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Andrew Paton-Smith

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  • Andrew Paton-Smith
Picture of an office boardroom with blue sky looking out of the windows
Accounting Technology, Business Advisory, Business Strategy, Cashflow Management, Company Performance, Entrepreneur Insights, Financial Planning, SME Advice, Strategic Growth

Business Valuation as Strategy: How a Company Valuation Can Drive Growth and Smarter Advisory

May 31, 2025 Andrew Paton-Smith No comments yet

In every business journey, there comes a moment where the owner wonders: What’s it all worth?

Whether it’s a conversation about selling, expanding, raising capital, or simply measuring progress—a business valuation isn’t just a number on a report. It’s a strategic lens

know your numbers blog. Picture of a professional business woman with grey background and blue blouse
Accounting Integrations, Business Automation, Business Forecasting, Business Performance, Cashflow Management, Financial Analytics, Financial Software, KPI Dashboard, KPI Dashboards, SME Financial Tools

Understand Your Business Health in 60 Seconds with a KPI Business Dashboard

May 31, 2025 Andrew Paton-Smith No comments yet

You’re building something—an idea, a team, a business. But here’s the hard truth: if you don’t know your numbers, you can’t control your future. Understanding your business performance isn’t about spreadsheets or finance degrees. It’s about knowing where you stand—today—and where you’re heading. That’s why smart business owners and advisors turn to Jazoodle, a simple […]

Image of Donald Trump Signing Tariffs
Business, Business Finance, Business Risk, Cash Flow Strategies, Cashflow, Economic Policy Impacts, Insights, Small Business Management

The Impact of Trade Tariffs on Small Businesses’ Financial Health

March 14, 2025 Andrew Paton-Smith No comments yet

The world stands on the edge of a new era in global trade. With looming tariffs on key imports and exports, small businesses must brace for financial turbulence

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Accounting Tips, Bookkeeping Best Practices, Business, Business Advisor, Business Risk, Cashflow, Financial Automation, Financial Literacy, Small Business Success, SME Tools and Technology

How Financial Literacy and Jazoodle Drive Small Business Success

December 2, 2024 Andrew Paton-Smith No comments yet

In today’s fast-paced business world, financial literacy isn’t just an added advantage—it’s the foundation of success. A recent study, “Financial Literacy of Entrepreneurs and Companies’ Performance” sheds light on how entrepreneurs’ financial behaviors drive their companies’ performance.

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Business, Business Advisor, Business Performance Management, Cashflow, Financial Metrics for SMBs, Operational Efficiency, Profitability Analysis, Small Business Finance

Why Tracking Your Gross Profit Margin is Essential for SMBs: A Key Financial Metric for Small Business Management

October 3, 2024 Andrew Paton-Smith No comments yet

Tracking your gross profit margin (GPM) is one of the most crucial financial metrics for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). GPM helps business owners understand how efficiently they manage production costs in relation to revenue, providing insights into profitability and pricing strategy. A healthy GPM ensures that your business is retaining enough profit after covering the cost of goods sold (COGS) to sustain operations and plan for future growth.

However, it’s essential to recognize that gross profit margin and cash flow are different. While GPM reflects profitability, cash flow measures the money moving in and out of the business. Strong profit margins don’t always guarantee strong cash flow, so SMB owners need to monitor both closely.

By consistently tracking GPM and understanding how it impacts cash flow, SMBs can improve financial health, plan for sustainable growth, and remain competitive in their industries.

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Bureaucracy and Regulation, Business, Business Advisor, Business Risk, Freedom of Speech and Business, Geopolitics and Business, Global Business Environment, Government and Policy Impact

Reflection: Geopolitics And Business

September 19, 2024 Andrew Paton-Smith No comments yet

The world is changing massively, and not least, the geopolitical landscape. With elections due soon in the USA, and AUS, and recent landslide election of the Labour government, the impact to small and medium businesses could be big

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Business, Business Advisor, Business Advisory Services, Cash Flow Optimization, Cashflow, Financial Management for SMBs, Performance Improvement, Small Business Strategy

Business Advice. The Little Changes Can Make A Big Difference

May 30, 2024 Andrew Paton-Smith No comments yet

Intro Australia has been in a per capita recession for several months. Some businesses are thriving, while others, particularly those dependent on discretionary spending, are struggling. As accountants, your skills are critical in both scenarios. Business Advice: The Power of 1% Scenario 1 – Your client’s crushing it Your client’s gross and net margins are […]

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Business Advisor, Cash Flow Considerations, Cashflow, Financial Planning for Hiring, Insights, SMB Growth Strategies, Workforce Planning

Is Now The Right Time To Hire New Employees?

February 28, 2024 Andrew Paton-Smith No comments yet

Deciding the right time to take on new employees for small and medium businesses is tough. In this article we go through the easy steps in assessing if hiring now is the right time for you.

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Business, Business Performance Metrics, Business Risk, Cash Flow Management, Cashflow, Financial Health Monitoring, Financial Planning and Analysis

What are the 5 business numbers that warn you of future cashflow problems?

May 29, 2023 Andrew Paton-Smith No comments yet

What are the 5 business numbers that warn you of future cashflow problems? Many businesses have been in this situation – sales are great, there’s money in the bank, and yet, 6 months later, you’re struggling to finance your operations despite record sales within your business. The trouble is, you neither have the time, nor […]

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Business, Economic Volatility Management, Global Economic Challenges, Inflation Impact on SMBs, Small Business Resilience

When the going gets tough, the tough get going

March 20, 2023 Andrew Paton-Smith Comments Off on When the going gets tough, the tough get going

Inflationary pressures are building in many economies. What do they mean for businesses and the skills needed from Accountants and Advisors in providing solid advice to their clients?

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Accounting Industry News, Business Risk, Corporate Governance, Governance, Jazoodle, Leadership Appointments, Strategic Partnerships

Mark Holton Joins Jazoodle As Board Advisor

September 21, 2022 Andrew Paton-Smith No comments yet

Mark Holton Joins Jazoodle As Board Advisor Jazoodle is delighted to announce the appointment of Mark Holton as board advisor to Jazoodle’s existing executive team and board. Mark is a company director, Chairman, and co founder of Smithink, a specialist accounting practice business advisor. Mark brings 35 years successful business experience to Jazoodle.  “We are […]

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Alternative Lending Solutions, Business, Business Loans and Credit, Business Risk, Cashflow, Financial Planning for SMEs, Small Business Financing

Business Financing Options For US Businesses

February 21, 2022 Andrew Paton-Smith No comments yet

Entrepreneurs and business owners are the financial life blood of communities, and wider economies in the provision of products and services.  According to the Small Business Administration (SBA) small businesses in the USA represent 99.9% of employers and thus are the top employer for millions of people. This is similar to most advanced economies, such […]

How Will inflation affect my business?,How will inflation affect my business,Business and inflation,Inflation Effects on Business Operations,Navigating Economic Uncertainty for SMEs,Financial Health Monitoring During Inflation,Strategic Business Planning in Inflationary Times,Cash Flow Forecasting Amid Economic Changes
Business, Business Risk, Cashflow, Economic Impact on Small Businesses, Governance, Inflation and Business Strategy, SME Financial Planning

Inflationary Pressure – How This May Affect Business

October 23, 2021 Andrew Paton-Smith No comments yet

Inflation Effects on Business Operations – Forward Earlier this year, we wrote an article about business complacency and testing your business’ resiliency as we looked to exit the global Covid19 pandemic. One of the areas of concern, following pandemic recovery, was significant pressures foreseen in the global economy, beautifully argued by Charles Goodhart, Manoj Pradhan (2020). […]

Business, Business Risk

Why business lockdowns?

June 29, 2021 Andrew Paton-Smith No comments yet

Business Lockdowns: Something Doesn’t Add Up With The Covid Numbers The Devastation To Business From Lockdown May Not Be Justified On Saturday, NSW Health gave advice to the NSW Premier that the potential for an uncontrolled spread of Covid 19 in Greater Sydney was great, and business lockdowns were put into place. Reading twitter, many […]

Lana Ratapu,Lana-Ratapu,Small Business Coaching,Strategic Business Advisory,Financial Health Monitoring for SMEs,Leadership Development in Small Businesses,Governance Strategies for SMEs
Business Advisor, Financial Health and Performance, Leadership and Governance, SME Coaching and Mentorship, Strategic Business Planning

Spotlight On Lana Ratapu

May 19, 2021 Andrew Paton-Smith No comments yet

Jazoodle has an amazing network of truly gifted Business Advisors, Accountants, and Business Coaches. Here, we talk with Lana Ratapu, the Regional Lead of the Trusted Advisors Network. About Lana Ratapu Lana has spent around 30 years coaching and advising small, medium and large businesses and in the ‘real world’. Lana is  intimate with the […]

Business Health Score,Financial Performance Metrics,SME Financial Planning,Business Valuation Tools,Cash Flow Forecasting,Strategic Financial Planning,KPI Tracking,Business Performance Dashboard,Financial Health Assessment,SME Growth Strategies
Business, Business Advisor, Cash Flow Forecasting, Governance, Guides, Jazoodle

How Do You Know If Your Business Is Healthy?

May 13, 2021 Andrew Paton-Smith No comments yet

Great, you’ve got your business health score, but how do you know if your business is healthy? what does it mean and what can you do to improve it? This post will make you an expert in minutes Business Health Score The business health score is the first place to start in assessing how your […]

Graphic of man falling asleep at wheel of car - analogy to complacency in business
Business, Business Advisor, business growth strategies, Business Risk, Cashflow, cashflow forecasting, Insights, KPI Monitoring, SME Financial Planning, Strategic Business Management, Strategic Business Planning, strategic financial planning

Identifying The Risks Building Within Your Business

March 25, 2021 Andrew Paton-Smith No comments yet

Identifying risks building within your business Is Your Business Becoming Complacent? A couple of bits of news really piqued our interest this week and got us thinking. The first, a survey by CPA Australia into the effects of Covid on Australian businesses. The findings were from a survey of over 4000 Australian businesses. Its conclusions […]

Business Podcasts,Entrepreneur Interviews,SME Financial Health,Strategic Planning,Business Performance Metrics,Startup Challenges,Financial Forecasting,Business Advisory,SME Growth Strategies,Business Valuation
Business, Business Advisor, Business Performance Metrics, Business Podcasts, Business Risk, Entrepreneur Insights, Governance, Insights, SME Financial Planning, Strategic Business Management

The Founder’s Podcast Wrapper

November 25, 2020 Andrew Paton-Smith No comments yet

Business Podcast Summary To save you time and effort (it’s what we do!) here’s a summary with links to our initial podcast series, originally created in 2021 Episode 1 Alan Jones Serial entrepreneur, investor, mentor Episode 2 Caleb Gibbins (CEO Cache) and Sean Greenhaugh (CEO TimeChi) Episode 3 Gordon Whitehead Business Advisor Episode 4 Brendan […]

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Business, Business Advisor, Business Health Assessment, Business Risk, Cash Flow Forecasting, Cashflow, cashflow forecasting, Governance, Guides, KPI Monitoring, SME Financial Planning, Strategic Business Management

Is Your Business Going To Be OK?

October 14, 2020 Andrew Paton-Smith No comments yet

Recent ABS statistics showed that between 60 and 70% of all businesses do not make it to their 5th birthday. Think of all that blood, sweat and tears within those businesses. There are a myriad of reasons for such levels. Two of the key reasons are 1) poor financial spatial awareness and 2) inadequate financial planning and forecasting. As a company, these […]

Business Performance Metrics,SME Financial Planning,Cash Flow Management,KPI Monitoring,Strategic Business Management,Financial Health Indicators,Monthly Business Review,Operational Efficiency,Business Sustainability,Financial Forecasting,6-business-indicators-you-should-check-every-month
Business, Business Advisor, Business Performance Metrics, Business Risk, Cashflow, Cashflow Management, Governance, Insights, Jazoodle, KPI Monitoring, SME Financial Planning, Strategic Business Management

6 Business Indicators You Should Check Every Month

October 7, 2020 Andrew Paton-Smith No comments yet

If, like thousands of other business owners, you are at times unable to see the wood through the trees, there’s some little tricks that you can use to ensure your business is on track – and these will only take a few seconds each month. We recommend checking at least every month, after closing your […]

Corporate Zombiism,Zombie Companies,Business Risk Assessment,Financial Health Monitoring,Strategic Business Management,SME Financial Planning,Corporate Governance,Debt Management Strategies,Business Sustainability,KPI Monitoring,corporate-zombiism
Business, Business Advisor, Business Risk, Corporate Governance, Financial Health Monitoring, Governance, SME Financial Planning, Strategic Business Management

Corporate Zombiism

July 6, 2020 Andrew Paton-Smith No comments yet

Corporate Zombiism According to Banerjee and Hoffman, (2018) a Zombie company is an established company that is being artificially kept alive and unable to service its mounting debts. Their key takeways from their research were: [Corporate Zombiism appears]: “ to be linked to reduced financial pressure, reflecting in part the effects of lower interest rates. […]

Uncategorized

The Times, They Are A Changin’…

June 29, 2020 Andrew Paton-Smith No comments yet

Come gather ’round people Wherever you roam And admit that the waters Around you have grown And accept it that soon You’ll be drenched to the bone If your time to you is worth savin’ Then you better start swimmin’ or you’ll sink like a stone For the times they are a-changin’ Bob Dylan 1963 […]

Business, Governance

How Independence Can Add Value To Your Board And Business

September 9, 2019 Andrew Paton-Smith No comments yet

In recent years, best practice has stated that having at least some independence on your board will bring a number of benefits to your business. Some of these are listed below: Diversity of thinking Objectivity of thought A natural challenge to groupthink A formality and rigidity to board meetings Bring in outside skills to the […]

Business, Business Advisor, Governance

Evolving Governance For Your Evolving Startup

September 3, 2019 Andrew Paton-Smith No comments yet

Forward Companies, like people, evolve over time. As your startup grows, so will the mechanisms and processes in which it operates, in order to prosper. This is summarised on the below. We are arguing, that strong governance of your startup is critical during all the stages of startup, however, the exact form of governance, the […]

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How AI Will DIsrupt The Accountancy And Business Advisory Profession

August 28, 2019 Andrew Paton-Smith No comments yet

In an article in the UK’s Real Business publication, our Founder and CEO discusses how AI may affect accountancy and business advisory The role of an accountant or business advisor is fundamentally one of an expert whom collates, examines, and presents data about a business and its environment. Then his or her skills are used […]

Business, Business Risk, Governance, Insights

News: Jazoodle’s Founder at UNSW Founders 10X Accelerator Demo Night

August 28, 2019 Andrew Paton-Smith No comments yet

Watch Jazoodle and the UNSW Founders 10X Demo in Action Jazoodle were recently featured by IT Wire as part of the coverage from journalist Alex Zaharov-Reutt who has been a long term fan of Jazoodle and our platform. Great write up of all of our fellow cohort, thank you Alex!https://youtu.be/ACxO3pm3iTw

Business, Governance, Jazoodle

Jazoodle’s founders featured in Anglia Ruskin University’s Aspects Magazine

August 26, 2019 Andrew Paton-Smith No comments yet
Business, Business Advisor, Business Risk, Cashflow, Insights

5 things you wished your accounting system could do…

May 23, 2019 Andrew Paton-Smith No comments yet

Introduction Cloud Accounting software, such as Xero, Quickbooks, and MYOB have revolutionised the way that organisations manage, plan and understand their businesses. One of the key differences between Cloud Accounting and traditional Server or desktop based accounting is that businesses can now easily socialise their business data to their chosen business professional, such as accountant […]

Business, Business Risk, Cashflow, Governance

5 Capabilities Small Business Needs To Make It To Their 4th Year.

March 5, 2019 Andrew Paton-Smith No comments yet

Introduction Here in NSW, Australia, October 1st marks the start of Small Business Month. It is the start of a month of activities and education aimed at improving the lot of small business owners and directors, of celebrating the powerhouse that small and medium businesses are, and ensuring that owners, directors, and all stakeholders of SMEs […]

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Recent posts

  • Picture of an office boardroom with blue sky looking out of the windows
    Business Valuation as Strategy: How a Company Valuation Can Drive Growth and Smarter Advisory
  • know your numbers blog. Picture of a professional business woman with grey background and blue blouse
    Understand Your Business Health in 60 Seconds with a KPI Business Dashboard
  • Image of Donald Trump Signing Tariffs
    The Impact of Trade Tariffs on Small Businesses’ Financial Health

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