First Class Accounts is proud to announce that 6 of our franchisees are state finalists at the 2015 Franchise Council of Australia Awards.
All 6 are well deserving of their place as finalists.
Congratulations to the following franchisees:
Maria Jowett-Horth – Busy Bookkeeping Eastern Suburbs
Maria began in 2000 with just one employee and in 2015 they currently employ 5 full-time and 17 permanent part-time staff.
As a 12 year old Maria acquired her first job babysitting at her younger cousins. Traveling with her Aunt and family to exotic places which gave Maria the appetite to go out in the world.
Her diverse career allowed her to manage financial planning and implementation for corporation consisting of 20 retail convenience and fast food outlets, she was the Vice President/General Manager and a minority shareholder of a convenience store chain and was the Financial Controller and Human Resource Manager in a multi-site franchise operation.
Maria has always been self-motivated, and planning ahead is a must. Her motto is “take that challenge and forge ahead adapting to changes along the way”
Stuart Jaeschke – First Class Accounts Albany Creek
Stuart, the 2014 First Class Accounts Franchisee of the Year, began his business journey with First Class Accounts in 2004.
His business background is in Engineering and Project Management, having worked in a number of manufacturing companies, as well as a Government Authority Stuart soon realised the importance of accurate recording and reporting.
Stuart enjoys being deeply involved in the community both on a business and personal level and is currently the Vice Chairperson of the Council of Lutheran Community Care Queensland.
Norma Reynaga – First Class Accounts Currambine
Norma has spent her whole life working with numbers. Her first job as a “Girl Friday” where she did everything from answering phones, receivables, payables, payroll and making tea, to Assistant Accountant.
Four years ago she decided to work for herself and do what she loved, bookkeeping, and joined First Class Accounts.
Norma’s journey may have started 40 years ago but it’s far from over. She is now hoping to be an accountant and grow a FC tax business.
Norma likes to start with a dream; she calls it her pie in the sky. She will then go on to work out what and how she needs to achieve it.
Darren Butterick – First Class Accounts Glenelg
Darren commenced his bookkeeping franchise in August 2012.
After attending his first National Conference in September 2013 Darren set his goals to grow his business further. From what he learned at the National Conference and from other franchisees helped him to develop a plan. Two milestones that he has achieved are the First Class Accounts Business Performance Monthly Award and Runner Up in the First Class Accounts National Business Performance Award at the National Conference in 2014.
An avid tennis player his love for the game takes him to Melbourne every year for the Australian Open and he is involved in the tennis association Glenelg district providing bookkeeping services.
Trish Jones – First Class Accounts Craigieburn
Trish started her business on 1 July 2010. Prior to becoming a franchisee she was a Management Accountant for over 20 years.
Trish had never run a business before and the first year was a massive learning curve. She had to learn all aspects of running a business; how to service clients, how to stay focused when not in a 9 to 5 job environment.
Trish won the 2010 First Class Accounts Brand Ambassador Award and the 2010 First Class Accounts Best Emerging Franchisee Award. But her greatest milestone is the knowledge that her work is helping clients to gain a greater understanding of how they are going and helping them achieve the knowledge they need to plan their futures.
Parul Mehta – First Class Accounts Sunnybank Hills
Parul came to Australia in 1996 from India to start a new life. Initially she worked in her family restaurant business. However this was not her passion and without Australian work experience she could not find a job. In 2001, she decided to join First Class Accounts as the Sunnybank Hills franchisee.
Parul mainly works from home servicing her clients. This has been vital to her success developing a business that fits her lifestyle, enabling her to spend quality time raising her two children and given her financial independence.
The awards for each state will take place as follows:
QLD/NT: Friday 17 July 2015, Hilton Brisbane,
NSW/ACT: Friday 24 July, The Grace Hotel, Sydney.
WA: Friday 14 August, Parmelia Hilton Perth, Perth.
VIC: Friday 21 August, Hilton South Wharf, Melbourne.
SA: Friday 28 August, Hilton Adelaide, Adelaide.
Once again, congratulations to Maria, Stuart, Norma, Darren, Trish and Parul.
