Bookeze

06/10/2026

Meet Rachael🌟

Rachael joined Bookeze in September 2021 and has just marked five years with us. She came for a workplace that is supportive, family-oriented and genuinely invested in its people.

Rachael started her working life at TAFE supporting teachers with curriculum and teaching aids, before moving into executive support positions and then as the director responsible for running a number of CEO offices in the public service. In 2009, she fell in love with a life in Pottsville and after two years of commuting daily between the Brisbane C*D and northern NSW, she threw in the towel. She has since worked for a number of local small businesses and has loved the change of pace and being part of a smaller team.

As our Client Services Assistant, Rachael keeps the practice running behind the scenes: client onboarding and offboarding, ATO lodgements and registrations, timesheets and invoicing, documents for signing, and our quarterly newsletter. It's the variety she likes most — everything from lodging a BAS to improving how we work — along with helping clients directly.

One piece of advice has stayed with her: "It doesn't have to be the best, it just has to be better." As she puts it, we can spend too long making something perfect when it's often better to let it go earlier, reap the rewards sooner, and build the "best" along the way.

Outside work, horses have been Rachael's passion since she was about ten. She ran an agistment business for years and still keeps a small herd, and the daily routine that comes with them 😊

29/09/2026

💳 Card surcharges end this Thursday, 1 October. Is your business ready?

From 1 October 2026, businesses can no longer add a surcharge to Visa, Mastercard, Eftpos or American Express payments. The change follows a Reserve Bank review, which found card surcharging had become too complex for businesses and customers.

You don't need to stop accepting cards. The cost of taking card payments now needs to be built into your overall pricing, rather than added at the checkout.

What isn't changing: weekend and public holiday surcharges, booking fees, delivery, service and cancellation fees can still apply, as long as they relate to the goods or services you provide and are shown clearly before payment. But a card surcharge can't simply be renamed a "service fee" or "handling fee".

Before Thursday, check everywhere a surcharge might be applied or shown:
✅ EFTPOS terminals and point-of-sale systems
✅ Online payment links and website checkouts
✅ Recurring payment arrangements
✅ Invoice templates and your accounting software
✅ Menus, price lists, advertising and terms and conditions

It's also a good time to talk to your payment provider, look at what card payments are really costing you, and consider whether direct debit might suit your regular customers.

If you'd like help reviewing your payment options, your pricing or how payments flow into your books, talk to your Bookeze bookkeeper.

More on the changes: https://www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au/news-podcasts/news/card-surcharge-ban-coming-into-effect-from-1-october-2026

From 1 October 2026, businesses will no longer be able to charge customers a surcharge for paying by card. The changes will apply to payments made using eftpos, Mastercard, Visa and American Express. If your business currently applies a card surcharge, it’s important to start preparing now to make...

29/09/2026

Meet Katherine 🌟

A key part of the Bookeze team since September 2018, Katherine joined us looking for a role where she could combine her accounting expertise with the flexibility to balance family life. Today she's our Client Services Manager, and known across the team for her professionalism, technical depth and calm under pressure.

Katherine holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and is CPA qualified — a qualified accountant working as a high-level bookkeeper, with experience spanning management, financial and systems accounting, local government and small to medium business. She's trusted with our most complex and specialised work, where her technical knowledge and problem-solving really show, and her role has grown to include business advisory — helping clients think through the decisions that matter.

For Katherine, success is giving clients accurate, reliable numbers they can act on with confidence. She enjoys seeing everything reconcile perfectly, and takes pride in knowing her work gives clients clarity and peace of mind.

One piece of advice has stayed with her: never give up your career when you have children, and keep investing in your own growth along the way. It's a philosophy that shows in everything she does.

Outside the office Katherine is just as driven — she co-owns and manages a CrossFit gym, coaches there as a certified CrossFit coach, and competes herself. Her energy, expertise and positive attitude make her a valued part of the Bookeze team, and we're lucky to have her 😊

28/09/2026

What a night at the Business NSW - Northern Rivers Regional Business Awards in Ballina on Saturday! 🏆 MC'd by the fabulous .rooney

We're proud to share that Bookeze was named Highly Commended in both of our categories:
🏅 Excellence in Business & Professional Services
🏅 Excellence in Small Business (6–20 Employees)

It's a fantastic result for our team and a real reflection of the work they put in for our clients every day. Thank you to everyone at Bookeze. This one is yours.

A huge congratulations to ENV Group on winning Excellence in Business & Professional Services, to Maclean Medical on winning Excellence in Small Business, and to all the winners on the night. It was inspiring to be in a room full of such great Northern Rivers businesses. We wish you all the very best at the NSW State Business Awards on 30 October!

Huge congratulations to Mountain Blue on taking out ✨2026 Business of the Year🎉

Thank you to Business NSW, Southern Cross University and all of the evening's sponsors for making it such a wonderful night: Ballina Coast & Hinterland, Ballina Fair, Ballina RSL, Clarence Property, Collins Hume Strategy360, EML, ETC, Healthy North Coast, Jempire Events, Lismore City Council, Newton Denny Chapelle, Northcott, Northern Rivers NSW, NRMA Parks + Resorts, NRMA Road Travel Rewards, Social Futures, TAFE NSW, Taper, Telstra and Tursa.

23/09/2026

🏆 We're a Regional Finalist!

We're proud to share that Bookeze is a finalist in the 2026 Business NSW Business Awards: Northern Rivers, in two categories:

✨ Excellence in Small Business
✨ Excellence in Business & Professional Services

This recognition belongs to our whole team, who turn up every day for our clients. And to our clients: thank you for trusting us with your books and your business. Seeing you grow is why we do this.

We'll be dressed up and cheering in Ballina this Saturday night. Wish us luck! 🤞

15/09/2026

Meet Shelley Ferguson 🌟

Shelley's bookkeeping story starts back in 2004, helping set up a bookkeeping service to support accounting clients.

Bookeze itself started with her husband Brad, and as it grew Shelley came on board alongside him. For years she balanced bookkeeping with cardiac nursing, family life and business ownership — bringing the same dedication and compassion to each. Together they've built it into the trusted bookkeeping and business advisory firm it is today, while raising a family and creating a workplace culture centred on support, flexibility and genuine care.

After stepping away from nursing, Shelley joined Bookeze full-time. As co-owner and Operations Director she leads the day-to-day running of the business — people, systems, HR and marketing — and her passion for helping people sits at the heart of all of it.

What Shelley loves most about her role is the people. She takes real pride in building a workplace where the team can grow rewarding careers without giving up balance at home, and seeing them succeed is one of her greatest rewards.

Outside work you'll find Shelley at the beach, travelling, sharing a good coffee with friends, or making memories with her family. We're grateful for her leadership, kindness and commitment to the Bookeze team and our clients 😊

15/09/2026

09/09/2026

Meet Brad Ferguson 🌟

Brad is the CEO and Director of Bookeze, bringing together years of accounting experience, business ownership, and hands‑on commercial knowledge to support clients with practical, proactive financial guidance.

Brad’s professional journey began after earning a Bachelor of Business from Monash University, majoring in Accounting and Tourism. He started his career in public practice accounting before moving into business ownership and management roles across various industries, giving him a strong understanding of the real challenges business owners face.

After managing and later selling a family‑owned manufacturing business, Brad returned to his accounting roots and founded Bookeze in 2014 with a clear mission: to uphold commitments, anticipate client needs, and give business owners genuine peace of mind through accurate, proactive support.

In his role at Bookeze, Brad focuses on Business Advisory, helping clients understand their numbers so they can make confident, informed decisions about where their business is heading. He also leads Bookeze’s business development efforts and is committed to developing a team of trusted advisors who support clients with clarity, care, and commercial insight.

Brad enjoys partnering with business owners who value strong business practices, compliance, and trusted financial guidance. He is also incredibly proud of the talented and committed Bookeze team, and the values they continue to build together.

Outside of work, Brad enjoys golf, running, mountain bike riding, fishing, spending time with family and friends, and travelling. He is also passionate about giving back to the local community through his volunteer role with the Tweed Coast Rural Fire Brigade and was appointed as Captain just last month.

We’re proud to have Brad leading the Bookeze team with vision, care, and a genuine commitment to helping our clients succeed

06/09/2026

Happy Father’s Day to the Bookeze Dads, our clients that are Dads and the business partners that are Dads 💙 wishing you all a wonderful Fathers Day. Forever grateful for Dads.