)
So why should I hire a BAS Agent/Bookkeeper and what's the difference to an Accountant/Tax Agent?
- What a great question and one all BAS Agents/Bookkeepers get frequently.
- The Core Difference: A BAS Agent/Bookkeeper focuses on accurate, compliant financial records and lodgements during the year. An Accountant/Tax Agent focuses on tax law, financial strategy, and end-of-year reporting. In short: Bookkeeper = keeps the financial engine of your business running correctly Accountant = interprets the results and manages tax outcomes at the end of the year.
"Think of your BAS Agent/Bookkeeper as keeping your financial house clean and compliant throughout the year, then your Accountant steps in at the end of the year to interpret the numbers and optimise your tax position."
So what does a BAS Agent/Bookkeeper actually do compared to an Accountant/Tax Agent? Another good question.Check out the table below
Quick Comparison Table
Area of Deliverables | BAS Agent/Bookkeeper | Accountant/Tax Agent |
Daily Bookkeeping | ✔ | Client Specific |
BAS/IAS Lodgement | ✔ | No |
Clean, up-to date books | ✔ | Client Specific |
Payroll Compliance/STP Lodgement | ✔ | ✔ |
Provide reports for decision making | ✔ | ✔ |
GST Advice & Compliance | ✔ | ✔ |
Income Tax Advice | - | ✔ |
Tax Returns | - | ✔ |
Tax Planning | - | ✔ |
Financial Statements (compliance) | Limited | ✔ |
Business structuring | - | ✔ |
| - | ✔ |
Compliance with Income Tax Law | - | ✔ |
As you can see from this table, a BAS Agent/Bookkeeper cannot provide tax advice beyond BAS-related matters, an Accountant/Tax Agent can.
How BAS Agents & Tax Agents work together (Best Practice)
The BAS Agent/Bookkeeper you hire maintains your business financial accuracy throughout the year and ensure that the compliance data is correct.
The Accountant/Tax Agent then uses this data to minimise your tax, provides you with business strategy for the year ahead and finalise all compliance requirements.
If the bookkeeping is poor - the accountant's advice is limited or flawed.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a BAS Agent or a Bookkeeper for my small business?
A Registered BAS Agent can assist with BAS-related obligations, GST, PAYG, payroll/STP and bookkeeping compliance. A Professional Certified Bookkeeper helps keep your financial records accurate, organised and up to date throughout the year. A
Can NJD Bookkeeping & Advisory lodge my BAS?
Yes, NJD Bookkeeping & Advisory is operated by Natalie Drazil, a Registered BAS Agent, providing BAS preparation and lodgement support for eligible small business clients.
Do you provide quarterly BAS Services?
At this stage, NJD Bookkeeping & Advisory focuses on ongoing bookkeeping support where records can be kept accurate, compliant and up to date, rather than quarterly-only work. This keeps mistakes to a minimum.
How do I check if a Bookkeeper is a BAS Agent?
You can check whether the Bookkeeper is a Registered BAS Agent by checking the public register of the Tax Practitioners Board:
https://www.tpb.gov.au/public-register