It has been a big year for Hopscotch Accounting, as we expanded our qualified team, welcomed new clients, launched updated branding and a new website, set up a CBD branch office, received accolades and met many great people at NFP conferences around Australia.
The exciting growth and maturation of the company were recognised by our business peers and Hopscotch Accounting were 2019 finalists in the ‘Excellence in Small Business’ category of the NSW Business Chamber Awards, Sydney Metropolitan Region.
Client communications
As well as developing our new website, Hopscotch began producing regular articles, white papers and case studies to really involve our clients in the issues facing both businesses and NFP organisations.
Hopscotch out and about
In addition to our team celebrations at the NSW Business Chamber Awards, we attended a variety of conferences.
Hopscotch participated in the Melbourne Transform Conference, the Third Sector Live 2019 held in Sydney with the theme “Cutting through the noise” to engage with NFP issues and meet with our customers. We also attended Xerocon in Brisbane to get the latest news and information about new technology solutions.
Hosting the ACNC Commissioner
At the end of the year, the Hopscotch team were thrilled to host Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commissioner, Dr Gary Johns, at our NFP sector luncheon for Hopscotch clients and industry participants. We learnt about upcoming developments at the ACNC and their projected impact on the NFP sector. The luncheon also gave attendees an opportunity to provide input about their experiences.
Key information and updates
A key theme that emerged in the NFP sector was accountability. Stricter reporting requirements are now a given and many of our articles focused on the increased need for accounting and ACNC compliance.
Some of the issues we covered throughout the year included:
- The recommendation to adopt new technology and professional processes to boost compliance.
- Reporting on how NFPs can increase their data competence, in light of the ‘ICDA Spotlight Report: NFP Impact & Data’, which found that up to one in four of the not-for-profit organisations surveyed did not collect any sort of data.
- Offering tips on how to avoid becoming one of the charities named and shamed for failure to comply with their ACNC reporting obligations.
- Looking at how accountants specialising in NFP matters can help organisations clarify reporting obligations to the ATO, the ACNC and other regulators when receiving volunteer services.
- Exploring the particular advantages of salary sacrificing or salary packaging within the NFP sector.
Technology
In a White Paper on The Positive Impact of Outsourcing within Australia we explored the benefits of outsourcing in the Infotronics age, including cloud-based platforms that use real-time communication to improve analysis and compliance capacity.
In light of The Global NGO Technology Report, we also looked at NFPS increasing their technology spend and accepting new donation methods and the impacts on fundraising in Australia.
Gauging the social impact of an NFP’s work was the subject of a November blog, focusing on the UTS Social Impact Measurement Toolbox.
People
An inspiring video clip shown at the Third Sector Live conference provoked a thought piece on First Followers. Our White Paper examined the transformative role of the individual and, in turn, the team who follow the leader and how applying the message of a quirky clip can encourage organisational growth and diversification.
Our blog on customer experience examined the personal customer journey.
In this year’s client case studies, we showcased the achievements of two wonderful Hopscotch client organisations that are dedicated to enhancing lives. We looked at STAR Community Services in Queensland, which provides transport and quality care assisting people who are frail, aged or have disabilities, and Top Blokes in NSW, which works to improve the mental health and wellbeing of young men in NSW.
Thank you to our clients and community
It was such a positive year for Hopscotch Accounting and our team enjoyed simplifying processes and providing outsourced accounting services that have helped our clients grow and succeed.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and we look forward to working with you in 2020.
Matthew Knight & the Hopscotch Accounting Team
