Maximising your time: How outsourcing creates time for accountants.

Time is an invaluable resource, but it's also one you can expand if you know how to. I specialise in creating more time, because time is my most important resource.

The primary advantage of outsourcing is time, a resource that's always in limited supply. There are only 24 hours in a day, approximately 8 productive hours in a typical workday, and even less that you can bill for. Finding additional time for your team to focus on clients and projects is paramount.

In today's rapidly changing landscape, it's essential to think creatively to discover more time. I've been doing this since my early years, and here's an illustrative story. As a young kid growing up in Melbourne in the late '80s and early '90s, I played Australian Rules Football (AFL) when winning and losing were real concepts in kids' sports. During one training drill, the coach would roll a football about 10 meters, and two kids would chase it. The winner was the one who returned the ball to the coach.

I wasn't the fastest, biggest, or most skilled kid, but I excelled in this particular drill. While most players sprinted for the ball, I would start a split second after the first player, ensuring I was always trailing him to the ball. As soon as he picked it up, I'd tackle him, the ball would pop loose, and I'd easily recover it while my teammate was down. This strategy worked consistently because I had more time to decide my actions, whereas his mind was solely focused on getting to the ball first without time for further decisions.

In professional sports, top players like Roger Federer in tennis, Scott Pendlebury in AFL, or Nathan Cleary in rugby league often seem to have more time because they make better decisions.

This concept of having more time is equally applicable in today's professional services environment. Efficient outsourcing provides you and your team with additional time, elevating you to star status in your clients' eyes. In an evolving industry, star advisors who deliver exceptional service will stand out.

I'm Kane from Active Outsourcing (www.activeoutsourcing.com.au), with 15 years of outsourcing experience, including launching the SMSF outsourcing team at Moore Stephens and managing the National Deloitte Outsourcing team in Australia. I'm here to address any questions about outsourcing and how it can make your firm shine. Feel free to reach out; I'm always ready to assist.