“I couldn’t go back to the corporate world. Once I had the experience of being my own boss, and the freedom, well, I couldn’t swap it!” says Annamaria Varga. 

Annamaria is an Expense Reduction Analysts franchisee who has not just switched her corporate timetable for a more flexible work schedule; she is creating cost savings for businesses and having a real impact.

“I felt in the corporate world you are pretty much a number; you can’t make a huge impact. Yes you can climb the ladder but there are so many hurdles to overcome to innovate. If you are creative or want to make an impact, it’s hard. 

“With Expense Reduction Analysts (ERA), there is so much variety, and I can mould the business with what resonates with me.”

And what resonates is the not-for-profit sector.

Expense Reduction Analysts provides freedom and flexibility

Annamaria is a Certified Practitioner Accountant and brings experience in banking, engineering, and a decade with the University of Queensland, to her own business.

She even dipped into the world of e-commerce for two years, creating and operating her own online retail store.

“Having the online shop where I was wearing multiple hats, gave me an insight into what it means for someone to give you a platform to operate with, so I started to look for a franchise.

“ERA stood out because it gives you the platform and the framework, and also the flexibility to create your own business, to a size that suits you.”

Annamaria began her franchise harnessing her project management skills in education – building a client base of private schools and TAFEs.

“This was a good foundation for having discussions with clients as I was considered an expert. Then I was able to translate the difficulties of education into not-for-profits, which is close to my heart.

“The CEOs are realising a not-for-profit has to be a profitable business. I bring my professional skills to assist them to become more efficient, and improving processes.

“If I can provide savings for the not-for-profits, that means additional help for kids or other people in need.

Making an impact in not-for-profit sector

“CEOs have a vision of what they want to achieve; for me it’s about understanding their goals, and then translating this into financial numbers to achieve these goals.

“I feel I am adding to the impact, really making a difference.”

Annamaria’s portfolio also includes sporting and RSL clubs, and she has local Queensland businesses and interstate firms among her clients.

Her role is diverse, from project management to handling specific cost saving demands. The ERA business model allows for each franchisee to leverage their own skills, and share their specialist knowledge across the sector to assist other franchisees.

“What is valuable about ERA is that we work as a community. This is not a competition, we are more like a huge family helping each other to achieve our own goals.”

Annamaria specialises in client and project management and the energy sector. “About 80 per cent of my energy work comes from colleagues within ERA,” she says.

“Energy wise, in 2020-21 we were able to save over 40 per cent of costs for clients, and optimise their plans and consolidate suppliers. Even in the current market we are still able to achieve 15-20 per cent savings for clients. That’s a success.

“This year I’m starting to look into food efficiencies, which is a new area for me. The cost of food is so high now and I am working to secure prices for RSL clubs and aged care homes for six months in advance without inflation.”

Expense reduction, partnerships, freedom and flexibility

Annamaria is laser-focused on delivering the highest standard quality of work, and the alignment with a client.

“I create a client relationship for life. For me it’s not about billable hours, it is more like a partnership. I have to feel we are on the same page. I like to deliver above and beyond. Every time I do a report I ensure we value add with extra information. 

“I take clients on a journey, show them a map of how we will optimise costs in multiple phases.”

Originally Annamaria had plans to build a practice and take on full-time staff. “Then I realised maybe it’s not me. I prefer my work to be automised so I can do reports quickly myself.”

And keeping the business small, just employing casuals when needed, allows Annamaria that all-important work flexibility.

“With the flexibility I have, I could never trade now. I have two kids and do school drop offs and can attend sports activities. I can take my laptop and work next to the pool, or at early morning training.

“But I might work after dinner for two or three hours. As my own ERA boss it’s more about efficiency than time spent at work.

“I can spend two hours a day on the laptop while I’m on holiday then be on the beach for the rest of the day.

“My ideal work life balance is spending three months every two years in Europe visiting my parents. ERA has given me the opportunity to shape my life, to work flexibly, and to have an impact. It’s the perfect combination.”