics for today's accounting firm leaders. During this session, you will meet your team and dive into one of the 11 important categories, such as Technology, Process Improvement, Leadership, or Marketing, based on your preferences. You will be able to learn from your peers, share ideas and develop new solutions. You'll have 45 minutes to brainstorm solutions, setting the stage for an engaging and productive experience at the second session on Friday.
Facilitated by David Smith + Mark Holton, Smithink
Afternoon Tea
Fathom introduction session
Fathom combines insightful reporting, fast cash flow forecasting and actionable financial insights into one refreshingly easy business management solution.
Tom is a qualified Chartered Accountant who initially worked in public practice and then finance and operations in private and non-profit sector companies until he decided mid career to follow his passions and explore a career in the technology sector which eventually led him to Fathom. In this session, Tom will share his passion of technology systems, processes and people being the driving force behind business improvement and productivity optimisation to help them grow and flourish and encourage you to do the same in your firm!
Tom Bilton FCA, Head of Advisory Channel - Fathom
Public Speaking 101
Are you ready to take your public speaking skills to the next level and make a lasting impression on potential clients?
From the basics to preparing for a keynote speech, Steve Allan, renowned sports presenter and one of Australia’s leading emcees, is ready to share his secrets from close to four decades behind the microphone.
This session is designed exclusively for young accountants, empowering you to master the art of confidently presenting and engaging with new clients.
Be ready! This is a fully interactive 'hour of power' where you and your colleagues could be challenged to step outside your comfort zone and Say A Few Words.
Steve Allan, Say a Few Words
Advancetrack Introduction session
Craig McKell, General Manager, Australian & New Zealand
The Access Group Young Gun of the Year Award presentation
David Francis will announce the Young Gun of the Year Award!
NETWORKING SESSION WITH DRINKS AND CANAPES, HOSTED BY PAM MACDONALD
Join us for a networking session after a big first day! Learn the importance of networking for your career, overcome barriers, and gain easy techniques to enhance your networking skills. Get ready to make meaningful connections!
Day 2
Friday
3 November
Breakfast
When we heard Paul Dunn was in town we decided we needed to make room in the program to have him speak, and given the program was already full we invite you to join us for breakfast.
Paul is a widely respected entrepreneur, four times TEDx speaker and master presenter. He has won numerous awards for his work including a Lifetime Service Award to the Accounting Profession in the UK for his contribution to education and business growth in the field, and was named a Social Innovation Fellow in his current home of Singapore. Paul now travels around the world educating people on B1G1, and sharing his plethora of advice on how to build a successful business.
There’s Never Been a Time Like This [especially for you)
Steve Jobs once said: "You need to learn about Strategic Inflection Points, because sooner or later you are going to live through one.”
These days, it seems like we’re going through one ever day. And that’s precisely why the profession needs you (and perhaps why you need it too).
In a world where purpose, contribution, and meaning hold more value than conventional business metrics, traditional currencies of business success — profit, positioning, and power are undergoing a seismic shift. Paul takes you on a fast-track journey to navigate that shift to take you and your firm to a place of truly conscious leadership in the business space.
It’s a journey that you’ll remember and benefit from — for life.
Paul Dunn, Co-Founder, B1G1
CLIENT SERVICE IS EVERYTHING
What we will work on during the session:
We will look at, why clients leave and do not come back, what makes you and your business stand out from the crowd, and what is unique about your business and you will understand how Global Business Camps gives you a unique opportunity to transform your client relations.
It is about the lifetime value of clients, the key is how do you win them and get them to stay with you long-term.
The session is a fun, fast-paced, workshop-style interactive session.
John Tsoulos, Global Business Camps + Indigo Financial
KEEPING YOUR CLIENT'S ACCOUNTABLE - HOW TO RUN A CLIENT'S MANAGEMENT MEETING/BOARD MEETING
Business owners all too often get caught up in day-to-day issues and fail to set and effectively execute longer-term plans. This interactive session will workshop how you can play a critical role in client management/board meetings including setting agendas, creating an accountability framework, and helping clients to establish and manage effective strategic and business plans.
Development of the service offering to successfully engage with clients will also be addressed.
David Smith, Smithink
Morning Tea
Working with Not for Profits…Is it for you?
Often we are asked to sit on boards of charities, sporting clubs, community organisations and like organisations. One consideration is “should I accept the appointment?” and or “is it for me”. The other is understanding the benefit of helping others and doing “your bit” for the community as well as making key contacts and developing your firm. This session will focus on my experience and the personal benefits gained from working with charities and other not-for-profits over 25 years as a Board Member and Treasurer and 15 years as a Chairman.
Mark Holton, Smithink
Burnout Prevention and Recovery
The World Health Organisation has referred to stress and burnout as the ‘health epidemic of the 21st Century’. This engaging session is led by an accountant who has walked the burnout path herself. It investigates what burnout looks and feels like, how to prevent burnout at both the employer and employee level and strategies to help you thrive more successfully in a demanding work environment. This is a raw, honest, practical, down-to-earth session with real examples happening right now. Leave with practical tools to help yourself and others moving forward.
Petris Lapis, Artisan of Change
Lunch
IT'S NOT SELLING…IT'S JUST HELPING
This session will cover how speaking to clients about additional service offerings should not be looked at as upselling but rather just doing your job as their Trusted Advisor. In particular, we will cover; how to open the discussion, how to as the right questions, the importance of non-verbal cues and how to close an opportunity.
Matt Feehan, Salt Financial
Afternoon tea
Collaborative Industry Challenge: Presentation and Insights
In this session, you'll have the chance to showcase your innovative solutions and insights. After collaborating and brainstorming, each team will present their finding. With guidance from our facilitators, David and Mark, each group will have 10 minutes to present their ideas. Take the opportunity to shine and share your team's valuable perspectives. Don't miss this chance to contribute to the discussion and gain insights from your peers in the accounting industry for implementation in your firm.
Facilitated by Mark Holton + David Smith, Smithink
Please organise travel for after the end of the workshop.
Our 2023 Young Guns Workshop features speakers & innovative thinkers including:
David Smith Smithink
David Smith Smithink
David Smith is Australia’s most experienced specialist independent IT consultant, having over 25 years involvement with accounting businesses. David was Managing Partner of PKF Sydney; President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 2003; created PKF CRS and Superfund software; and coaches practitioners in practice strategy, management & process improvement.
Mark Holton Smithink
Mark Holton Smithink
Mark Holton has more than 30 years experience as an Accountant and Tax Agent in practice. Mark is also the Managing Director of Dynamic Taxation and Training Services, as well as the founding CEO of 2020 Asia Pacific. Mark has developed specialised skills in the area of adult education and training with extensive experience in both private and public sector industries in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and North America. He is also a respected consultant in taxation and business management.
David Francis The Access Group
David Francis The Access Group
As a Business Consultant and Leadership Coach David has worked with established and emerging leaders in a broad range of industries on maximising their personal effectiveness.
For the last 10 years he has been working with the biggest and best Accounting Firms in Australia and New Zealand and is currently the General Manager of APAC Accountants Group at the Access Group.
John Tsoulos Indigo Financial & Global Business Camps
John Tsoulos Indigo Financial Services / Global Business Camps
John Tsoulos is the Managing Director of Indigo Financial (an accounting and tax firm in Adelaide) and the founder and lead presenter of Global Business Camps. The business camp is an innovative 2 or 3 day event for accountants and SME’s and with thousands of people attending these events over the years they are going from strength to strength.
Having worked closely with businesses from different parts of the world, he has vast experience in applying business strategies producing excellent results. John will share with us the ‘4 simple processes that they use in their practice to engage clients into business advisory work’.
John has presented at conferences, business building events, business camps and team building events in Australia, New Zealand and the USA.
John is focused, dynamic and passionate, and believes in the 6 Secrets™ to any business.
Steven Allan Say A Few Words
Steve Allan Say A Few Words
What does the NRL Grand Final, State of Origin, Canterbury Bulldogs, Greater Western Sydney Giants, and the New South Wales Swifts have in common?
The unmistakable voice of Steve Allan on the microphone.
As a six-time Best Sports Presenter Provincial at the Australian Commercial Radio Awards, Steve adds exemplary sports knowledge to any event or broadcast.
Petris Lapis Artisan of Change
Petris Lapis Author Presenter Director
Petris has worked in accounting, law, academia, banking, business and training. She has consulted to government and industry and published several books and hundreds of papers. She has studied commerce, law, coaching, NLP and hypnosis and is passionate about helping professionals thrive and succeed.
Matthew Feehan Salt Financial Group
Matthew Feehan Salt Financial Group
Graduating with both law and accounting degrees in 2009, Matthew has over a decade of hands-on experience in accounting, specifically with high-net-worth families, growth-oriented businesses, and Self-Managed Super Funds. Matt became Director of Accounting at Salt Financial Group in 2017. In 2021, he made the shift from Compliance Accounting to build Salt’s Business Advisory team. For Matt, strong relationships are the bedrock of good business, and his passion for transforming “the numbers” into meaningful narrative has continued to make him a trusted advisor to his clients and their families.
Pam Macdonald Broadspring Consulting
Pam Macdonald Broadspring Consulting
Having made multiple successful career transitions, Pam Macdonald has turned her passion for people (along with her energy) into powerful and practical coaching and leadership development. Known and respected for her ability to cut to the chase, Pam is also highly effective at guiding people into new and effective levels of leadership performance.
She has worked in several prestigious professional and financial services firms, including as National lead for learning at Perpetual Trustees and National HR lead for Bendigo Bank. Pam is an experienced facilitator, trainer and coach known for asking good questions. Her sense of fun and philosophy of living life to the full is obvious from the outset, as is her passion for helping people and teams to be their best.
Paul Dunn B1G1
Paul Dunn 4-time TEDx speaker
Paul is a Senior Fellow in one of the World’s Leading Think Tanks and holds a Lifetime Service Award to the Accounting Profession in the UK. He was honoured as a Social Innovation Fellow in his new home of Singapore; something he shares with film-star and philanthropist Jet Li and Walmart Chairman, Rob Walton.
He was one of the first 10 people in Hewlett Packard in Australia. He then created one of Australia’s first computer companies. He then created Results Corporation where he helped develop and grow 23,000 small and medium scale business enterprises.
He first made his mark on the Accounting profession through the radical Accountants’ Boot Camp process enabling over 17,000 Accountants worldwide to work with their clients in new ways.
Paul continues to push the boundaries. He featured in Forbes Magazine alongside Sir Richard Branson in a global piece on ‘disrupters’ in business.
His book, (co-written with Ron Baker) ‘The Firm of the Future’, is widely regarded as a breakthrough book for professional firms and his new ‘Times UP!’ book is now a best seller too.
The profession continues to honour Paul — he was the Inaugural Recipient of the ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Profession’ Award made by AccountingWeb in the UK.
Literally thousands of Accountants around the world regard Paul as a legend, inspiring them, cajoling them and helping them build firms that people want to buy from, work for and rave about.
Paul is the co-founder of the revolutionary B1G1: Business for Good, a company that’s already enabled businesses to connect in new ways and create over 321 Million giving impacts around the world.
Pricing
Super Early Bird Pricing until 30 June 2023
(discounted pricing)
$895 First attendee
$750 Additional attendees from the same firm
Non-Member firms
$1150 First attendee
$995 Additional attendees from the same firm
Early Bird Pricing until 29 September 2023
(discounted pricing)
$1095 First attendee
$850 Additional attendees from the same firm
Non-Member firms
$1350 First attendee
$1095 Additional attendees from the same firm
Standard Pricing from 30 September 2023
(discounted pricing)
$1350 First attendee
$1095 Additional attendees from the same firm
Non-Member firms
$1550 First attendee
$1350 Additional attendees from the same firm
Event Cancellation Policy
If you can’t attend the workshop, we will provide a full refund for written cancellation requests sent to: [email protected] within 21 days of the workshop date.
David Francis The Access Group
As a Business Consultant and Leadership Coach David has worked with established and emerging leaders in a broad range of industries on maximising their personal effectiveness.
For the last 10 years he has been working with the biggest and best Accounting Firms in Australia and New Zealand and is currently the General Manager of APAC Accountants Group at the Access Group.