Frequently Asked Questions
1What makes a great business accountant?
There are several qualities that make for a great accountant, whether that’s for your business or personal needs. It’s important they first take the time to understand your situation and particularly listen to your current needs and future requirements. They must be encouraging and act as your coach to be able to convey complex accounting issues in plain English so you know exactly what is being done and why. Being proactive and accessible when you need them the most is also important. Be sure to check their qualifications as being CPA qualified will ensure you have an accountant that adheres to the highest possible standards. It’s also important your accountant keeps you on track and is able to help you meet important deadlines.
2I don’t hear from my accountant, is that normal?
You should expect to hear from your accountant regularly throughout the year through various forms of communication. Our accountants will usually touch base with you quarterly and also with other forms of communication keeping you up to date of certain news and legislation that may be relevant to your situation. They should be available to speak with you to discuss items as they arise.
3What do I need to know before I hire a business accountant?
It’s important you consider some of the following items when getting in touch with a business accountant:Ask for references - It’s worthwhile to ask a potential accountant for suitable references. This provides you with the confidence in knowing first hand from another client what their experience has been like.Fixed Fees – Agree on a fixed fee when engaging an accountant so you set clear expectations on what cost is involved upfront and avoids any hidden surprises.Trusted business partner – You need to feel comfortable in speaking openly with your accountant so they are better placed to advise you as required.Understands technology – Your accountant must be able to understand the vital role technology plays in modern business and how this can be of great benefit to you. Make sure they are in the know with the best technology products that could suit your business and be able to manage the implementation of this for you.
4What type of services can my accountant provide to help grow my business?
There are many services that we, as accountants can provide to help you grow your business, such as:
- Making sure you are on track to meet all aspects of compliance obligations, such as FBT, ASIC, ATO and tax planning advice
- Holding regular business strategy sessions to discuss critical business requirements such as cash flow management, budgeting planning and forecasting
- General troubleshooting discussions and solutions built upon the expertise and knowledge of your accountants many years of client experiences
- Business Planning items such as determining the best business structure, full needs assessments, SWOT analysis, financial analysis and working with you to create a business budget that will support your business goals
- Provide advice and resources to assist you with the purchase or sale of a business
- Provide advice on property and equipment leasing and purchase
- Review, advise and assist with implementation of the best suited accounting technology solutions to save your business time and money
- Help you determine the best areas for growth in your business by providing insight on cash flow patterns, inventory management, pricing and business financing
5Do you specialise in accounting for specific industry sectors?
We are experienced across many industries and although accounting principles are transferrable across many business types, having an insight into a particular industry does however have its benefits. Here are some industries we work with:
- Hospitality & Food Services
- Real Estate & Property Developers
- Building & Construction
- Oil & Gas
- Mining Services
- Medical & Medical Specialists
- Engineering
- Many more…
6I want to start a business, what should I do?
Starting a business can be a very daunting experience, and you want to get it right the first time round. Your first stop should always be your accountant who is able to manage the entire process for you. Some important items they will discuss are the ideal business structure, adequate and recommended insurance coverage required, plus preparation of a cash flow estimate which is vital in setting your business up for success.There are many other items to consider such as taxes to be registered for, obtaining funding for the business, buying or leasing a business premise, registration of business names and much more. To make sure you cover everything you need to, speak with your accountant who is able to guide you through this and manage the entire process for you.
7What business structure should I choose?
It is very important you see your accountant before deciding on a business structure, as they are best placed to provide advice on the most suitable structure not only for now, but well into the future. Some items you need to consider as part of this are:
- Initial staffing requirements
- If you will need to hire others
- The kind of business it is
- Your income expectations
- Your plan for growth
- Family situation
- Legal liability
8How much will an accountant cost?
Accountant’s fees can vary depending on the level of services provided. At our complimentary consultation we establish your requirements and then provide an upfront fee proposal outlining the full costs and scope of work to be provided. This also outlines the timing of the services, providing you with peace of mind knowing what cost and timeframe to expect for completion of the agreed services.
9Are accountant’s fees tax deductible?
10My business is in a lot of debt, can an accountant help me?
Yes, we can immediately review the overall structure and situation you’re in. This includes reviewing your budget, cash flow and assisting with refinancing options and ATO arrangements to ease cash flow pain if required. Your accountant can then closely monitor your business on a monthly basis to get your cash flow back on track. Other options can be considered such as possible restructure or sale if needed.
11I’m an existing business and I want to change accountants, what do I need to do?
12I'm a business owner and I’ve heard a Self Managed Super Fund (SMSF) will help me, is this true?
A self managed superannuation fund is a structure that can be beneficial, however it is highly dependent upon your specific circumstances and is not the ideal solution for everyone. It is important you seek advice from one of our SMSF specialists who will be able to provide professional advice tailored to your individual needs and see if this type of facility could be beneficial to you.
13I'm managing my bookkeeping in house, but we’re overwhelmed, can you recommend a solution?
We recommend you speak with one of our highly skilled bookkeepers who can visit you to assess your current situation, review your current system and provide solutions best suited to your needs. Solutions could range from providing training, implementation of new systems and procedures, ongoing support and new technology to help support your needs. Either way you can be sure you won’t be overwhelmed for long, so please get in touch with us today to see how we can assist. Our bookkeeping team is overseen by one of our qualified accountants who will ensure it is aligned to your accountant’s requirements making your financial end of year much easier.
14I want to close my business down, can you help?
We can definitely assist with the closure of a business, however firstly you should get in touch with us to establish if closing your business is the best option for you. There are many items to consider and we can outline the steps, costs and timeline involved in the process to ensure you make the right decision for you and your business. At Lawrence we can assist you in any stage of the business cycle from purchase to start up, acquisition and sales. Talk to one of our experts to see how we can assist you to ensure you are receiving the best advice throughout the process.
