Aly & Andrews All Aussie Accounting Adventures
Aly & Andrews All Aussie Accounting Adventures
The Xmas Episode: Grinching, Gratitude & a Grand Goodbye
The tinsel is tangled, the Christmas crackers are questionable, and we’re wrapping the year with a bow and a mic. In this festive (and frankly, emotional) episode, with Aly, Andrew, Amy and Jack, we kick things off with some seasonal silliness, then get real about the year that was, a rollercoaster of rain-drenched offshore teams, mental overload, leadership curveballs, and unexpected wins.
We share the tough stuff we dropped, the tweaks that turned it around, and how a mid-year pivot set the stage for a good run into year end. There’s heartfelt reflection, actual advice, and a dash of seasonal wisdom, plus a few dodgy jokes (from Andrew), naturally.
But the biggest moment? A bittersweet farewell to our beloved Jack, whose curiosity and candour helped shape the first five seasons of the tech season. We send him off with full hearts… and welcome a brand new co-host: the brilliant (insert drum roll) ... Will Buckley. From cadet accountant to tech leader to firm founder, Will’s story is full of hard-won insight, from cashflow crunches to rediscovering ikigai (yes, we go there—and it lands).
We finish with firm culture in Christmas mode: inclusive, remote-friendly, and energy-smart. Whether you're hosting a Bad Santa showdown or just hoping for a silent night, this ep is packed with laughs, lessons, and permission to slow down.
🎧 Plug in, pour a cuppa (or something bubbly), and celebrate the wins, wobbles, and wonders of the year.
AAAAA IS PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY OUR SPONSORS
BGL With 35 years of experience and ISO 27001 certification, BGL Corporate Solutions delivers innovative, multi-award winning company compliance, self-managed superannuation fund, investment management, identity verification and AI-powered paper-to-data software solutions to 12,700+ businesses maintaining 1.5 million+ entities worldwide.
FuseSign Digital Signing, Done Simply. FuseSign is an affordable, intuitive and easy to use Digital Signing platform. Greater Control, Greater Flexibility, Greater Client Experience.
TOA Global Dedicated outsourcing solutions for Accounting firms in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK and across the globe.
FOLLOW US ON THE SOCIALS
www.accountingadventures.com.au
Accounting Adventures (@accadvpodcast) | Instagram
Accounting Adventures | Facebook
Accounting Adventures | LinkedIn
Aly & Andrews All Aussie Accounting Adventures (@accadvpodcast) | X
Email: podcast@accountingadventures.com.au
CHECK US OUT
ALL IN Advisory | Your squad of award-winning accountants, tax wizards, and business visionaries, perfectly tailored to elevate your biz. Let's soar together!
Illumin8 | Purpose-led cloud-driven accounting humans
MUSIC
ENTENTE (@ententemusic) | Instagram
PRODUCTION
David Easton (@davidjeasty) | Instagram
Hey Ellie.
SPEAKER_04:Uh yes, Andrew.
SPEAKER_02:What do you call an old snowman?
SPEAKER_04:I'm too scared to answer.
SPEAKER_02:Water. You're in a freaking role, my friend. I think it was good. The reaction wasn't that much. It was really quiet. I thought maybe I'd maybe I'd drop the ball on that one.
SPEAKER_04:Come on. No, that was a very, very good one. Thank you so much. Reminded me of Ola from Frozen, you know, who likes the heat type thing. And and there is a direct correlation. There's Christmas involved.
SPEAKER_02:It is it is our world-famous, world-renowned, multiple times award-winning uh Christmas episode. Uh, I did have a secondary joke as well. Uh, it's is what is what what is my wife's favorite Christmas song? Silent Night.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, that that absolutely echoes to the truth there. And I love how how you said you wanted to do a second one, but you just went ahead and did it anyway.
SPEAKER_02:I did it anyway. I'd I'd be damned if I got it, it's coming out. Anyway, it is it is Christmas. Merry Christmas to you, Allie. We're not quite there yet, but we're not too far off.
SPEAKER_04:But uh you might have heard a few little giggles in the background because we all have uh should we say our uh children anymore? Maybe not.
SPEAKER_02:No, I never said that. I don't like that. I don't like that. That's why I keep saying it.
SPEAKER_04:So we have Amy and Jack with us from the All Aussie Accounting Tech Edition joining us uh on this episode again today.
SPEAKER_05:Thanks. Thanks for having us back.
SPEAKER_03:Exciting. Love Christmas.
SPEAKER_02:I always forget when I get to these episodes is like, do you do you like Christmas or not? Like out of ten, give me your vibe on Christmas, Jack?
SPEAKER_03:Well, I mean I do love it, but I know there's people who love love it, so you know, maybe we'll go with an eight. Okay. Hey, Amy, where are you at on vibe and Christmas?
SPEAKER_05:Uh probably about the same eight. I I really enjoy it, but I'm not like OTT.
SPEAKER_02:Excellent. I'm so Grinch. Allie, you're a Grinch, are you?
SPEAKER_05:Are you a Grinch? What? I'm like four.
SPEAKER_02:Wow. Wowie, but even with kids and stuff, don't you get it? Like I find with kids it got me into it way more.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, but it's the mental load. No, yeah.
SPEAKER_03:Have you seen those videos of what I can only imagine is the fun uncle dressing up as a Grinch and stealing the Christmas tree and the kids just losing their minds? It's so there's so many of them now. It's brilliant.
SPEAKER_05:Yeah, my brother does that. I'm Jack, so it must be something that you really want to do.
SPEAKER_03:I do, but uh, I mean it sounds like it fits your uh fits your Christmas personality.
SPEAKER_06:My vibe.
SPEAKER_02:There you go. Uh, you know, for many years I was always asked to dress up as Sander because I had like the big beard and stuff like that, and my beard's trimmed a bit now. For those who can't see, I have a shorter beard. But it's always asked to be Sandra, but I always would refuse because I didn't want to be the jolly fat man. I was like, no, I was just trying to deny the fact that I'd put on a few kilos. I was like, I don't want to be, I'm not, I'm not that fat, all right? I don't look like a I know I have a beard, but I don't want to be fat. I don't know. Anyway, I'm I'm a I'm a good eight. Like I think the my children have really brought it out, brought it out at me as well. It's like I've always enjoyed the gift giving and I've always enjoyed that reflection kind of state. But I think the more you have kids, now I've got like another young in the house, you know, the two-year-old boy, it's just like, oh, what shit can we get in now this year? It'll be rad.
SPEAKER_04:Hey Andrew, I think we've forgotten something and it it it it um comprises a theme tune.
SPEAKER_02:Oh, we need to go to the theme tune. Yes, sorry, my bad. We'll be back in a second to talk more things about accounting and Christmas. Theme tune. I mean, one day we should we should get an edit done for like a Christmas version of a theme tune. Maybe if David's listening to this, he might just add some jingle bell sounds around the theme tune just to kind of Christmas it up. So maybe just heard the first thing. Maybe we should do it. You you can you're welcome to do it, Allie, if you want. Go for it.
SPEAKER_05:Well, I could do a Mariah Carey version. Oh my god, can you please sing? No.
SPEAKER_02:No, we don't do that here. Andrew actually hates it. It's not a safe space. Anyway, um, it is it is it has almost been a full year. We get into Christmas. We like to do this episode because we like to share a bit of reflections, you know, a bit of gratitudes, um, but also some silly stuff as well, you know, a bit of that silly season kind of vibe. So we might kind of do a bit of a around the table uh reflection on the year. What are you guys grateful for over the last 12 months of running an accounting firm, working within the accounting industry, and just being a general bloody legend?
SPEAKER_04:I'll start by saying that we got to the end. No, I think the thing is like like we have a team in the Philippines, they've had some pretty severe weather events, and a lot of my team with young ones have just been constantly sick. So for us this year, it's actually been a bit of a challenge and a struggle to kind of hit our stride and get into the productivity and get into the zone. So I'm super grateful that we got to the end and my team are resilient and strong and still standing.
SPEAKER_02:It's very true. They did share like the the stats of all the stuff that the Filipino team have had to face over the last 12 months is ridonculus. I think it's the most they've had to deal with in like 10, 20 years or something like that. All right, who's up next? What are you grateful for? Muppets? Come on, give me something good.
SPEAKER_05:Uh I am Christmas Muppets. Uh I am grateful for the first six months of the year were not fabulous from a business sense, and I nearly broke everybody, right? Including myself, if I'm being completely honest. Um, but the latter six months of the year, we had a really good mid-year offsite. We came together, we've tweaked a few things internally, and they're not major things, in all honesty. We just went, what do we need to stop? What do we need to start? And the last six months of the year have been epically good. Like the best six months that we've had in the entirety of Clarity Street.
SPEAKER_04:Oh, please.
SPEAKER_05:The most amazing team. I love them all so dearly. We have a new team member, which is fabulous as well. Um, we have got phenomenally good clients, like not one little bad egg, if that makes sense, or an annoying egg. Not that we ever have them, we always have good clients, but you know what I mean. Um, and it's just been a really good, we've set ourselves up, we've already reached our annual target, and we're mid-December. We're gonna reach that, which is pretty damn cool. I'm so excited. So, yeah, it's just been I've I'm very grateful that mid-year it's we had a bit of a shake up and we're now at the other end, and then things are looking good.
SPEAKER_02:I feel like sometimes you need a bit of that kick in the butt, right? You're like I totally need it. Not that it's a good thing to go through challenging times, particularly in business and the like, but some like if you go through it, it just reminds you, oh, maybe I just need to wake up a bit, pay attention. Like we've just been a bit kind of too too relaxed and too chill and not paying enough attention to what's most important.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, the good times even better. Like you're so grateful for them and you just you just soak it all up. Go, Amy. I'm so happy about that.
SPEAKER_05:Riding the riding the peak of life at the moment, not the trough, which is that. What I call the purple patch, but apparently it's a good meaning.
SPEAKER_04:Somebody told me the other day, which inspired me.
SPEAKER_05:But anyway, do we need to Google that later, Ali?
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, that's a later one.
SPEAKER_05:Okay, right, got it.
SPEAKER_03:What about you, Jack?
SPEAKER_02:What uh were you praying for this year, mate?
SPEAKER_03:Ratching my noggin. There's a lot of things. Um, so what to say? I mean, I think I'm very I'm I was I've always grateful for for the community because I know I'm I'm kind of a pretender countant these days. I actually recently at a Zero Mayday event series we kind of were at, that was kind of the first time I publicly were just out there saying that I gave up my CA this year, which I thought was um teaching. I know, I feel like I've flawed now, but I also feel very greater. It's almost like I um yeah, I just kind of cut cut loose and I wasn't using it. There was no way to kind of maintain it without fully maintaining it. So I was just like, well, I don't know. I just need to get over it.
SPEAKER_02:Wow, the evolution of Jack. This is Jack 2.0 now. It's like no chains are holding you down, you're fully committed into the future of what it is that you currently and you do it well, so it makes sense.
SPEAKER_03:But the grateful thing is that you know, having having the community like the accounting community is still, you know, even though I haven't been, you know, doing tax returns for the better part of six, seven years, you know, still very closely connected, and I and I love that. And so much so, I suppose, from a very positive note in the last few weeks, we um yeah, we won the People's Choice Award at the Global Zero Awards, which is very cool.
SPEAKER_02:Woo!
SPEAKER_03:That was a big one. Got the gong! How good! Yeah, that was pretty exciting. I like it because it's you know, your customers saying things about yeah, so that's nice.
SPEAKER_02:Super handy. Well, I'm I'm grateful for this year. I think what some of the things that have really made my life uh more rewarding and more enjoyable is but a couple of key people that have joined the businesses that I run. So uh we've had uh a practice manager join Illuminate, who's done an exceptionally good job. Today is actually uh Michelle is her name. She's passed her probation. She probably passed it like 30 seconds in, but you know, we officially make sure we wait the full time. So she's been stunning.
SPEAKER_05:Um welcome, Andrew.
SPEAKER_02:Yep, thank you. Amy helped us to find, hire, and recruit them, which was good. Um uh then we had Casey who's been in our team, and Casey's been great because she's been supporting with a lot of the Rumble stuff. She works with Illuminate, but the Rumble, which is the co-working place that are on helping to you know coordinate bits and pieces and just make that a better experience. And then at my at my retail plumbing store, we've had Alan, who's our store manager, who joined us about four months ago, and he's been a breath of fresh air with a huge experience. So I've really enjoyed bringing people on that I've been able to release a lot to, and and I feel like I don't have to look at stuff as much as I I used to. Not that I had to look at it, but I've I've just gotten better at letting it go, as it's tattooed my arm. Um, and but the good people around me that have helped me to to realize that and be better at that, which I'm I'm very grateful for.
SPEAKER_04:So, Andrew, we did an episode in the middle of the year on overwhelm.
SPEAKER_02:Yes, we did. We have to go back there.
SPEAKER_06:I know.
SPEAKER_05:Were we all at that point at the same? I feel like we were all at the same conference and we did the same, we were all at that highly listened to episode. I think people resonated. Um yeah. It was June.
SPEAKER_04:That's where the meltdowns happen. Yeah, where are you at from that June period? Is this is is it kind of reducing a little bit? Like it's yeah, it's definitely reduced.
SPEAKER_02:I wouldn't say that like I'm like, yeah, everything's freaking cruzy and great and amazing, and I don't have to worry about stuff. I definitely still have to, and I have some days which are better than others. I definitely feel like the last few days I've had to jumpstart my brain about a dozen times during the day because I'm just like teetering off, and part of that is like the overwhelm element of just having too much to do, and you your brain just stops and you go, whoop, back you go again. Um, but I I I feel I feel less uh emotionally burdened because of that is maybe the best way. I know I have plenty on, but I feel a bit more certain of the ability to manage that through, which is good. Yay! Very nice. Yay! How about you? You you you are also in the you on the episode, and yeah, yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, no, my overwhelm continues just as so unfortunately it's got a little bit worse, but that's okay.
SPEAKER_02:That's okay. We still gather around and we we look after it as best we can.
SPEAKER_04:That's the hugs out. And I feel that community, I feel the love, and look, I'm most probably in headspace in a much better space, but the the environment is unfortunately still there. But uh, yeah.
SPEAKER_02:Now there's been there's obviously been a bit of change this year as well. One of the big changes for us as a podcast group of humans is one of our very own, Mr. Jack, actually is finishing up with us. Jack, this is actually your official last ever episode as a as a host.
SPEAKER_01:I'm not saying that you'd be going away forever.
SPEAKER_02:We might bring you back, but uh apparently you don't want to hang out with Amy anymore and uh and you're leaving.
SPEAKER_05:Had a talk to you. You don't love me anymore. Apparently.
SPEAKER_03:Look, that's not the message we're going with externally, but yeah, it is totally line. We've had some very difficult discussions. No, I love Amy and I've I've enjoyed every minute of of being part of this. I just um and yeah, there's a little bit more detail um that we go into in in the the last episode that Amy and I did. But yeah, I mean I've I've loved it. So it's it's been great to kind of reflect on what I don't know, it's four, it feels like a while now.
SPEAKER_05:Five seasons. Five seasons.
SPEAKER_03:Five seasons, yeah, which is pretty cool. Um but yeah, I just I just think at number one, I think it's great to hopefully great for our listeners to have um who you'll find out about soon enough, uh, joining, because I think there's a there's a good upgrade there, and I think also just a change in um yeah, perspective is always is always refreshing, but also I think from my side, I've just been out of the industry on on the accounting side for so long now that I you know I find it difficult to actually suggest what people should be doing and uh those kinds of things. So um I appreciate you guys have always supported me on that and always said don't worry about it, it's fine, I've got other areas that I can add value. But I think also five seasons in, it's it's it's probably just not a big thing.
SPEAKER_02:But always a point in time where you gotta go, hey, like like as much as I'm enjoying this, I feel like I can be better suited elsewhere. And mate, you you've been you've been fantastic to to be on as a host of the podcast, as a mate, and all the stuff that you do around the industry. So you are you're a very smart human, a very wise human, a very kind human. I think whilst you could continue to offer more, I think you're making a smart decision to focus on the things you need to be focusing on, Bob. Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_04:The wisdom, because I've listened to every single episode. So have I! I know about things and the way that you explain things. Um, I've loved it, and you've dropped so many gold nuggets. And but just you as a human, you are a genuinely good human. And for that I am grateful, and so thank you so much for all of the time and effort and care you have put into the podcast, but also the community. Um, thank you. No, that's lovely. No, obviously.
SPEAKER_05:Jack, I'm a bit concerned though. Does that mean that I'm actually gonna have to start doing some work now, not just turn up and talk?
SPEAKER_03:You're very good at winging it. So keep just keep rolling. Just keep rolling with that.
SPEAKER_05:But thank you as well. We do go into it more into our last episode, and if I say much more, I will probably cry again. Jump on in the case. I'm really gonna miss you, buddy. I'm really gonna miss you. So thank you for everything. Very grateful. Love it, thank you.
SPEAKER_02:Absolutely, mate. Yeah, make sure you have a listen to the Tech Edition's uh recent episode.
SPEAKER_04:There's some good stuff. So Jack in that episode.
SPEAKER_02:Absolutely. Now it is it is the season for giving, and obviously, we've just heard that Jack has taken away, uh, which means we we need to give. We need to give. What we're gonna do is we're gonna pause for a minute, Amy. I've I've got a gift for you to unwrap after this. Uh, and I think some of our listeners might appreciate this gift that we're gonna be unwrapping as well. So we're gonna pause, we're gonna head to some of our sponsors, we're gonna come back and um I'm gonna let you unwrap a unwrap a gift. And David, play more Christmas things for us. Thank you. Hey Allie, um who do you use when it comes to you know additional resourcing for your accounting business?
SPEAKER_04:Uh 100%, Teleglobal. They're the bomb. And you? Yeah, me too. We are the we are the both the best. Why do you use them? Elite talent, my friend, for an accounting firm, and people are job ready.
SPEAKER_02:Ready, rock and roll. I love it. I think it unlocks the potential. I think it's really good, and I think it's it allows you to build a strategy to grow your business and service your clients better. 100%, get onto it. Get amongst the friends, Toba Global. That's where the good stuff's at. I love software that continues to innovate over years and years of time. And BGL is one that stands out above the rest, if you ask me, Ali.
SPEAKER_04:100%, but they do so much as well. Corporate compliance, self-managed super funds, BGL ID verification, and Simple Invest 360. Honestly, there's so much in there.
SPEAKER_02:It's so good. It means that there's a bunch of stuff within your firm you need to do, and you only have to go to one place to be able to do that, which is fantastic. No mucking about with different things. Just get in, get it done, and make it happen.
SPEAKER_04:Absolutely. EGL.
SPEAKER_02:Allie, I'm sure you get asked all the time, just like I do, who do you use for digital signatures? And I know we use the same team, the crew at Fuse Sign, right?
SPEAKER_04:They're the absolute bum. Yes, I get asked that all the time. It is digital signing done simply, my friend. It is amazing.
SPEAKER_02:It's so simple. I love it. It gives you great control, heaps of flexibility, and the experience for clients and team is quite exceptional too.
SPEAKER_04:Super easy to use on both sides. Bloody amazing.
SPEAKER_02:Excellent. Get amongst it, friends. Fuse your signatures today with Fuse Sign. Alright, well, it is Christmas. We're in the season for giving. I am a big uh like love language. I'm a gifts guy. Uh uh, although when I get in a state of overwhelm, I really struggle at doing that stuff. But um uh we need to give a gift. And Amy, um, I know that you might be feeling a bit lonely right now, but I want you to don't fear. Um there is there is plenty of camaraderie and community there. And uh Jack hasn't left us, he's still on the episode, so he'll he'll hear be here to the end. But um I'd like you to unwrap this gift. Uh like sound effect of unwrapping. Whatever David.
SPEAKER_05:Yeah, I got nothing at the moment, but sound effect, please, David. I'm unwrapped.
SPEAKER_02:And what I might do is I might get this uh this the gift that we've got for you and for everybody else to maybe introduce themselves, who they are, where they've come from, and why on earth they are joining all the accounting.
SPEAKER_04:It's like I'm wrapping, it's like I'm wrapping a present. Can I actually give a little bit of an intro but not say the name? So there's like a little bit of a present being up there.
SPEAKER_02:Well, you do you, yeah. Um yeah, whatever.
SPEAKER_04:This person, you will all know, um, from the accounting community, they are a seasoned finance tech leader known for some very significant roles, potentially country manager in one of those roles and driving cloud adoption. Um, they now have their own accounting firm, and um it might be in the vicinity of a colour of blue, not purple, just uh maybe they can say their name, but uh come on, like is this where I go?
SPEAKER_02:Is this okay? Go, buddy. Hi, everybody. Who bloody hell are you, mate?
SPEAKER_00:I've never been unwrapped as a gift before, so I didn't actually know how I was supposed to come in and what I was supposed to say first. Uh thank you for those very kind words, Amy, uh Ali, and thank you very much for having me, everyone. Um, my name is Will, Will Buckley. I I'm a very proud accountant, Jack. Uh always have been, always will be. So there'll be uh no hanging up the uh the accounting qualifications for me. Um Um and I'm absolutely rapt to have the opportunity to try and fill in your your shoes, Jack, because you've done a stellar job. I've listened to plenty of episodes over the over the seasons. So yeah, stoked to be here. And yeah, have have an accounting firm. Being being back on the tools for it's been almost two, one? Well, I had like a year of throwing stuff at the wall to see what was gonna stick before figuring out where I was supposed to land.
SPEAKER_02:It was somewhat inevitable, right? Yeah.
SPEAKER_00:Like it was, yeah, yeah. It was definitely inevitable. I'll tell you what, it felt absolutely chaotic uh during those 12 months, but um really glad and fortunate, and I guess grateful that um I did happen to find my way back into the accounting profession, back on the tools, back with my tax agent license, and um and and doing what I forgot I loved so much. So I went corporate land for a good 12, 13 years there. Um so that's a pretty big break between being in practice and getting back on the tools, but I'm back, it's been about 12 months and I've loved it.
SPEAKER_05:Do you think you enjoy it more now because you've had that exposure to the corporate world?
SPEAKER_00:Oh my gosh, yes. Um I I started 7th of February 2007, I started Cadet Ship in um a small firm, three-partner firm in Sydney CBD. And I was what, it was a couple of days before my 18th birthday. I had no idea what I was doing. Um went through university degree part-time, night school, but I just lacked life experience and therefore lacked commercial experience. And I had no appreciation for the opportunity that was afforded to me by getting into that pathway, and I bailed out way, way too soon. Like I did maybe four years in practice and then went into various like financial management, internal management, accounting type roles, and then um traveled the world with some great opportunities thanks to Xero. Um, but yeah, coming back into it, I have there were so many things that I had forgotten that I really enjoyed about being on the tools in practice and and being professional. Um, and so I'm really yeah, I'm really glad that it didn't take long. It just I sort of needed to just reopen that door again and then start having those conversations again, and then it started to all come back to me. So I'm really glad that I did take that step. And yeah, I guess uh I won't say it was too long between drinks, but uh, I'm glad I didn't leave it any longer than what I did.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, well, I'm glad you weren't drinking a cup of tea and it went stale and cold. You had a nice cold, nice glass of water, so it's still okay there for you.
SPEAKER_00:It was the uh the ice was was still was still cool and I mean it's it's great to have you on board.
SPEAKER_02:Obviously, you've got uh a huge kind of kind of breadth of experience there as well, you know, through the corporate and the tech and the accounting and everything. So I think it'll be really really interesting to see the perspective you start to share uh when you hang out with Ali, uh Amy, and talk about you know all things accounting and technology and bits and pieces, you know, from an in-practice kind of perspective, as well as experience external on how things are built and how decisions are made um there as well. I think it'll be I think it'll be great. Now, there is a fun fact that um uh that you shared with me uh when we went to the football a number of about a year or two ago about your past.
SPEAKER_05:Oh god, here we go.
SPEAKER_02:Um fact about Will, did you know that he used to be a professional footballer uh or had a crack it? And when I say football, I mean soccer football. Played, I believe, played overseas, like actual football.
SPEAKER_05:I agree. Actual football, yeah, got it.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, yeah, played overseas for a little while, I believe, as well. And before you came back to Australia, played a bit in Australia, and then just I think was it injuries, or you just went accounting's way better. I'm gonna do this instead of sport.
SPEAKER_00:Oh look, I said it was injuries, but it was probably lack of talent. Um the stories we tell ourselves, right? Um no, yeah, I did. I I went over and um through sort sort of the the tail end of high school and then um as much as I could over the early 20s, I went over to Europe and had a crack at some um with some some decent clubs over there. So I played at a Champions League club in uh in Romania called Dinamo Bucharest. Um I then went to Belgium and played in the second tier in Belgium, then the third division in France. Um, and then I came back and had a crack at the A-League, didn't quite make it. Went back to playing Saturday, Sunday soccer with with some mates, and unfortunately broke my leg in in a tackle. Um which it was just like, yeah, it was it was all my fault. It's not like I could point the finger at someone else, but it was all my fault. I got a little bit hot-headed, tried to take someone out, mistimed it horribly, and um broke my leg. And that was that was basically the end of it for me. So um, yeah, but back into the into the nine to five, um, and sort of said by said bye to the uh aspiring professional football career.
SPEAKER_04:You just succeed at so many things apart from the broken leg. But do you know what I will always remember is your ZeroCon talk on Ike Guy? Like that was, and still to this day, it was really it just I think refocused so much of the community back onto why we do what we do and high behind why we do it. Um bring back the love, yeah, like one, me too. Yeah, bring back the love.
SPEAKER_05:My favorite moment too.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, and we based one of our episodes on that, which was the um um that twins one. We did still talked about to this day, yeah.
SPEAKER_02:So, really what Allie and Amy and I have been saying is we've just been like massive fans, and we're like, and when we're like, all right, Jack's leave, we're like maybe, maybe, maybe Will wouldn't want to come on, he's way too cool for no no, but he's an accountant now, which means he's way more gettable than he used to be. And and and then we said we'll and Will's like, yeah, sure, I I guess I've got nothing else to do.
SPEAKER_05:It was actually like apparently what are you, rub rubber arm will, is that correct? Is that what I'm saying?
SPEAKER_00:Rubber arm will, yeah, that's okay. Yeah, real easy to uh just for me to say yes to things, especially when it involves jumping on uh and talking absolute rubbish with a good group of of accounting professionals. Um yes era. Yeah, I no, that that icky guy um moment or or speech, like I yeah, I still carry it with me today. I think um I'm just glad I had the opportunity to take some time out and reflect on things and had the opportunity to sort of do some research and deliver that that um that talk at XeroCon. I think it was three years ago now. Um but yeah, that just like yeah, just staying really close and in touch with who you are, how you feel about anything that you do. It doesn't have to be work, it doesn't have to be being an accountant, it can be um how connected and how close you feel to your family, to your friends, um, to to nature. Just um never feeling like you're sort of straying away from that core center of of yourself, um that sort of like inner child voice of of yourself that you can keep coming back to and and checking in with. And I've just found that when I make decisions and behave and act from from within, from that like that inner sense of peace and what what makes me feel good and and peaceful, then good things come from that. So that's what led me here, and I'm feeling good about it. So thanks for joining me on my icky guy journey, everyone.
SPEAKER_05:I'm super excited and pumped for next season. So I'm I'm like, thank you for my present. Yeah, you're welcome.
SPEAKER_02:Jack, as as the departing co-host uh of Amy, like I'm wondering if you have some you know, words of wisdom, some advice, some recommendation, maybe some like steer clear of some tips and tricks for uh for Will for one, being a part of the uh the all Aussie Accounting Ventures community, but two for maybe managing and navigating our wonderful, amazing Amy.
SPEAKER_03:No, I'm really looking forward to not giving you any advice and then listening in. I think it should be fun. Um but no, I mean not really. I mean, I I think Amy's Amy just brings a uh I don't know, you've actually softened recently, Amy, I would say. I I think you used to you used to just bring the hard-hitting kind of skeptical, you know, hate this, hate that kind of, you know, that was I what I needed because I was a little bit too. But you've actually I'm I don't know if I've rubbed off on you. You're a bit you're a bit softer these days. So maybe maybe Will you can get that back, a bit of that spice back.
SPEAKER_00:I'll try, but I don't I don't know how I'll go compared to you, Jack.
SPEAKER_03:Like I see Amy. I actually remember, I mean, this is a little bit unrelated, but um you and I caught up Will in Melbourne, it would have been, I don't know, 12 months, maybe a bit more than that ago now. I can't remember exactly when it was.
SPEAKER_00:In the in the the lobby of the pitcher box building in Melbourne.
SPEAKER_03:You just finished off a meeting with another accounting firm, and I remember the first words you said to me were, what are we doing? Why are we not why are we not in practice? And and obviously your journey has led you back there. So um I'm I'm I'm glad I was there to hear that because it sounded like that was the moment you had a bit of an epiphany.
SPEAKER_00:Well, thank you for uh sharing that moment with me, Jack, and uh bumping me in this in this direction. So I I appreciate it and uh and the opportunity as well. And that's right. Thanks for um yeah, thanks for paving the pathway and and being part of five fantastic chapters so far. And I'm looking forward to working with you.
SPEAKER_02:I did 100% try and get Will to join the Illuminate team in the early days. I'm like, mate, if you want to get back into it, you come to like Illuminate, we'll look after you, bro. Like we'll probably and and clearly he was like, Yeah, sure, mate, no dramas. Yeah, that's the Rainmaker.
SPEAKER_00:I didn't realize that that was a genuine job offering. I think you made it at one o'clock in the morning on the dance floor somewhere in. Who knows?
SPEAKER_02:Who knows?
SPEAKER_05:It may have been some Scotch involved missed opportunity.
SPEAKER_02:Oh no, no, it was a breakfast catch-up. I remember vividly. Clearly, you don't, because that's you know, you had other plans, but that's okay, that's fine, that's fine. Um I'm not hurt at all. Uh anyway, one of the things we do on a one of the things we do on a Christmas episode is we like to talk about the parties we hold and things we get involved to at this time of year because usually it's a really good opportunity to gather around. So let's go around the uh theoretical circle I have here. Uh talking about uh like office Christmas party or broader environment Christmas parties. What what have you done, are you doing, or hope to do this year to celebrate with your team and your community? And we're gonna start with Jack.
SPEAKER_03:Well, I had two. So most of my team are based in London. Um Heinz is based in Cape Town. So most of us don't get the chance to catch up for a Christmas lunch or beer. So we did a virtual Christmas last week where basically we played a bunch of games and had a bit of fun. So that was good.
SPEAKER_02:Um you just get tanked on a Zoom call, but because of the time zones, once someone's getting drunk in the morning and the other one's getting drunk in the evening. Is that what it is?
SPEAKER_03:Well, it's more like, well, they're not drinking because it's the morning, and so I don't feel like I should drink because it's you know, because no one else is. So it's a little bit different to you, maybe you traditional things.
unknown:Yeah.
SPEAKER_02:I did I did once do a um a uh a webinar with the UK when it was like 7 pm here, and I was drinking a pint in front of the fire whilst I was camping, whilst it was like 9am in the morning there, and they're like, Who is this guy? I'm like, oh shit, sorry. Forgot the time zone.
SPEAKER_03:Brilliant. But I I also have the the joy and pleasure of um working out at the Project Alfred office. So Liam, Amy, and their team invite me along to their end of financial year things and Christmas things. So I still got to go out for uh a nice lunch uh on Friday last week, which is good.
SPEAKER_02:How good. That's amazing. Yeah, then uh Amy, what about you, mate? What are you how are you celebrating this year?
SPEAKER_05:Um I don't think I've I think I started celebrating at the start of December and I haven't stopped. Um my liver really is not happy with me at this present moment with the uh amount of frivolities that I have been participating in. Lots of fun stuff. We had a we had an awesome joint co-event with um BGL and the Fuse team last week. Um Andrew, you actually came along, which was great to see you in the flesh. Yeah, we had a co-sponsored lunch um at Chinchin in Melbourne, which was so good. And also thank you, thank you to our sponsors as well. Um, just whilst we're on that. Um so that was fun. And as for the team, uh, I we ours is actually next week, Monday to Tuesday. We're doing a bit of a strategy day on the Monday, and then the Tuesday, we're doing a bit of a rinse and repeat of what we did last year, um, which is a treasure hunt, scavenger hunt type thing around the CBD. And then we end up with a bit of a boozy lunch. And that's the reason why we're doing it again is because we all had so much fun last year that we're like, again? Yeah, that'd be great.
SPEAKER_02:So mate, you're running right up to Chrissy, too. Like that's 23rd of December finish. That's a late finish.
SPEAKER_05:Well, it is, but I mean, according to the world we're finishing on the 19th, um, it's just the Monday, the Tuesday, the following week. It's I mean, they're pretty cruzy days, like they're internal, they're internal cruzy days. Like the Tuesday, that is we are not doing anything, like it's fun. You know what I mean?
SPEAKER_02:Oh, I mean, your team must be happy, they don't have to take leave for Christina. It's like, oh sweet, we'll just go drink and uh happy days, right?
SPEAKER_05:Correct. This is why they love me for it.
SPEAKER_02:Lovely. Will this is is this your first official year now, like fully into like the whole accounting world? So have you have you maxed out the credit card for some crazy accounting firm party?
SPEAKER_00:Our business isn't even old enough to have a credit card. Where uh we um yeah, like been a good year for us. We sent our first invoice out in February of this year, so we haven't even done a full 12 months yet. Um so yeah, no, look, it's just man, I tell you what, scaling a small business and starting from scratch, you just it's definitely not easy. So hats off to everyone that has weathered it, whether it worked out or not, like hats off to you for giving it a go. Um yeah, that first year is obviously you're watching the the uh the bottom line pretty closely. You want to always be able to reinvest, continue to grow, but also uh need to pay bills and and keep the thing afloat. So uh no, it's not a very fancy Christmas party for us this year. It's um it's just yeah, spending time together. I mean, we're a small team, there's four of us now. Um and yeah, just spending time together and then taking a good break over Christmas. I am not going away for the first time in I think it's five years, maybe six years for Christmas. So we're actually doing Christmas at our place this year, um, which is good. So the the kids will be able to see Santa's presence under their own their own Christmas tree rather than uh them appearing in different cities around the world, um, which is always interesting. Uh trying to manage the logistics of that one would be this is the startup hustle, right?
SPEAKER_02:When he was in that corporate money, he's like, Oh, let's just cruise around the world for Christmas, it's all good. And then as he startups like, no, I think we might stay home.
SPEAKER_00:We'll just pull the purse strings a bit tighter, let's just be wise. It's uh no, it's it's been a good year. I think we just we're like head down in execution mode and and building, building and delivering, um, as I feel like we should be. And we're still like a core group of not founders, but like we we started the business and it's sort of friends and people that have come on board to to join us. So we sort of have that camaraderie and connection um already at the moment, and so for us it's more so just giving everyone time to have a little bit of space um and time to uh disconnect because it has been a pretty crazy year for us. So but next year we'll uh I'll have to ask you ask you all for some tips on how to go large with your teams for Christmas and Christmas Fridays.
SPEAKER_02:Andrew has gone Al Allie, Allie's she you you have you have wild Christmas. What are you doing this year, mate? You anything anything crazy? Which winery are you going to? Which restaurant? Yeah.
SPEAKER_04:Going to restaurant. It is we are a restaurant team. Yeah, you are food. We take the afternoon off and it'll be Thursday, today's Tuesday, it'll be in two days' time. We're then closing up until the 5th of Jan. I'm giving all my people just time to recover from illness and to just get over this year and to reflect. So, and I I adore my team and we uh like each other, so it's always nice to be around good food and good company and um just have a little chit-chat. But I also did um go to the Philippines, obviously, Andrew, we had a lot of few sessions there and listen to those if you haven't already. Um, and so I got to spend some time with my Philippines team um and have some food with them. So yeah, that was super lovely. So I feel like I've been able to spend some good quality time with my team, and um, that's been really good for the soul.
SPEAKER_02:Indeed. Yeah, look, uh we're we're we're a slightly tamer Christmas party this year. Like there's something that we we like to do as an element of tradition, which is like I like to host everybody at my home. Uh it was something that my original business partner did the first year that we were together at uh the first year that we had team and he hosted at his home. And it just something that stuck with me really well is like the the the hospitality that he was able to kind of come into my home and and and and spend time together and whatnot. And so um normally every couple of years we do a home one, and this year it's gonna be a home one. Now, it doesn't mean it's gonna be tame per se, but we have to structure it appropriately because we also invite partners and children, and so uh in years gone by, we've gone out and done something and gathered together with partners and children, and we went, oh it's probably backwards because if you're going out and doing some stuff and you come back after a few drinks, and it's like two-year-olds around, not the best environment. So we we have family coming over at 11 o'clock on Friday, and we've got a whole we've got a big giant table setting it setting up. There's gonna be about, I think, 32 or 34 of us in total that are gonna be there, including kids and partners. There'll be a bunch of food on the table and a bunch of fun. And so for about four hours, we're gonna do that. We've effectively it's the Illuminate Christmas lawn party at my place with with the pool and whatnot, and then we're gonna kick all the partners out, and then we've got some wild earth stuff happening a bit later. We've got the blokes who run shit pub trivia gonna come in and do a shit pub Christmas trivia for us. So that'll be a lot of fun, and then we've and and we've planned to do because we do Bad Santa every year, which is where you get a gift, get a number, and you can steal it. Normally we do it in the morning. This year we're gonna do in the evening because we reckon it'll be way more fun after a long day and a couple of drinks and the shenanigans that might ensure. So we're gonna do a bit of that, which will be fun, um, and a few other little games that'll be smattered, spattered throughout. But I was catching up with um a couple of our team who've been helping to organise it. And uh, we've all agreed that next year we're gonna go sit on a bus and do a wine tour. Um, because the organization to a home one is a lot of work. Um, so yeah.
SPEAKER_04:I've never seen anything like it. So I understand a bus and a wine tour for you. Kind of like Will's version of staying home for Christmas. Yeah.
SPEAKER_02:Oh, totally. But yes, I did get to go to the Philippines and and visit our team there and go to the big big toa um uh year-end party, which was amazing. And we not only do we have this party at our house on Friday, but then I have my wife's family at our house on Sunday, two days later. Uh, and I'm working on the Saturday in between, so we are very much up to our eyeballs in festivities. But to be honest, as much as it can be stressful and frustrating and challenging to do, I wouldn't want it any other way because I get to gather with the people that I love and care the most. And uh it's a good way to reflect on a year together. I think it's really bloody good. What I also love is doing this episode every year because it's nice.
SPEAKER_04:Me too. I think, doesn't it? I was just reflecting on how grateful I am for all of you um for everything that you've done with the podcast, but also the support um that we give each other, and we're our own little communities, so I'm so grateful for you guys. Um Guito, thank you. Like wrap this baby up, Andrew.
SPEAKER_02:So wrap I don't know what that's um, no one can see what I'm doing. I move my hands in a weird thing like I'm trying to wrap something up. Like you're reeling in a big one then.
SPEAKER_04:I'm glad you explained it. I was like, what are you doing?
SPEAKER_02:Like you well, uh, we might as well wrap this sucker up. Uh, millions of listeners, raving fans, adoring citizens of the world of all Aussie Accounting Adventures, thank you for another 12 months of hanging out with us as we journey through what it's like to run an accounting business, what it's like to play with technology and to try and do good and operate with purpose in our world. Uh to our lead, to Jack. And to Amy, thank you for your contributions. I promise I have listened to some episodes, maybe not all of them, but I've been pretty busy. But it has been amazing being able to gather together whether in person or digitally, and will bloody look forward to you coming around. And I like the fact that you're also in practice because it means I can like sub out every now and then if I've got too much going on, which is not predicting you much at all.
SPEAKER_04:And I guess Andrew just said it. Any exciting news, yes. Both um the all of the accounting adventures and the tech edition will be back next year. So keep on listening, everyone. And if there is anything that you want us to talk about, please let us know. We're more than open to any suggestions that you might have.
SPEAKER_03:And a last and very genuine thank you from my side uh to you guys, but to all of our listeners. It's been a pleasure. Um, really have enjoyed the last five seasons and look forward to listening in in future.
SPEAKER_05:Thanks, Jack. Going to miss you, buddy.
unknown:Thanks.
SPEAKER_02:Signing off for the last time.
SPEAKER_06:Everyone, Merry Christmas. Bye. Bye.
SPEAKER_01:Wasn't that a fun adventure, my friends? Thank you so much. So incredibly much for hanging out with us today. Ali, you've been amazing. Andrew, you've been alright. How good is it to be able to have adventures together?
SPEAKER_04:It so is, and you know what? Keep following us. We are all over the socials at accounting adventures. Uh, check us out on the website and give us a bit of a like. You know how much we love that stuff.
SPEAKER_01:The best thing about the adventure is the people that we do it with. So thank you so much for listening. Thank you so much for hanging out with us. And please bring all the ideas because I think we can't wait to share more cool adventures with you. We love you guys.