How Can I Ensure My Bookkeeper Is Compliant with Australian Regulations?
How Can I Ensure My Bookkeeper Is Compliant with Australian Regulations?
Our Newcastle & Maitland Offices:-
- Newcastle Accountants & Advisors – 45 Hunter Street, Newcastle.
- Maitland Accountants & Advisors – 93 Lawes St, East Maitland.

How to contact us
- In Person: Visit our conveniently located office at 45 Hunter St, Newcastle, NSW, 2300.
- Online: Schedule a virtual appointment via Zoom or Teams for added convenience.
- Mobile Tax Services: Benefit from the flexibility of having our expert CPA Newcastle accountants come to you for tax assistance.
- Onsite Services: Enjoy personalized services delivered directly at your place of business.
At Bottrell Accounting, we’re more than just consultants and accountants; we’re your strategic financial partners. Contact us today to discover how we can help you achieve your financial goals and secure a prosperous future .
Google Business Pages – Bottrell Accountants & Tax Agents
Bottrell Accountants Main Website – www.bottrellaccounting.com.au
Accountant Newcastle – 45 Hunter St, Newcastle, NSW, 2300
Accountant Maitland – 93 Lawes St, East Maitland, NSW, 2320





Our Accounting Services
Taxation
Our experienced tax professionals at Bottrell Accounting ensure that your tax obligations are met efficiently. We also focus on maximizing your tax savings through strategic planning. Our services include:
-Personal Tax Returns: Accurate preparation and lodgement of personal income tax returns.
- Rental Property Tax Returns: Expert handling of tax matters related to rental properties.
- Business Tax Returns: Comprehensive support for business tax planning and compliance.
Bookkeeping
Maintaining organized financial records is crucial for informed decision-making. Our bookkeeping services cover:
- Bookkeeping Processing: Timely and accurate record-keeping for your business transactions.
- Bookkeeping Data Entry: Efficient data entry to keep your financial records up-to-date.
Cash Flow Management
Optimizing cash flow is essential for financial stability. Our tailored solutions include:
- Cashflow Forecast: Predictive analysis to help you manage cash flow effectively.
- 3Way Cashflow: Comprehensive insights into your inflows and outflows.
Payroll Processing
Let us handle payroll processing for you. Our services ensure accurate and timely payments to your employees while staying compliant with relevant regulations.
Financial Reporting
Financial Reporting
Gain valuable insights into your financial performance with our comprehensive reporting services:
- Company Tax Accounting: Accurate preparation of tax-related financial statements.
- Business Tax Accounting: Detailed reporting for business tax purposes.
- SMSF Tax Accounting: Specialized reporting for Self-Managed Superannuation Funds.
Financial Control Services
Our financial control services help businesses establish robust systems and controls, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and compliance.

1. Ensure Your Bookkeeper Is Registered and Qualified
- BAS Agent Registration: A registered BAS agent is qualified to handle GST, BAS lodgements, and PAYG withholding, which are critical components of tax compliance for Australian businesses.
- Professional Standards: Registered BAS agents must meet the TPB’s professional education requirements and adhere to the TPB’s code of conduct, ensuring they maintain a high standard of service and up-to-date knowledge of tax laws.
- Ask your bookkeeper for their BAS agent registration number, and check their registration status on the TPB website. If your bookkeeper is handling BAS services, this registration is mandatory.
2. Confirm They Have a Strong Understanding of GST and BAS Requirements
- GST Registration and Reporting: Your bookkeeper should be able to advise you on whether your business is required to register for GST (based on your turnover) and handle all aspects of GST reporting, including calculating GST on sales and claiming GST credits on purchases.
- BAS Preparation: A compliant bookkeeper will ensure that your BAS is prepared correctly and lodged on time. This includes reporting on GST, PAYG withholding, PAYG instalments, and other taxes as applicable.
- Regularly review your BAS lodgements with your bookkeeper to ensure all figures are accurate.
- Confirm that your bookkeeper understands how to correctly apply GST to different transactions, including goods and services sold internationally.
Accountants Newcastle – 45 Hunter St, Newcastle, NSW, 2300
Accountants Maitland – 93 Lawes St, East Maitland, NSW, 2320
3. Check Their Knowledge of Payroll Compliance and Superannuation Obligations
- PAYG Withholding: Your bookkeeper must calculate and report PAYG withholding for your employees, ensuring that the correct amount of tax is withheld and remitted to the ATO.
- Superannuation Guarantee: Your bookkeeper should manage superannuation contributions for your employees, ensuring that the minimum contribution rate (currently 11%) is paid into employees’ super funds by the quarterly due dates.
- Single Touch Payroll (STP): STP is a mandatory system for reporting employee wages, tax withholdings, and superannuation to the ATO. Your bookkeeper must ensure that STP reports are submitted after each payroll run.
- Verify that your bookkeeper uses payroll software that is STP-compliant. Most modern accounting software, such as Xero, MYOB, and QuickBooks, include STP functionality.
- Check that superannuation contributions are made on time and in full, as late payments can incur penalties.
4. Ensure Your Bookkeeper Is Using Compliant Accounting Software
- BAS and GST Reporting: Ensure that the software your bookkeeper uses can accurately generate and lodge BAS reports with the ATO.
- Single Touch Payroll (STP): Make sure the software is STP-compliant to handle payroll reporting requirements.
- SuperStream Compliance: For superannuation contributions, ensure that the software meets the SuperStream standards for electronic payment and reporting.
- Ask your bookkeeper to confirm that they are using software that is regularly updated to comply with the latest ATO regulations. Leading software providers like Xero, MYOB, and QuickBooks frequently update their platforms to ensure compliance with Australian tax laws.
12+ Years Experience
With over a decade of experience, trust Bottrell Accountants & Financial Advisors for seasoned financial expertise.
Award Winning
Benefit from the knowledge and expertise of our certified accountants, who excel in their respective fields.
Qualified Accountants
Our team of chartered accountants & CPA, with over a decade of experience, brings a deep understanding of East Maitland's business landscape.
Specialist Services
Explore our specialized tax services, covering everything from individual income tax to corporate tax planning.

5. Stay Updated on Regulatory Changes
- GST and BAS Rules: Changes to GST thresholds or new ATO rulings can impact how your business reports and pays tax.
- Superannuation Rates: The minimum superannuation guarantee rate is subject to periodic increases, which your bookkeeper needs to track.
- Payroll Tax Changes: Changes to payroll tax rates or thresholds in your state or territory may affect your business’s obligations.
- Regularly discuss with your bookkeeper any upcoming changes in tax law or ATO requirements. A professional bookkeeper will stay updated through ongoing professional development and industry news.
- Verify that your bookkeeper is subscribed to ATO updates or TPB bulletins to ensure they are informed of the latest changes.
6. Request Regular Financial Reports and Audits
- Profit and Loss Statements: These reports provide an overview of your business’s income and expenses, helping you understand its profitability.
- Balance Sheets: A balance sheet summarises your business’s assets, liabilities, and equity, giving a snapshot of its financial position.
- BAS Lodgements: Regularly review your BAS lodgements to ensure GST, PAYG withholding, and other taxes are reported correctly.
- Superannuation Reports: Confirm that superannuation contributions are being tracked and paid on time.
- Work with your bookkeeper to review financial reports on a monthly or quarterly basis, depending on the size and complexity of your business.
- Conduct annual audits to ensure your books are accurate, especially before tax season. An external review of your bookkeeping processes can help identify any compliance issues before they become significant problems.
7. Consider Ongoing Professional Development
- Updated Knowledge: Ongoing training ensures that your bookkeeper remains up-to-date with the latest tax rules, compliance obligations, and best practices in bookkeeping.
- Industry Accreditation: Many professional bookkeeping organisations, such as the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) or the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT), require members to undertake professional development to maintain their certification.
- Ask your bookkeeper if they are involved in ongoing professional development or if they hold memberships with professional organisations that require continuous education.
- Encourage your bookkeeper to attend industry seminars, webinars, or training sessions to stay informed of regulatory updates.
