Over the course of 2021, we released some monumental product updates and features. But it was our content that really took centre stage. To support our accounting clients—and indeed all accountants around the world—we conducted our biggest piece of research yet: the Global Advisory Trends Survey 2021/2022. Our goal was to plot the rising trends in the accounting industry based on the firsthand experience of industry thought leaders, and the resulting report was our most downloaded piece of content this year.
But while it’s important to look to the future, the end of the year is always a good time to look back and reflect. It’s been a hard year all round, and we wanted to take a quick moment to thank our community for their continuing support. Thank you for being on this journey with us, we’ve heard and appreciated all your stories from the frontlines of the economy, and we’re proud of you all for all the hard work you’ve done.
As our little gift to you, here’s the best of our 2021 content for you to browse this holiday season. From everyone at Spotlight Reporting, we wish you a merry December, and a bright, happy new year.
Top 5 Webinars
1. Product Heartbeat: Looking back at our recent product releases
Get up to speed on product features you may have missed over the second half of 2021, and hear feedback from our customers on how they're using these features to get the most out of our products.
2. Global Advisory Trends: Results
Catch the results from our Global Advisory Trends Report, as Richard Francis (CEO) and Danelle Whaanga (Global Customer Success Manager), share the survey results and unveil the emerging trends in the accounting industry.
3. Global Advisory Trends: Insights from the experts
Watch this webinar recording, hosted by Danelle Whaanga (Customer Success Manager), as well-renowned guests break down the trends and challenges faced in the Accounting industry in New Zealand.
4. How to grow your advisory services: 5 Concrete Steps
During this webinar recording, you’ll learn how progressive firms are growing their advisory services in 5 concrete steps, and how you can do the same.
5. Recruiting and Retaining an Accounting Team
Thomas White and Gurpreet Lidder share how you can build and keep an A-Team to grow your accounting firm.
Top 5 Blog Posts
1. How to Deliver Virtual CFO Services to Clients
Taken from one of our most-watched webinars this year, this blog article covers everything you need to know about delivering Virtual CFO services (the third most popular advisory offering out there, according to our Global Advisory Trends Survey 2021/2022!)
2. Powered by Spotlight: Gilbert Robertson from Your Success
Our most popular interview to date. Gilbert Robertson from Your Success in Nelson, New Zealand, discusses the strategies he and his team use to tackle difficult client conversations. Plus, you can read about why he prefers us over our competitors ;)
3. Faces of Spotlight: Meet Russell Kibbee
For those of you not based in the US, you need to meet our North American Senior Account Manager Russell Kibbee! Charismatic, knowledgeable, proud owner of a sizable (and award-winning!) succulent collection—he’s the whole package. Get to know him as part of our Faces of Spotlight series, where we introduce our team to the world.
4. Powered by Spotlight: Steve Janz from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
Spotlight Reporting is proud to partner with the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, where our software is taught to accounting students so they can use it as grads. Steve Janz, an industry veteran, firmly believes Spotlight Reporting is the future.
5. Why We Undervalue Our Time: The Sunk Cost Fallacy
Aforementioned Russell Kibbee breaks down why people sink their time into projects that it makes more sense to walk away from. This is something we’re all guilty of at some point or another—and it’s time to break the cycle.
Top 5 Downloadable Resources
1. The Global Advisory Trends Report 2021/2022
Our biggest piece of research to date! Over 600 accountants from around the world took part in a survey about the future of the accounting industry. We then compiled the results in this jam-packed report, our most downloaded resource this year. If you haven’t read it yet, what are you waiting for?
2. Transform! - eBook
Richard Francis’ (FCA, CEO of Spotlight Reporting) eBook on how to begin your advisory journey remains ever-popular. If you’re looking to transform your accounting practice, or take your advisory services to that next level, this book is for you.
3. Cash is King - Whitepaper
Here at Spotlight Reporting, we’ve always said that every business deserves a cash flow forecast. But now, understanding cash flow can mean the difference between sink or swim.
4. Smart KPIs for Accounting Firms - Whitepaper
We all know that we need to measure KPIs to track growth—but which KPIs matter most? Richard Francis weighs in with the KPIs he uses to monitor business success.
5. Consolidation in the Cloud - Whitepaper
Now remote work has become the new normal, there’s no reason not to have a cloud-based tech stack. Make the shift to consolidating in the cloud, and escape the “Excel Circle of Hell” forever.
Top 5 Highlights of Our Year
1. We’re Finalists for the Xero Awards in Australia AND New Zealand
We’re proud to have been finalists for Practice App of the Year in the Xero Australia Awards FY22. Although we didn’t win, we were excited to be recognised alongside accounting app titans Practice Ignition and Change GPS (the award winner).
Soon after, we became finalists for App Partner of the Year in the Xero Awards New Zealand. Keep your fingers crossed for us!
2. Vanessa Bosnich Became CSO
Earlier this year, Spotlight Reporting’s industry veteran and resident firecracker Vanessa Bosnich was promoted to the role of Chief Sales Officer. We couldn’t have chosen better. Our sales team are flourishing under her expert mentorship, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds. Bring on 2022!
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3. The Spotlight Reporting family Expands
2021 brought with it a whopping 22 new hires! Not bad for a company founded in little old Wellington.
Get to know one of our new hires, Malina Kounrabouth, in our Faces of Spotlight blog series!
4. We Stepped Up Community Initiatives
Our founders Richard and Julie Francis believe in the power of having a disproportionate impact—which is why community is so integral to the Spotlight Reporting family. This year, we added some new initiatives to help our team give back:
- We became the proud sponsors of all women’s and girls’ cricket in the Wellington region (check out the Spotlight Reporting logo being worn by the Wellington women’s premier team!)
- We participated in the Trees that Count programme, donating 1000 native trees to help regenerate and reforest New Zealand
- Our Development Team Lead Andrew Thompson raised $1300 for Movember! Over the course of the month, Andrew ran and biked over 481kms and grew a “dirty moustache” as he puts it.
5. Midwinter Costume Competition
No year at Spotlight Reporting would be complete without a costume competition! Check out our three finalist teams sporting outfits from the 80s (3rd place), the 90s (2nd place), and dapper Carlito Pardales from the 50s (the winner).
Phew! What a year!
From our team to yours, happy holidays! We can't wait to see you in the New Year.
