What is client impact, really?

Being shortlisted for the Client Impact award has made me pause and reflect on what that actually looks like in practice.

For me, it’s not one big dramatic moment. It’s lots of small, human shifts that add up to something meaningful:

• A business owner sleeping better because they finally trust their numbers

• Someone opening Xero without that knot in their stomach

• A client realising they can understand their finances: they just needed them explained properly

• Clearing months (sometimes years) of backlog so someone can move forward, not feel stuck

• Helping a client put boundaries in place so their business fits around their life, not the other way round

• Turning “I think I’m doing okay?” into “I know exactly where I stand”

• Supporting someone through a difficult personal period without judgement, just steady financial clarity

• Fixing messy systems so time and energy can go back into the work they actually enjoy

• Helping a client feel confident speaking about finance instead of intimidated

• Being the calm, consistent presence when everything else feels overwhelming

That’s what client impact looks like to me.

Quiet wins. Real people. Long-term change.

Being recognised for this kind of work, alongside others doing the same, genuinely means a lot.

I’m looking forward to a bit of festive cheer at the awards, a chance to celebrate, and to pause for a moment and acknowledge the impact this work can have - not just on numbers, but on people’s confidence, clarity and wellbeing.

I don’t go into these things expecting to win. But I do think it’s important to stop and celebrate progress, community and the support we give one another in this profession.

Wishing everyone shortlisted the very best and a huge thank you to The Bookkeepers’ Collective for creating such a supportive space to grow in.

UPDATE - OMG I won! So honoured to have won the award for Client Impact!