DoughGetters: how changing accounting processes can transform work-life balance

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DoughGetters Accounting isn’t your typical accounting firm. For one thing, Willem Haarhoff and Murray Barnetson, the co-founders, take inspiration from artisanal bakers. It might seem unusual, but it works. They see their business as analogous to baking sourdough bread: you get the highest quality ingredients, you blend them together, and hopefully, the result is something appealing to the consumer. It’s an unconventional approach, but DoughGetters is an unconventional firm – one that offers accounting, bookkeeping and payroll services with a human touch.

The firm started using Xero’s cloud services in 2012 for a number of reasons – most importantly, the way they facilitate great work-life balance for employees and clients.

Here’s how their journey with us has gone so far.

Putting relationships at the centre

Research from Xero indicates that, if accountants had extra time on their hands, over a third would allocate it to their businesses, 75% would work to deliver more value to clients, and 30% would spend more time with their families. With the right cloud software, you can do all three.

Melissa du Plooy, who heads up Digital Accounting at DoughGetters, passionately believes that the company’s relationships are at the heart of the business’ success. Using Xero, it was able to put these relationships first.

DoughGetters was able to easily and conveniently implement remote and flexible working, meaning everyone got more time to spend with their family, friends, and pets. For Willem in particular, this perk was a massive bonus: “We can have breakfast together. I can work any time of the day and night. As long as the work gets done, it really gives me time back in my pocket. It’s wonderful.”

As for nurturing relationships, well, saving time on manual tasks also creates time to visit client offices more often. This gave DoughGetters the space to show off their work on the Xero platform and help clients understand what’s happening in their businesses. It also means they can make more of their beautiful oceanside environment – and encourage clients to do the same. “We’re trying to encourage our clients to build a sustainable lifestyle and embrace the ocean”, says Melissa. When you have the right tools, this is what you’re able to do.”

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