Harbour Accounting

About Us

Your trusted partner in
accounting solutions

Harbour Accounting was founded to provide a trusted advisor service to clients who want their accountant to be readily available. We endeavour to respond promptly to your accounting requirements through a personalised service tailored to your needs.

We believe that tax is more than a tax return and that every client deserves the opportunity to explore their tax efficiency and to understand how they can save tax through effective planning.

If its business development, activity statements, tax returns, family planning, or regulatory compliance, we offer a service that borders on 24/7 support.

If you have a business, or you are a high net worth individual, or you just want your tax return done each year, we have a service for you.

Xero Support People Wanted – Call Us

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Our Services

Individuals

We will conduct an initial interview or if you prefer we will take your details over the phone or by email. As agents, we have online access to the ATO portal. Secure…

Small Business

We work with companies, sole traders and family trusts to advise on business structure, accounting systems, cash flow planning, business models, asset acquisition…

High Net Worth Individuals

For those who have made it and want to keep and grow their assets, we have a rare combination of expertise to offer. We understand the tax impact of investments….

12 Years

in accounting services

Expertise you can trust

Our expertise is underpinned by many years in business activities. As practicing accountants we combine business savvy with formal accounting qualifications to provide our clients with a service that is rarely found in an accounting practice. We understand business and we are competent in tax and regulatory compliance.

Transparent Communication

At Harbour we go out of our way to outline our proposed services with clarity and a transparency that leaves you in no doubt as to what you will receive as a deliverable. Right from initial discussion to proposal, to pricing, to service delivery, we keep you informed. See our blog, Taxme@substack, which is a regular update of current tax and financial issues and available free to all clients.

Client Satisfaction

Our testimonials are 5 star for good reasons. Our systems are fully electronic; our approval and sign-offs are digital; client access to information is comprehensive; our responsiveness and documentation processing is fast; our people are personable and friendly; our pricing is fair; our business partners are the best, and our commitment to service is unquestioned.

Looking for a premium accounting
solution for your business

We are a Xero certified business partner with expertise to set up and maintain your accounting software.

We have full visibility of your business activity through Xero to manage your BAS, payroll, financial reporting, annual accounts, ASIC compliance and company tax returns.

We are the accountant, the bookkeeper and the trusted advisor. You run your business and we account for your success.

Testimonials

“Peter and Trish have been have so amazing and helpful with us to manage our Music School. They have been super responsive and offer great advice and rates. I can’t recommend enough!”

Business Owner Sydney

“Peter made the tax return preparation so easy. He was very informative and thorough in reviewing my tax preparations. A kind and caring professional. Highly recommend.”

Legal Sydney

“I have been seeing Harbour Accounting for 2 years now and would highly recommend them for help on tax and related issues. Peter’s knowledge of the tax system, speed of work and empathy for the person is not something I have experienced with other accountants in my 25 year history.”

Agricultural industry Sydney

“Highly recommend Harbour Accounting – great communication, a wide breadth of knowledge and fast service“

Salaried Sydney

“Always prompt and accurate with our tax. Would not hesitate to recommend Harbour Accounting”

Retired Sydney

“Thank you very much for your work over the last year, It is clear to see that you are a man of integrity and proud of what you do. Apologies if I sounded a bit abrupt on the phone the other day, it’s not you it is me and my pressures i have, all the best to you”

Business owner Sydney 2024

Keeping you informed on tax laws and financial trends

taxme.substack.com is a series of posts by Peter Cox. It explores the various taxes paid by a taxpayer in Australia and the huge amount of tax we pay in a working lifetime. Each post covers a topic(s) relevant to the average taxpayer. Every client gets a free subscription. Head to taxme@substack.com to commence a subscription. If you cannot get direct access then search for author Peter Cox.
taxme@substack.com is free to customers.

Lifes Equation – Decide for a better outcome is a book by Peter Cox. Lifes Equation is primarily about surviving life’s journey by understanding what I call life’s equation. Survival is when our instinct determines our actions, leading to outcomes to preserve life as we know it while also providing for our future. This book distinguishes capital from revenue and explores the impact of our decisions across age groups from 25-65 as we ponder the relative merits of the likes of superannuation, investment properties, shares, holiday homes, the sharing economy, money to the kids and retirement…whatever that is (Cox 2021) You can buy Lifes Equation at ShawlinePublishing.com.au

The Most Questions

How can we reduce our tax?

As a salaried individual or wage earner your tax is deducted at source (when you get paid). For most, the only way to reduce the tax paid is at year end when you file your tax return and claim for available deductions.

There are other ways to reduce your taxable income and tax paid, such as rental properties, additional superannuation contributions, or valid business activities. Consult us to understand your tax status and for your tailored tax planning opportunities.

Can I get a fixed quote for my tax?

Yes. For most of our services we provide a fixed fee to deliver the service. We also provide alternative services at either a fixed fee, or fixed rate. We sent a quote explaining what we do for a service, and any add on optional services. It’s up to you to select the service, electronically accept, and lock in the rate. As easy as that.

Do I need a trust?

Maybe. A trust is an agreement between you and a trustee (you, or a company controlled by you) to hold assets for beneficiaries nominated by you. The common use of a trust is a family trust with family members as beneficiaries of the capital or income of the trust. Most people cannot justify the set up and up-keep of a trust. We can advise of the suitability of a trust as a tax saving instrument.

A testamentary trust is a common means of estate planning, where upon your death, your assets are transferred into a trust and distributed by a trustee for the benefit of beneficiaries and exclusion of others. This is an important estate planning tool. Please contact us for more information.

Why do I need an accountant?

Australian tax law is more complex than most countries and you may be missing out on available deductions, or opportunities to save tax through effective tax planning. We help you get the most out of tax time and as your tax agent, we shield you from the tax office in all discussions and complexity.