Line & The Clouds

The idea for Counting Clouds came about in 2010/11 when I was working at the Nicholas Building in Melbourne as a studio assistant and admin all rounder for a designer. I was learning to use this new accounting program called Xero and flirting with paperless office solutions for creative micro and small businesses. I wanted to work with creatives, artists and musicians and to be able to work from home and balance new motherhood with flexible working hours. I studied bookkeeping and accounting, worked a few jobs to learn the ropes then went out on my own in 2014 working with a handful of clients; some whom are still on the list today.

Bern has been working with me since 2015! She's my ROCK and looks after all of our music clients as well a bunch of our business clients.

I've known Annie since the early 2000's when I was wild and free and playing in a band. When Counting Clouds started really taking shape in 2017 Annie joined us as administrator and social media manager she's been keeping us organised and regularly posting on Instagram ever since.

I met Jo briefly in 2013 when I started working at a music bookkeeping and business management firm. She left soon after to chase love and career opportunities in Ireland. When she returned to Australia she mentioned to Bern that she was available if there was any work going. Late last year she came aboard and she has been instrumental in building a solid work-flow system, documenting processes and keeping the Boss Lady to task of working ON the business not just IN the business.

Lauren used to review my BAS work when I was first contracting with 4 clients! We've worked together in the past, tag-teaming in a job back in 2013. Lauren is another rare combination of creative soul with a strong accounting background. She is excellent with Xero and getting into the nitty gritty. Lauren's my go-to for catch-up rescue jobs and anything e-commerce.

PAYROLL QUEEN and overall actual legend, Kelly has been with us for 2 years now and we're incredibly lucky to have her. She's got years of experience running her own business (a boutique hotel in Hobart), is brilliant with customer service not to mention a Xero gun too.

Kaye is in charge of our growing team in the Philippines. She joined the Clouds just before the pandemic took hold of the world in 2020. When we all moved home and everything became virtual, she quickly became a valued member of the team. Kaye is an experienced accountant and I don't think any of the rest of the team would be offended if I said, she works harder than ALL of us.

Analyn joined our team in May this year. A qualified bookkeeper, Analyn has been learning even more working with her 'Team Phil' counterpart, Kaye, while also doing further training in Xero and Dext. Analyn gets up VERY early to join our morning Zoom meetings, what with the time difference between us. It’s just one of many examples of her dedication and contribution to the Counting Clouds team.

Laura is our newest recruit, joining us only last month. Laura has 15 years of bookkeeping experience and has hit the ground running here at Counting Clouds working closely with me to help with my client load.

Erin emailed me on a whim a few months ago, to see if I was hiring. The stars were aligned and I was indeed hiring! Erin is an artist in her own right and her journey into bookkeeping is not unlike my own. She understands the arts and she's got experience with grants and public funding. Since starting in August she's been working closely with Bernadette and the future is looking bright!