Build Your Budget Strategy Skills
Over the past six years working with Australian businesses, I've watched hundreds of people go from feeling completely lost with their numbers to actually understanding where their money goes. This program isn't about making you an accountant. It's about giving you the tools to make better decisions with your business budget.
Explore Starting September 2025
What We Actually Cover
Look, I'm not going to promise you'll become a financial wizard overnight. But I can tell you what worked for people like Harlen, who ran a small landscaping business and had no idea why he was always broke despite being busy. Or Elspeth, who thought she was doing great until she realized she'd been losing money on half her services.
The program runs for eight months starting in September 2025. We meet twice a month, and between sessions you'll work on your actual business numbers.
- Understanding where your money actually goes
- Comparing your costs to similar businesses
- Finding patterns in your spending
- Building budgets that make sense for your situation
How the Program Unfolds
Getting Your Numbers Organized
This part can be messy. We start by collecting all your financial information and figuring out what you actually spend money on. Most people discover they have subscriptions they forgot about or costs they've been ignoring. Takes about six weeks.
Understanding Industry Standards
Here's where it gets interesting. We compare your numbers to businesses similar to yours. Not to make you feel bad, but to show you where opportunities might be hiding. Sometimes you're spending way more than needed on certain things. Other times, you're actually doing better than you thought.
Building Your Framework
Now we create a budget that fits your actual business. Not some template from the internet, but something based on your real numbers and goals. This takes time because we adjust it as we go. What works in theory doesn't always work in practice.
Making It Stick
The final stretch focuses on keeping these habits going after the program ends. We set up simple tracking systems and regular review processes. The goal is for you to keep this going without needing constant help.
Who Runs These Sessions
Crispin Rutherford
Financial Analysis
Spent twelve years working with small manufacturing businesses across Queensland. Started out doing tax prep but realized most people needed help understanding their numbers before tax time. Now focuses on teaching business owners how to read their own financial stories.
Thessaly Drummond
Budget Planning
Worked in retail management for years before switching to financial consulting. Her background helps because she understands the pressure of managing expenses when every dollar counts. Specializes in helping service-based businesses figure out their true costs.
Common Questions
What if my books are a complete mess?
That's actually pretty normal. Part of the first phase involves organizing your information. We've worked with people who had receipts in shoeboxes and others who'd never reconciled a bank statement. Takes longer to get started, but it's manageable. Contact us to talk through your specific situation.
How much time does this actually take?
Expect about four to six hours per week. That includes the sessions and working on your numbers between meetings. Some weeks need more time, especially at the start when you're collecting data. Check our study materials for detailed time breakdowns.
Do I need special software or tools?
Not really. Most people use spreadsheets, though some prefer accounting software they already have. We don't require specific tools because the concepts work regardless of the platform. More important is understanding the principles than mastering particular software.
When does the next cohort start?
September 2025. We take a maximum of sixteen participants to keep sessions manageable. People usually decide by July whether they're joining. Visit our statistics page to see details from previous groups.