A run down of the 2020 Bookkeepers Conference from our Bookkeeper Andrea.

As a new staff member, I was excited to learn that I was invited to attend Bookkeepcon2020!!

The prospect of catching up with associates and past colleagues and being part of the bookkeeping world was great and I was not disappointed.  Also, the drive and trip away was the perfect bonding opportunity for me and my new boss 😉

We were all first given the task of writing down 3 things we hoped to gain from conference.  For me these were confidence that comes with knowledge, motivation and friendships and I feel I came away with all of these.

There were speakers and information sessions for bookkeepers at all levels which was perfect for me, being a bookkeeper and not a business owner.  I enjoyed listening to the product updates from Xero, Payroll updates from Flexitime, a Debt Collection refresher from Shane Crawford and David Jenkins from NZPPA was hilarious as well as informative.

It was very refreshing to hear how highly valued bookkeepers are!  David Bell from Xero said we have been an “essential service” during Covid and Irene Bennetts of Admin Army spoke of how bookkeepers are adding real value in an age of AI and Automation.  Another highlight was listening to William Pike and learning of his harrowing life experience that has made him the man he is today!  A truly incredible man who has now set up the William Pike Challenge for school children to prepare them for tomorrow’s world.

And Napier didn’t fail to impress.  The weather was perfect, warm and balmy.  The restaurants, bars and shopping were exceptional.

Well done ICBNZ for a well prepared and well run conference and thank you Michelle A’Court for the entertainment throughout!!