Team Member Ready for Placement

Matt is a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy graduate who has recently completed his initial training and testing with Affordable Staff. He enjoys anime, photography, badminton, and swimming, and is eager to begin a professional career in the Australian Accounting space. With experience in customer service and bookkeeping, he brings strong communication skills and a solid foundational understanding of financial processes. He is committed to accuracy, continuous learning, and delivering quality work to support clients effectively.

Onboarding Training and Assessment

At Affordable Staff, we ensure that every team member possesses a robust understanding of administrative tasks while also having a deep appreciation and comprehension of Australian business practices and cultural nuances. This dual focus ensures they are exceptionally well-prepared to support their clients effectively. All our VAs begin with general admin training that focuses on real estate, providing them with valuable context for working with Australians and a comprehensive overview of general admin competencies. This foundational training ensures that trainees are versatile and capable of supporting a wide range of administrative tasks.

Our training program for Accounts Virtual Assistants (VAs) encompasses a comprehensive suite of topics essential for proficient financial administration. The curriculum begins with foundational bookkeeping tests and a basic accounting refresher, followed by specialised modules on an introduction to Australian accounting and taxation. Trainees delve into business activities and entity reporting within Australia, learn the basics of accounting ledgers, and get acquainted with various accounting software, including Xero and MYOB. The program includes detailed steps for setting up and using these tools, covering everything from bank feeds to payroll compliance and invoice creation. VAs gain hands-on experience by processing various tasks in Xero, ensuring practical application of their learning.

Additionally, the training addresses taxation topics, including types of taxes, regulations, and laws specific to individuals and businesses in Australia. The final segment includes a thorough assessment and certifications in Xero and MYOB, ensuring that trainees are well-prepared for real-world accounting tasks.

This comprehensive approach ensures our VAs are highly skilled in both general administrative support and specialised accounting functions, making them invaluable assets to their clients.

Affordable Staff Tools Training

Tools Training is a crucial part of our training program, ensuring our team members gain proficiency in essential software used in daily operations. Our team members are introduced to LastPass for password management, Outlook for email and calendar organisation, TechSmith for capturing and recording, Hubstaff for time tracking, Zoom and Teams for virtual communication, OneDrive for file management, and Trello for project management.

For those completing our Accounting Foundations course, we place a significant emphasis on Xero and MYOB. Accounting VAs spend considerable time honing their skills through practice and repetition using these tools, ensuring they become highly adept and efficient.

Additional Tools Proficiency

Prior to our onboarding training, Matt had already gained experience and knowledge in the following tools:

• Advanced: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint; Canva
• Practical Application: Adobe Photoshop
• Limited Experience: OneDrive, Pixlr
• Basic Knowledge: MS Outlook, Adobe After Effects

Additional Skills and Notable Experience

Before joining Affordable Staff, he gained practical experience through internships and employment roles in accounting and customer service. His background has allowed him to build relevant and transferable skills that support his capabilities as an accounting professional.

Key skills and experience include:

• Strong client communication from his role as a customer service representative assisting clients via phone
• Bookkeeping experience manually recording financial transactions
• Data entry and document preparation using spreadsheets and MS Word
• Tax computation and involvement with field audits during his accounting internship
• Reporting and presenting findings during audit engagements
• Handling confidential records with high attention to detail
• Time management skills developed while balancing work and academic requirements
• Use of QuickBooks and Tax software during accounting internship

Learning Ability and Work Proficiency

Matt is an analytical and motivated learner who actively seeks opportunities to broaden his knowledge. He is articulate in both written and spoken communication and listens attentively to instructions. While he may initially require guidance when learning new processes, he quickly adapts and works efficiently once familiar. He is organised, detail-oriented, and committed to producing accurate and high-quality work.

Interpersonal Skills and Personal Characteristics

He maintains a calm and composed work style, demonstrating responsibility and a strong willingness to learn. He interacts well with others and contributes positively to team environments through his friendly and cooperative nature. He is earnest, resourceful, and shows genuine interest in performing well, continually asking questions to ensure clarity and success in his tasks.

Suitability

He is highly suitable for Accounts Virtual Assistant roles, including general accounts administration, financial data entry, and client communication within the Australian Accounting space.

Why Matt is Suitable for the Role

Matt’s educational background in accountancy, combined with his practical experience in bookkeeping, customer service, and financial administration, makes him a strong fit for accounting support roles. His accuracy in handling financial information, excellent communication skills, and strong adaptability give him the core foundation needed to perform effectively in an Australian accounting environment. His eagerness to learn and grow further enhances his value to clients seeking a dedicated and capable Accounting VA.