Getting the Best from Your Accountant
Because We Are Not Mind Readers
Your accountant wears a lot of hats. Tax expert. Business advisor. Financial interpreter. Sometimes part-time therapist. But one thing we are not is a mind reader.
Too often, business owners come to us with expectations that are never spoken out loud. They might be hoping for insights, solutions or advice, but without giving us the full picture. Then they feel frustrated when they don’t get what they need.
The truth is, the best results happen when we work together. You do not need to know all the tax laws — but we do need to know what is going on in your business and your life.
Here is how you can get more from your accountant, starting now.
Tell us your goals, not just your numbers
We can help with tax and compliance, but that is only part of the job. The real value comes when we know what matters to you.
Do you want to:
Take more time off
Grow your team
Reduce stress
Pay down debt
Retire early
Buy a new property
Exit your business in five years
When we understand your personal and business goals, we can tailor advice that supports the life you actually want.
Keep us in the loop
Planning only works if we have the full picture. If you are thinking about buying property, bringing in a new business partner, changing structures or hiring more staff — please talk to us early.
The earlier we know, the more we can help. That might mean tax savings, better cash flow, lower risk or avoiding mistakes that are expensive to fix later.
If we find out after the fact, our options are limited. But when we are involved early, we can help you structure things properly and make smarter decisions.
Ask questions early
There are no silly questions. If you are not sure about something, please ask. It is always better to check before you act than to clean up afterwards.
Some of the most common issues we see come from good intentions and bad timing. For example:
Setting up a new entity without advice
Paying family members without understanding tax or super obligations
Buying an asset in the wrong name
Signing a lease, loan or contract without knowing the consequences
You do not have to have all the answers. That is what we are here for.
Give us the full story
We can only work with the information you give us. If we do not know something, we cannot factor it in. That includes things like:
Loans from family or private sources
Assets held outside the business
Legal or financial challenges
Health or family issues that might affect your plans
Big changes that are on the horizon
When we have a complete picture, our advice is stronger and more aligned with your reality.
Stay organised and responsive
We do our best work when your information is clear, complete and timely. That means:
Keeping your accounting software up to date
Providing records when requested
Responding to questions promptly
Not leaving everything to the last minute
We understand you are busy. But late or missing information can lead to rushed work, missed opportunities or higher fees. The smoother the process, the better the outcome.
Use us for more than tax returns
Tax is only one part of what we can do. We can also help with:
Business planning and forecasting
Superannuation strategy
Asset protection
Cash flow management
Business structuring and restructures
Exit and succession planning
If you only speak to us once a year, you are probably missing out on advice that could help you grow, save or protect what you are building.
Be honest with us
We are not here to judge. Whether things are going well or falling apart behind the scenes, being honest with your accountant is critical.
We can only support you if we know what is really happening. That includes telling us what you are worried about, what you are avoiding, or what you do not understand.
A good advisor is part of your support team, not someone you need to impress.
Final thoughts
We are not mind readers. But we are committed, experienced and genuinely invested in your success. The more you share with us — your goals, your challenges, your plans — the better the advice we can give.
You do not need to have it all figured out. You just need to let us in.
Where we can help
If you are ready to build a more proactive and supportive relationship with your accountant, we would love to talk. Whether you need help getting organised, planning ahead or making better use of the numbers, we are here for it.
This article is general in nature and does not take into account your personal financial situation. Please speak to your adviser before making financial decisions.
