A bookkeeper usually manages the day-to-day financial records that keep your business organised. An accountant generally focuses on tax, financial statements, business structures and higher-level financial advice.
For many small businesses, the answer is not choosing one or the other. You may benefit from having both, with each professional handling the work they are best qualified to perform.
What Does a Bookkeeper Do?
A bookkeeper keeps your financial records accurate, current and ready to use. Depending on the services you need, a bookkeeper may help with:
- Recording and categorising transactions
- Reconciling bank and credit card accounts
- Managing customer invoices and supplier bills
- Processing payroll
- Maintaining employee and contractor records
- Monitoring accounts payable and receivable
- Preparing regular financial reports
- Cleaning up overdue or disorganised accounts
- Managing Xero, MYOB or QuickBooks
- Preparing information for your accountant
A good bookkeeper works with your business regularly, often weekly, fortnightly or monthly. This helps prevent errors and gives you a clearer view of what is happening financially throughout the year.
What Is a Registered BAS Agent?
Not every bookkeeper is a registered BAS agent.
A registered BAS agent has completed specific qualifications and experience requirements and is registered with the Tax Practitioners Board. Registration allows them to provide BAS services for a fee, including advising clients about certain GST, PAYG, payroll and other BAS-related obligations.
A registered BAS agent may be able to:
- Prepare and lodge Business Activity Statements
- Advise on GST classifications
- Assist with PAYG withholding obligations
- Provide payroll services involving BAS provisions
- Help with Single Touch Payroll reporting
- Assist with superannuation payment processes
- Prepare and lodge taxable payments annual reports
- Represent clients in relevant dealings with the ATO
The Tax Practitioners Board states that businesses providing BAS services for a fee must be appropriately registered. You can verify a practitioner through the TPB Public Register.
Helen from A Little Something Extra is a registered BAS agent, so she can provide both practical bookkeeping and professional BAS support.
What Does an Accountant Do?
- Preparing annual financial statements
- Preparing and lodging income tax returns
- Providing tax planning advice
- Advising on business structures
- Assisting with company, trust or partnership matters
- Preparing depreciation schedules
- Advising on asset purchases and disposals
- Supporting finance applications
- Helping with business valuations
- Providing strategic financial advice
Bookkeeper vs Accountant: The Main Differences
| Area | Bookkeeper or BAS agent | Accountant or registered tax agent |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday transaction processing | Yes | Sometimes |
| Bank reconciliations | Yes | Sometimes |
| Customer invoices and supplier bills | Yes | Sometimes |
| Regular payroll processing | Yes | Sometimes |
| Xero, MYOB or QuickBooks maintenance | Yes | Sometimes |
| Catch-up bookkeeping | Yes | Sometimes |
| BAS preparation and lodgement | Registered BAS or tax agent | Registered tax agent |
| Income tax returns | No | Registered tax agent |
| Tax planning | Limited to permitted BAS matters | Registered tax agent |
| Business structure advice | Generally no | Usually |
| Annual financial statements | Provides accurate underlying records | Usually prepares them |
| Ongoing financial record maintenance | Primary focus | Usually not the primary focus |
The exact services will depend on the individual practitioner’s qualifications, registration and experience.
When Does Your Brisbane Business Need a Bookkeeper?
- Your accounts are regularly left until BAS time
- Your bank balance does not match your accounting software
- You are unsure how transactions should be categorised
- Payroll is becoming difficult or time-consuming
- Customer invoices or supplier payments are being overlooked
- Your books are several months behind
- Your Xero, MYOB or QuickBooks file has become confusing
- You cannot easily see your income, expenses or cash position
- Administration is taking time away from customers and business growth
When Do You Need an Accountant?
- Your annual income tax return is due
- You need tax planning advice
- You are choosing or changing a business structure
- You are buying or selling a business
- You need advice about complex tax matters
- You are applying for significant business finance
- You need formal financial statements
- You are planning major investments or asset purchases
- Your business circumstances have changed significantly
Your accountant makes higher-level decisions using your financial records. If those records are incomplete or inaccurate, their job becomes more difficult—and potentially more expensive.
Do You Need Both a Bookkeeper and an Accountant?
- Your bookkeeper processes transactions and reconciles accounts regularly.
- Your BAS agent checks the relevant records and prepares your BAS.
- Your bookkeeper keeps payroll, invoices and bills organised.
- Your accountant receives accurate year-end information.
- Your accountant prepares your tax return and provides tax or structural advice.
What If Your Books Are Already Messy?
You do not need to clean everything up before contacting a bookkeeper.
Messy, incomplete or overdue bookkeeping is common—particularly when a business owner has been trying to manage customers, staff, operations and administration at the same time.
Catch-up bookkeeping can help:
- Identify missing information
- Reconcile overdue accounts
- Correct incorrectly categorised transactions
- Resolve problems in your accounting software
- Prepare the records required for BAS or year-end accounting
How to Choose the Right Bookkeeper in Brisbane
- Are you a registered BAS agent?
- Which services are included?
- Do you work with Xero, MYOB or QuickBooks?
- Do you have experience with businesses like mine?
- How often will my accounts be updated?
- How will we communicate?
- Can you work collaboratively with my accountant?
- How is your pricing calculated?
- Can I verify your registration on the TPB Register?
Not Sure Which Support You Need?
Start with a Free Bookkeeping Checkup.
Helen will learn about your business, discuss what is causing concern and help determine whether you need regular bookkeeping, catch-up work, BAS assistance or support from your accountant.
There is no pressure and no expectation that your books will already be perfect.
Book your Free Bookkeeping Checkup and find out what support your business actually needs.