What to organise before you meet your accountant this year
Meeting with your accountant does not have to feel like walking into an exam you forgot to study for. In fact, with the right prep, it can feel more like a quick chat that gets your year sorted, your stress levels down and your accounts back in shape.
So before you bring your shoebox of receipts or scroll desperately through your banking app trying to remember which purchase was work and which was that late night Uber Eats order, here is a simple, friendly checklist to make your accountant fall just a little bit in love with you this year.
- Your bank statements for the year
This is the big one. If your accountant cannot see what money came in and what went out, they cannot tell your business story. Grab your main business accounts, savings accounts, and any credit card statements you use for work.
Save them as PDFs and pop them into a folder clearly labelled so your accountant does not need to play Guess Who.
Hot tip: If you use multiple accounts, label them by purpose. Your future self will thank you.
- Your invoices and receipts
The old myth of “I do not need receipts if it is under a certain amount” needs to stay at the family barbecue where it belongs. If you claim it, you need to be able to show it.
Your accountant does not need every crumpled docket, but they do need access to:
• Work related expenses
• Subscriptions
• Tools and equipment
• Utilities and supplies
• Any big once off purchases
A clean record helps us work faster, which saves you money and keeps the ATO from raising an eyebrow.
- Payroll and super information
If you have employees, your payroll records and super payments are essential. Your accountant will check that everything is correct and that you have stayed on top of your obligations. This is especially important with all the recent changes around super timing.
Make sure you have:
• Payroll summaries
• Super payment confirmations
• Records of any bonuses or overtime
If you are not sure where to find these, that is completely normal. Your accountant can point you in the right direction.
- Your loan, asset, and finance details
This includes car loans, equipment finance, business loans, and any new assets you purchased last year. Accountants need this to make sure your depreciation, interest, and asset register are all up to date.
If you upgraded your tools, bought a new ute, or invested in equipment, bring the documents along. It all helps paint the full financial picture.
- Your questions and worries
The best client meetings happen when you walk in knowing what you want clarity on. Maybe last year felt messy. Maybe you want more time with the family instead of spending every night fiddling with your bookkeeping. Maybe you want to know whether you are ready to hire or expand.
Write it down. Bring it in. Your accountant is there to guide you, not judge you.
- Your goals for the year ahead
This is the part that most people skip, but it is actually one of the most important. If your accountant knows what you are aiming for, they can help you get there faster. Want to grow, cut back, stabilise, or finally get some balance back? Tell them. It shapes the strategy.
The truth is
A good accountant is not marking you on how tidy your paperwork is. We are here to translate the numbers, save you time, and make your business easier to run. A little preparation goes a long way, and it sets you up for a much smoother, calmer year.
Bring your questions, bring your paperwork, and bring yourself to a free assessment.
We have seen it all, and we are here to help you get 2026 started on the right foot.
