Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I hire you when I can do it myself?
While many business owners are equiped to manage their own and are aware of compliance requirements of running an enterprise, the fact is most are also time poor. The time that is spent managing paperwork is time away from other important things, such as growing the business or family activities.
It is simply a matter of considering the cost benefit of your own time. Because of our streamlined processes and team size, we can generally process records at a faster speed than a business owner will be able to alone. We can remove the stress of managing payment and compliance deadlines.
A good bookkeeping parter will also work with you on improving your business. It always helps to have a highly experienced, independent third party looking at your business and indentifying opportunities for improvement.
Can't I just hire an internal bookkeeper or junior to do it for me?
When hiring staff direct, the are additional costs like workers compensation, superannuation, potential payroll tax considerations, annual leave, sick leave, the cost and time it take to correctly train, and the risk of unfair dismissal if they are not performing at the level you would expect. With a direct staff member, there is also downtime for sick and annual leave.
Because we have a team of ten, we are able to provide a full 52 weeks of coverage every year. There is no need to find for you to find additional cover for holiday or sick leave, and no additional time or money required for training and recruitment.
Will I know what it will cost me upfront? And what is included in that price?
We work on a flat weekly fee. This fee includes all the items agreed upon at the time of engagement. This can include: payroll, month end reporting, data entry, cash flow management, and other services which are relevant to your particular business.
During our initial assessment, we will ask you a range of questions relating to number of invoices, number of employees, and the type of business you have. We will use this information to complete a quote which will form the basis of weekly billing rates. We will assess this periodically as business needs change up or down.
How much does it cost per hour?
Our rate is a flat $55+GST per hour.
Our fees are significantly lower than many accountants charge for similar services. We have compared our rate to industry benchmarks and believe it to be highly competitive for the level of service we offer.
Who controls my money and makes the financial decisions?
At the beginning of every engagement, we agree on a scope of service. This includes whether or not we decide who to pay and how much, based on supplier terms and upcoming compliance payments due (e.g. ATO).
In either situation, you are in complete control of your money and all financial decisions. We will manage transactions and provide information that helps you make the best decision possible. We will also provide advice on payment timings and terms as required. Ultimate control of the business and cashflow is yours.
Regardless of who determines payments week to week, it is the client's responsibility to ensure there are sufficient funds available to meet their financial obligations.
Can you lodge my tax return?
Yes! We have a sister company, Smarter Tax, which handles all areas of tax planning and compliance.
Even if you choose not to use Smarter Tax, we can work alongside your chosen tax practitioner to ensure that all information is provided to them in a timely manner at year end. By preparing and providing information in the correct format, your year-end accounts should be faster and cheaper to file.
Our standard service includes all BAS or IAS lodgements to the ATO.
How can I access my accounting data and reports?
You can access your data from any computer with internet access through our website using your username and password.
Can my accountant have access to my books?
It is up to you how we work with and share information with your accountant.
Who owns my data and reports?
We manage, maintain and store your data, but you retain ownership at all times.
Are your staff qualified?
Our team consists of a number of CPA qulified accountants. Each of our team members are trained to a very high standard when they are first employed. We are a member of the Australian Bookkeepers Network, are BAS agents and our specialist tax team are registered Tax Agents.
How does your process work?
Our processing is all done at our location. Each week, our clients send us their relevant records. These are then entered into the accounting software with items allocated to the relevant cost centre. Supplier accounts are reconciled to statements and payments are made as required. All bank and credit card statements are reconciled at regular intervals. Petty cash is entered and reconciled against information received.
At each month end, our specialists look over the results and analyze each item on the financial statements. The result is management reports that are more comprehensive and accurate than many bookkeepers in the market.
What if I'm not in the same state as you?
No problem! We have many clients all over the country. Generally, the information is provided to us via express post envelopes, however we can also accept invoices via fax or email.
What hours do you work?
We operate 8:30am to 4:30pm (Queensland time) Monday to Friday.
We are contactable by email 24/7 and aim to respond to your enquiries within 1 business day.
Can I speak to other clients of yours before I employ you?
Yes! We believe our service speaks for itself, and are very happy for you to speak to existing clients.
What happens if I am not happy with the service being provided?
We a guarantee that if you are not 100% satisfied with any of the agreed services we will take immediate action to address your needs.
How do I get started?