Shellys Bookkeeping Frequently Asked Questions

At Shelly’s Bookkeeping, we’re more than just bookkeepers — we’re small business specialists dedicated to helping Brisbane businesses grow and thrive.

We understand that running a small business is rewarding, but it also comes with challenges. That’s why we provide clear, practical bookkeeping support tailored to your needs — from day-to-day data entry to payroll, BAS lodgements, cloud accounting software like Xero, MYOB, and QuickBooks, and more.

We take pride in building long-term relationships with our clients and offering a personalised approach that helps you feel confident about your finances. Whether you're just starting out or looking to streamline your existing processes, we're here to support your journey to success.

Let us take care of your books, so you can focus on what you do best — growing your business.

When we engage a new client, there are a number of steps we run through to ensure you get the best value for your business.

Shelly's Bookkeeping will arrange for an initial meeting, this is usually on your premises.
We will discuss your expectations and what accounting systems you are using. We are certified in most accounting systems, however we recommend Xero as an accounting system due to its many features and extensive add-on community.

We can provide training in your chosen accounting systemShelly

Shelly's Bookkeeping can assist you to move from your existing system whatever it is - even spreadsheets to Xero or another accounting software application.

We can provide training in your chosen accounting software if required. If you are a new user, we will provide a series of cheat sheets to help you get started.
If you are already using a cloud provider for your accounting software, it is as simple as inviting us in as a user.

We will evaluate the amount of catch up work required if any and can quote you an agreed number of hours for this piece of work separate from the usual regular ongoing engagement.

Once this is agreed we will formalise our agreement with a client contract and start providing our bookkeeping services to your business.

Shelly's Bookkeeping will maintain regular contact with your business and accountant to ensure your bookkeeping is always up to date and to maintain compliance.

We understand that with modern real time accounting systems such as Xero or Quickbooks quarterly updates are no longer adequate. We will build a close relationship with your business and your accountant and are available to work through your concerns any time.

Cloud accounting systems allow us to work offsite, which means you save office space and costs of additional PC's and desks. However we are available to work on your premises if required.

We will also schedule periodic reviews and meet with you to ensure that our service is meeting your needs and expectations.

Shellys Bookkeeping has many years of experience in research and has a strong mathematical background meaning she is extremely efficient and methodical. You can read more about our principal here

Thank you for considering Shelly's Bookkeeping, we look forward to building a relationship with your business.

Bank accounts and Credit Card accounts do not reconcile (match) the balances on your statements.
Bank fees are deducted from income on invoices not added as an expense.
Petty cash never reconciled.
Trade debtors and Trade creditors do not match the balance sheet.
Paid invoices are still showing as outstanding.
Incorrectly lodged BAS.
Payroll is incorrect and inaccurate.
Claiming GST incorrectly on mixed items especially on car registration.

Shelly's Bookkeeping has a number of Services that can assist you to fix any of these errors.

We can also provide personal and customised Training to prevent them occurring again.

Please Contact us if you wou

Record transactions regularly throughout the year, including all sales, purchases, payments and receipts
Chase down any outstanding debts. If you aren't able to recover the debts, then write them off as bad debts to claim a tax deduction
Consider your inventory to see whether you can write off or write down the value of any stock. Review your investments—can any be sold to offset losses or have any other positive impact at tax time?
One strategy business owners can use is to pre-pay for services and supplies in order to be able to claim a tax deduction. In fact, bringing forward tax deductible expenses and deferring income can work to reduce your taxable income for the financial year.
When it comes to superannuation, make sure you are on top of all your superannuation obligations. You will receive a deduction for all employee superannuation obligations which you pay. As super is such a tax-effective method of investing, you may also want to look at investing your personal assets in super.
The end of a financial year is also the ideal time to plan for the future. Develop realistic profit and loss forecasts for the next 12 months, and set business goals for the next five or ten years. Review your insurance cover—are you protected against all the risks facing your business? Do you have an effective risk management plan in place?
Backup your accounts data if its not already in the cloud
Reconcile your bank accounts
Provide your accounts file and all supporting documentation to your accountant
Once all the necessary year end adjustments have been made, lock the accounts for that financial year to keep the data accurate

An entity that is registered for GST that makes a sale and charges GST is required to issue a tax invoice for sales. A valid tax invoice for less than $1,000 must have the following:

The document is intended as a tax invoice or states "Tax invoice"
The name of the supplier
The ABN of the supplier
The date of issue of the invoice
A brief description of the goods or services sold
The GST amount payable on the sale, or a statement such as "Total price includes GST"
A tax invoice for sales more than $1,000 should also include the buyers identity or ABN

If a contractor does not have an ABN or does not supply one, withholding tax at 49% of the payment should be kept

Naturally you can Contact Shellys Bookkeeping if you would like us to take care of it for you

As a registered BAS Agent, our work for you is performed in accordance with the Tax Agent Services Act 2009. Under this Act, the Tax Agent Services (Code of Professional Conduct) Determination 2024 requires that we make the following disclosures to you: Matters that could significantly influence your decision to engage us (or continue to engage us) for a Tax Agent Service from 1 July 2022 onward include the following: We have not committed a prior material breach of the ACT We are not being investigated by the board on any matter We are not subject to any sanctions imposed by the Board Do not have any conditions applying to our registration Have not been disqualified from providing services (or have employees who have been disqualified) The Tax Practitioner’s Board maintains a register of Tax Agents and BAS Agents. You can access and search this register here If you have a complaint about our BAS Agent services, you will need to contact Shelly Hope in the first instance with details by email. We will provide you with email acknowledgement of receipt of your complaint and our understanding of the circumstances. The email will inform you that we will attempt to resolve your complaint within 14 days and will outline the dispute resolution process. If you are unhappy with the outcome that we propose to you, you can then make a complaint to the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) using the link listed above. The TPB will send you an email to acknowledge the receipt of your complaint and review and risk assess your complaint. If you are unhappy with how the TPB has dealt with your complaint, the above link includes details about your review rights and who can further assist you.