Yes, I wrote that 1.23am email. No, it’s not from an offshore assistant. No, I haven’t automated myself… yet… Its just me and honestly this has become a pretty normal part of how I support business owners.
There was a time I would hang up the phone, stare at the wall, and think, “How are they even running a business” I would sit there genuinely stunned. “They did not know that” Things like how GST, PAYG Withholdings and PAYG instalments works, what superannuation to pay, how to track payroll or when BAS was due.
But after hearing the same questions again and again, I stopped being surprised. Because the truth hit me hard. Not knowing the financial basics is not rare. It is everywhere and it is not a sign of laziness or carelessness.
The truth is most small business owners were never taught how to manage this side of business. They were taught how to do their craft. How to build. Create. Serve. Sell. But not how to decode ATO obligations, navigate compliance or interpret a balance sheet.
They were never taught and the system was not built to make it easy. So of course there are mistakes. Of course there is confusion. Of course there is stress, self doubt and a constant fear they are doing something wrong.
And the cost of not knowing adds up quickly. Penalties. Payroll errors. Cash flow problems. Long nights spent second guessing everything and still feeling behind. Worse than the cost is the blame. Most business owners assume it is their fault that they are failing.
This isn’t a knowledge gap. It’s a support gap.
As an accountant, it is easy to assume things are common sense but I have learned those assumptions are often wrong. Most business owners do not need judgement. They need someone who explains things clearly, simply, and without the eye roll. I no longer confuse silence for understanding.
That is my job now. No jargon. No lectures. Just practical advice to help stop small problems before they become big expensive ones.
If any of this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Let us talk. No pressure. Just real support, whenever it is needed. Even if that means the occasional 1.23 am email.