The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers estimates around 30,000 practising bookkeepers in Australia. The good news for the profession is that day-to-day data entry, BAS preparation and payroll are not designated services. The complication is that many bookkeepers quietly drift into work that is.
Bookkeeping work generally OUT of scope
- Data entry, bank reconciliation and management reporting.
- BAS and IAS lodgement (separately regulated by the TPB).
- Payroll processing for an established employer.
- Software training and migration.
Bookkeeping work generally IN scope
- Forming companies or trusts on behalf of a client.
- Holding or moving client funds outside a strict reimbursement arrangement.
- Acting as a registered office or providing nominee director services.
- Advising on or executing structural changes that move money between entities.
What to do if you're partially in scope
Scope your service mix honestly, document the trigger criteria that move a client into the in-scope cohort, and pick a self-serve platform priced for low-volume reporting entities (TrustSoft and easyAML are both viable below A$300/month). If less than 5% of your book is in scope, a managed service is overkill.