So many of our clients come to us looking for someone to get their accounts under control and keep them that way. And they are looking in the right place, because we have people like Terrena on our team.

A senior and experienced bookkeeper, Terrena has 30 years on the job experience and a small business accounting certificate. She is also one of our POD leaders, at the helm of a small team with similar expertise who create all kinds of organisational magic for a variety of small businesses.

Find out more about what Terrena does and how it makes life easier for a lot of people:

What might a typical day look like for you?

My day depends on what I have on my list and how I feel like working that day. I almost always work from home, with visits to the office here and there. I like silence when I’m concentrating!

I work around school drop-offs and pick-ups—usually starting by 9 am and finishing at about 2:45 pm, with the occasional break for housework or food. If there’s more to do than fits in that time, I work in the evening. 

On days when I’m not working, my ideal day might include visiting an op shop or two, spending time with my family and friends, and some live music.

What’s your strength/specialty when it comes to Released’s operations? What do you do for clients and/or for Released?

As a senior VA and bookkeeper, my role includes:

• Basic bookkeeping

• Bank reconciliations

• Tracking and entering transactions

• Reconciling statements

• Checking and filing GST

• Payroll

I’m an expert at taming hot messes, and my clients love it. Fixing up messy accounts and simplifying bookkeeping systems is my strength. I like to ask clients as little as possible (only what I need to know), focusing on giving them the information they need to succeed. My role, as far as I’m concerned, is to take as much administration as possible off their hands. 

Often, I’m a sounding board for my clients when it comes to their books and administrative systems, and for that reason I make sure I’m easy to talk to and as available as possible. I also try to alert business owners to any issues, noticing when things are out of the ordinary finances-wise and bringing it to their attention. Automation is great, but having a human eye on your transactions, bills, and invoices is invaluable. I pick up on things that are unusual and can save people from mistakes or errors that way. As an example, I don’t allow Hubdoc to just auto-send invoices to Xero without checking them personally first.

How does your work help Released clients to make their business better?

My work allows my clients to do other things with their time—things that fall under their area of expertise and that will grow their business. They can spend more time with their clients and managing their staff. And all the while, they can rest assured that the financial component is in good hands.

One construction client had a team of accountants doing his bookkeeping. Not only was this excessively expensive, but the outcomes were not good. There were numerous people handling transactions as they passed through the system, making it difficult to pick up on any discrepancies. They were paying a lot, and errors were getting through, which meant that the client had to spend time correcting mistakes. When I came on, I taught him a lot about how his own accounts work so he felt more control over the whole process. I implemented and taught him simplified systems that provided clarity on the profitability of each job, reduced errors, and saved money.

What are a few items you couldn’t do without for a typical workday?

I always have to have my calculator and my phone, so that Xero and all comms are always at hand. Two screens and a comfortable chair are office necessities. I also like to have peace and quiet, and get more done when I’m alone.

What’s your top tip for a tradesperson starting their own business?

I have two! Number one: communication with clients is very important. If you can’t do something, let them know. As long as you communicate properly, most people are very reasonable and flexible.

Number two: stay on top of your paperwork weekly (at the very least) or have someone who can take care of this for you. Tracking down a receipt two full months later is no fun.

What’s your favourite part of working at Released?

I love the flexibility, the people, and the sense of achievement I get from working with this team. There is great support from Kellie and the rest of the team—we back each other up. 

A favourite Released-related memory is going to Waiheke for the leader’s retreat. Going on the zipline was fantastic, and I loved spending time with the team and getting to know them better. 

Keep an eye on the blog for more team member profiles, and feel free to book a quick chat with Kellie if you’d like to find out more about how the team can help your business.