Meet Serge Crismale, a seasoned professional with a background in corporate banking who made a life-changing decision 18 years ago.
He transitioned from the corporate world to become a franchisee with First Class Accounts.
Before joining First Class Accounts, Serge had a long and stable career in the corporate banking sector, particularly in funds management.
However, after 25 years, he began to feel restless and yearned for a change.
“I saw an ad for First Class Accounts and attended one of their information nights…I remember leaving there and driving home and thinking, wow, this is really the sort of thing that I’m looking for,” he recalls.
Transitioning from a Corporate Job to Running His Own Bookkeeping Business
Transitioning from a corporate job to owning a bookkeeping business wasn’t without its challenges.
Serge initially doubted whether his corporate skills would translate into running a small business. However, the comprehensive support from First Class Accounts, including mentorship and training, helped him gain confidence.
“The support from First Class was exactly what I needed. I think at the time I suffered a bit of lack of confidence in running a small business,” says Serge.
Overcoming Challenges and Adapting and Growing the Business
One of the early hurdles Serge faced was the limitation of desktop accounting, which restricted his ability to expand his client base.
“With the advent of cloud accounting, that really allowed me to take on a lot more clients…servicing them remotely cut down on my travel time,” he notes.
This technological shift enabled Serge to scale his business by hiring part-time and casual staff, further boosting his growth.
Serge’s business experienced several growth phases. Initially, he operated solo but eventually expanded by employing staff.
Serge acknowledges ongoing challenges in the bookkeeping industry, particularly with compliance and constant changes in legislation:
“I think it’s really around all the compliance challenges that we have, all the changes to compliance… the constant changes to the software platforms. I think they’re the challenges.”
But with continual support from First Class Accounts and regular training sessions, bookkeeping franchise owners can stay on top of all the government regulations.
Transitioning to a Strategic Role Within the Bookkeeping Business
Now, Serge focuses on working on his business rather than on it.
He has embraced a strategic role, delegating tasks to his team and concentrating on client onboarding and business improvement.
“I’ve been really actively…making sure that there were no tasks that I was doing that I couldn’t delegate to one of my staff,” Serge notes.
This shift has afforded him a better work-life balance, allowing him to enjoy personal time while ensuring his business thrives.
“My lifestyle has changed a lot in the last few years. I’m focused on working on the business rather than in the business. This shift has given me the ability to take holidays, not be on call every day, and enjoy personal time while ensuring the business thrives.”
Advice for Aspiring Franchisees
Building and maintaining client relationships has been a cornerstone of Serge’s success. He initially relied heavily on networking, generating around 90% of his revenue through business networking.
“I did a lot of networking in my initial, say, ten years of the business. That was a big focus of mine…a majority of it is from referrals,” he recalls.
Serge’s journey with First Class Accounts is a compelling case for anyone considering a franchise in the bookkeeping industry.
His advice to new franchisees is to be proactive in networking and building relationships:
“When I see new franchisees, I tell them, just go down there and just make yourself known and just form those initial relationships. Don’t go in for the hard sell.”
Join the First Class Accounts network and benefit from:
- Strong Brand Association: Leverage a trusted and recognised brand.
- Launch Assistance: Receive comprehensive support during your business launch.
- Positive Culture and Networking Opportunities: Be part of a supportive community with ample networking events.
- Autonomy and Ongoing Support: Enjoy the independence of running your own business with continuous backing.
- Professional Partnerships: Access partnerships with leading industry professionals and software providers.
- Comprehensive Training and Compliance: Benefit from extensive training programs and ensure compliance with industry regulations.
Ready to take the next step in your career?
Enquire today about becoming a First Class Accounts franchisee and kickstart your journey to becoming your own boss.
