Albany’s Joanne Tindale wins three LUCA awards, named national certified professional bookkeeper of the year

Albany’s Joanne Tindale has been named Australia’s certified professional bookkeeper of the year, taking home a major national title in a field often dominated by big-city firms. Ms Tindale also collected gongs for the small professional practice of the year, and for service to bookkeeping/advocate of the year at the 2025 Luca Awards in Melbourne on October 30. The individual award is the highest honour presented by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers. Ms Tindale runs In Control Bookkeeping from her office on Proudlove Parade, and said she was delighted to be recognised at a national level again, after being the practice owner of the year in 2024. “Winning these awards still feels surreal — three national awards, wow!” she said. “It honestly means the world. “Running a professional bookkeeping practice isn’t easy. “It’s long hours, hard calls, and plenty of moments where you question if you’re getting it right. “And all while constantly having to prove your worth in a business world that doesn’t always understand the difference between what we do and what accountants do. “But it’s also community, purpose, and that quiet pride of knowing you’ve genuinely made a difference.” She was also a finalist in the Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Great Southern Business Awards earlier this month, nominated in the business person of the year category, as was her sister Jen Bane, chief executive of Albany’s Historic Whaling Station. Ms Tindale said she wanted to make sure people understood bookkeeping was more than data entry. “I love what I do, and I’ll never stop fighting for our profession to be seen for what it truly is,” she said. “We’re not just data entry, we’re business activity statement agents, educators, problem-solvers, and the steady hands that keep businesses running. “That’s why I do it, because bookkeeping matters more than most people realise.”