Apparently, we just do tax. Tax returns, BAS and financials. End of story.
At least, that’s what some people think.
Reality? Every week feels less like “just tax” and more like a mash-up of accountant, lawyer, banker and part-time detective. By Friday this week, the list of things our office handled ranged from inquiries into childcare centres to Portable Long Service Leave claims and everything in between.
Here’s a snapshot of what actually came flying at the desk, inbox and phone this week:
The Stuff No One Realises We Help With (until it suddenly matters)
- Portable Long Service Leave claims — digging up tax returns from 20 years ago, older than my tax agent registration, just so someone gets their entitlements. Turns out paperwork never dies, it just waits.
- Drafting letters for employer visa sponsorships. Because getting and keeping staff sometimes means keeping Immigration happy.
- Work out if it makes more sense to build and sell, rent out or operate a childcare centre. Turns out Google doesn’t know your family, your finances or your business like we do.
- Structure a development so you see the real outcome after tax, handover and the clean-up. Because the number in the bank isn’t the same as the profit you thought you’d made.
- Work through the least painful way for parents to pass on wealth. Turns out wishful thinking isn’t the same as having it on paper and signed.
- Help with builders’ home warranty applications – cashflows, interims and endless jobs in progress updates. Turns out the building isn’t the only thing under construction.
- Due diligence for business purchases – AKA uncovering the skeletons before you sign. Turns out the glossy brochure leaves a few things out.
- Work out the value when one director exits and another buys in. Turns out “fair” isn’t the same for everyone at the table.
- Cashflow forecasts for banks who’ll ignore them until they ask for them again. Turns out changing the font doesn’t change the numbers.
The Mortgage Broking Hat (because why stop at accounting?)
- Home loan applications. Apparently banks care about context. Nope, just paperwork.
- Refinancing to release equity. Turns out growth doesn’t fund itself.
- Structuring SMSF loans – the paperwork version of building the Harbour Bridge.
- Modelling borrowing capacity vs equity. Turns out what you own is not always what you can borrow.
- Emailing the same numbers to the bank after already giving them over the phone and in a meeting. Apparently writing it three times makes it true.
The So-Called “Boring Bits”
Of course we still did the basics – BAS, tax returns, financials, payroll, payroll tax, super and even the odd ATO payment plan. The essentials that keep businesses moving and the foundation for everything else we help clients achieve.
So no, it’s not “just tax.” It never was. And the real world is far too messy to let it be that simple. The real work is making sure clients get through everything that is thrown their way. This, that and everything in-between!!!