Straightforward answers to the things Perth small-business owners ask us most — about costs, BAS, catch-up bookkeeping, payroll and getting started. No jargon.
It depends on how much work your books need — but we believe in being upfront. Our ongoing packages start from $300/month (ex GST) for sole traders with low volume, and we quote everything in advance so you'll never get a surprise bill. You can see our full package range on the homepage.
Think of it this way: your bookkeeper keeps your day-to-day finances accurate and up to date all year — recording transactions, reconciling your bank, running payroll, lodging your BAS. Your accountant usually steps in at tax time for your annual return and bigger-picture tax planning. Good bookkeeping all year makes your accountant's job easier (and often cheaper). We're happy to work alongside your accountant.
A registered BAS agent is licensed by the Tax Practitioners Board to prepare and lodge your BAS and IAS on your behalf. It matters because it's actually illegal for someone to charge a fee to lodge your BAS unless they're registered. Count The Beans is a registered BAS agent (No. 26358963), so your lodgements are in qualified, accountable hands.
You don't legally need one, but most sole traders find it pays for itself. If you're spending evenings wrestling with receipts, unsure whether you're putting enough aside for tax, or dreading BAS time, that's time and stress a bookkeeper takes off your plate — usually for less than you'd think.
Absolutely — this is one of the most common things we hear, and there's zero judgment. We offer catch-up bookkeeping that brings everything back up to date, including overdue BAS lodgements where needed, and you'll get a plain-English handover of what we found and fixed. It's quoted up front based on the volume of work.
We specialise in Xero because it's reliable, cloud-based, and genuinely easier for clients to use — and we can set it up for you from scratch if you're not on it yet. If you're on something else, get in touch and we'll talk it through.
Yes. We handle STP-compliant pay runs, payslips, super calculations and payments, PAYG withholding, leave accruals and year-end summaries — either as part of an ongoing package or as a standalone payroll service.
We're based in Tapping and work with small businesses right across Perth, especially the northern suburbs. Everything can be done remotely — cloud software means you don't have to drop off a shoebox of receipts or meet face to face unless you'd like to.
It's more straightforward than people expect, and we handle the heavy lifting. We'll help transfer your file and information across smoothly, with no awkward gaps. The best place to start is a free 15-minute call so we can understand where things are at.
Yes. Your data is stored on secure, encrypted cloud platforms, and we handle it in line with the Privacy Act and Australian Privacy Principles. We never enter sensitive details like TFNs into third-party AI tools, and you can read exactly how we handle your information in our Privacy Policy.
If your question isn't here, just ask. No obligation, no pressure — a straightforward chat about what you need.
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