I am a coach!

A couple of months ago I started studying towards my Advanced Diploma in Business and Leadership Coaching – and after some at home study and two intensive weekends I am now a Certified Level 2 Coach!

I am a coach!

What is coaching you might ask? It’s guiding, encouraging, using tools to facilitate change, understanding, listening and empowerment (and much more…)

I am a coach!

Coaching is not – judgement, counselling, a total solution or a quick fix.  But if there are areas of your life where you think you might need guidance or direction, coaching can help!

I am a coach!

There’s still a lot more work to do, but I’ve always been one for celebrating milestones, and this is a milestone for me! I am essentially taking something I’ve always done and making it a formal service offering for which I have the tools, skills and qualifications!

I am a coach! (PS our trainer is making us say this…hence the repetition!)

Regards

I’m guessing by now you know that I’m an accountant right?

You probably also realise I have a university degree right?

I’ve also completed the Chartered Accountants Program, am a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and the holder of a Public Practice Certificate…are you still with me?

I won’t talk about my membership of the National Tax Accountant’s Association, my Xero Certified Advisor status or my Registered Tax Agent status…or maybe I just did?

What I want to ask you is – did you know that on top of all of this, I have to undertake 120 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) on a rotating three year basis? Each year must involve at least 20 hours and the maximum time allowed to be allocated to technical reading is 10 hours per year…

Why am I telling you this?  Because I think it’s important for everyone to realise we accountants and tax advisors do a heck of a lot of study and continuing education just so we can go to work each day and do the best we can for you – our clients.

We are the trusted advisor, please respect the craft.

PS that was on the verge of being a rant, no offence intended I’m just standing my ground over a comment made recently, thanks for indulging me!

Regards

So your child has started their first job, they’ve filled out all the paperwork and they have their first pay packet – what now?

One of the best lessons you can teach your children early in their working life is how to save.

In the days of internet banking and electronic transfers – this can be a lot more simple than it was in days gone by when you had to go to the bank to transfer funds between accounts – but it also presents a temptation many will find hard to resist.

My suggestions for saving money area:

• calculate how much you want to save per pay packet (this may be a dollar amount or a percentage) and set up a direct debit from your normal bank account to a savings account on the day of or after your pay day
• many employers will allow you to split your pay packet between two or more bank accounts, if this option is available – take it!
• your savings account should have limited access (I have one account with no key card or internet access, it means I have to actually go to the bank to get the money – who has time for that?)
• in calculating how much to save, set your self a goal – this might be buying a car or new electronic device, or perhaps a holiday is in order – work out how much you need and go from there
• savings goals for kids might be lower in value, but the lesson learned from having to work for it will be valuable to them

Tell me, what are your money saving tips?

Regards

Ah, superannuation (super)…the golden nest egg…

Of course I can’t tell you where to put your super, but you do have to tell your employer where you want them to put it…in certain circumstances.

If you are a new employee who is eligible* to choose your super fund then your employer must provide you with a Standard Choice Form (you can also request one from your employer if you are an eligible employee and wish to change your nominated super fund).

The form itself includes some information that MUST be completed by the employer…and some sections that MUST be completed by the employee…so everyone has a role to play!

As an employee, if you do choose your own fund, please read the fine print clearly and provide ALL of the details and supporting documentation requested – this will save both you and your employer valuable time!

*You are eligible if you are:

• employed under a federal award
• employed under a former state award, now known as a notional agreement preserving state award (NAPSA)
• employed under an award or industrial agreement that does not require super contributions
• not employed under any state award or industrial agreement (including contractors who are regarded as eligible employees for super purposes).

If you’re not sure what, if any, award or industrial agreement covers your employee:

• visit the Fair Work website at fairwork.gov.auExternal Link
• phone the workplace relations department in your state or territory
• check with your employer association.

(*eligibility information is from www.ato.gov.au)

Regards