Building an Organization as a Beacon of Service excellence and Support for Entrepreneurs!
In this lively ecosystem, everyday small enterprises thrive, goals come true, and stories of perseverance and ambition unfold. Entrepreneurs pour their hearts and souls into their businesses while managing the hurdles of a viable environment.
Noting this, one name stands out as an enthusiast of small business: Sam Allert. Few stories in the progressive world of accounting software ring as true as Sam’s, CEO of Reckon Limited.
From answering phones as an Office Manager to guiding Reckon as CEO, Sam’s experience at Reckon exemplifies the power of flexibility and hard work. Reckon has evolved under his guidance, focusing on empowering small businesses with user-friendly accounting and payroll solutions.
Throughout his journey, Sam has embraced change, championed innovation and prioritized a customer-centric approach. His guiding principle is simple yet profound:always go above and beyond. Do more, help more, and learn more – never settle for the status quo. This philosophy has steered him through both obstacles and achievements, fostering a workplace culture in which every team member feels appreciated and empowered to succeed.
His mission is clear: deliver user-friendly solutions that reduce the intricacies of finance and compliance, allowing business owners to focus on their passions. He leads a strong team dedicated to knowing and addressing their clients’ changing needs.
Let us Learn More About His Journey!
Journey to Leadership: Sam Allert’s Path
Sam Allert, the CEO of Reckon, began his career in various roles while traveling the world and living in London. Upon returning to Australia, he joined APS, a software startup for accounting firms, where he took on multiple responsibilities in a small team of six.
Years later, Reckon acquired APS and created the Accountants Division. At that time, Sam started out as the National Sales Manager for APS, then the Accountants Division, followed by the Managing Director – Accountants Division. This then led him to climb the ranks to Group CEO by 2018. His focus has been on advancing Reckon’s strategy to provide comprehensive cloud solutions for small businesses. He attributes his success to being relationship focused both with clients and with the team, being in the right place at the right time and the importance of a proactive attitude.
Reckon’s Inception and Growth
Reckon is recognized as one of Australia’s leading business technology companies, headquartered in Sydney and employing over 170 people globally. Founded over 35 years ago, Reckon has navigated significant industry changes, from the introduction of GST to the era of cloud software solutions and more recently Single Touch Payroll, SuperStream and Open Banking
The company specializes in providing SMEs and their advisers with top-tier accounting and payroll software, streamlining their daily operations. Notably, Reckon is the only Australian-owned accounting software company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX), underscoring its prominent position in the market.
Overcoming Challenges and Inspiring Change in the Accounting Sector
Sam has faced various challenges throughout his career in the accounting industry. One of the recurring challenges he encountered was being the youngest member of his team, often tasked with managing older and more experienced peers. To overcome this, he learned to build credibility quickly by consistently treating people with fairness and respect, regardless of age or experience. He recognized each team member’s value and ensured that everyone felt heard and appreciated.
Another significant challenge Allert faced was navigating the uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly during lockdowns. This experience underscored the importance of maintaining a strong company culture and ensuring constant, effective communication with the team. He prioritized clear, consistent communication and actively worked to cultivate a culture that supported and empowered every member of the team.
His passion for people and his fascination with human nature have been key drivers of his success. He loves working with teams, supporting individuals, and watching them grow. His advice to those starting in the profession is to be clear on their personal and business goals, write them down, and then map out a plan to achieve them.
He is excited about the company’s innovations in cloud and mobile technology, which aim to streamline business processes and workflows for small businesses and accountants. He believes that change is empowering and that opportunities and tools are available to help businesses adapt and move through change positively.
Vision for Reckon Limited
Sam believes in backing the right of every small business to grow and succeed. Enterprises deserve the tools necessary for success, regardless of their unique journeys, no matter where they start. Over the next few years, this vision will continue to be realised as Reckon focuses on enhancing its payroll and invoicing functionalities and integrating research and design practices into its product development strategy to improve the user experience and interface design.
He also recognizes the significant market opportunity within the legal sector through the nQ Zebraworks brand, which provides practice management tools for the US and UK markets. With 500 of the world’s largest law firms operating in the US and 46,000 mid-sized firms, Reckon aims to further develop its offerings in this area. Additionally, the recent launch of BillingQ, an automation tool for billing and collections, exemplifies Reckon’s commitment to streamlining processes for its clients.
Management Philosophy
Sam emphasizes a management style that fosters creativity and engagement within his team. He believes that a strong team is essential for delivering exceptional customer experiences and prioritizes investing in the 170 talented individuals who contribute to Reckon’s success.
A key element of Sam’s approach is measuring employee engagement and responding to feedback, which has resulted in 94% of staff agreeing that Reckon is a great place to work. Furthermore, 90% of employees feel deeply connected to their work, often going above and beyond their roles.
He focuses on building solid relationships within the team and fostering trust and open communication, which he sees as vital for driving innovation and achieving results. He encourages a culture where challenges are viewed as opportunities, promoting a can-do attitude that empowers employees to embrace new ideas and learn from failures.
Navigating Reckon Through the Digital Transformation of Accounting
As the CEO, Sam has observed several emerging trends in the accounting and payroll software industries. The digitalization of finance, compliance, and payroll tasks has significantly impacted small businesses. Government initiatives, such as Single Touch Payroll in Australia, have driven this change, streamlined efficiency, and reduced compliance costs for businesses while providing employees with real-time access to their tax and superannuation balances.
Another key trend is the rise of mobile apps, which offer flexibility and convenience for managing business operations on the go. Reckon has embraced this shift, developing mobile solutions that allow SMEs to monitor cash flow, enhance customer experience through mobile payments, and make informed decisions in real time.
He recognizes the importance of data availability and how it is presented through analytics and reporting. Reckon’s product roadmap is designed to meet the evolving digitization needs of SMEs in the coming years, ensuring they can capitalize on the long-term benefits of this transformation.
Finally, no digital transformation is complete without exceptional service and support. Change becomes far more manageable when businesses have access to reliable assistance. Reckon takes pride in delivering a superior customer experience, exemplified by around the clock support and its outstanding achievement of a 9.1/10 customer satisfaction score last year.
Commitment to Small Businesses
Sam emphasizes the company’s deep roots in the small business market, which has been its core focus since its inception. Founded by Greg Wilkinson to serve small businesses, Reckon has evolved its products over the years but has recently refocused on this audience after selling its Accountants Group division for $100 million in 2022.
Sam believes that understanding the perspective of business owners is crucial. Many entrepreneurs start their ventures driven by passion, but administrative and compliance tasks can be distracting. Reckon aims to simplify these processes, allowing small businesses to manage payroll, send invoices, cashflow, and generate reports with ease.
With redesigned solutions, Reckon seeks to provide user-friendly tools that empower small business owners to focus on what they love. His vision is to ensure that every small business can thrive without being bogged down by administrative burdens.
This commitment to servicing the small business software market is highlighted by the recent the acquisition of Cashflow Manager and okke software solutions from Money Management Group. As a result, an additional 20,000 customers and 1,000 accounting and bookkeeping partners have been welcomed into Reckon’s wider small business community, complimenting their solutions portfolio.
Passion for Supporting Small Businesses
Sam is deeply passionate about helping small businesses, which he views as the backbone of the Australian economy. He highlights their significant contributions to GDP and employment, emphasizing that no other group drives the economy forward like small businesses.
He appreciates the authenticity of small business owners, noting their enthusiasm and zeal when discussing their ventures. Conversations about their businesses often resemble discussions about sports or hobbies, showcasing their infectious passion.
He believes that most small business owners genuinely love what they do and Reckon takes pride in supporting them with effective solutions that simplify their administrative tasks, allowing them to focus on their passions.
Impact on Small Businesses
Reckon offers a range of solutions designed to help small businesses achieve their goals effectively. One standout product is their payroll software, which simplifies compliance with the latest ATO regulations, allowing businesses to manage pay runs and superannuation for as little as AUD$14 per month for up to four employees.
Additionally, Reckon’s invoicing tool enhances cash flow by enabling professional invoices with a ‘Pay now’ button and mobile invoicing capabilities. Their accounting software provides real-time reporting, making it easy for businesses to track income and expenses.
Lastly, Reckon’s financial reporting platform integrates data for comprehensive business insights, aiding in resource planning and performance analysis. These tools collectively empower small businesses to streamline operations and focus on growth.
Fostering Innovation
Sam has intensified the company’s focus on research and development to better understand customer needs, supported by substantial investment in robust cloud development. As desktop products decline globally, Reckon aims to establish itself as a premier cloud solutions provider for small businesses and legal firms.
To facilitate this transition, the company is channelling revenue into development and migration efforts across all product lines. He highlights that 91% of staff feel empowered to innovate and adapt, indicating a strong culture of continuous improvement. This environment encourages employees to find better ways to deliver value and tackle unexpected market challenges, ensuring Reckon remains resilient and forward-thinking.
Key Factors Behind Success
Sam attributes Reckon’s success and growth to its talented team and a strong, collaborative company culture. He believes that investing in employees’ success, well-being, and happiness fosters a positive work environment, leading to low staff turnover and long tenures that exceed industry benchmarks.
This commitment to employee engagement creates positive relationships and interactions throughout the organization. He emphasizes that a culture of innovation and continuous improvement is essential, as it empowers employees to contribute meaningfully and helps Reckon remain competitive in the market. By prioritizing its workforce, he ensures a sustainable foundation for future growth and success.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Sam offers valuable advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, drawing from a mentor’s wisdom: “If you want more, then do more.” He emphasizes the importance of hard work, supporting others, and listening to feedback to achieve success. He encourages entrepreneurs to treat their businesses as lifelong commitments, infusing passion into their operations to attract potential investors.
He advises, “Do the hard things today, and tomorrow becomes easier—do the easy things today, and tomorrow becomes harder.” He also asserts that, “While culture is crucial, it must align with the strategy for optimal results, underscoring the need for both elements to work in harmony for business success.”
