The best small business accountant is not the one you only hear from at tax time. If a phone call in June and a rushed return in October is the extent of the relationship, you are getting an annual paperwork service, not an accountant working for your business. For owners across Brisbane, from Fortitude Valley through New Farm and Bulimba, that difference shows up in every decision made in the eleven months in between.
What “Beyond Tax Time” Actually Looks Like
A good accounting relationship runs year-round. That means regular check-ins on cash flow, a heads-up before a BAS deadline catches you out, and tax planning that happens months before it is due, not the week of. If the only time you hear from your accountant is when something is overdue, you are missing the part of the job that actually helps a business grow.
The Best Small Business Accountant Flags Problems Before They Cost You
Reactive accounting fixes last year’s mistakes. Proactive accounting stops you from making them again. That might mean a heads-up that your business structure no longer suits your growth, a flag on a GST issue before it becomes a debt, or simply someone who understands your industry well enough to know what is normal and what is not. This is the part of the job that separates ongoing advisory from once-a-year compliance.
How To Tell If Yours Is Doing This
Ask yourself when you last heard from your accountant without chasing them first, and whether they have ever raised something before you asked about it. If the answer is rarely or never, it is worth a conversation. It is also worth confirming your accountant is a registered tax agent, since that status is one of the clearest signals of who you are actually dealing with.
Want An Accountant Who Does More Than File Your Return?
If your current accountant only shows up at tax time, it might be time for a conversation with a team that works with you the rest of the year too. Get in touch with Lee & Associates to talk about what ongoing support could look like for your business.