Sally Freeman Stevie Awards Finalist – Digital Transformation

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Sydney, Australia – September 18, 2025

Sally Freeman, Business & Practice Director of Lighthouse Accountants, has been named a Stevie Awards finalist for Digital Transformation in the 2025 Women in Business Awards.

This recognition highlights how a boutique Sydney firm can embrace automation, AI, and cybersecurity while keeping client care at the centre.

Driving Digital Transformation in Accounting

Since March 2024, Sally has led a wide range of projects that reshaped how Lighthouse Accountants works. She introduced a secure client portal, now used by 97% of clients, which allows safe document exchange and task communication. She also automated invoicing, onboarding, and reporting, saving hours of manual effort every week.

Sally implemented advanced protections through Practice Protect giving the team enterprise-level controls such as phishing detection, login monitoring, and user-based app permissions. In addition, she rolled out AI transcription using Fireflies capturing more than 490 client meetings and saving five hours of note-taking each week.

These changes reduced administration time by 40% and gave clients faster, more secure interactions with their accountants.

People and Innovation Together

“Digital transformation is not only about technology,” Sally explains. “It is also about supporting staff and giving clients confidence that their data is safe.” Her approach balanced technical upgrades with flexibility for staff, training opportunities, and a culture of innovation.

Recognition on the Global Stage

The Stevie Awards for Women in Business celebrate women executives and entrepreneurs worldwide. Winners will be announced in New York on November 10, where Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards will be revealed. You can see the full list of finalists on the Stevie Awards website

FAQ

What are the Stevie Awards?
They are international business awards recognising excellence across industries. More than 12,000 entries are received each year from over 70 countries.

Why was Sally Freeman recognised?
She transformed Lighthouse Accountants by introducing automation, AI, and cybersecurity tools, normally only seen in larger firms. These changes saved time, reduced risks, and improved client service.