Many bookkeepers are only prepared to provide services using cloud-based industry leaders such as Xero or MYOB.  In other words, if new clients want their books looked after, they will have to go along with the bookkeeper’s preference – which may not be the best solution for the client.  Anbry’s respects the fact that some clients want to use packages that they are familiar with.

We look at this from a different perspective entirely – which we call a consulting approach.  In his well-known book Seven habits of highly effective people, Stephen Covey lists the fifth habit as ‘Seek first to understand, then to be understood’. Many people get the order completely wrong, and their main focus is on getting their point across – so being understood is more important than understanding.

Listening is a profoundly important skill, and you can only listen actively and completely if you seek to understand first.  That’s why, in our process of engagement, or annual review, we listen very carefully to what our clients tell us – and by taking a consulting approach, asking many questions and carefully evaluating the answers, are in the best position to tailor a solution to each client’s specific circumstances.

Recently, I had a conversation with a long term client who had been reading about Xero, was excited about the possibilities, and wanted me to think about transferring his bookkeeping records to that platform.  Because I knew him and his business extremely well, and was aware of how much value he placed on detailed reporting, I was able to explain that the current package he as using was far stronger in that area. For the time being he should remain with the Status Quo and keep his options open in the future as Xero is evolving and improving all the time – and he agreed!

Anbry’s is very flexible and focused on delivering what our clients need and what is most economical for them.   It means that we use our own software for some micro businesses and travel to others who want us to process the work on their own equipment.  We teach our tradies how to use Xero to raise invoices when they are on the road, we support some other packages when we are asked to, and we are always receptive to clients who want to keep costs down by doing some of the work themselves.

For us, bookkeeping is a live and dynamic partnership that should always work well for all parties.

If you’d like to talk to us about the Anbry’s difference, please call Kelly now on 0412 995 322