Payroll is one of the most important functions in any organisation. Employees expect to be paid correctly and on time, while regulators expect businesses and not for profits (NFPs) to comply with complex workplace and taxation requirements. For small NFPs and professional service firms, payroll can become particularly challenging. Limited resources, changing award rates, grant-funded positions, part-time staff, contractors, and...

For many small businesses and not-for-profit organisations (NFPs), budgeting and forecasting can feel like educated guesswork. Revenue fluctuates, expenses shift unexpectedly, and funding cycles rarely align neatly with operational needs. Yet despite this uncertainty, financial clarity isn’t just an option but a necessity that goes beyond compliance. Whether you are a community organisation relying on grants or a professional services...

Australia’s not-for-profit (NFP) sector continues to grow in scale and importance. According to the 2025 Australian Charities Report by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), there are now over 52,000 registered charities in Australia, supporting around 1.54 million workers and contributing approximately $222 billion in annual revenue to the economy. While these numbers reflect a strong and active sector,...

A Message from the Keeping Company Team Taking a few minutes to review and set your preferences will ensure you never miss a critical notice, assessment, or reminder from the ATO. What Are ATO Communication Preferences? Communication preferences lets you authorise your tax professional to tell the ATO where to send your digital correspondence. In other words, you decide whether...

For many service-based businesses in Australia, accounting issues rarely start as major problems. They usually begin as small oversights that quietly build into bigger financial and compliance risks over time. According to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), a significant portion of small business reporting errors stem from basic bookkeeping issues and misunderstanding of tax obligations. These include incorrect expense claims,...

Most businesses are wary of hourly billing—and it’s not hard to see why. It can feel like signing an open-ended cheque, especially when you’re unsure what’s happening behind the scenes. But for complex work like bookkeeping and financial management, hourly billing is often the most honest and flexible approach as long as it’s backed by clear, reliable data. For Australian...

For many not-for-profit (NFP) organisations in Australia, audit season can feel daunting. While your focus is usually on delivering community impact, auditors are focused on financial accuracy, compliance, and adherence to Australian Accounting Standards (AAS). The reality is that most audit issues are not unusual or complex. They are recurring and preventable once you understand what auditors look for. This...

For many small businesses such as recruitment agencies and IT firms, the end of the financial year (EOFY) can feel overwhelming. Between payroll obligations, GST reporting, contractor payments, and managing project revenue, bookkeeping tasks can quickly pile up. As the 30 June 2026 EOFY approaches, proactive tax planning can make a significant difference to your cash flow and compliance. This...