Frequently Asked Questions

It's only natural to have a few questions. Following are some of the queries we most commonly receive. If you have any others, feel free to contact us.

Why should I hire a bookkeeper?

Whether you're just starting out or you've been in business for a while, chances are recording all of the details of every financial transaction isn'tsomething that gets you excited. You may not even know what transactions need to be recorded and how. That's where we come in. We love dealing with numbers and helping business owners manage their books. We understand that you've got better things to do than to worry about your receipts and invoices, so having a bookkeeper take care of these things allows you time to focus on your business.

How does having an offsite bookkeeper work?

First, we identify whether we can use your current file and discuss the online accounting software options which will work best for your business, giving you access to your financial data 24/7. Once this is established, we dedicate a bookkeeper who will handle all of the day-to-day work on your accounts for your business. We then supply a customised set of checklists and instructions to one of your team members to ensure all the information needed is passed on to us with minimum fuss. This is usually done by fax or email. Once you are set up, we will have access to the same data you do and your dedicated bookkeeper will able to answer any questions you may have.

How long does the setup take?

We aim for a turnaround of five business days but this depends on how quickly we have access to the information we need from you, such as read-only access to your business bank accounts and your financial records. We can then organise the software, provide customised checklists and discuss the requirements with your team member.

What software do you use?

We are certified providers for a range of software, including Xero, Intuit QuickBooks, MYOB and Reckon Accounts. We will make recommendations on the best software to use based on your requirements. Our experience also encompasses other software providers and we are happy to make recommendations, just ask.

What if I use different software to what you have listed?

All accounting software is based on the same principles so, if you have a software product we haven't listed, let us know. We're happy to have a look to see if we can help you with it.

Do I need to pay for the accounting software?

No, this is included for as long as you use our services.

How do we send you our information?

All the information is securely submitted electronically. We never ask you to post or provide us with original documents. We have a range of options that we can discuss to see what suits you best.

How often will my accounts be updated?

Your bookkeeper works on your accounts on a weekly basis and they are fully reconciled each month.

How often do I receive my financials?

You will receive your financials monthly in the formats available from your software. Special reports can also be run to meet banking covenants, graph basic statistics and compare prior periods or budgets.

Can you lodge my BAS/IAS?

Yes, we are fully qualified BAS Agents and can lodge the BAS/IAS returns on your behalf.

What happens with my BAS?

After we've finished processing the month, we'll produce your BAS reports. This will be forwarded to you for approval before we lodge. All lodgements are done electronically with the ATO ensuring the shortest time period for receiving your refund.

Can you complete my tax return?

No, we are not registered tax agents, preferring to focus on providing the best bookkeeping, software and consulting services. We can work with your current accountant/tax agent to provide the information they need to prepare your tax return.

Do I have to outsource my entire accounts office to you?

No, we have many clients whom we just help with the month-end BAS and management reporting. We can also assist your in-house accounts personnel with any issues they may experience throughout the month.

Is my data safe?

Your data is safely stored in the cloud. How safe? Well, to keep data secure, cloud data centres use encryption as the first line of defence. While this is not 100% impenetrable, it is certainly a lot safer than your locally stored data. Plus, because it is stored off premise, it is protected in the event of a fire or flood damaging your business.http://systemsandsoftware.com/5-safety-concerns-with-cloud-data-storage-answered/

How much do you charge for your bookkeeping services?

We have a number of packages available, depending on the type of service required and the size of your business. For a detailed quote, feel free to contact us.