Meet Sarina Abbott from Festival Bookeeping
Stepping into the spotlight this month is Sarina Abbott from Festival Bookkeeping – who is taking 2021 by storm, looking to push herself beyond her comfort levels and “think bigger”. Sarina is a much-loved member of SA Woman and is an absolute saving grace for her clients!
When Jess from Jess McEachen Copywriting took five with Sarina, she loved hearing about Sarina’s biggest lessons from the past 5 years, what women are inspiring her in business, and it’s so great to know that all hope is definitely not lost if your bookkeeping has gotten out of control!
We also discover how being brave can turn baby steps into bigger steps, and how SA Woman has provided Sarina with a welcoming & supportive community to reach out to, refer work on to and enjoy brilliant conversation with!
This is a wonderful read, and we are so grateful to have Sarina and Festival Bookkeeping with us in the Business Spotlight for April.
// Thank you for joining us in the Biz Spotlight in April! For those who haven’t met you yet, can you introduce us to Festival Bookkeeping and who you love to work with?
Festival Bookkeeping began over 5 years ago when I knew it was time to put my energy and skills into growing something meaningful that could benefit other people.
We love to work with clients who want to achieve business success and grow using Xero accounting software.
// Looking back over the time you’ve been in business, what do you think have been the most important lessons you’ve learned? And for those just starting out, what would you say to them?
I’ve learned that’s it’s okay to take baby steps if that’s what you feel you need to do, as long as you are still moving forward.
Practise being brave – sometimes you have to force yourself take bigger steps that make you feel a bit uncomfortable, because that is often where the real growth happens.
Definitely back yourself more – that’s what I would go back and say to myself!
// Bookkeeping is definitely a task that can go by the wayside for small business owners – I think we’re all visualising the overflowing shoebox of receipts! Outsourcing can seem like a great idea, but how do we know if we need to outsource our bookkeeping?
There are lots of indicators that it’s time to outsource your bookkeeping.
- You’re frustrated because you want to focus on growth but can’t due to all the other “hats” you’re wearing (including the bookkeeper hat).
- You need to get set up on accounting software or change accounting software.
- You find it stressful dealing with ATO and Fair Work obligations such as BAS and payroll.
- You’re behind in your Tax Returns or BAS and are having to pay late lodgement fees or interest.
- You’re making mistakes due to lack of time or lack of qualified person doing the bookkeeping.
- Your bookkeeping is taking away too much of your personal and family life.
- Or, you just don’t like doing it!
I’ve learned that’s it’s okay to take baby steps if that’s what you feel you need to do, as long as you are still moving forward.
Practise being brave – sometimes you have to force yourself take bigger steps that make you feel a bit uncomfortable, because that is often where the real growth happens.
Definitely back yourself more – that’s what I would go back and say to myself!
// It’s not just about having your books up-to-date and reconciled is it! What are the flow-on effects that having a bookkeeper on board creates?
Yes! Crunching numbers is just the beginning.
When you have the support of a good bookkeeper, you often have a better chance of being able to ride out the tough times and also you have the added confidence to grow your business because you know you are not on your own.
// End of the financial year really isn’t that far away now is it! What do you recommend in terms of software and staying organised with our books? Both for biz owners that feel like they’re either drowning in their paperwork, and those looking to level up?
Cloud-based accounting software is the way to go for so many reasons.
We specialise in Xero accounting software – it suits the 1 person owner-operator and can also “level up” with you as your business grows. The apps that can be integrated with it are fabulous.
// You’re a big fan of people setting their Income Goal and watching their numbers every day. How do you recommend that we go about doing that, and then how do we keep track of it?
Setting income goals is really important. I recommend you don’t over-think your numbers – the important thing is to make a start, pick a number and have it out where you can see it.
You can get fancier about it as time goes on, but don’t over-complicate it to begin with or you won’t get around to it.
// Looking outside of bookkeeping – what are your other go-to resources for running a small business? I think everyone wants ways to work smarter, not harder!
Websites that I find really helpful include:
- Fair Work Ombudsman,
- ABN Lookup,
- Australian Taxation Office,
- Business.gov.au, and
- The SA Woman Directory.
I also have free small business bookkeeping tips and interviews on my blog savvybookkeeping.wordpress.com
// Clearly, you don’t just help others run successful businesses, you run your own too! Let us know – are there any areas you’re excited to learn about or grow in during the rest of 2021? Also, are there any women in business that are inspiring you?
I’m excited for this year, because I’m looking to push myself beyond my comfort levels and “think bigger”.
There are lots of women in business that are inspiring me. Particularly those that I see stepping outside of their comfort zones and being brave – whether that be using video marketing, public speaking, providing education or generally investing in the long-term growth of their business whether this is in the public eye or not.
Many of my clients inspire me too.
// We love having you within our membership! What do you love about being part of the SAW community and what have you gained from it?
I love that the SA Woman community manages to be so professional but so welcoming and supportive at the same time.
I’ve used the professional services of several awesome members, grown my network of business contacts that I’ve been able to refer work on to, been inspired and learnt by watching what others are doing in their businesses and also had many great conversations over coffee or dinner.
I also received a nomination for last year’s Awards, which I was then able to include in my social media posts and was just generally a nice “nod” that I was heading in the right direction.
// Lastly, a question we do love to ask everyone – where are your favourite spots for a delish working lunch?
Well I don’t get out for lunch nearly as much as I would like to but I do like the Square 44 Café at Surrey Downs.
When it’s the weekend my favourite spot for lunch is halfway around a hike in the Adelaide hills, sitting on a log or the ground with a cup of tea and banana!
Though not technically a working day, it is where I clear my head and reward myself for a hard week of work.
Thanks for chatting with us Sarina!
Find out more about Festival Bookkeeping:
BLOG: Is it time to Marie Kondo your Accounting Software?!
Facebook: Festival Bookkeeping
Instagram: @festivalbookkeeping
LinkedIn: Sarina Abbott
Website: www.festivalbookkeeping.com.au