In the coming week, hopeful business people and their teams will be contacted to congratulate them on their finalist status. Celebrations, however, will be short lived, with the judging process beginning.

Businesses will be evaluated anonymously by the Local Business Awards judges. Judges will evaluate finalists businesses on the service experience that they offer, including overall presentation, product quality, value for money and the delivery of quality customer service.

Judging is carried out anonymously so that a typical customer experience from the business is evaluated.

Businesses are also evaluated with a Business Information questionnaire, which encompasses aspects of the business operations not obvious to a customer.

This includes elements such as staff training and motivation, community engagement and environmental sustainability.

Businesses may also submit customer references and written testimonials supporting their Business Information.

A full list of the 2015 Southern Highlands Local Business Awards finalists will be available in the coming weeks at www.thebusinessawards.com.au

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THE Southern Highlands Local Business Awards is made possible only through the unwavering support of Major Sponsors Hume Coal and TrueLocal, and Support Sponsors Harper Entertainment Distribution Services, Clifton Accountants, Boral Cement Berrima, Wingecarribee Shire Council and Southern Highlands Business Women's Network.

Their support of the Local Business Awards program reflects their ongoing commitment to local business in the area, and is essential in the running of the program.

As official Media Partner to the Awards, the Southern Highland News will list the names of all category finalists as a part of the special finalist feature in the coming weeks. A full list of finalists is now available to view at www.thebusinessawards.com.au.

Recognised as the business specialists, Clifton Accountants can do all the typical accountant stuff like income tax, BAS and auditing. But it doesn't stop there. Clifton Accountants are focused on strategies for clients to achieve their business goals. They do this by analysing performance and providing business advice through monthly and quarterly meetings. Clifton's have spent time to meet and take advice from some of the biggest names in the business world to ensure your business gets the best advice. Clifton Accountants have also positioned themselves as the online accounting specialist in the region. They have moved their own business into the cloud and are helping their clients to go the same way. If you desire success and satisfaction in your business goals, visit cliftonaccountants.com.au to learn more about how they can help.