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Heart of the Bookkeeper
Heart of the Bookkeeper episodes
- Episode 51 Ian Chait - Challenging the challenge of Bookkeeping
The challenges facing Bookkeepers and small business owners across Australia never seem to stop. As this episode’s guest, Ian Chait, puts it: “Every single day is a challenge.”
In this compelling conversation, host Rob Marshall sits down with Melbourne-based Bookkeeper Ian Chait, a highly skilled and experienced professional who has built a reputation for never shying away from the tough conversations. Throughout his career, Ian has been prepared to challenge the status quo, confront problems head-on, and advocate fiercely for what he believes is right for the profession.
At times, that approach may have seen him labelled by some as controversial or aggressive. But as listeners will discover, what truly drives Ian is an unwavering passion for Bookkeeping, for small business, and for achieving better outcomes for the people he serves. His honesty, conviction, and authenticity make this a refreshingly candid and engaging discussion.
Yet this episode goes far beyond business challenges.
Ian also opens up about one of life’s most difficult realities: loss. In a deeply personal and courageous conversation, he shares his experiences, reflections, and the lessons that come from navigating moments where there is often no obvious "right" response. His story is both heartfelt and profoundly moving, offering listeners a glimpse into the resilience, humanity, and strength that exist behind the professional persona.
This is an episode about passion, purpose, perseverance, and the realities of life that shape us all. Thought-provoking, honest, and deeply meaningful, it is a conversation that will stay with you long after it ends.
🎧 Join Rob Marshall and Ian Chait for a powerful episode of the Heart of the Bookkeeper Podcast.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
53 min - Episode 50 Ami Copeland - Celebrating Bookkeeping across the Globe
Heart of the Bookkeeper – Episode 50 (Milestone Edition)
Celebrate a major milestone with the 50th episode of Heart of the Bookkeeper! In this special release, we go global as we welcome Ami Copeland, CEO of ICB UK, to the show.
As ICB Australia marks its 20-year journey and the UK has its own major milestone to enjoy, Ami takes us back to where it all began—sharing her inspiring path into bookkeeping in the UK and offering a unique perspective on how the profession has evolved and continues to evolve. Discover the key differences between bookkeeping in the UK and Australia, and gain valuable insight into how the role is being reshaped in a rapidly changing landscape.
This episode is a thoughtful exploration of the present and future of bookkeeping, filled with insights that resonate across borders. And don’t miss the light-hearted twist toward the end—a friendly Australia vs England challenge 500 years in the making that adds a memorable finish.
💡 A must-listen for bookkeepers looking to reflect, reset, and stay ahead in an ever-evolving profession.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 10 min - Episode 49 Grace Occleshaw - The Science of Bookkeeping
In this inspiring episode, host Rob Marshall sits down with Melbourne-based rising star Grace Occleshaw—who, at just 29, is already making serious waves in the world of Bookkeeping.
Starting her current journey at only 18, Grace shares how her deep love of science and mathematics has helped shape her unique approach to financial services, giving her (some could argue) an analytical edge that sets her apart. This is the story of a young professional carving her own path, guided by the wisdom of influential mentors and driven by a genuine passion for growth.
Together, Rob and Grace explore powerful lessons around continuous learning—no matter your age or stage—and unpack the often-overlooked power of the pause in both business and life. Grace also gives her take on the exciting future of Bookkeeping in Australia—and why she’s determined to be at the forefront of it.
Plus, don’t miss a major announcement about how Grace plans to make her mark on the industry!
Whether you’re just starting out or decades into your career, this episode is a must-listen reminder that the learning never stops—and the future is full of opportunity.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
55 min - Episode 48 Darren McMahon - Mentoring the future of BookkeepingNSW-based bookkeeper Darren McMahon is a rare voice in the Australian bookkeeping landscape—one of the few men in an industry where they make up just 10 percent of the community. Yet Darren isn’t just different in that respect; he’s a recognised thought leader whose journey, insights, and lived experience shine throughout this episode. Now at a stage where he’s focused on mentoring, supervising and inspiring the next generation of bookkeepers, Darren shares why giving back matters so deeply to him—and why he believes the future of bookkeeping is both strong and bright. This conversation is honest, reflective, and at times deeply emotional, revealing Darren’s path to self-acceptance and the strength of purpose that drives him forward. This is an exceptional story, told by an exceptional man.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 2 min - Episode 47 Robyn Kelly - Inspired BookkeeperOn our first Heart of the Bookkeeper for 2026, we hear from a both inspired and inspirational Bookkeeper from South Australia - Robyn Kelly. Robyn's journey of fighting through her early years of establishing her Bookkeeping practice and overall approach to Bookkeeping, is enlightening and full of some great examples of why surrounding yourself with others who can assist you gainfully with something like this, is really important no matter what stage you are at in your pathway. But it is Robyn's ultimate fight right now with a confronting health challenge, that will really make you understand why this lady is an inspiration now to others and is using those who previously inspired and influenced her in the past, to lean on during this difficult time. This is a very honest and enlightening interview and may be of assistance to others, facing health challenges of their own at this time. And then there is why a small diminishing South Australian rural community holds so much of Robyn's joy, where "Ned" Kelly fits into her journey and why Sport has played such a big part of her life, that form just some of the sidetracks we go into in this wonderful episode of the Podcast.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
59 min - Episode 46 Natasha Stadnikoff - Going from Z to BSouth East Queensland / Luca Award winning Bookkeeper, Natasha Stadnikoff is our guest in this episode of Heart of the Bookkeeper. An innovative and now celebrated member of the Australian Bookkeeping community, Natasha (or Tash as she prefers), outlines why she is so passionate about what she does on a daily basis and how that all came about. And for Tash, the spark and interest in Bookkeeping came pretty early in life, but as life has a habit of doing, things went in different directions for many years, before a return of the spark of doing the Books reappeared and changed everything. It was to be out of some dark times however, that the flicker of what she could achieve as a Bookkeeper was to come to life and the rest as they say, is history. And what a history it has become. Named Professional Bookkeeper of the Year - Sole Trader 2025 at the Australian ICB Luca Awards held in October of 2025, is testament to how Tash is shaking things up and finding ways to lead the professions she so loves, into a new era and with amazing energy. And then there is the Zoo, the Crocodile and Perky Penny. Now those things alone are worth the listen. We are certain you will enjoy and be inspired listening to the story of Natasha Stadnikoff.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
43 min - Episode 45 Andrea Robb - In the Service of BookkeepingAndrea Robb is someone who has served her Country in arguably the ultimate way anyone could possibly do. A very early revelation that serving in the Military was something she felt very passionate to want to do, Andrea's journey through this is a fascinating listen as to how that then morphed into her next alliteration of service ... that being to the small business communities around where she now lives and marches to a slightly different beat these days. Lessons learned while in the military and how the toughness and challenges of that choice of life can bring, come through in this episode. This includes how receiving a letter from her Dad (a veteran of the Korean War) gave her a strength and focus when all seemed too hard. The importance of logical thinking and how that may take your thinking in a certain direction at a certain point, only for that same logical thinking process to lead you to recognise that a pivot is needed to allow for the outcome that you are seeking, is a powerful aspect of what you will hear. A freshly cooked Lamb Roast and why Mums and Nana's are so special, get examined in depth, as well as of course why Andrea now can connect and reconcile all of these things in her life to her current passion and love for Bookkeeping. Based out of Brisbane and owner of Bookkeeping practice, Relief Bookkeeping, Andrea gives us a wonderful episode from a wonderful lady and an amazing Bookkeeper.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
50 min - Episode 44 Sharon Francisco - Conversing Pearls of Wisdom
Sharon Francisco is a dynamic individual with a very unique approach to Bookkeeping and in fact, life in general. Sharons journey from the "back of Bourke" to the bright lights of some of the World's biggest cities and how she sees life through a positive lens, despite many setbacks and challenges along the way, is inspirational but more importantly instructional and full of lessons learned. This episode delves into the power of conversations that can change a persons thinking and can change an outlook and perspective in a powerful way. The 'pearls of wisdom" aspect of this episode, will not possibly come in the ways that you may think they might. This is a delightfully surprising and insightful story, including how to divorce and still hold hands, what is the golden thread as well as how to discover the importance of understanding your own finances, especially for women. This is but merely a snippet of whats in store in this fabulous episode of Heart of the Bookkeeper.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr - Episode 43 Gabrielle Osborne - Going for GoldThis is a remarkable episode of Heart of the Bookkeeper. In the space of two years between 2016 and 2017, todays guest on the Podcast, Hobart based Bookkeeper, Gabrielle Osborne was diagnosed with a melanoma, struggled with severe depression and GAD and then had a daughter hospitalised for mental health reasons. Gabrielle then fractured her spine in 2017 and discovered she suffered from a form of low bone density. For Gabrielle it came at a point where she had been working long hours and sometimes weekends building her Bookkeeping business, and in her words, relying on a glass or two of wine every night and being like a deer in the headlights at every incoming email or phone call. For Gabrielle at that time, joy was not a word that meant much in life beyond the love of her beautiful family that kept her going. At this lowest of low points, it is what happened next that is the simply incredible side to Gabrielle's story. Now a Social Media activist and a champion for Women's health (especially those 50 plus), Gabrielle is a proud Tasmanian who is truly a remarkable Bookkeeper with a truly remarkable story. Don't miss having a listen to this one.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
59 min - Episode 42 Heather Smith - The Application of BookkeepingSomebody once said - "The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience". This quote well and truly sums up our guest today on Heart of the Bookkeeper. Heather Smith, Bookkeeper and Podcast host based out of Brisbane in Queensland has had countless moments in her Bookkeeping Journey to date, that have indeed led to a richer experience for her and experiences now that she can share to benefit others. Heather's eager and willing approach to adopting Tech and Apps across many years and often again, well ahead of when much of this was a consideration for most, comes through strongly in this episode and will get you thinking and perhaps reconsidering your current approaches around this. In fact, this whole episode will possibly get you rethinking many aspects of what you do and how you do it. Great insights, wonderful reflections are all part of this episode. Heathers "Accounting Apps Podcast" has been a refreshing approach to helping so many Bookkeepers, Accountants and Business Owners, tap into how to consider so many different ways to look through the lens of compliance, business analysis and business building. Heather discusses her passion for this and how she unpacks this in her Podcast. A great listen, from a experienced and well credentialed Bookkeeper here in Australia.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
52 min
About Heart of the Bookkeeper
From the publisher's feed
A Podcast about Bookkeepers helping Bookkeepers helping Business.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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