Question 1

How much does an accountant cost?

Accepted Answer

Ours start at $99 for a simple individual return, $199 +GST a month for bookkeeping and $200 + GST a quarter for BAS. Individual returns include GST, business services are quoted +GST, and every price is confirmed in writing before we start. The full list is on our pricing page.

Question 2

Do you charge me for phone calls and emails?

Accepted Answer

No. Contacting us with a question is included. We'd rather you asked than guessed and made an expensive mistake.

Question 3

Am I locked into a contract?

Accepted Answer

No lock-in. Monthly plans run month to month. Give us a month's notice and we'll hand over your files complete and tidy.

Question 4

Can I pay monthly instead of one big bill at tax time?

Accepted Answer

Yep. Most clients spread bookkeeping, BAS and the annual return across even monthly payments so nothing lands as a lump.

Question 5

Is it awkward to change accountants?

Accepted Answer

Not for you. We send the handover letter to your old accountant, they send your files across, and you never have to have the conversation. It usually takes a week or two.

Question 6

Will I lose my history if I switch?

Accepted Answer

No. We collect your prior year returns, depreciation schedules, franking account and ATO records so nothing gets lost in the move.

Question 7

Do I have to change software?

Accepted Answer

Only if you want to. We work in Xero, MYOB and QuickBooks. If you're on spreadsheets and it's working, we can start there too.

Question 8

I haven't lodged in years. Am I in trouble?

Accepted Answer

You're in far less trouble than you think, and far less than if you keep waiting. The ATO is much easier on people who come forward. We pull your full lodgement history, work out what's actually outstanding and get it done, oldest first.

Question 9

Can you get ATO penalties removed?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes. Where there's a genuine reason — illness, a business hit, a run of bad luck — we apply for remission of failure-to-lodge penalties and general interest charge. We can't promise an outcome, but we ask every time it's reasonable.

Question 10

I owe the ATO money I can't pay. What now?

Accepted Answer

We set up a payment plan you can actually stick to, based on real cash flow rather than a number that sounds good on the phone. Getting the lodgements up to date first almost always improves the terms.

Question 11

Will you judge me for the state of my records?

Accepted Answer

Never. Shoebox of receipts, three years of unopened envelopes, a bank feed that hasn't been touched since 2023 — we've seen all of it. Our job is to fix it, not lecture you.

Question 12

When is my tax return due?

Accepted Answer

If you lodge yourself, 31 October. If you're on our tax agent list before that date, you usually get until 15 May the following year — one of the quieter reasons to use an agent.

Question 13

How long does a return take?

Accepted Answer

Most individual returns are lodged within 2–3 business days of us getting everything. ATO refunds typically land within about two weeks after that.

Question 14

What do I need to send you?

Accepted Answer

Less than you'd think — a lot prefills from the ATO. Generally: any income the ATO doesn't already know about, your work-related expenses, private health details, and for property, the rental statements and loan interest.

Question 15

When is BAS due?

Accepted Answer

Quarterly BAS is due 28 October, 28 February, 28 April and 28 July. Lodging through us as your BAS agent usually adds a few extra weeks.

Question 16

Do I need to register for GST?

Accepted Answer

Once your turnover hits $75,000 in a 12-month period — or $150,000 for not-for-profits — registration is compulsory. Rideshare drivers must register from dollar one. Below the threshold it's optional, and sometimes worth it.

Question 17

What is STP Phase 2 and does it apply to me?

Accepted Answer

Single Touch Payroll Phase 2 means every pay run reports wage components, allowances and income types to the ATO in more detail. If you pay anyone — including yourself through a company — it applies.

Question 18

Sole trader, company or trust — which should I be?

Accepted Answer

It depends on profit, risk and who else is involved. Sole trader is cheapest to run; a company caps tax at 25% and protects personal assets; a trust helps with distribution flexibility. We'll give you a straight recommendation rather than the most expensive one.

Question 19

Do you work with my industry?

Accepted Answer

We look after tradies, hospitality, health, retail, e-commerce, transport, creatives and professional services. There's an industries page with what's specific to each.

Question 20

Are you registered?

Accepted Answer

Yes — registered tax agents and BAS agents, which is a legal requirement to lodge on your behalf. Anyone charging to lodge without registration is doing it illegally.

Question 21

Do we have to meet in person?

Accepted Answer

No. We're online and work with clients Australia-wide. Phone, video, email — whatever suits. Documents are shared securely.

Question 22

Are my details safe?

Accepted Answer

We use secure document sharing, never ask for your myGov password, and only use your information to do the work you've engaged us for.

The questions
everyone asks

Fees and how we work

Switching accountants

Being behind and ATO debt

Tax returns and deadlines

Bookkeeping, payroll and business

Working with us

Let's make accounting one less thing to worry about.

The questionseveryone asks