Philippa Rickards – Visionary Woman Founder to Watch — 2026

Women Story
Jan 18
3 min read

Category: Bookkeeping · BAS & Payroll Services · Small Business Advisory · Financial Operations · SME Enablement

Philippa Rickards

Founder, My Bookkeeping Buddy

📍 Based in: Geelong, Victoria, Australia

“Excellence isn’t a one-time action — it’s a habit built through systems, clarity, and care.”

For more than two decades, Philippa Rickards has been quietly doing the work that keeps small businesses alive, compliant, and confident. While many founders chase scale and visibility, Philippa has focused on something far more enduring: helping business owners regain control of their time, finances, and peace of mind.

Through My Bookkeeping Buddy, she has built a boutique, trust-led practice that blends bookkeeping, BAS compliance, payroll, and business advisory into one steady, reliable partnership for SMEs across Australia.

Her work reflects a rare combination of technical depth, operational experience, and human-first advisory—making her a cornerstone for businesses that want to grow sustainably without burning out.

Company Overview

Company Name: My Bookkeeping Buddy

Industry: Accounting · Bookkeeping · Payroll · Business Advisory

Headquarters: Geelong, Victoria, Australia

Service Model: Mobile & Online (Australia-wide)

Website: https://www.mybookkeepingbuddy.com.au

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philippajrickards/

What the Company Does

My Bookkeeping Buddy partners with small and medium-sized businesses to manage the entire financial operations backbone, allowing owners to focus on growth and life beyond the business.

Core services include:

Bookkeeping & reconciliations
Payroll, superannuation & compliance
BAS, IAS & TPAR lodgements
Business advisory & financial health reviews
Cashflow optimisation & budgeting
Cloud accounting setup & optimisation (Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks)
Process improvement & operational troubleshooting

Philippa and her team physically service Geelong, Melbourne, and Ballarat, while supporting clients remotely across Australia.

A Practitioner Built on Experience, Not Theory

What sets Philippa apart is the depth of her lived business experience:

Over 30 years in business administration and management
25 years owning and running her own business
Experience inside accounting firms, growing bookkeeping revenue streams
Practice management, software implementation, and systems rollout
Coaching & mentoring other bookkeepers
Hands-on expertise across payroll, HR, inventory, logistics, training, and compliance

This breadth allows Philippa to see beyond the numbers—understanding how financial data connects directly to decision-making, stress levels, and business sustainability.

Technology-Enabled, Human-Led

My Bookkeeping Buddy embraces modern cloud accounting while keeping advice deeply personal.

Supported platforms and tools include:

Xero
MYOB
QuickBooks Online
Hubdoc
ServiceM8
Integrated cloud reporting & dashboards

The goal is simple: real-time clarity without complexity, so business owners always know where they stand.

Key Achievements & Milestones

🏆 Finalist – Geelong Business Excellence Awards - Recognised for service quality, professionalism, and contribution to the local business ecosystem.

📊 25+ Years Supporting SMEs - A long-standing track record of helping businesses stay compliant, profitable, and resilient.

🧠 Trusted Advisor Status - Serves not just as a bookkeeper, but as a financial sounding board and business partner.

⏱️ Time Back for Business Owners - Built a practice centred on giving founders back their most valuable asset: time.

Awards & Recognition

🏅 Finalist – Geelong Business Excellence Awards

Recognition earned through consistent delivery, strong client relationships, and operational excellence rather than marketing noise.

Why She’s One to Watch in 2026

Philippa Rickards is one to watch in 2026 because the next era of small business success will not be driven by hype—but by financial clarity, compliance confidence, and sustainable systems.

As SMEs face: