Working with an online accountant: how it works, the ID check and what you need

Working with an online accountant means everything a visit to the office would do – the advice, the ID check, the documents and the lodgement – is done by video call, phone and our online forms instead. You can live anywhere in Australia. The one step that has to be face to face is confirming who you are, and that takes a couple of minutes on a short video call, which we do not record.

We work with clients online anywhere in Australia, and in person at our office in Bondi Junction, Sydney. Plenty of clients do both.

Coming to us for a personal tax return? Our first appointment checklist covers what to bring. This post is the general picture, including for businesses.

How it works

1. Tell us what you need

New clients send us a message or call (02) 9386 0500. Tell us whether it is for you or a business, what kind of business, which years are involved and any deadline. We reply with what happens next and, where we can, what it will cost.

2. Fill in our registration form

We send you our new client registration form. That is where your TFN, bank details and personal details go. Please do not send a TFN by email or text message – the form is the place for it.

3. We confirm who you are

Registered tax agents have to verify the identity of every client. Identity theft is a real risk with tax: a name, a date of birth and a TFN can be enough for someone to lodge a return in your name.

• In person, at the office, or on a short video call – FaceTime, WhatsApp or Teams, whichever suits you – before your first online appointment.
• We do not record the call.
• Any Australian ID is accepted, including an Australian passport.
• Overseas documents: a passport only. If you are not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, have your passport ready.

4. Send your documents

Your onboarding email explains how to send documents and includes a checklist for your situation – income, expenses, business records, or the details we need to set up a new business. Do not worry if something is missing; we tell you exactly what is.

5. Meet by video call or phone

We go through your situation, ask what we need to know and explain what we recommend. If you would rather see us, come to Bondi Junction.

6. We do the work and lodge

We prepare the work, go through it with you and lodge it once you have approved it.

What we will never ask for

Scammers pretend to be accountants and the ATO, so it helps to know what a real one does not do.

• We never need your myGov password.
• We never "monitor" your ATO account for you or check it unprompted.
• Our bank details do not change by email. If you get an email saying they have, call us on (02) 9386 0500 before you pay anything.

Received a suspicious message "from the ATO"? Here is what to do.

How to check an online accountant is real

You can check any tax agent on the Tax Practitioners Board's public register. Our registration is number 15496009, and you can look it up on the TPB register. Our ABN, 53 147 756 170, is on ABN Lookup.

Common questions

Do I need to live in Sydney to use you?

No. We work with clients online anywhere in Australia. Clients near Bondi Junction can also see us at the office.

Can you check my ID if I am overseas?

Yes, on a video call. Of overseas documents, we can only accept a passport.

Is the video call recorded?

No. We only need to see you and your ID for a couple of minutes.

Can you set up my new business online?

Yes. ABN, GST and company set-up can all be done online – see business set-up.

How we can help

Whether it is a tax return, a new business or ongoing accounts, the online process is the same. New clients: get in touch or call (02) 9386 0500. Existing clients: book an appointment.