Nationwide Bookkeeping & Accountants Services

24/10/2024

🌟 Hey there, fabulous business owners! 🌟

Big news: I'm shaking things up! 🎉 I've been itching to change the direction of my business for a while now, and I’m super excited to dive into something that feels more -me-.

Imagine having a sidekick (that’s me!) who’s not just a number-cruncher, but a true partner in your adventure! 🚀 I want to work with those of you who get that having an external advisor is like having a trusty sidekick by your side—someone who helps you stay on track with your goals, balances your finances, and keeps you accountable. I mean, who doesn’t want a little extra help navigating this wild business journey?

Now, let’s talk about that pesky side character in our story: tax compliance. 😅 It’s the dark cloud lurking in the background that just won’t go away. But fear not! I’m here to help you deal with it while we focus on your dreams, which are the real heroes of this tale. You write your own story, and I’m here to help you find the best path forward!

I absolutely love building relationships and making you feel supported and empowered. Honestly, when you trust me, it boosts my own confidence too! We’re in this together, and I get just as excited about your success as you do.

And let’s keep it real—I’m a bit of a snail when it comes to stepping out of my shell. 🐌 Self-doubt and anxiety are my travel buddies, but once I break free, I’m here to inspire and support you. I’ve done it for so many others, and I know I can do it for you too!

Speaking of keeping it real, I’m also on the recovery road from burnout (seriously, heart palpitations are no joke). 😅 It’s been a tough ride, and I’ve realised that working with a handful of clients I truly enjoy is the way to go! It means more quality time for all of us, even if my working hours are a bit... flexible. ☕️ Let’s grab a coffee and chat anytime (well, when I'm available I guess)!

For my fellow solo accounting firm owners out there, I see you! 📊 You’ve got the clients, but sometimes the workload gets too much. That’s where I come in—let’s tackle that backlog together. You handle your clients, I’ll crunch the numbers. Let’s get you back on your feet and maybe even give you that well-deserved break!

Oh, and did I mention I love to travel? 🏞️ My hubby, kitty, and I are building out a van to work from anywhere with internet! So, if I’m in your neck of the woods, let’s meet up! I’ll keep you posted on our adventures.

So, that’s the scoop for now! We’re revamping the website, defining our values and ideal clients, and in 2025, I’ll be opening my books to just a select few clients. Can’t wait to see where this journey takes us! 🌈

Cheers to new adventures! 🥂✨

25/09/2024

It's been a stressful few months. In late June, I traveled to Perth without a return flight to Brisbane. I was there to support my family and spend time with Mum.

We were expecting that I'd be there for about 3 weeks to be support should Mum fall and need assistance getting up, due to my brother housesitting elsewhere. However, she was in hospital when I got to Perth, and eventually she was able to come home. Unfortunately, she went back to hospital after a week as she was vomiting every time she had food and fluid.

After a week or so in hospital, we were told she had about 3 weeks left to live - though, it's not a perfect science. And so we began the process to get her into hospice care and prepare for end of life.

I spent most days with Mum in her hospice room, and did some work in the afternoons when she was napping.

On 18 August 2024, my Mum passed away. She was 65.

I am grateful that I got to spend this time with Mum and have the conversations that would never have happened if I stayed in Brisbane.

There is now a void that cannot be filled. And while it is still very surreal, it hurts when I can't pick up the phone to have a chat.

I am back in Brisbane now trying to negotiate each day. I know Mum wouldn't want me moping around, sitting on the couch doing nothing all day (though, some days, that is needed), but she also wants me to be happy and not to overwork myself.

In all honesty, I was burnt out before I went to Perth, and now, I am beyond that.

I have actively reduced my workload to something manageable for the next few months and while the income may have taken a massive hit, it's time for my health to come first (it was very much ignored over the past few months).

I have a wonderful medical team surrounding me for the various issues that have resulted from the stress of the past couple of years, and especially this year.

But for the rest of this year, I am not able to take on any new clients, or new tax return work. I am currently working at snail's pace to ensure that I am not causing any more health issues for myself or exacerbating current ones.

I will reach out to clients directly when I am ready to begin working on their annual accounts and tax returns and in the meantime, my goal is to complete the ones I have on-hand before December.

There is new branding to come - and while I will continue to do accounting and tax work for a handful of clients, moving forward the main focus will be business advisory services (where accounting and tax is supplementary).

So, if you'd like to work with me in 2025, reach out by email to: [email protected]

15/05/2024

The 2024/25 Australian Federal Budget is an important topic for all Australians, as it outlines the government’s plans and priorities for spending and revenue collection over the next financial year. As a business owner or individual, you may be interested in how the budget affects tax policies, economic growth forecasts and infrastructure investment plans that could impact your financial situation. Let’s dive in and explore the key highlights of the budget.

The 2024/25 Australian Federal Budget is an important topic for all Australians, as it outlines the government's plans and priorities for spending and revenue collection over the next financial

11/12/2023

🎄🎄🎄

It's holiday time and we certainly hope you get to take some time off and enjoy the upcoming holiday period (no matter how short or long it may be).

For us, we'll be closing our metaphorical doors in the afternoon of 14 December 2023 and reopen them on 15 January 2024.

Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year period!

Email us at [email protected] if you'd like to work with us next year and we'll get in touch with you after we're back from break.


🎄🎄🎄

10/11/2023

One more thing to celebrate this week (not my best canva design!).

It's Global Bookkeeping Week.

A bookkeeper can turn your mysterious accounts into something quite magical. Something that makes sense, something that can help the accountants make a little more sense of for advisory and compliance purposes. Something to help you understand your operations that bit more.

But a bookkeeper is more than just a data-entry operator and magician. They can also be one of your most valuable advisors as they are looking at the day-to-day nitty gritty of your business. They can help you navigate some of the quagmires of operating a business and help you keep on track of many wonderous (or terrifying) things.

There's a sense of whimsy to bookkeeping. It might be digital and hidden behind the veil of pretty reports, but deep down, they know and can see the how of how your figures that now make sense came to be. It didn't really happen by magic, it happened by hard work, determination and translating and navigating a few different legislations.

Find your magical bookkeeper (and accountant) today! See where the story takes you.

10/11/2023

Did you know that there is an International Accounting Day celebrated around the world?

Probably not. But hey, it's another reason to celebrate what we do because this is the world we chose to submerse ourselves in and while there can be some horrible days, there are some wonderful days too.

We're relied upon, and trusted, to assist our clients throughout the year, in good times and bad. We educate our clients to help understand the nuances of the tricky tax and regulatory systems we have (there are many!). Some see us as the ghouls who work for the government, and while that's true to a point, we also want our clients to succeed in their business and life goals. It's not just about tax and compliance, it's about way of life.

We aren't all the same. Some specialise while others generalise. Some toe the very thin line while others are more conservative. Some enjoy working away in the background while others enjoy the conversation, and some enjoy both. Some are early risers while others stay up late. Some enjoy being in an office while others enjoy being in the bush. Some enjoy company while others don't want any.

We are such a diverse collective of people and I'm proud to call some my friends, others my family, and just generally, be an accountant! There is a bucketload of study required to be one and maintain knowledge with the ever-changing legislations and interpretations. So I'm grateful that our peers are also there for each other when the brain hits a brickwall.

So - HAPPY INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTING DAY!

09/11/2023

Do you celebrate the day your business became reality?

While I (Melissa) started on the self-employed/freelance/entrepreneur journey many eons ago in the music industry, on 9 November 2011, Nationwide Bookkeeping & Accountants Services aka Nationwide BAS came into existence. The idea was to bridge the gap between bookkeeping & accounting and work remotely, from wherever, whenever. 12 years later, that is still the same goal and is indeed our reality.

I definitely have to thank our clients. Some I've had the pleasure of working with since they started in 2012! Our clients' business is our business - it might sound corny but it's true. We care and want to see your achieve your goals for business and life!

And in exciting birthday news - our team is growing. My heart truly is in advisory, strategic accounting and helping your business grow. So the decision has been made - we'll be bringing a bookkeeper on board to assist with the day-to-day bookkeeping and bas services of our clients. It'll take some time as they'll be learning systems and processes of not just our business, but yours too (patience will be very much appreciated) - but hopefully come March 2024 (if not sooner), we'll be opening our books up to more business clients - bookkeeping, accounting and advisory.

02/06/2023

🔥 The annual FBT return is due by 25 June. FBT is 1 April to 31 March.
✅ Companies and Trusts; Make sure you lodge and pay on time. If BPAY, give it 3 extra days for payment to clear.
❌ Payment Arrangements: Always make sure you pay before the due date so you do not default on your arrangement.
⁉ If you are struggling to make payment this period, get in touch with the ATO to set up or amend a payment arrangement.
❗The ATO are cracking down on overdue payments and lodgements.

01/06/2023

🔥 The monthly activity statement is due by the 21st.
✅ Make sure you lodge and pay on time. If BPAY, give it 3 extra days for payment to clear.
❌ Payment Arrangements: Always make sure you pay before the due date so you do not default on your arrangement.
⁉ If you are struggling to make payment this period, get in touch with the ATO to set up or amend a payment arrangement.
❗The ATO are cracking down on overdue payments and lodgements.