How steady is your back office?
Ten plain-English questions about records, invoices, payroll administration, purchasing and the work around them.
Run the health score →Useful answers for the work behind the work.
Short, practical guides for small-business owners who want clearer records, fewer loose ends and less admin sitting in their heads. Start with the problem that sounds most familiar.
What should I check each month?
A useful month-end routine that helps you spot missing records, unpaid invoices and loose ends early.
Read the month-end guide →Why are invoices still unpaid?
Simple ways to reduce the gap between work finished, invoices sent and money received.
Read the invoice guide →What should an Australian business invoice include?
The practical details that help an invoice get understood, approved and paid without extra emails.
Read the invoice checklist →Is Xero or QuickBooks the answer?
Software can help, but the workflow around it still needs to work.
Read the setup guide →How do I hand payroll work over safely?
What to gather before payroll is checked, approved or sent to the right specialist.
Read the hand-off guide →Common questions
Questions owners ask before they ask for help.
These are direct answers to the problems people often search for. They explain the first step and when a steady pair of hands may save time.
Do I need a bookkeeper or an accountant?
A bookkeeper keeps records, invoices, bills and routines moving. An accountant or registered BAS agent handles work that needs their registration, advice or formal lodgement. Many small businesses use both.
How often should I reconcile the bank?
Weekly is a useful starting point for many small businesses. Waiting until the end of the quarter can turn small missing records into a larger clean-up job.
Can I use a spreadsheet instead of accounting software?
You can, if the records are simple and someone keeps the sheet up to date. When you are spending evenings checking formulas or rebuilding the story, a proper workflow may be the better next step.
What should I send a bookkeeper?
Send the business name, the system you use, the main pressure point and a short list of what is behind. Keep passwords, tax file numbers, identity documents and payroll files out of public forms.
Can AI do my bookkeeping?
AI can help sort information or flag a question. It should not be trusted to make every GST, payroll or coding decision without a person checking the records and the source documents.
How do I get my records ready for BAS review?
Reconcile the bank, collect missing invoices and receipts, check GST coding and write down anything unusual. If the work needs lodgement, a registered BAS agent or accountant should review it.
Why does my profit look fine but cash feels tight?
Profit and cash move at different times. Unpaid invoices, bills due soon, stock purchases and tax set-asides can all change what is available in the bank.
How do I choose between Xero and QuickBooks?
Start with the workflow your accountant can review, the invoices and bills you need to manage, and the reports you actually use. The brand matters less than keeping the system current.
Still doing this all yourself?
Tell Peter what is taking time. He can help name the first piece of work, the boundary and the likely next step.