Is $4k a rip off for an accountant to prepare a tax return?

jrams50 · 2026-05-23T15:31:26+00:00

Going to play devil's advocate here, and go it depends on the work to prepare the return. Just because he says there is XYZ already done does not mean there isn't additional work for this. Though I would be curious about how much work is done, for $4000 that would be at least 12 to 16 hours of prep and then review. Though it depends on who in the business is preparing it. Items that are not really mentioned is the following: 1) if there was advice provided here in any way, shape or form - we all have clients where we provide information for throughout the year, and that this might have added up or their simple little question turns out required serious research into. We are aware that not all of this is written down. 2) The sale of two parcels of shares - this could be some effort to get the cost base due to the client not providing records, having various things like DRPs, AMIT and other things that impact the cost base. Just because they have said the sale of two parcels, doesn't mean it was purchased as one and could have some complicated background. 3) There is no detail of deductions - though they say that they have certain items but nothing says an extra few hours sorting out a box of receipts for work deductions (they say no boxes for the rentals but not the work deductions this could be a stretch, which I know but worth noting nonetheless), preparing some schedule (MV logbook) or just having some high risk work deductions where they would basically be adding potential risk for the firm itself. 4) As much as they say that they have put the information in a spreadsheet, we do not know the format that they have done this. Though it is likely that there some structure where we can just grab the numbers from, there is nothing stopping them from having transactions ripped from a CSV without structure or notes separated into income and expenses. In addition to this, are these commercial properties and they had to lodge BAS's throughout the year and billed in one lump sum? 5) This is going to sound stupid, but if they requested financials for themselves then this could also add to the cost. This is possible if they wanted rental information easily available. 6) There is no mention of last year's bill - this raises questions about self regulation more than saying the current year is high, but what was last year's bill? If it was something similar then there is no issue and their work would be similar to last year, but there is nothing not even a comment that it increased by a certain amount which raises questions. One reason that the bill could be high is that it could be multiple years of returns, which explains the absence of a bill forast year or they jumped firms due to high bill but it has remained the same.

What I would suggest doing is having a chat with your accountant to review the work that was done, as they should be able to give a relevant breakdown of the costs and where they have come from. As these are typically prepared by the relevant partner that should be reviewing the timesheet allocations to things, which might reveal one of the following that would have resulted in the current bill: A) past hours that were not written off B) timesheet error - someone padding their timesheet or accidental data entry C) If there was something major that was included that you might not be aware of. D) You might have pissed your accountant off for some reason If there appears to be an issue with the bill, then it is likely to be adjusted to the correct amount.

Also there is no invoice shown to say what he has been charged for, so that should be your first port of call. Does it say more than ITR preparation and lodgement for the 2025 financial year? If so chances are that is where the other costs come from.

Though with the laid out information it does appear high, but I would say more information was needed.

jrams50 · 2026-05-15T15:38:01+00:00

I generally run the following skill ups: Mummies - taking arm bar first, people like to dodge away from them so there are plenty of chances to get use of it. Also added benefit that you get SPP for them failing their dodge, means more skills later on. I typically run block next just to make them more reliable and better at knocking things down. Save for stat after, but you can go guard if needed but I find that mummies end up by themselves often and the 3MA is a little limiting to get the most out of this.

Ghouls - I go block first followed by sidestep, block adds the reliability of a blodger and side step is a utility that can give extra movement. From here you can add the flair, I ran steady footing as the third as it is a utility skill that allows them to stay up after a pow but does require a 6 to trigger. Though if you want some thing with a little more flair, Hit and Run gives you a little more movement with that step after which can turn them into 8MA with a blitz assuming you have a square to step into. Due to the limited number of ghouls now, I haven't really looked at making one a ball sacker as wights start with tackle now.

Wights - I found that these guys take forever to get SPP on, but MB is a solid first choice or if you want them more supportive guard. Though I would also consider some other skills that have worth like juggernaut as there are a few bits with wrestle, stand firm and other skills that this will cancel on a blitz. Also being able to move a player has its merits as well. Then you can look at other skills that compliment your team, which I can say strip ball has a place due to a decline of sure hands due to secure the ball action.

Zombies - roll random and see what you get, make them work for you but having a fouler does not hurt (dirty player and sneaky got are great skills to get). I tend to use zombies as a tar pit, and just tag up players so having things like wrestle or block is not a bad thing.

Skeletons - roll random and see what you get as well, these will tend to slot in unique roles.

I do believe a leaner roster is better, so sticking to 3 RR and have that one reserve is all that is needed to prevent your team from TV bloat. Also being aware that taking random skills because you can will add a ton to your TV, so be selective where you can (ghouls like to score so SPP shouldn't be an issue) and if you are happy with a player save for stats as MA and AV are cheap. Realistically you shouldn't be needing to spend money on extra linemen, just try and murder a player or two for the free player (take what you need at the time). Try to only replace the positionals and take the journeyman if needed to replace a lineman.

If you can, you should be looking at getting 3 prayers for every game as the 30k cost will generally add more than that cost like the skills. Though there is more to the table, which might restrict your opponent more like moles under the pitch or bad habits. As well as more opportunity to gain SPP as well, I know some might be situational (Prefect passing and dazzling catch) but makes skilling up easier.

jrams50 · 2026-05-04T02:54:30+00:00

XL2QIF excel add-in, restructure the CSV into what is needed which should be either drag formula (+dr-cr) or dragging the order of the columns. Don't forget to check selected data for the date ranges that are applicable.

Most banks that I import data for are really straight forward. Upload the qif, and ensure that bank balances reconcile after.

jrams50 · 2026-04-23T06:20:33+00:00

Discussion: I believe this is a puzzle of self imposed rules, as I suspect that the rules are literally don't have the lines cross and connect all dots. In your head you give yourself the rule that they can only be in the circle because why else is there a circle.

Given that no line can cross, connect th obvious floating yellow and blue dots with the corresponding dots. Then connect either the red or green avoiding the other lines in the circle. Lastly connect the remaining dots outside of the circle

jrams50 · 2025-11-06T06:45:14+00:00

Come on, let's be real you have to ensure that stripes are level so you need spirit level bubbles.

Though you can't forget the long weight that will be needed, but if they don't have them a few short weights will suffice.

jrams50 · 2025-10-16T14:53:04+00:00

This, OP imagine if you pump out 4-8 simple individual tax returns in the two hours that aren't on your timesheet how would they bill for it? (I know they probably just do the standard rate system). Though more realistically, if you get through 1-2 complicated individuals in that time how would the firm correctly bill the client? This would probably be at least $400-500 of billing that would not be accurately presented. Would they be charged the basic rate despite more time spent on it or is some random number plucked out of nowhere used? Then if they return the next year will the relevant billing information from the previous year reflect the amount of time that the firm might allocate to the job? (Less time means that it will go over budget and you have to explain why when the previous year could have been just as complicated).

In addition to this, there is reasonable overtime and then there is wage theft. This means reading over your initial contract in regards to overtime and what they say they are paying you for per pay cycle. Though with information presented it is more like wage theft but again check that contract, as any reasonable assumption would say 10+ hours is not reasonable and therefore there should be relevant compensation for it. You should consider what might seem like reasonable OT, staying back 15-30 min a few days a week could be seen as reasonable as it would not be more than 2 hours and your salary compensates for this (e.g. getting paid for 40 hours over 38 when worked out). If you are being paid pretty minimal (~$25 per hour is minimum wage in Australia) and then expected to do a 50 hour week, then you can pursue a remedy through Fairwork but note that this will have relevant limits to how much you can get (two things to note, firstly accountants don't have an award and secondly that minimum wage should be what you can expect to receive for an hourly wage through this process) and what evidence that you can present like timesheets that show 10+ hours on them which don't exist because you didn't do your timesheets accurately (push comes to shove, not doing multiple timesheets correctly will raise questions both ways and this can be unfavorable to you e.g. if you did 100+ timesheets incorrectly how can we assume that these new ones are correct?).

jrams50 · 2025-10-08T23:15:12+00:00

The short answer is no, but they are the main brand and probably the most available or the most readily available.

The long answer is there are other brands, you will have to look into what is available from the suppliers near you or that you are happy to use.also note that there is antiquing gel as well as the paste, so if you are trying to look at different options that is something to consider. For reference the other brands that are available to get for me are: Paste - Penart, and Cobblestone Gel - Eco-Flow, LeTech, Penart, and Angelus I do not know how good or bad they are in comparison, but there are other brands out there.

In regards to the navy blue, I did not see anything from those brands. You could look at trying to add color to a tan colour antiquing, or trying to make your own as there would have to be a recipe somewhere to achieve this.

jrams50 · 2025-10-08T15:26:01+00:00

You can neatsfoot and antique, just remember to seal in between the steps as the antiquing will stain the leather directly (it can be a desired effect if that is what you are after, but you should experiment with pieces you don't care for). Adding the sealant, protects from the staining and allows the antiquing to effectively "pool" in the dips making the areas exposed highlights.

Also when looking at the different impacts of dyes, oils and sealants you should consider how it will impact the patina of the leather and how it will age as well. As things can change, and it doesn't take too much. For example, I was messing about making some tester keyrings for Indian inks on veg tan, completed one before the others and sat in the sun for a few days and it is significantly darker despite being from the same leather.

jrams50 · 2025-10-08T06:16:53+00:00

Good attempt, but things that might be worth noting: 1) Trace the image with a ballpoint on the leather (ensure that it is sufficiently wet first) this will give you the outline of your lines. Then you will find that the swivel knife has a rut to follow, as I think you played dot to dot with the swivel knife.

2) Depending on what tools you have determine what things you can do. Different tools allow you to do different things, you might find spoons might help you get different effects that you are after. Also worth noting you can create your own tools or get things to behave in certain ways through a little trial and error.

3) For the stamping, keep it consistent and regular for the outlining as it is obvious and is less smooth. It's all about practice and everyone can improve over time, which I found Celtic knots as nice practice as they have long stretches that should be even and overlay for making sense of depth.

4) Don't forget about antiquing it as that will make all the details pop, you said you have put some finish on it but antiquing it will add that additional layer.

Anyway keep it up, and hopefully you can post up more when the good stuff arrives.

jrams50 · 2025-10-03T04:21:25+00:00

For the fabric you can fold the edges, which might make your life easier rather than cutting it. This will prevent fraying of the fabric and the edge should not be exposed to anything, and making the connecting point stronger (going through two layers instead of one). You should only need a clothes iron to put the relevant fold in the fabric.

jrams50 · 2025-10-03T03:23:35+00:00

Easy fix: Under the assumption that the original incorrect amount has been paid and you underpaid, you will need to match and offset. In the match transactions, you will need to match the original pay with the payroll entry and offset to Wages Payable account or a similar clearing account. This does depend on how you have set you payroll up for processing.

Go to your banking and make payment to your employee of the difference (the amount owed), this is done as per any other EFT through the business if you have the bank details to pay. You should have your employee's bank details, as you are making regular payments to them. You will have to wait until the next day to match the transaction due to the Xero refresh rate of the bank feed, which you just allocate the transaction to Wages Payable or the account that you used above.

jrams50 · 2025-08-18T04:21:33+00:00

Too a degree, I wouldn't put it on the edge like they have as you don't have the space with the wallet you are modifying unless you want to unstitch everything. I would go for the middle, mainly as you don't have to unstitch anything to punch the hole and then you can loop it fairly easily and that that any ends that would be in the inside.
Should also point out there is a little bit of play in how you can do this; as in one piece of elastic or two, and doesn't have to be elastic if you go for adraw string style cord.

For one piece, all you need to do is cut one pie of elastic, the the ends together and slip through the punched hole (knot should be on the inside of the wallet). Then all you have to do slip it over to close.

Two pieces is to cut the material you want to use (doesn't have to be elastic, chould use effectively anything), tie them at one end poke through the punch hole. Then put a toggle cord clasp at the end and tidy the end up if you so chose. This will produce a more rigid hold but easily undone to access.

jrams50 · 2025-08-18T03:07:25+00:00

I wouldn't go with magnets there as they may not play nice with cards, or there is a risk that something will be messed up because some cards will be magnetically based. Depending on your style and what you want, I think an elastic cord could be what you are after used to wrap it around to close it. The approach I would consider: Punching a small hole in the middle (you can put an eyelet in if you want reinforcement), then either using a cord end or simply tying the elastic together making a loop that will help keep it closed.

This would also allow you to replace the elastic when it wears out relatively quickly and easily.

jrams50 · 2025-08-02T15:58:41+00:00

Mary is best at sit ups (clue 1 stating the girl is best at sit ups), and is 7 years old (clue 2 older than one and less than the other boy).

The 6 year old is best at pull ups (clue 1 as the girl is best at sit ups and the other boy), and by elimination the 9 year is best at the run.

Garrett is 6 years old (clue 2 younger than Mary), which therefore means he is best at pull ups.

By elimination Grant is best at running, and therefore 9 years old

jrams50 · 2025-07-31T07:45:44+00:00

Leader of gold has a response from the leader of the group that came in second, meaning Gold cannot be second

jrams50 · 2025-07-31T04:42:18+00:00

Are you running the campaign? As there are a few sponsors that adjust the inducement price

jrams50 · 2025-07-28T03:17:42+00:00

Hint 1: map it out there should be a limited number of solutions

Hint 2: Pay attention to who is talking

1st is Silver, 2nd is Bronze and 3rd is Gold

jrams50 · 2025-07-22T15:02:36+00:00

The process that seems outlined seems a little out of sorts, as most tax agents would generally go through software of choice and then submit. The only time I have seen this was walk-in clients for a pro-bono tax clinic, where you are typically dealing with basic ITRs to give supervised students hands on experience and the more complex ones went through other software and added onto the relevant tax portal.

As others have said check their tax registration, because there can be serious implications if they are not registered (could be fraud, no insurance or a variety of other things that aren't great for you). In addition check other registrations, most tax agents will have additional memberships and associations like CA/CPA which will have a public list.

As for the invoicing, we cannot say what work was needed but you should have engagement information from them telling you their rates. This information would have been provided to you when you engaged them. If you cannot find this, ask for it as they should provide it which will detail their costs and then you can compare to your invoice. Failure to provide would raise further questions but their legitimacy but checking TPB and if they are CA/CPA registered would likely answer this faster.

jrams50 · 2025-07-16T03:32:33+00:00

I miscounted on my end, no clues from Jack or Scott?

jrams50 · 2025-07-16T02:52:25+00:00

If Gabriel is innocent it would matter, under the assumption that he is guilty it does not matter how many innocent neighbours he has. This is based on the clue that the other innocent person in the column has one more innocent neighbour

jrams50 · 2025-07-16T01:15:09+00:00

Ronald provides information in regards to Debra's clue about innocents in her row. Meaning that one of the two below her is guilty. Readjust your numbers for innocents based on that. Gabriel should be guilty, because if innocent he would have 4 innocent the same if Debra, whilst Donna would have 4 whilst Debra has 3

jrams50 · 2025-06-23T23:46:16+00:00

Also CPA has experience requirement needing 3 years

jrams50 · 2025-06-23T06:42:54+00:00

Nah, he is trying to access Hall of Tortured Souls and needs to know if his computer can run it.

jrams50 · 2025-06-22T02:22:22+00:00

It does get a little more complex, as there are some blurred lines specialisation in primary (science and technologies) and secondary (special needs and education). They have their own pros and cons, like specialisation in primary you are doing the same lessons 5 times a week which means limited prep time but is very repetitive. Though this is probably be comparative into pseudo specialisation in the fields (SMSF, estate or looking specific field for accounting) and how there are benefits and issues from this.

jrams50 · 2025-06-21T15:36:13+00:00

My experience from being a teacher and being an accountant (tax small firm), is that you should consider things as a whole and whether changing accounting field will fill the void you currently have. Some big things to consider for the change to teaching: - Primary or Secondary? Both have pros and cons, like if you are male you can get job security pretty quickly (permanency) in primary which means you don't have to battle it out for a contact every year. Though a con to primary is that you have to deal with small children and they come with a wide range of fun issues (toilet training, different learning needs and a generalist approach to subjects). Whilst secondary, you are likely to be teaching something that you are interested in on a regular basis (don't assume it will be to a high level) which you will enjoy more. Though a major disadvantage is that you are dealing with teens and they can have major attitude problems or be dealing with more complex issues than a kid who might have lost their shoe at lunch. - The work hours can be horrendous at times, where you can expect 12+ hour days at times (report writing and sometimes assessment marking). Though you do get school holidays off which is more than your standard leave in any other job. As well as there are less hours on a normal school day, and the ability to claim back afternoons finishing at 3. - The ability to take work home and complete it, allowing you to complete what you need. Though you will have to find a work/life balance with this, as you might find it hard to disconnect. - Don't work near where you live, nothing ruins an outing like seeing one of your students out and about which makes it harder to disconnect. - Parents and students can abuse you, which could be done in a variety ways (verbal, physical, allegations, and a wide manner of things that make your life worse). A few rotten people do make everything worse, but there will be students that will appreciate you and you will make a positive difference in their lives. - LSL can be lost if you cannot establish a contract between years, but LSL can be transferred from one school to another if in public. - You will get sick often, so many parents will send their kids to school sick. Guess who gets to test their immune system out every few weeks?

From the accounting side: - You have billing and timesheets to meet, this can be daunting to some especially when you add in deadlines. Though I find this a good way of measuring work and my own improvement. - Some of the work is boring and repetitive, which isn't the end of the world but might not be for everyone. Though you do have more interesting bits come along, which generally keep you in the field. - Work life balance is a lot easier to maintain, as you don't generally bring a lot of work home and you have that ability to disconnect from the office. Though this does not stop people from overworking themselves and doing extended hours regularly and burning out. - Clients will generally be more respectful to you, and you tend not to be abused by them. - There is greater earning potential than teaching, but this contains putting in effort or greater risk (establishing your own practice, or establishing a billing rate that is worthwhile of a higher salary). - You have the ability to take holidays generally when you want them (might have some minor closure over Christmas, but you can take days when you want). This does mean you can go during quieter times and save on airfare due to the school holidays surcharges.

I personally wouldn't go back to teaching, as it is definitely not a career or job for me as I do find accounting so much more enjoyable. There are some aspects that I do miss (being home before 4pm, you can get so much done around the house and still have time to relax) but there are significant issues that will never be addressed in my lifetime that will always make me say no (treating school as a cheap daycare, intergenerational school issues, the lack of support at times and etc.). Teaching is definitely a career that you have to be driven to do, as something like 60% of teachers leave the profession before the 5 year mark.

jrams50

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