Hire an Accountant who Specialises in Startups and Focuses on your Growth

A Resource for Startup Founders

At some point in every founder’s journey, the numbers start speaking a language of their own. Revenue feels good until tax time rolls around. Expenses pile up faster than you planned. Cash flow doesn’t behave the way you expected. Suddenly the “I’ll just figure this out later” approach becomes a weight you can’t ignore.

And that’s usually the moment founders realise they don’t just need an accountant — they need the right accountant.

Not someone who only appears once a year to lodge your tax return. But someone who can interpret the numbers, challenge your assumptions, and help you make decisions that strengthen your business, not strain it.

I’ve seen founders wait too long — drowning in receipts, behind on BAS (Business Activity Statements), or unknowingly missing opportunities to improve their margins. And I’ve seen others transform their entire operation simply because one good accountant gave them clarity, structure, and confidence.

A good accountant keeps you compliant.

A great accountant helps you grow.

Let’s walk through how to hire the right accountant in Australia — without overcomplicating it, and with the level of clarity every founder deserves.

A good accountant will keep you compliant. A great accountant will grow your bottom line.

What Is a Business Accountant and Why It Matters

A business accountant is a financial professional who helps you manage, plan, and report on the financial health of your business. But their real value goes well beyond tax returns and spreadsheets.

A strong accountant can support you with:

• Setting up your ABN (Australian Business Number), GST registration, and PAYG (Pay As You Go withholding)

• Installing and configuring your accounting software (Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks)

• Preparing and lodging BAS and income tax returns

• Managing payroll and Single Touch Payroll (STP) obligations

• Setting up systems that improve accuracy and reduce admin

• Advising on deductions, tax strategies, and entity structure

• Building budgets, forecasts, and cash flow plans

• Helping you understand your numbers so you can make smarter decisions

In Australia, many accountants also hold additional registration as:

• Registered Tax Agents (approved by the Tax Practitioners Board / TPB)

• Certified Practicing Accountants (CPA)

• Chartered Accountants (CA)

• Members of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)

You can verify tax agent registration at tpb.gov.au.

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Why Hiring the Right Accountant Matters

Choosing an accountant isn’t just about meeting ATO (Australian Taxation Office) requirements — it’s about building the financial foundation that supports every decision you make.

Here’s why the right accountant can make or break your momentum:

Compliance without stress

No more guessing when your BAS is due, whether your payroll is correct, or if you’re claiming the right deductions.

Better decisions, backed by real data

A great accountant helps you:

• price your services properly

• understand your break-even point

• improve cash flow

• plan for tax before it surprises you

Time back in your week

Every hour you aren’t reconciling bank feeds is an hour you can spend on growth.

Risk reduction

With the right systems in place, you avoid:

• ATO penalties

• late super payments

• missed obligations

• bookkeeping cleanups

Support as you scale

Your accountant becomes a partner who understands your goals and helps you move toward them — not someone who files paperwork and disappears.

Real Talk: A great accountant won’t just do your tax return. They’ll set up systems that build profit, spot leaks, and save you thousands.

Registered Tax Agent vs Accountant 

(What’s the Difference?)

A Registered Tax Agent (TPB) can legally advise on tax, prepare/lodge returns and BAS, and represent you to the ATO. An “accountant” may focus on management accounting, bookkeeping, and advisory — but without TPB registration, cannot provide fee-for-service tax agent services.

Dimension	Registered Tax Agent (TPB)	Business Accountant (may not be TPB)	When to Use
Authority	Can advise on tax, lodge returns/BAS, represent at ATO	If unregistered: no fee-for-service tax lodgements	Audits, payment plans, rulings, complex tax
Scope	Tax planning, returns, BAS/IAS, GST/PAYG/FBT, ATO	Bookkeeping, payroll/STP, reporting, VCFO, margins	Daily finance ops + growth analytics
BAS/GST	Yes (also BAS Agent)	Only if BAS Agent/Tax Agent	Frequent BAS, complex GST
Verification	TPB register (tpb.gov.au)	CPA/CA/IPA; ask TPB/BAS status	Hiring due diligence
Best Fit	Multi-entity groups, R&D, FBT, international	SMEs needing ops + advisory	Most SMEs use both

This is general overview and you should speak directly to individual experts to gain clarity on their expertise, to ensure a good fit.

What You Need Before You Hire

Before you speak to potential accountants, get clear on a few essentials:

• Your business structure (sole trader, company, trust)

• Your revenue streams and key costs

• Any current software you’re using (even if it’s just a spreadsheet)

• Outstanding obligations (overdue BAS, payroll, super, tax returns)

• Your goals: do you want compliance only, or strategic advice?

Mentor Tip: Clarity helps you hire better. If an accountant knows what you need, they can tell you whether they’re the right fit — or not.

How to Hire an Accountant in Australia:

Step-by-Step

Step 1: Decide What You Need Help With

Most founders fall into one of three categories:

A) Compliance-onlyTax returns, BAS, payroll, ASIC reports. Keeps you legal.

B) Advisory-onlyCash flow, pricing, budgets, forecasting, strategy.

C) BothThis is where most startups land — someone who keeps you compliant and helps you grow.

Outcome: You know what type of accountant to look for and can eliminate candidates who don’t offer what you need.

Step 2: Choose the Right Type of Accountant

There are three common options:

1. Sole practitioners

• More personal

• Often cost-effective

• May have limited capacity

2. Small to mid-sized firms

• More hands on deck

• Greater stability

• Often provide a mix of bookkeeping, BAS, tax, and advisory

3. Specialist or industry-focused accountants

• Best for niches like eCommerce, trades, SaaS, or hospitality

• Deeper knowledge of your challenges

Mentor Tip: Look for cloud-first firms — accountants who use Xero, bank feeds, and digital portals. It saves you time and reduces errors.

Step 3: Check Registrations & Reviews

This part protects you.

Verify:

• Tax Agent Registration (for tax advice and lodgements)

• BAS Agent Registration (for GST and BAS)

• CPA/CA/IPA memberships

Check reviews:

• Google

• LinkedIn

• Ask for references

Outcome: You avoid unqualified operators and choose someone you can trust.

Step 4: Understand Their Pricing Model

There are three common styles:

1. Hourly

• Good for small projects

• Unpredictable costs

2. Fixed fee

• Clear deliverables

• Ideal for one-off tasks

• Variations usually cost extra

3. Monthly retainer (most common for startups)

• Predictable cost

• Includes bookkeeping + BAS + payroll + advisory

• Best for growing businesses

Mentor Tip: Cheap accountants cost you more later. Pay for accuracy, not shortcuts.

Accounting Pricing Models

Hourly vs Fixed rate vs Monthly Package - what’s included, pros/cons, and best fit

Model	What’s Included	Pros	Cons	Best For	Typical Signals
Hourly	Ad-hoc advice, one-off fixes, cleanup/projects	Flexible; pay-per-use	Uncertain total cost; reactive	Small projects, early scoping	Advisory $150–$350/hr; Bookkeeping $60–$100/hr
Fixed Fee	Defined deliverables (tax return, BAS, Xero setup)	Cost certainty; clear deadlines	Variations cost extra; minimal scope bias	Discrete jobs, migrations	Sole trader return $300–$600; Company annual $1k–$3k+
Monthly Package	Bookkeeping, payroll/STP, BAS, monthly reporting, advisory	Predictable; proactive cadence	Pay monthly; needs clear scope	Growing SMEs/startups, boards	$300–$1,500+/mo; VCFO tiers add-on

Pricing is indicative and varies by scope, complexity, and location. Clarify inclusions, response time, and change-request fees, in your engagement letter.

Step 5: Ask the Right Questions (Founder Checklist)

Here’s what to ask during your first conversation:

• “Do you work with businesses like mine?”

• “What software do you use?”

• “Will I deal with you directly, or your team?”

• “What does your monthly package include?”

• “How often will we meet?”

• “How do you help clients grow profit and cash flow?”

• “What are your turnaround times?”

• “How do you secure client data?”

• “Are you a Registered Tax Agent?”

These questions show you whether they think strategically or just administratively.

Step 6: Onboard Properly (This Is Where Many Founders Slip)

Once you hire them, they should guide you through:

• Signing an engagement letter

• Linking them as your tax agent in ATO Online Services (using myGovID + RAM)

• Giving them access to Xero/MYOB/QuickBooks

• Connecting bank feeds

• Reviewing your payroll and STP setup

• Setting monthly or quarterly finance meetings

If you’re switching accountants, they handle “professional clearance” — a polite handover process with your old accountant.

The cost of hiring an expert account will save you time and growth!

Cost of Hiring a Business Accountant in Australia

Service	Cost Range
Sole trader annual tax return	$300 – $600
BAS + income tax (company)	$1,000 – $3,000+ annually
Strategic advisory	$150 – $350/hr or packaged
Bookkeeping support	$60 – $100/hr

Pricing is indicative and varies by scope, complexity, and location. Clarify inclusions, response time, and change-request fees, in your engagement letter.

Money-Saving Tip: Bundle services (tax, BAS, advice) for a flat monthly rate. It’s often cheaper and more consistent.

Accountant for GST & BAS:

(What to Expect)

• GST setup: Correct codes, tax rates, cash vs accrual basis

• BAS cadence: Monthly or quarterly, with workpaper support

• Reconciliations: Bank feeds, payroll/STP, super, ATO portal checks

• Adjustments: Bad debts, accruals/prepayments, fuel tax credit (if eligible)

• Review meeting: Cash flow, margins, next-quarter tax plan

Software Alignment & ATO Access

(Setup Essentials)

• Xero/MYOB: Advisor access, bank feeds, STP, chart-of-accounts cleanup

• Receipt capture: Dext/Hubdoc + expense policies; auto-publish rules

• Payroll/STP: Pay cycles, super funds, leave categories, award considerations

• ATO linkage: Link tax/BAS agent via myGovID + RAM; confirm activity statements and roles

• Security: MFA on portals, encrypted document sharing, user permissions

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Common Mistakes Business Owners Make

Waiting too long to hire

You pay more cleaning up mistakes than preventing them.

Picking the cheapest option

Low fees = low value. Pay for insight, not just form-filling.

Not asking about strategy

If they’re not asking about your goals, they’re not thinking long term.

Doing it all yourself

DIY bookkeeping sounds cheap — until you miss a tax deadline or overpay.

Hiring without clarity

If you don’t know what you need, you can’t judge the fit.

What to Do Right Now

✅ Book a Consult with Noize. We can refer you to talented experts to find the right accountant for your business. [Noize.com.au]

✅ Get the Full StartUp Deck so you can build out your business with a strong foundation. Over 200 cards with hints, tips and tricks that will save you hours of time, pain and fast track your success - theStartUpDeck.com

COMING in 2026...

✅ Build smarter with ProDesk — your all-in-one startup toolkit for Australian founders ready to register, launch, and protect their brand the right way.[ProDesk.com]

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The Bottom Line

Hiring a small business accountant isn’t a cost — it’s leverage. The right partner keeps you ATO-compliant (ABN/GST/BAS, payroll/STP) and helps you grow with clean numbers, better pricing, and sharper cash flow. Don’t wait for EOFY or an audit to get serious.

Choose a registered tax agent when you need tax advice, lodgements, or ATO representation; use an accountant for management reporting, systems, and advisory — and ideally, get both in your corner.

Make it simple: pick a cloud-first, Xero-certified firm, confirm fixed-fee or package scope in writing, link them in ATO Online (myGovID + RAM), and set a monthly or quarterly cadence. If your current setup is slow or reactive, switch — professional clearance makes it painless.

Search. Hire. Onboard, and let an expert turn your books into a growth engine.

FAQs

Do I need an accountant as a sole trader?

Yes — especially to claim correctly, lodge on time, and stay audit-safe.

How do I know if an accountant is legit?

Check the TPB register for tax/BAS agent status and confirm CPA/CA/IPA membership.

Can an accountant help me grow my business?

Absolutely — a growth-minded accountant improves pricing, margins, cash flow, and forecasting.

Should I use an accountant or a bookkeeper?

Use both. Bookkeepers track data; accountants interpret it and drive strategy.

How do I switch accountants?

Sign with the new provider, they request professional clearance and files, you link them at the ATO, and grant software access.

Do I need a registered tax agent or just an accountant?

If you need tax advice/lodgements/ATO representation, you need a Registered Tax Agent (TPB). For ops/advisory/reporting, a non-TPB accountant may be fine.

How do I link a tax/BAS agent to my ATO account?

Via Online Services for Business using myGovID + RAM. Your agent will provide their details; approve the relationship and roles.

What’s included in fixed-fee packages?

Typically BAS lodgements, annual tax return, ASIC annual review support, and monthly/quarterly reporting. Confirm inclusions and response times in the engagement letter.