By Roman Kaczynski
Director, Accountancy Insurance
What began as an accountant’s solution to assist an insurance broker in crafting a commendable, yet cumbersome product has evolved over two decades into a user-friendly solution. Accountancy Insurance now stands as the foremost provider in its category, successfully operating in three countries and fostering a mutually beneficial relationship between accountants and their clients. The origins of this business were rooted in a commitment to optimising systems and processes. The primary objective was to streamline administration and workload for accounting firms while concurrently affording them the means to deliver a high-value service to the majority of their clientele. Pat Driscoll, the founder of Accountancy Insurance, an accomplished accountant with an experience in both industry and public practice, spearheaded the development of what, two decades ago, constituted a pioneering solution—a web portal that would become the cornerstone of the solution.
Coupled with a very supportive Vero Insurance, Pat went about developing a process that was seen by the more entrepreneurial, early adopter accounting firms as a “very good to have” additional service offering. The business kept investing in technology and manpower, understanding that technology on its own is not enough and what was essential is someone internally to make things happen. With dynamic, hands-on Account Managers, coupled with the always developing Audit Shield Online Platform (ASOP), the client base grew from the early adopters to the “also should haves”. The business took off when the second-tier accounting firms saw the value and started to sign up.
Presently, we take great pride in our partnerships with nearly all second-tier accounting firms across Australia in one way or another. Our collaborative efforts extend to encompass various accounting federation brands, both on a national and international scale. From extensive national networks and multi-partner, multi-office firms to a robust presence among sole proprietors in the market, we engage with a diverse spectrum of accounting professionals.
Pat recognised that for a business to achieve substantial scale, it required more than just a concept and the tireless efforts of one individual—it demanded a dedicated team. Pat embarked on a gradual process of recruitment and development, choosing not to enlist insurance experts, but rather accountants who comprehended the unique needs of our clients. I count myself privileged to be among the many contributors to his endeavours. Two decades into this journey, we take pride in a substantial roster of long-tenured staff and investors. Together, we share numerous anecdotes from the formative years that every successful business inevitably experiences. From the outset and continuing to shape our present approach is the foundational commitment to consistently deliver exceptional client service. A recent independent client survey has reaffirmed this commitment, providing validation to our ongoing efforts.
The other two core pillars that Accountancy Insurance has defined are Innovation and Integrity. Not only have we improved our technology over the years we have also added ISO 27001 standards to give our client base comfort that we take the responsibility of what we do and how we do it seriously.
As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Accountancy Insurance, it’s evident that we have not only survived but thrived by embracing change, fostering innovation, and prioritising the needs of accountants. Looking ahead, Accountancy Insurance is well-positioned to continue its legacy by adapting to future challenges and providing unwavering support to accountants across Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
As accountants face new challenges in an ever-evolving landscape, they can find solace in knowing that Accountancy Insurance will continue to be their steadfast partner, ensuring that they can focus on what they do best—providing valuable financial and accounting expertise to their clients.
We would like to acknowledge and thank all the thousands of accounting firms, most that have been with us for a long part of our journey, who trust us with their businesses. We do not take this trust for granted.
Here’s to the next 20 years of success and collaboration in the dynamic world of accounting.
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