Bookkeeping on the Sunshine Coast
Xero bookkeeping, payroll and BAS for Sunshine Coast small businesses, handled by a Xero L2 Certified Registered Tax Agent. Accurate books every month, and no surprises at tax time.
Book a free 30-minute consultation
Bookkeeping that keeps your business ready for tax time
Good bookkeeping is not just about keeping the ATO happy. Accurate, up-to-date books tell you whether you are making money, how much tax to put aside and whether you can afford to hire. Mentor Tax & Advisory provides bookkeeping for small businesses across the Sunshine Coast, and because we are also your tax accountant, your books are kept with your BAS and tax return in mind from day one.
Our bookkeeping services
Xero setup and conversion
Starting fresh or moving from spreadsheets, MYOB, QuickBooks or another system? We set up Xero properly: chart of accounts, tax rates, bank feeds, invoice templates, payroll settings and the apps that suit your industry. When converting, we bring across opening balances and the history you need, so your first BAS in Xero is right. See our tips on getting the most from Xero.
Bank reconciliations
We reconcile your bank accounts, credit cards and loan accounts regularly, coding each transaction correctly for GST and income tax and following up anything that does not belong.
Payroll and Single Touch Payroll
We process pay runs, set up leave and award settings, and report each pay event to the ATO through Single Touch Payroll (STP). At year end we finalise your STP data so your employees' income statements are tax ready.
Superannuation under Payday Super
Super has changed. From 1 July 2026, employers must pay super guarantee for each payday rather than quarterly, and contributions must be received by each employee's fund within 7 business days after payday (longer applies in some cases, such as new employees). Super guarantee is still 12%, but it is now calculated on "qualifying earnings", and both qualifying earnings and super liability are reported through STP. The ATO's Small Business Superannuation Clearing House has closed, so many small employers have had to change how they pay. We set up and run super payments in Xero so they line up with every pay run and reach funds on time.
BAS preparation and lodgement
We prepare your business activity statement from reconciled books, check GST coding, PAYG withholding and instalments, and lodge as your registered agent. For most small businesses reporting quarterly, the standard due dates are 28 October, 28 February, 28 April and 28 July. Lodging through a registered agent can give you more time: under the ATO's 2026–27 lodgment program, the July–September 2026 quarter is due 25 November 2026 instead of 28 October, and the January–March 2027 quarter is due 26 May 2027 instead of 28 April. The October–December quarter stays at 28 February 2027. Our guide to BAS and GST basics explains how it all fits together.
Catch-up and clean-up bookkeeping
Behind by a quarter, a year or more? It happens, especially in busy trades and seasonal businesses. We work through the backlog, fix miscoding and duplicate entries, reconcile old periods, and get overdue BAS lodged so you are back in good standing. You will not get a lecture, just a clear plan and a clean file at the end.
Monthly management reporting
Each month we can send a short pack: profit and loss, balance sheet, cash position, debtors and creditors, and a few comments on what has changed. It is designed to be read in ten minutes and to help you make decisions, not to sit unopened in your inbox.
How we work with you
Every business is different, so we agree a scope that fits yours. Some clients hand us everything – receipts, pay runs, BAS and reporting. Others keep day-to-day entry in-house and have us review, reconcile and lodge each quarter. Either way, you know what is included, how often we will be in your file and who to call when something comes up. We work in your Xero file, so you always have access to your own numbers, and we flag issues as we see them rather than saving them up for the end of the year.
Records you need to keep
The ATO requires most business records to be kept for 5 years from when you prepared or obtained them, or completed the transaction, whichever is later. Super contribution records are kept for 5 years from the date of the contribution. Keeping your records in Xero with receipts attached makes that obligation easy to meet.
Why Mentor Tax & Advisory
- Bookkeeping and tax under one roof. Your books flow straight into your tax return, with no handover gaps between a bookkeeper and an accountant.
- Xero L2 Certified. We know Xero well and set it up to save you time, not create more work.
- Registered Tax Agent. Director Blake Land (BCom, AIPA, FNTAA, TAN 25901938) can lodge your BAS and deal with the ATO for you.
- 25+ years of experience, including more than 10 years working with Sunshine Coast businesses across all industries – including QBCC-licensed builders with annual financial reporting obligations.
- Automation where it helps. We use practical AI and automation tools to cut down manual data entry, so you pay for checking and advice rather than keystrokes.
Serving businesses across the Sunshine Coast
We look after businesses in Noosa, Coolum Beach, Maroochydore, Mooloolaba, Buderim, Caloundra and Gympie, and work with clients across Australia online. Because Xero is cloud-based, we can work on your books from anywhere, and meet in person or by video when it suits you.
Talk to us about your books
Business owners can book a free 30-minute consultation. We will look at where your books are now, what needs fixing and what ongoing support would suit you. Call Blake on 0400 074 846 or get in touch online.
Frequently asked questions
When is my next quarterly BAS due?
The standard quarterly due dates are 28 October, 28 February, 28 April and 28 July. If we lodge for you electronically as your registered agent, eligible businesses get more time: the July to September 2026 quarter is due 25 November 2026 and the January to March 2027 quarter is due 26 May 2027. The October to December quarter remains due on 28 February 2027.
What is Payday Super and how does it affect my business?
From 1 July 2026, employers must pay super guarantee for each payday instead of quarterly. Contributions need to reach each employee's fund within 7 business days after payday, with some exceptions such as new employees. The rate is still 12%, now calculated on qualifying earnings. We can set up Xero so super is paid with every pay run and reported through Single Touch Payroll.
My books are a year behind. Can you catch them up?
Yes. Catch-up and clean-up work is a big part of what we do. We reconcile the missing periods, fix miscoded or duplicated transactions, and prepare and lodge any overdue BAS. Once you are up to date, we can keep you there with regular bookkeeping, or hand a clean Xero file back to you or your staff with some guidance on keeping it on track.
Can you move my business from MYOB or spreadsheets to Xero?
Yes. We handle conversions to Xero from other software and from spreadsheets. We set up the chart of accounts, tax rates, bank feeds and payroll, bring across opening balances and any history you need, and make sure everything reconciles before you start using it. We also show you and your team how to use Xero day to day.
How long do I need to keep my business records?
The ATO requires most business records to be kept for 5 years, starting from when you prepared or obtained the record or completed the transaction, whichever is later. Super contribution records are kept for 5 years from the date of the contribution. Storing receipts and invoices in Xero against each transaction makes it much easier to meet this requirement.
Do you work with businesses outside the Sunshine Coast?
Yes. We work with businesses in Noosa, Coolum Beach, Maroochydore, Mooloolaba, Buderim, Caloundra and Gympie, and with clients across Australia online. Because Xero is cloud-based, we can do your bookkeeping from anywhere, with meetings in person, by phone or by video depending on what suits you.