If Any of This Sounds Like You, Keep Reading.
You turned over $600k last year. You worked hard for every dollar of it. But right now, you don't actually know how much you kept — and that number is probably lower than it should be.
- Your Xero has months of unreconciled transactions and you're not sure how bad it is
- Revenue is up but cash is always tight — and you don't know why
- You got hit with a surprise tax bill at year-end that your accountant "didn't see coming"
- You're paying your accountant $300+/hr to clean up basic bookkeeping errors
- BAS quarter = stress quarter — you scramble, guess, and lodge late
- You want to hire someone but you don't actually know if you can afford it
- You're running the business on gut feel because the numbers aren't reliable enough to trust
- Super has been a bit... inconsistent. You'll sort it later.
Built for Your Industry. Not Just Any Business.
A generic bookkeeper sees a transaction. We see a plumber's materials job, a physio's Medicare item, a creative agency's contractor payment, or a childcare centre's CCS compliance — and we know exactly what to do with each one.
Trades Businesses
Plumbers, electricians, builders, carpenters, and flooring specialists across Geelong, Surf Coast, and Mornington Peninsula. Job costing, subcontractor TPAR compliance, vehicle deductions, and BAS — done right.
Allied Health & Medical
Physio, OT, psychology, GP practices, and medical centres. Medicare and HICAPS reconciliation, mixed GST-exempt billing, Cliniko and PowerDiary integration, and NDIS compliance.
Creative & Marketing Agencies
Creative studios, marketing agencies, digital agencies, and consultants. Contractor management, project-based billing, GST on international clients, and cash flow that matches your retainer schedule.
Childcare & Education
Childcare centres, early learning services, and tutoring businesses. CCS implications, SCHADS Award payroll, multiple funding streams, and compliance-ready books for ACECQA and ATO.
Consultants & Service Businesses
Management consultants, IT specialists, coaches, and professional service businesses. Clean contractor engagements, retainer invoicing, and a P&L that reflects how your business actually works.
NDIS Providers
Registered and unregistered NDIS providers across Victoria. GST treatment, PRODA reconciliation, Price Guide compliance, and SCHADS Award payroll — handled by specialists.
Everything You Get. Nothing You Don't Need.
This isn't a data-entry service with a receipt inbox. Every client gets a financial partner who's actively watching your numbers — and telling you when something needs attention.
- Monthly bank reconciliation — all accounts, completed within the first week of each month, zero gaps
- Transaction categorisation — every expense and income coded correctly in Xero so your reports mean something
- Monthly P&L report — plain-English Profit & Loss emailed each month, with a short summary of what the numbers mean for your business
- Cash flow visibility — always know what's coming in, going out, and what the next 30–60 days look like
- BAS preparation & lodgement — every quarter, handled by a Registered BAS Agent — including extended agent deadlines so you never lodge late
- Payroll processing — accurate, on time, STP-compliant, super included — no scramble, no missed deadlines
- Accounts payable & receivable — you know exactly who owes you and what you owe before cash flow becomes a crisis
- Xero setup or clean-up — if your file is a mess, we fix it. If you're starting fresh, we build it correctly from day one
- Subcontractor & TPAR compliance — ABN verification, correct coding, TPAR lodged by 28 August every year
- Accountant-ready year-end file — clean records mean your tax return takes your accountant hours, not days
- Direct access to Tiffany — call or email and get a real answer, same day. Not a ticketing system. Not a junior. The actual person managing your books.
If we spot a problem in your numbers before you do — we tell you. A margin leak. A cash flow gap that's 6 weeks away. An expense pattern that doesn't make sense. That's what a financial partner does. Not just a bookkeeper.
How It Works — Three Steps
No lengthy onboarding. No forms to fill in before we talk. Here's exactly what happens:
Free 20-Minute Review
We look at your current setup — Xero, BAS history, payroll, any compliance gaps. You get an honest picture of where things stand. No sales pitch. No obligation.
We Scope & Start Fast
You get a fixed monthly quote based on your actual workload — no surprises. We onboard within days, connect to your Xero, and start cleaning up immediately.
Clean Books. Clear Numbers. Every Month.
Monthly P&L in your inbox. BAS handled. Cash flow visible. Super sorted. You run the business — we handle the financial engine behind it.
Free. No obligation. You'll walk away knowing exactly what's wrong with your books — whether you hire us or not.
This Is For You If…
- You're turning over $300k–$5M and want to actually understand your numbers
- You're in trades, allied health, agencies, childcare, or professional services
- You use Xero — or you're ready to switch to it
- You want proactive advice, not just compliance ticking
- You're open to automating the boring stuff so you can focus on growth
- You want a bookkeeper who thinks like a business owner
This Is Not For You If…
- You want the cheapest option — we're excellent, not the lowest price
- You don't want to be told when your margins are slipping
- You expect data entry only — we do more than that, and we charge for it
- You want to stay on MYOB — we're a Xero-only practice
Serving the Greater Geelong Region & Mornington Peninsula
All bookkeeping is delivered remotely via Xero — so your location doesn't limit your service. We work with business owners across Victoria's south-west and the peninsula.
Geelong
Victoria's second-largest city. Trades, health, and professional services. Bookkeeper for small businesses in Geelong CBD and surrounds.
Warrnambool
Regional hub for south-west Victoria. Trades and service businesses. Bookkeeper for Warrnambool small business owners.
Colac
Otway region trade and service businesses. Bookkeeper for sole traders and small businesses in Colac.
Lorne & Surf Coast
Tourism, trade, and professional services. Bookkeeper for Lorne and Surf Coast businesses with seasonal revenue patterns.
Queenscliff & Bellarine
Bellarine Peninsula trades and health businesses. Bookkeeper for Queenscliff and Ocean Grove businesses.
Sorrento & Blairgowrie
Mornington Peninsula allied health, consultants, and trades. Bookkeeper for Sorrento and Blairgowrie business owners.
Also serving: Ocean Grove · Barwon Heads · Torquay · Anglesea · Drysdale · Leopold · Portarlington · Rye · Portsea · Rosebud · Dromana · Mornington and surrounds.
What Clients Say
"Professional, reliable, and incredibly knowledgeable. They've made managing our small business finances so much easier and stress-free. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a trustworthy Australian bookkeeper!"
"She takes on tasks that look impossible on paper and somehow makes them work. No drama, no excuses — she just figures it out and gets it done. That kind of initiative is rare. She's a diamond in the rough, and any business would be lucky to have someone with her drive and grit. Highly recommend."
"Highly recommend True Tally Bookkeeping. Such a professional, knowledgeable person with a calm eye for me as a chaotic one."
Book a Free 20-Minute Books Review
Not a sales call. A genuine look at your current setup — what's working, what's broken, and what it would take to fix it. You'll leave with a clear picture, whether you hire us or not.
- Honest assessment of your current Xero file and bookkeeping setup
- Identification of any BAS, super, or compliance risks sitting in your books right now
- Plain-English explanation of what clean books would actually look like for your business type
- A fixed monthly quote with no hidden fees, no lock-in, cancel any time
- If we can't improve your situation — we'll tell you honestly
Month-to-month only · No lock-in contracts · Cancel any time · 100% remote via Xero
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions we hear every week from trades, consultants, and allied health owners across the Geelong and Mornington Peninsula area.
How much does a bookkeeper cost for a small business in Geelong?
Bookkeeping for small businesses in Geelong typically costs between $300 and $900 per month, depending on your transaction volume, payroll size, and whether BAS lodgement is included. Sole traders with simple income streams sit at the lower end; businesses with employees, multiple revenue streams, or industry-specific complexity (such as allied health Medicare reconciliation) require more time.
At True Tally, pricing is based on your actual workload — not a one-size-fits-all rate. All fees are 100% tax deductible as a business expense.
Do I need a bookkeeper if I already use Xero?
Yes. Xero is accounting software — it is a tool, not a bookkeeper. Software cannot categorise transactions correctly, catch GST errors, reconcile your accounts, or lodge your BAS. Without a qualified person reviewing and maintaining your Xero file, errors accumulate silently and compound over time.
Most businesses that "use Xero" have months of uncategorised transactions, incorrectly coded GST, and a Profit & Loss report that bears little resemblance to reality. A bookkeeper makes your Xero work properly.
What's the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant in Australia?
A bookkeeper handles day-to-day financial records: bank reconciliation, expense categorisation, payroll, and BAS lodgement. A tax accountant uses that clean data to prepare your annual tax return and provide strategic advice.
You need both — but the order matters. A good bookkeeper delivers clean, complete records to your accountant. That means your accountant spends one hour preparing your return, not three hours deciphering a mess.
Who can lodge my Business Activity Statement in Australia?
Yes. Under Australian law (Tax Agent Services Act 2009), if anyone other than the business owner prepares and lodges a BAS, that person must be a properly authorised agent.
True Tally Bookkeeping is authorised to prepare and lodge your BAS on your behalf. We carry professional indemnity insurance and meet all ongoing professional education requirements. Always check that whoever is handling your BAS is properly authorised — unregistered "bookkeepers" lodging BAS are breaking the law.
Can I use a remote bookkeeper in Geelong or Warrnambool — do I need someone local?
Remote bookkeeping is standard practice for Australian small businesses. Via Xero and secure document portals, everything is handled without requiring in-person meetings. Whether you are a plumber in Colac, a physiotherapist in Sorrento, or a consultant in Geelong, the service is identical.
True Tally services clients across the Greater Geelong region and Mornington Peninsula entirely remotely. We are available by phone and email and respond within one business day.
What records does a tradesperson need to keep for the ATO?
The ATO requires trades businesses to retain the following for a minimum of five years:
- Invoices and receipts for all income and business expenses
- Bank and credit card statements
- Payroll records, superannuation payments, and employee declarations
- A vehicle logbook if claiming motor vehicle expenses
- Records of tools, equipment, or asset purchases
- BAS lodgement confirmation from the ATO
Failure to maintain adequate records can result in disallowed deductions and ATO penalties.
How do I find a bookkeeper for an allied health practice on the Mornington Peninsula?
Look for a bookkeeper with direct allied health experience, including: Medicare and HICAPS reconciliation, understanding of GST-exempt health services, correct treatment of contractor versus employee practitioners, integration with practice management software (Cliniko, Nookal, PowerDiary), and NDIS invoicing if applicable.
True Tally works with physiotherapists, osteopaths, psychologists, and allied health practitioners across the Mornington Peninsula — including Sorrento, Blairgowrie, Mornington, and Rosebud — as well as Geelong and regional Victoria.
How often should a small business reconcile their bank accounts?
Ideally, weekly or fortnightly — to catch errors quickly and maintain an accurate cash flow picture. At minimum, monthly reconciliation is required to meet BAS obligations.
Most business owners who attempt DIY bookkeeping fall two to four months behind within the first year. Catch-up work is expensive. A bookkeeper on retainer prevents the problem entirely.
Is bookkeeping tax deductible for a small business in Australia?
Yes — bookkeeping fees are 100% tax deductible as a business expense under Section 8-1 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. This reduces the effective net cost once your marginal tax rate is applied. For most business owners, a $500/month bookkeeping fee costs significantly less after tax.
Do I need a bookkeeper if I earn over $300,000 as a consultant or sole trader in Victoria?
At $300,000+ in annual revenue, the risks of poor bookkeeping escalate significantly: closer ATO scrutiny, more complex GST and PAYG obligations, potential payroll compliance issues, and higher accountant fees. The cost of a single ATO penalty or missed deduction at this income level exceeds a full year of bookkeeping fees.
A bookkeeper at this revenue level is not overhead — it is risk management and cash flow control.
Stop Guessing. Start Knowing.
20 minutes. Free. Walk away with a clear picture of your books — what's wrong, what it costs you, and what to do about it. Whether you hire us or not.
Book My Free Review NowCall · 0421 132 796 · info@truetally.com.au · @truetallybookkeeping