CRANBOURNE bookkeeping software guru Diane Lucas is in the world spotlight after receiving the 2016 International ProAdvisor of the Year award, out of over 120,000 advisors worldwide.
After being the first Australian to make the top 100 last year when the award was first opened up outside of the United States, Diane is now acknowledged as the international industry leader of QuickBooks Online, the world’s biggest cloud-based accounting program.
Diane is the owner of bookkeeping and consultancy firm Direct Management, “The Bookkeepers Accountants Want You To Use”.
She established the business in 2006, when changes in the agricultural industry meant she needed to find a new income stream after doing the books for the family’s Kooweerup asparagus farm for seven years.
“I didn’t set out thinking I would someday be an international award winner, but I’ve always had the mindset to do my best at whatever I do,” Diane said.
“When I first started the business 10 years ago, bookkeeping standards were inconsistent because the industry wasn’t regulated.
“It wasn’t until 2010, when new legislation required bookkeepers to become registered BAS agents, that the industry’s reputation started to improve.”
Diane became one of the first registered BAS agents in Victoria and with a passion to empower others, had already started training bookkeepers as a way of lifting the industry’s standards.
“I believe bookkeepers should be brilliant at what they do. While they don’t need to know every detail of the five cloud accounting options available, they need enough nous to know what the best solution is for each particular client because every business is unique,” she said.
The demand for Diane’s training services grew to a point where in January this year, she added a dedicated training facility to the Cranbourne office.
In addition to running bookkeeping training sessions, she also hosts seminars and workshops for up to 40 financial professionals at a time.
Diane was an early adopter of cloud accounting software when it came to Australia in 2012, contributing to the development of the QuickBooks Online technology.
To improve understanding of cloud technology, she established Cloud Storm, a closed Facebook group for Australian financial professionals and software providers that support the industry.
“I created Cloud Storm because I saw a need. Many bookkeepers and other accounting professionals are isolated, whether they work in an office or from home. They often lack a network of professional connections from which to learn or simply don’t know where to get information from,” she said.
“Cloud Storm acts as a forum for its 380 plus members; a 24/7 place they can connect with one another, get answers to their questions and find out about the latest software developments.”
The accolades keep coming for Diane, who has also been shortlisted for the prestigious Australian Accounting Awards.
Diane is a finalist in the Bookkeeper of the Year category and Direct Management is a finalist in the Bookkeeping Firm of the Year category.
Now in its third consecutive year, the Australian Accounting Awards, which covers 24 categories, recognises individual excellence in accounting, from the profession’s most senior ranks to its rising stars.
Winners in the individual categories will automatically be shortlisted for the coveted AccountantsDaily Excellence Award.
The winners will be announced on Friday 14 October.
