Straight from the heart of Australia, I Count Beans is here to pull back the curtain on the world of accounting and bookkeeping. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting to brew your first business idea, we’re sharing the knowledge you need to master your margins and scale with confidence.
With electricity prices on everyone’s minds, solar can seem like an obvious investment. But when is the right time to make the switch, and will it really save you money?
In this episode of the I Count Beans Podcast, we’re joined by a solar expert from SAE Group to break down what homeowners need to know before investing in solar, from choosing the right installer to understanding the true costs and potential savings.
💡 In this episode, we explore:
When is the right time for a homeowner to get solar?
What should you look for when comparing solar systems and quotes?
Does solar really make your electricity expenses cheaper?
Who should you trust to install your solar system?
Do you actually need a battery?
Are solar batteries affordable, and are they worth the extra investment?
Whether you’re thinking about getting solar, comparing quotes or simply wondering if the numbers stack up, this episode will help you understand what to consider before making the investment.
Interested in exploring solar for your home or business? Get in touch with SAE Group to learn more about their solar and battery solutions.
🌐 Website: Solar, Batteries & EV Charging | SAE Group (https://saegroup.com.au/)
📞 Phone: 1300 182 050
📧 Email: info@saegroup.com.au (mailto:info@saegroup.com.au)
🎙️ About the I Count Beans Podcast
We have practical conversations about business, money and making informed financial decisions to help you feel more confident managing your finances.
Subscribe to the I Count Beans Podcast on YouTube and Spotify for more conversations like this.
#ICountBeans #ICountBeansPodcast #SAEGroup #SolarEnergy #SolarPanels #SolarBattery #Homeowners #MoneyTips #CostOfLiving
6 Oct 2026
How to Make Sure You Get Paid | Debt Recovery for Small Business
Could the customer you’re excited to win become the invoice you regret?
Winning work is only part of running a business. Getting paid—and understanding the risk before you say yes—is another.
Angela McDonald, Director of Optimum Recoveries, joins I Count Beans for a candid conversation about debt prevention, unpaid invoices and the cash flow pressures facing Australian business owners.
She shares why she recommends a credit check before the pitch, discusses a case involving ChatGPT-generated terms that missed important protections, and explains why recovering a debt is sometimes less sensible than walking away.
The conversation also moves into the everyday accounting and bookkeeping habits behind getting paid: timely invoicing, regular debtor reviews, clear payment processes and understanding where cash actually goes.
In this episode:
■ Can your business afford the risk of taking on a particular customer?
■ Why payment terms should reflect your business rather than simply follow the industry.
■ Credit checks, customer monitoring and warning signs.
■ The PPSR and the importance of appropriate advice.
■ Why delaying an invoice can delay your cash flow.
■ Cash flow forecasting and the reports business owners can overlook.
■ Following up without immediately damaging the customer relationship.
■ Knowing when to seek help—and when further recovery spending may not make sense.
A practical conversation for Australian small business owners, tradies, service businesses, accountants and bookkeepers who want to understand what happens between making a sale and receiving the money.
Follow the podcast for more conversations about business, accounting and cash flow in Australia.
Connect with Angela and Optimum Recoveries:
https://optimumrecoveries.com.au/ (https://optimumrecoveries.com.au/)
For more information, reach out to I Count Beans Accountants & Bookkeepers:
🌐 https://www.icountbeans.com.au/ (https://www.icountbeans.com.au/)
📲 Follow @icountbeansaccountants:
https://www.instagram.com/icountbeansaccountants/ (https://www.instagram.com/icountbeansaccountants/)
27 Aug 2026
How SAE Group Built an 11-Person Offshore Team to Scale Faster
What could your business achieve if you were no longer buried in administration?
In this episode, we speak with Mel, General Manager of SAE Group, about how the company has used outsourcing to support almost 10 years of sustainable business growth.
SAE Group now has 11 offshore team members—and is already looking for more. Mel shares how the team became an integral part of the business, helping SAE manage demanding workloads, improve internal efficiency and deliver a stronger customer experience.
In this conversation, you’ll discover:
• When a growing business should consider outsourcing
• Why training time can pay itself back quickly
• How to integrate offshore staff with an Australian team
• Why context matters just as much as procedures
• How outsourcing can support recruitment and staff retention
• Why business owners need to step out of the administrative trenches
If you’re wearing too many hats, struggling with recruitment or wondering whether an offshore team could support your next stage of growth, this episode offers an honest, real-world perspective.
Explore SAE Group:
🌐 https://saegroup.com.au/ (https://saegroup.com.au/)
📲 https://www.instagram.com/sae_group/ (https://www.instagram.com/sae_group/)
For more information, reach out to I Count Beans Accountants & Bookkeepers:
🌐 https://www.icountbeans.com.au/ (https://www.icountbeans.com.au/)
📲 Follow @icountbeansaccountants for more accounting, finance and business tips.
Follow the podcast and share this episode with an Australian business owner who needs more time to focus on growth.
4 May 2026
Tips for HOME LOANS in Australia (2026) Getting Finance
Most people assume they’re not ready for a home loan, but the reality is they often just haven’t had the right conversations.
In this episode, we sit down with a mortgage broker and accountant to break down what actually matters when it comes to getting approved for a home loan in Australia.
We cover borrowing capacity, deposits, common mistakes, and what lenders actually look for when assessing your application.
The biggest takeaway? Most people don’t get rejected for a home loan, they just never apply.
If you’re thinking about buying property, this episode will help you understand your position and what to do next.
Mortgage Broker
Instagram: @imdanielendor
Website: https://broker.loanmarket.com.au/loan-market-dan-endor/ (https://broker.loanmarket.com.au/loan-market-dan-endor/)
Accountant
Instagram: @icountbeansaccountants
Website:
https://www.icountbeans.com.au (https://www.icountbeans.com.au)
⏱️ Helpful Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:38 Broker vs Bank: What’s the Difference?
01:39 How Long It Takes to Get Finance Ready
02:46 Why You Should Speak to Your Accountant First
04:04 How Borrowing Capacity Actually Works
05:00 Expenses, Income & What Banks Really Look At
06:11 Why Your Accountant Matters More Than You Think
07:12 When Is the Right Time to Apply?
08:07 Tax Debt & Why It’s a Red Flag
10:24 What Documents You Need for a Home Loan
11:23 Getting Organised Before Applying
12:53 What Is an Accountant’s Declaration?
14:28 How Much Deposit Do You Actually Need?
16:01 Low Deposit & Government Schemes Explained
16:35 Can You Buy With No Deposit? (Guarantor Loans)
18:47 Does It Cost to Use a Broker?
20:11 Offset vs Redraw Explained
21:50 What Is Equity (And How to Use It)
23:06 Risks of Using Equity & Overleveraging
25:38 What Is Refinancing?
26:59 Debt Consolidation & Increasing Borrowing Power
31:28 Why There’s No “One-Size-Fits-All” Loan
32:46 Should You Avoid Big Purchases Before Applying?
33:22 Real Example: How a Jet Ski Could Stop Approval
35:21 The Biggest Mistake Stopping People Buying
36:32 Property Prices & Borrowing Challenges
37:20 First Home vs Investment Strategy (Rentvesting)
38:12 Final Advice: Plan First, Then Apply
2 Apr 2026
Debunking Finance FAQs with Business Accountants & Bookkeepers
Everyone wants to be an entrepreneur.
You’ve probably seen people on social media talking about investing, crypto, or how to start a business… but the reality is, that’s usually the 1% who’ve made it, not the average person.
Today we’re chatting with Martelle and Michael from I Count Beans Accountants & Bookkeepers to look at what the books of the average Australian actually tells us and to de-influence some of the hot topics making the rounds online.
What we cover:
00:38 AI in accounting (pros + risks)
01:16 Cybersecurity + invoice scams
01:49 Social media investing advice
02:24 Why you need a savings buffer
03:17 How to do a spending audit
04:18 Best apps to track expenses
07:53 Getting ready for finance
12:10 Scaling your business
15:37 Credit cards + point hacking
20:43 Accountant vs bookkeeper
24:23 Business software tips
27:59 Outsourcing explained
29:34 Hiring + onboarding remotely
30:21 Our services
30:52 More Information
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