Five Compliance Checks Every Business Should Complete Before Christmas

Posted on by customisedaccounting.com.au

As Christmas approaches, most business owners are focused on customers, staff leave, and finishing the year strongly. Unfortunately, compliance obligations don’t take a holiday.

November is the perfect time to review a few key areas so you can head into the festive season with confidence rather than a January to-do list.

Review Your Payroll

The lead-up to Christmas often means overtime, public holidays, annual leave, and business shutdowns.

Take a few minutes to check:

  • Employee pay rates
  • Leave balances
  • Allowances
  • STP reporting reconciliation

A small payroll error can quickly become an expensive problem when repeated across multiple employees or pay periods.

For guidance, visit the Fair Work Ombudsman’s payroll and pay guides (Welcome to the Fair Work Ombudsman website).

Check Your Super Obligations

Superannuation remains an area of ATO focus, with employers expected to ensure payroll records reconcile to super payments and reporting requirements. The ATO’s Payday Super reforms further increase the importance of accurate payroll and super processes.

Review:

  • Outstanding super payments
  • Payroll-to-super reconciliation
  • Salary sacrifice arrangements
  • Employee classifications

Fixing super issues early is almost always easier than dealing with them later.

Give Your BAS and Bookkeeping a Health Check

The ATO has identified over-claiming GST credits, omitted income, and using business money or assets for personal benefit as key small-business focus areas.

Ask yourself:

  • Are GST codes accurate?
  • Do I have invoices to support my claims?
  • Have all sales been recorded?
  • Are personal and business expenses clearly separated?

A small coding error repeated throughout the year can become a significant adjustment when identified later.

For more information, see the ATO’s small business focus areas(Small business newsroom | Australian Taxation Office).

Complete a Cybersecurity Review

Cybercriminals know businesses become distracted before Christmas.

Review:

  • User access permissions
  • Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
  • Shared passwords
  • Payroll and banking access
  • Backup procedures

The Australian Cyber Security Centre (Home | CGA) recommends MFA, strong passwords, regular software updates, and secure backups as essential protections for small businesses.

A few simple checks now can help prevent a costly incident during your busiest time of year.

Make Sure Your Records Are Organised

Good record-keeping makes every compliance obligation easier.

Confirm you can quickly locate:

  • Payroll records
  • Supplier invoices
  • Contractor agreements
  • Employment contracts
  • Vehicle logbooks and supporting documents

The ATO continues to rely heavily on data matching and expects businesses to maintain records that support their claims and reporting.

A Simple November Checklist

Before Christmas arrives, make sure you have:

✔ Reviewed payroll and leave balances
✔ Confirmed super obligations have been met
✔ Checked GST coding and bookkeeping records
✔ Completed a cybersecurity review
✔ Organised supporting documentation

Conclusion

Most compliance problems don’t happen overnight. They develop through small oversights that go unchecked for months.

A few hours spent reviewing payroll, superannuation, bookkeeping, cybersecurity, and record-keeping before Christmas can save significant time, money, and stress in the new year.

Not sure whether your business is ready for year-end?

A simple compliance review can identify payroll issues, GST coding errors, superannuation risks, and cybersecurity gaps before they become costly problems.

If you’d like a Year-End Compliance Health Check, get in touch. I’ll help you review your payroll, BAS, superannuation, and business systems so you can head into the Christmas break with confidence.

The BAS Mistakes That Attract ATO Attention

Posted on by Heathcote Boarding Kennels

Why BAS Errors Are Costing Small Businesses More Than Ever

For many small business owners, lodging a Business Activity Statement (BAS) feels like a routine administrative task.

But what appears to be a minor coding error today can become a costly compliance issue tomorrow.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has identified over-claiming expenses and GST credits as one of its current small-business focus areas. The ATO is also increasingly using data matching and technology to identify inconsistencies in business reporting. [ato.gov.au], [ato.gov.au]

The good news? Most BAS problems are preventable.

Let’s look at some of the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.

The ATO Is Looking Closely at GST Claims

The ATO’s current small-business focus areas specifically include:

  • Over-claiming GST credits
  • Incorrect deductions
  • Omitted income
  • Using business funds for personal purposes
  • Poor record-keeping practices

These are not isolated audit targets. They are areas where the ATO sees recurring errors across thousands of businesses. [ato.gov.au]

In many cases, the issue isn’t fraud.

It’s simply a business making the same bookkeeping mistake over and over.

Mistake 1: Claiming GST Without a Valid Tax Invoice

One of the most common BAS errors is claiming GST credits where the business cannot produce a compliant tax invoice.

Examples include:

  • Lost receipts
  • Screenshots that don’t meet invoice requirements
  • Supplier documentation that doesn’t show GST
  • Bank transactions without supporting paperwork

Why it matters

If the ATO reviews a claim and supporting documentation isn’t available, the GST credit may be denied.

Spring Clean Tip

Review large purchases from the past 12 months and ensure supporting invoices are stored digitally and are easy to locate.

Mistake 2: Mixing Personal and Business Expenses

The ATO identifies the use of business money and assets for personal benefit as a focus area for small businesses. [ato.gov.au]

Examples include:

  • Family holidays partially claimed as business travel
  • Personal subscriptions paid through the business
  • Private motor vehicle expenses
  • Personal shopping charged to company accounts

Why it matters

The issue is often not the transaction itself.

The issue is failing to properly separate and document the business component from the personal component.

Practical Question

Can you clearly explain the business purpose behind every significant expense?

If not, it may be worth reviewing your coding and supporting documentation.

Mistake 3: Incorrect GST Coding

Many GST errors begin inside bookkeeping software.

Examples include:

  • Coding GST-free purchases incorrectly
  • Claiming GST on expenses that do not include GST
  • Incorrect treatment of mixed supplies
  • Claiming GST on private expenses
  • Recording transactions in the wrong GST category

Why it matters

A single coding error may seem insignificant.

A repeated coding error across hundreds of transactions can create a substantial BAS adjustment.

Mistake 4: Not Reporting All Income

The ATO continues to focus on omitted income and increasingly matches information from multiple third-party sources. [ato.gov.au], [ato.gov.au]

Data can be received from:

  • Banks
  • Employers
  • Government agencies
  • Businesses
  • Financial institutions
  • Taxable Payments Annual Reports (TPAR)

The ATO states that it uses this information to identify errors and non-compliance. [ato.gov.au]

Common Examples

  • Cash sales not recorded
  • Online sales omitted
  • Contractor income overlooked
  • Deposits incorrectly treated as non-income

Important Point

What may feel like a small oversight can become highly visible when compared against external data sources.

Mistake 5: Poor Record Keeping

Many businesses don’t discover a record-keeping issue until they’re asked for documentation.

Common examples include:

  • Missing receipts
  • No motor vehicle logbook
  • Missing supplier invoices
  • Poor storage of digital records
  • Unorganised document management systems

Why it matters

Good records make BAS reviews easier, improve bookkeeping accuracy, and significantly reduce stress if questions arise later.

Five BAS Health Check Questions

Before your next BAS lodgement, ask yourself:

✅ Do I have supporting documentation for significant GST claims?

✅ Are personal and business expenses clearly separated?

✅ Have I reviewed GST coding for accuracy?

✅ Am I confident all business income has been recorded?

✅ Can I quickly locate supporting records if requested?

If any answer is “not sure”, it’s worth addressing before lodging.

Conclusion

Most BAS errors aren’t caused by dishonesty.

They’re caused by stretched business owners, inconsistent bookkeeping processes, and systems that haven’t been reviewed for years.

The ATO’s focus on GST credits, omitted income, and personal use of business funds highlights the importance of maintaining accurate records and reviewing your bookkeeping regularly. [ato.gov.au], [ato.gov.au]

A BAS should be more than a compliance obligation.

It should be a regular opportunity to confirm that your business records are accurate, complete, and telling the right story.

Need a BAS Health Check?

If you’re unsure whether your GST coding, record-keeping, or business expense claims are correct, now is an ideal time for a review. A small adjustment today can prevent a much larger problem later.

EOFY preparation starts now!

Posted on by customisedaccounting.com.au

The April Payroll & Compliance Checklist for Small Business

April is a funny month in the small‑business calendar. The Easter long weekend has come and gone, the year finally feels like it’s in full swing, and EOFY is close enough that it’s starting to appear on the horizon — but not close enough to cause panic.

That’s exactly why April is the ideal time to get ahead of your payroll and compliance housekeeping. A few small checks now can save hours of stress in June and prevent those last‑minute scrambles that no one enjoys.

Here’s a practical, no‑drama checklist to help you start EOFY prep early and set yourself up for a smooth finish to the financial year.

1. Give Your STP Data a Quick Health Check

STP finalisation becomes a lot easier when the data is clean well before June.
A few things worth reviewing now:

  • Are employee details correct (TFNs, DOBs, addresses)?
  • Are allowances mapped correctly?
  • Are termination payments showing as expected?
  • Have any manual adjustments been made during the year that need reconciling?

Think of this as tidying the cupboard before you try to close the door.

2. Review Leave Balances and Liabilities

April is a great time to look at:

  • Excessive annual leave balances
  • Long service leave approaching entitlement
  • Personal leave patterns
  • Whether your payroll system is accruing correctly

These checks help with cash‑flow planning and reduce the risk of incorrect payouts later.

3. Spot‑Check Award Classifications and Pay Rates

Awards change, roles evolve, and sometimes the classification someone started with isn’t the one they should still be on.
A quick review now can prevent:

  • Underpayments
  • Incorrect penalty rates
  • Misaligned allowances
  • Classification disputes

You don’t need to audit every role — just pick a few and make sure they still line up with the work being done.

4. Make Sure Super Is Up to Date Before the Final Quarter

With payday super starting 1 July, April is the perfect time to:

  • Confirm all SG payments are up to date
  • Check for any late or missed contributions
  • Review how your payroll system handles bonuses, backpay, and allowances
  • Test your super clearing house timing

Fixing super issues early avoids SG Charge headaches later.

5. Review Your Payroll System Settings

A lot can change over a year — new staff, new pay items, new rules.
April is a good moment to check:

  • Pay categories
  • Leave accrual rules
  • Overtime settings
  • Rounding rules
  • Default super funds
  • Termination settings

These small tweaks often prevent the biggest EOFY errors.

6. Start Thinking About the Annual Wage Review

We don’t know the outcome yet, but we do know:

  • It will apply from 1 July
  • It affects budgeting and cash flow
  • It’s easier to plan early than react late

Encourage business owners to start scenario planning now — even a rough estimate helps.

7. Clean Up Your Employee List

EOFY is smoother when your employee list is tidy.
April is the time to:

  • Terminate inactive employees
  • Finalise any outstanding payments
  • Check casuals who haven’t worked in months
  • Ensure new starters are set up correctly

A clean employee list means fewer surprises when you hit “finalise”.

8. Map Out Your EOFY Timeline

A simple timeline helps everyone stay calm.
Encourage businesses to plan:

  • When they’ll run their final payroll
  • When they’ll reconcile STP
  • When they’ll complete super for the quarter
  • When they’ll finalise STP
  • Who is responsible for each step

EOFY becomes much easier when it’s not all happening in your head.

Final Thought

April isn’t about doing everything — it’s about doing the right things early. A few small checks now can save hours of work later, reduce compliance risk, and give business owners the confidence that EOFY won’t be a mad scramble.

Payday Super is getting closer — a quick reminder for small businesses

Posted on by customisedaccounting.com.au

Last year I wrote about the closure of the ATO’s Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (SBSCH) and the introduction of Payday Super. As a reminder, these changes are still coming — and the timeline is tightening.

From 1 July 2026:

  • The SBSCH will no longer be available
  • Employers will need to pay super at the same time as wages, not quarterly
  • Super must reach employees’ funds within 7 business days of payday

This isn’t just an administrative change. It fundamentally shifts super from a quarterly task to a pay‑cycle obligation, increasing both the frequency and compliance risk for businesses.

Why this matters now

Many businesses will move from:

  • 4 super deadlines a year

to

  • 12–52 deadlines a year (depending on pay frequency)

That leaves much less room for error. Late or incorrect payments will be visible to the ATO far more quickly through Single Touch Payroll (STP).

Technology is key

Manual processes that worked under the quarterly system won’t scale under Payday Super. Well‑configured payroll software helps by:

  • Calculating super correctly every pay run
  • Reporting accurately through STP
  • Automating super payments and reducing missed deadlines
  • Creating a clear audit trail if the ATO asks questions

What businesses should be doing

Now is the right time to:

  • Review your payroll and super payment process
  • Confirm your STP setup is correct
  • Plan for more frequent super cash outflows
  • Identify an alternative to the SBSCH if you currently rely on it

Many businesses are choosing to move to super‑on‑payday early to reduce risk and avoid a last‑minute scramble.

👉 Need help?

If you’d like support reviewing your payroll setup or planning for Payday Super, contact Cameron at

📧 cameron@customisedaccounting.com.au

Banking Fraud in 2026: The New Tactics Targeting Small Businesses

Posted on by customisedaccounting.com.au

February is when the year genuinely starts for most small businesses. The school holidays are over, everyone’s back at work, inboxes are full again, and payments start flowing at a normal pace. It’s a natural reset point — and also the moment when fraud attempts quietly ramp up. Not because businesses are doing anything wrong, but because this is when routines are still forming and workloads are high.

This isn’t a scare piece. It’s a practical look at what’s happening in 2026 and the simple habits that keep businesses safe.

The fraud patterns appearing most often this year

  • Invoice redirection inside real email threads — Attackers gain access to a supplier’s inbox and wait for the perfect moment to send “updated bank details.” The email is legitimate, which is why it works.
  • AI‑generated voice calls — Voice cloning makes it easy to mimic a business owner, manager, or supplier. These calls usually ask for urgent transfers or bank‑detail changes.
  • Fake supplier onboarding forms — Professional‑looking PDFs or online forms request ABNs, bank details, and contact information. Once completed, scammers use the data to redirect payments.
  • Payroll bank‑detail scams — Criminals impersonate employees and request bank‑detail changes before the next pay run. These often come from lookalike email addresses or compromised accounts.
  • Hidden mailbox rules — Attackers set up forwarding or deletion rules inside email accounts so replies disappear, keeping the fraud hidden longer.
  • Spoofed banking alerts — SMS or email notifications claiming a payment failed or needs verification, designed to steal login credentials.

These tactics rely on timing and trust, not technical mistakes.

Why February is a high‑risk month

  • Payment routines restart after the holiday slowdown
  • Staff are catching up on full inboxes
  • Supplier activity increases
  • Payroll changes are common early in the year
  • Many businesses still rely on trust‑based processes

It’s a busy period, and fraudsters take advantage of that pace.

A simple workflow that prevents most fraud

  • Verify all bank‑detail changes by phone using a number you already trust.
  • Use two‑person approval for payments above a set threshold.
  • Enable MFA on all email accounts — still the most effective defence.
  • Check ABN and bank details against previous invoices.
  • Confirm payroll bank‑detail changes verbally with employees.
  • Restrict who can update supplier records in accounting software.
  • Review email rules monthly to catch hidden forwarding or deletion rules.

These steps don’t require new software or major changes — just a bit of structure.

Fraud prevention isn’t about being suspicious of everyone. It’s about having a workflow that protects the business even on the busiest days. February is the ideal time to reset those habits, because the year is only just settling into its rhythm.

If you’re unsure whether your current processes are strong enough, or you’d like a second set of eyes on your payment and payroll workflows, you’re welcome to get in touch. I can walk you through a practical review, highlight any gaps, and help you put simple, reliable safeguards in place so you can get on with running your business confidently.

👷‍♂️ Updated Apprenticeship Incentive Payments for 2026: What Small Business Owners Need to Know

Posted on by customisedaccounting.com.au

Australia has entered 2026 with a refreshed set of apprenticeship incentives designed to strengthen the workforce, support priority industries, and help employers bring new talent into their businesses. Whether you’re in construction, trades, manufacturing, energy, or any sector facing skills shortages, these changes could directly impact your hiring and training plans for the year ahead.

Here’s a clear breakdown of what’s new, what’s changed, and what support remains available for employers and apprentices.

⭐ 1. New Key Apprenticeship Program (KAP) Employer Incentive

From 1 January 2026, employers hiring apprentices in Key Apprenticeship Program (KAP) occupations can now access a new employer incentive of up to $5,000, paid in two instalments during the apprentice’s first year.

Why this matters

KAP occupations are tied to national priorities such as:

  • Clean energy and renewables
  • Housing and construction
  • Infrastructure and advanced manufacturing

If your business operates in these areas, this new incentive can significantly reduce the cost of onboarding and training new apprentices.

🔄 2. Changes to Existing Incentives

Several existing payments have been adjusted to redirect more funding toward priority and future‑focused industries.

Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment (AATSP)

  • Maximum payment reduced from $5,000 to $2,500
  • Paid over the first two years
  • Applies to apprentices in occupations on the Australian Apprenticeship Priority List

Priority Hiring Incentive

  • Employer payment reduced from $5,000 to $2,500
  • Paid in two instalments during the first year
  • Applies to employers hiring apprentices in Priority List occupations at Certificate III level or above

These changes don’t remove support — they simply rebalance it toward the new KAP structure.

🧓 3. Grandfathering Arrangements for Existing Apprentices

If an apprentice started before 1 January 2026, both the apprentice and employer will continue to receive the previous, higher incentive amounts, including:

  • $5,000 AATSP
  • $5,000 Priority Hiring Incentive

This ensures no one is disadvantaged mid‑training and payroll planning remains stable for existing staff.

💰 4. Incentives That Continue Unchanged in 2026

Some supports remain exactly as they were in 2025:

Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA)

  • Year 1: $120/week
  • Year 2: $90/week
  • Year 3: $45/week

Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans (AASL)

  • Interest‑free loan up to $25,983 (2025–26)
  • 20% discount applied on completion

Disability Australian Apprentice Wage Support (DAAWS)

  • $216.07/week for employers of apprentices with disability

These programs continue to help apprentices manage living costs and support employers who take on apprentices with additional needs.

🧭 5. What This Means for Small Business Owners

Opportunities

  • Reduced upfront hiring costs in priority industries
  • Access to a broader talent pool
  • Support for long‑term workforce planning

Considerations

  • Ensure the apprentice’s occupation is correctly matched to the Priority List or KAP occupation
  • Update payroll and HR systems to reflect new payment schedules
  • Review eligibility early to avoid missing out on incentives

For many small businesses, apprenticeships remain one of the most cost‑effective ways to build a skilled, loyal workforce — and these updated incentives make 2026 a strong year to consider hiring.

✨ Final Thoughts

The 2026 changes to apprenticeship incentives reflect Australia’s focus on building a future‑ready workforce. For small business owners, this is an opportunity to bring in new talent with meaningful financial support behind you. If you’re planning to grow your team this year, now is the perfect time to review your eligibility and consider whether an apprentice could be the right fit.

GST Compliance Changes in 2025: What Small Businesses Need to Know

Posted on by customisedaccounting.com.au

Discover the latest GST compliance changes in Australia for 2025 and learn how a Registered BAS Agent can help your small business stay ahead.

Big Changes to GST Reporting in 2025

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has introduced new GST compliance measures that impact thousands of small businesses across the country. Starting 1 April 2025, businesses with a history of late BAS lodgements, missed payments, or inaccurate reporting may be moved from quarterly to monthly GST reporting.

This change is designed to improve compliance and help businesses stay on top of their obligations—but it also means more frequent reporting and tighter deadlines.

👉 Read Worrells’ summary of the ATO changes
👉 See EEA Advisory’s breakdown

Why Monthly Reporting Could Be a Good Thing

While monthly reporting might feel like a burden, it can actually offer several benefits:

  • Better cash flow management
    Smaller, more frequent payments are easier to budget for.
  • Timely financial insights
    Monthly BAS lodgements give you a clearer picture of your business’s performance.
  • Fewer errors
    Reconciling GST monthly means fewer transactions to review.
  • Workflow alignment
    Many businesses already operate on monthly invoicing cycles.

Even if your business isn’t required to switch, you might consider opting in voluntarily.

The Power of a Registered BAS Agent

If the idea of monthly reporting feels overwhelming, a Registered BAS Agent can make all the difference.

What They Do:

  • Prepare and lodge your BAS accurately and on time
  • Advise on GST obligations and entitlements
  • Help manage cash flow and budgeting around GST
  • Liaise with the ATO on your behalf

Why It Matters:

  • Peace of mind
    BAS Agents are licensed professionals regulated by the Tax Practitioners Board
  • Reduced risk
    Avoid costly errors and penalties with expert guidance.
  • Time savings
    Focus on running your business while your BAS Agent handles the admin.
  • ATO support
    If you’re moved to monthly reporting, they can help you transition smoothly—or even challenge the decision if needed.

Final Thoughts

GST compliance is tightening, and small businesses need to stay ahead. Whether you’re facing a shift to monthly reporting or simply want to streamline your BAS process, partnering with a Registered BAS Agent is one of the smartest moves you can make.

🔗 For legal context, see the ATO’s GST Determination GSTD 2025/1

Ready to Simplify Your GST Obligations?

Don’t let compliance changes slow you down. Whether you’re adjusting to monthly BAS reporting or just want peace of mind with your GST lodgements, working with a Registered BAS Agent can save you time, stress, and money.

Need help navigating the changes?
At Customised Accounting Matters, we specialise in helping small businesses stay compliant, confident, and in control.

📧 email cameron@customisedaccounting.com.au to book your free GST compliance review.