FAQs: All your Questions Answered

When a person starts their own business, they often take on every job themselves. However, many of these tasks require professional assistance, especially in relation to legislation and regulations. Here are some FAQs we hear from businesses considering using our services:

Do I need a bookkeeper and why?

Unless you have bookkeeping qualifications or experience, it is highly recommended to engage a bookkeeper to assist you with the financial management of the business. An expert in Xero Bookkeeping will ensure timely processing of transactions, GST and tax obligations are met, you receive regular financial reports and save you money on your year-end accountant bills. Our extensive experience will also provide you with practical advice to build and improve your business.
If I have an accountant, do I need a bookkeeper as well?

Accountants and bookkeepers provide different services inside of a business. A bookkeeper will manage and keep track of the flow of money in and out of a business, which many accountants don’t do – therefore the services we provide are ongoing. We also prepare the information needed by accountants for tax purposes, and often work with an accountant to ensure a client’s records and reports are correct.
Do I need to receive tax invoices/receipts for all my purchases?

Because the ATO has set a threshold of $82.50 ($75 plus 10% GST), it means that if you want to claim a GST credit you need a correctly rendered tax invoice/receipt. Diary entries or invoices can be used where you can’t get a tax invoice or cash register docket, usually for lesser amounts. EFTPOS receipts are generally not enough unless you write a description of the items purchased on the back of the docket. Read this guide, then call Cameo to discuss.
When engaging with Cameo we encourage businesses to use an expense/receipt processing application such as Dext, Hubdoc or Xero bill capture. We will identify and discuss the best option for your business when we conduct the initial discovery interview.
Does Cameo Bookkeeping offer Xero Payroll services?

Yes. Payroll is complex, because you need to comply with employment and taxation law. Cameo Bookkeeping provides payroll services and managing the process from beginning to end, as well as handling employee set up and financial year end financial and payment summaries.
What’s the difference between a Grant and a Tender?

A grant refers to funds provided in the name of achieving a purpose like a community project, innovative product, initiative etc. In these cases, maximum funding is specified, there is a very clear and specific funding agreement and responsibility for the funds is essential including reporting on usage.
A tender on the other hand is a bid to provide goods or services to a customer on a one-off or ongoing basis. These tenders are usually price or performance driven and come with a very detailed contract that the winner of the tender must stick closely to.
Can Cameo refer me to other business and financial services?

Yes. We work closely with other business and professional service providers, so we can refer you to the relevant personnel who can assist you. Our partners can assist in accountancy, recruitment, legal advice, website development and digital marketing, finance broking and more. Visit our Professional Network for more information.
Can a Bookkeeper lodge my BAS?

Yes, providing that they are also a registered BAS Agent. A registered BAS agent has met the governments requirements for qualifications, experience, good character and insurance, so you can be sure you are obtaining services from reputable agent.
To check whether your bookkeeper is a registered BAS agent, go to www.tpb.gov.au and search the register.
Can my Bookkeeper lodge my tax return?

Generally, no they can’t.
To lodge a tax return on a client’s behalf a bookkeeper or Accountant must be a registered Tax Agent. A registered tax agent has met the governments requirements for qualifications, experience, good character and insurance.
Your Accountant will usually be a registered tax agent and will be able to lodge your tax return for you. To check whether your Accountant is a registered tax agent, go to www.tpb.gov.au and search the register.
Can a Bookkeeper take care of my receipts?

Yes, we can. At Cameo we use a receipt scanning program called Receipt Bank. We can give you access to this program via an app, and it is as simple as using the app to take a photo of the receipt. All the rest is taken care of, and you don’t need to keep endless amounts of paperwork.
Do you offer BAS Agent services?
Do you undertake Clean Up or Catch up work?

We understand that sometimes keeping your business finances up to date comes last in the long line of responsibilities you have as a business owner and operator.
Cameo Bookkeeping can definitely assist you with clean up or catch-up work. Book a free 30-minute consultation to discuss your requirements.
Which software do you use?

Cameo prefers to use Xero (Blue). As Xero Gold Partners and Xero Certified bookkeepers, we know and love Xero. In our experience, Xero is the most user-friendly system available, which allows business owners and operators to navigate and find information easily. Cameo have trained business owners in how to use Xero, even if they have engaged Cameo to provide bookkeeping services.
How do I engage with Cameo Bookkeeping?

After an initial chat, we will send you a short survey to capture your needs and requirements. We will conduct a free 30-minute discovery call to review those needs and requirements and identify the solutions that Cameo Bookkeeping can provide. A proposal will be sent and once accepted, work will get under way.
Isn’t paying for Bookkeeping another cost to my business?

There is no doubt engaging a bookkeeper will be an extra expense to the business.
But it’s going to save you more than it costs you.

Your time is valuable, and by outsourcing the bookkeeping, you will be able to use that time to generate more income for your business, or simply spend that time doing something that you love.

Plus, we will save you time through the streamlined systems and processes we’ll implement and our compliant approach will keep you off the ATO radar and ensure you are meeting all the financial legal and regulatory requirements required from business owners, big and small.
What locations do you provide bookkeeping services to?

We are based in Pottsville on the beautiful Tweed Coast right next door to the Gold Coast. We provide virtual services locally to areas such as Tweed Heads, Currumbin, Casuarina, Southport and Burleigh Heads, as well as across Australia including Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Newcastle and the Sunshine Coast.

Contact Cameo Business Consulting & Cameo Bookkeeping Services for more information on our Xero bookkeeping services.

Testimonials

I have had the privilege of working with Cameo Bookkeeping for 4 years.

Over that time my business has evolved and grown all under the educated eye of Belinda and her team.

Covid all but decimated our business for 18 months and our success in navigating this was largely due to the skills and expertise of cash flow forecasting, diligently curated by Cameo.

Belinda helped me to see pit falls long before they arose, and enabled us to plan and manage through a constantly changing situation as it developed, always with grace, compassion and understanding.

I cannot recommend the Cameo Business team highly enough for any small business owners who are looking to expand or financially plan with precision and professionalism.

Decinda MacDonald

Creative Director

Absolutely delighted to recommend to your attention Belinda and all the team at Cameo Bookkeeping. We’re on our 4th bookkeeper in the 20 year history of our business and we’re discovering things that could have been made so much easier and professional for us years ago had previous providers offered the comprehensive service that Cameo offer.. It all comes from the insight and real time experience that Belinda brings to her business. Yet so much more than a bookkeeper, Cameo do our budgets, lodge our BAS, provide monthly management reports, organise the super payments. Even acting as an experienced sound board on business development and management perspectives.

We’re big believers in having good people do for us what they do best in order to free us up ro do what we do best. This has certainly been the case as far as Belinda and Cameo are concerned. Put succinctly, we’re so thankful to have found them and don’t see a point where we would stop using them. A little bit of Tina Turner about them. Simply The Best.

John Peacock

Chem-dry on the Coast & Chem-dry Far North Coast

Belinda and the Team at Cameo have been a game changer for us and our business. Like a lot of business owners we went into business and fumbled our way through the bookkeeping. It definitely was something that was not my forte. We are now on top of all our bookkeeping requirements. We have a better understanding of what we are looking at financially so we are better able to manage our finances, and it has given us much needed time back, which for us is worth every cent.

Andrew & Alyce Buttigieg

AJB Plumbing