Carly Vanderburg – Vander Books
Carly Vanderburg, BAS Agent/Bookkeeper
Community and Background:
Can you tell us a bit about your journey to the Berry/Picton/Coledale community? How did you end up here and what attracted you to this community?
I have lived in both the Illawarra and the Shoalhaven, Berry has always been a favourite place of mine with a beautiful small town community. My virtual membership with WorkLife has made it possible for me to have a presence in the local area.
Business and Entrepreneurship:
Tell us about your work. How and when did you decide to start it, and what motivated you to take the plunge into entrepreneurship or remote work?
Before I started my own bookkeeping business, I spent a lot of time in the banking world, focusing on lending and sales. While I enjoyed the work, I quickly realized my true passion was in bookkeeping and helping businesses manage their finances. So, in 2020, I took the leap and launched Vander Books.
Vander Books offers bookkeeping and BAS services to businesses in the Shoalhaven and South Coast, as well as remotely across Australia. My goal is simple: to take the stress out of financial reporting for business owners so they can focus on what they do best—running their business.
I’ve had the privilege of working with a diverse range of clients, from construction and trades to retail, hospitality, and allied health. What drives me is helping each of them reach their goals and seeing their businesses thrive. I’m always staying up-to-date with the latest tech, software, and tools because modern bookkeeping isn’t just about crunching numbers—it’s about finding smart, efficient ways to help clients streamline their finances and daily operations.
What does work-life balance look like for you? How do you manage the demands of work while ensuring time for family and personal life?
I have learnt to delegate and let go. Having two very young children, I spent the recent years thinking I could manage it all. The best thing I ever did was employ two bookkeepers, who now play predominant roles in my business. It allows me to be present, energised and have the time to also work on larger, more productive tasks for my business.
In your industry, what recent disruptions or transitions have had the most significant impact on your business?
I think most bookkeepers would agree that the COVID-19 pandemic had a huge impact on our industry. Supporting small business clients during COVID-19 by managing the “Jobkeeper” government support payments was extremely taxing (pardon the pun!). There was a lot of compliance around eligibility and payments, and we spent very long hours every day ensuring claims were calculated and lodged so our clients could receive cashflow support. We were emotional support for a lot of small businesses who struggled to keep their businesses afloat during that time.
Personal Life:
Outside of work, what are your hobbies and passions? How do you like to spend your time when you’re not focused on business or family?
Having a one year old and a two year old means most of my time is spent doing family activities. We have recently entered the world of the great outdoors and are purchasing a caravan. We can’t wait to create a little home away from home and go on family adventures exploring beautiful places!
Are there any books or podcasts you’ve found particularly inspiring or informative recently? Any recommendations for the WorkLife community?
My podcasts currently revolve around caravanning and travelling Australia. Otherwise I usually listen to Follow the Money podcast.
How do you maintain boundaries between work and personal life? Any top tips?
The best thing I did from the beginning was have a separate work phone. I know this doesn’t work for everyone, but being able to shut my phone away in the office when I finish work has allowed me to be present with my family and keep that boundary.
Home and Lifestyle:
What is your taste like? Do you have a favourite item of furniture or object in your home? Anything that has special significance or tells a story about you?
My walnut office desk, planner and my candles. I feel your office or workspace should have good ‘feng shui’ so that you feel energised and can work productively!
What do you like/appreciate about the design at WorkLife? Any favourite touches or things that make you feel at home when you are at work?
I love the natural lighting and decor at WorkLife. It creates a calm and relaxed energy. The facilities are also great and inviting for my clients when I hold meetings.
If you were to showcase the best of the local lifestyle to visiting friends, where would you take them and why?
The coastline of the Shoalhaven is spectacular. There are a lot of hidden gems, the drive itself is beautiful. I highly recommend South on Albany restaurant in Berry! The food is phenomenal.
Productivity and Time Management:
What’s your go-to productivity hack? How do you stay organised and efficient, especially with multiple responsibilities?
We use a family calendar app so we can schedule and share our appointments and reminders. I also highly recommend diary entry/journaling daily. This doesn’t have to be detailed or time consuming, just a “to do” list and intentions for the day. It’s important to be realistic, I am still learning myself not to set myself too many tasks for one day. It’s important to remember, we all fall off the wagon, you just have to get back on!
Benefits of WorkLife Membership:
Lastly, what’s been the most valuable aspect of being a member at WorkLife for you and your work?
As I mainly operate from my home office it is great to have an optional space to hold client or staff meetings and receive paperwork from clients if required. I have also used the Coledale WorkLife meeting room in the past. Berry is a beautiful location so I am looking forward to meeting more of the regular professionals that are members there, as well as attending some of the WorkLife events throughout the year.