About us
We have a vision and we’re on a mission…
Hi, we’re Karen Moloney and Sonia Gibson, Founders of Accounting Innovators and we invite you join us in:
Empowering accounting professionals to unlock their potential as innovators and game-changers
We believe that accountants and bookkeepers have the skills and the opportunity to run and work in sustainable practices that create a positive impact on the lives of employees and clients.
This positive impact will then filter down to employees’ families, clients employees, clients families, clients of clients, their employees and families and the local, state and national economies.
And it all starts with you doing one thing, where you are right now, differently.
Problems we are tackling through the community:
there is still an unacceptable gender pay gap in the Australian accounting industry
there are technological changes afoot with the ATO’s drive to make tax “just happen” by 2030. Many accounting firms still do not have the technical infrastructure in place to handle that shift in operations
as the compliance aspect of accounting becomes more automated, accountants need to review where they add value to their clients and shift focus to more holistic services based on advisory
the race is on to reduce carbon emissions, what is the role of accountants in reporting and assisting in this target being met?
there are not enough female leaders and female role models in accounting to inspire the next generation to join the profession and start their own firms
there is a skills shortage in the accounting industry which will only worsen as younger generations opt for different career choices
many accounting firms do not offer flexible work conditions which is causing qualified professionals to leave the industry in search of positions which support lifestyle choices
there are challenges in maintaining good mental health and overall wellness in an environment where pressure continues to build in relation to client expectations and external regulation.
We can help find solutions to these problems by:
holding a safe place for professionals from accounting and related professions to connect with each other for the purposes of sharing information, experiences, resources and support
connecting members with other members and partners they can collaborate with for mutual benefit
being the change we want to see in the accounting industry and in professional services for women and men
supporting existing industry bodies and networks through partnership and collaboration on joint initiatives
raising awareness of issues affecting the progression of the accounting industry and finding solutions that can work across a range of different circumstances
making accounting an attractive career option for younger generations joining the workforce, demonstrating how they can have a positive impact
inspiring and encouraging others to do one thing, where they are today, to start moving towards a better future in accounting.
Who are Sonia and Karen?
Sonia Gibson
Role: Director of Finance & Administration
Profession: Chartered Accountant
Founder & Director of Accounting Heart, 2022 Women in Finance Principal & Accounting Consultant of the Year, 2022 Xero Cloud Champion of the Year and 2020 Women in Finance Accountant of the Year – Sonia is a strong female leader within the accounting sector.
As a Chartered Accountant with over 25 years in accounting and business, there isn’t a lot in that space that she doesn’t know or hasn’t experienced.
Sonia is an advocate for gender equality in accounting and utilising technology to revolutionise accounting businesses and create more equitable working environments.
And she has the cutest cat in the universe 😺
Karen Moloney
Role: Director of Community & Partnerships
Profession: Marketing Strategist & Learning Specialist
An international award-winning, certified digital marketing strategist, Karen is a HUGE technology nerd 🤓 who loves simplifying the complex and making connections.
Prior to becoming a certified marketing strategist in 2017, Karen had a 25 year career in corporate training and ran a multi award-winning IT training and eLearning business.
Karen is the network tour guide you never knew you needed, connecting you with everything you need to succeed in your practice.
Aside from family and business, Karen’s two big loves are chocolate 🍫 and her Moodle Gizmo 🐾
We connected through our values
We didn’t know it when we first met, but our values were the things that drew us to want to work together then, and they drive the work we do together as Accounting Innovators today.
Our values
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Innovation
All ideas - big and small - are welcome and an essential part of the innovation process
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Collaboration
We are stronger together and can have a bigger impact when we work to our strengths and support each other
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Solution-focused
Positive and lasting change happens when we focus on solutions rather than problems
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Equity & Respect
Everyone deserves to have a voice, equal opportunities and be treated with respect
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Simplicity
The world is complex. Keeping things simple wherever we can makes taking action easier
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Self-care
It all starts with self. To do your best work for yourself and others, you have to make yourself a priority
Does this sound like you too?
If so, we’d love you to be a part of the Accounting Innovators community!
Accounting Innovators Timeline
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Sonia and Karen meet through a Business Acceleration Forum group
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Sonia becomes Karen’s accountant
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Sonia starts her own practice - Accounting Heart. Sonia and Karen agree to exchange their accounting and marketing services to help each others’ business grow
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During COVID lockdowns Sonia and Karen met in the National Park for {socially distanced} walks where they chewed the fat on issues like the gender pay gap, the evolution of business technology and the challenges facing the accounting industry in Australia.
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Karen and Sonia met for several workshops to flesh out their ideas for a joint venture business which will support the future of accounting in Australia.
In October they attended “Not Now, Not Ever - 10 Years on from the Misogyny Speech” with Julia Gillard. It was that night they decided to bring Accounting Innovators to life.
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February: Karen joins Accounting Heart as a part-time Marketing & Operations Manager to get in “under the hood” of an accounting practice.
March: Accounting Innovators hosted its first event and inaugural International Women’s Day luncheon at the Hyatt Regency in Sydney. In the space of just 5 weeks, they put on an event with 85 attendees, 4 speakers and several industry sponsors - phew!
April: Rest, recharge, reflect.
May-July: Planning for launch
August-October: Founding members and partners come on board in preparation for 2024 launch
November: Open doors on earlybird memberships and AIAS24 event in March 24.
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February: First Nexus Online and Nexus Live events scheduled
March: 22nd: Accounting Innovators Annual Summit scheduled