We are a Registered BAS agent
As of March 1st 2010 the ATO regulated the bookkeeping industry. As a result, all bookkeepers providing a BAS Service must register. A Registered BAS Agent will give you peace of mind, and are insured against losses.
What does that mean for you?
In the past, a bookkeeper could do a MYOB or Quicken course and start charging for their services. Due to their lack of experience, they often left a mess. As a result, the client could do nothing except find someone else to fix it.
This can be expensive and emotionally draining.
Minimum requirements
To register with the Tax Practitioners Board, a bookkeeper must pass the following requirements first. Those requirements include;
Qualifications
A minimum of a Cert IV in Financial Services (Bookkeeping or Accounting).
Experience
1,000 hours supervised experience lodging BAS in the past 4 years.
Insurance
Minimum of $1,000,000 professional indemnity insurance.
Professional membership
Professional development
Maintaining knowledge and skills, taking relevant courses and keeping up to date with laws.
Professional code of conduct
We are under a Code of Conduct. Breaches can mean up to $137,500 in fines and penalties. Or even loss of registration. The code covers five areas;
Honesty and integrity
Acting honestly, complying with taxation laws personally, trustworthy dealing with money.
Independence
Acting in best interest of the client and management of conflict of interest that may arise.
Confidentiality
Not disclosing information to a third party without client’s permission or legal duty to do so.
Competence
Taking reasonable care to ascertain client state of affairs and correctly apply GST and taxation laws.
Other
Timeliness, professional indemnity insurance, and correct administration of laws.
ICB Global
The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers is the largest bookkeeping institute in the world. It promotes and maintains the standards of bookkeeping as a profession, through the establishment of a series of relevant qualifications and the award of grades of membership that recognise academic attainment, working experience and competence.
The Institute’s objectives are:
- promoting bookkeeping as a profession
- enabling bookkeeping to gain recognition as an integral part of the financial profession
- promoting training in the principles of bookkeeping
- improving the career prospects of its members
Consultation with commerce and industry has confirmed and amplified the Institute’s assessment of the need for qualified bookkeepers.
When you use a Registered BAS Agent, you will have peace of mind.
The combination of having to meet the Tax Practitioner Board’s high standards, getting extra time for BAS Lodgment with the ATO, and being covered by insurance makes this an easy choice for any business looking to go to the next level in professionalism.
This investment, of getting their accounts in order and becoming more professional, will set them up for future expansion and refinement.
Your business is your future.