My name’s Zoe Hadley, and I’ve been an accountant here in Australia for over 35 years. If you’d asked me when I first started whether I’d spend much of my career talking about BAS and payroll, I probably would have laughed. But here we are, decades later, and I’ve come to realise these two things BAS and payroll are the heartbeats of almost every business I’ve ever worked with.
And you know what? They’re also two of the biggest stress points for business owners.
I’ve sat at countless kitchen tables, in messy offices, and over cups of coffee with people who just looked exhausted from trying to keep up with the ATO. Every three months, without fail, that dreaded Business Activity Statement (BAS) deadline comes around. And every week or fortnight, those payslips have to go out.
It’s relentless, isn’t it?
The Stress of BAS – I’ve Seen It All
When BAS first came in around the year 2000, I remember the panic it caused. Business owners would ring me up, frantic: “Zoe, what is this? How do I do it? What happens if I get it wrong?”
Fast-forward to now, and while the tools have changed (thank goodness for software like Xero), the stress hasn’t completely gone away. I still see people burying their heads in the sand until the last possible moment.
Here are just a few real-life stories (names changed, of course)
- Mark, the café owner – He’d spend every Sunday at his dining table, surrounded by receipts, trying to figure out GST. His kids told me they hated BAS time because Dad would be so tense.
- Lisa, the tradie – She once called me two days before her BAS was due. She hadn’t opened her books all quarter. We got through it together, but she admitted she lost sleep worrying about the ATO.
- Tom, the shop owner – He’d been guessing numbers for years, thinking “close enough is good enough.” When the ATO eventually did a review, he realised his mistakes had added up to thousands.
Those stories stick with me because I’ve seen the toll it takes not just on the business, but on people. Stress shows up in their faces, their voices, even their families.
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What 35 Years Has Taught Me
After all these years, I can tell you this: business owners don’t need to be experts in everything. And they shouldn’t have to be.
I’ve worked with so many people who thought they had to carry all the load themselves. They’d try to learn the ins and outs of GST, PAYG withholding, and BAS lodgements, on top of running their business. But once they finally let go and asked for help, the difference was like night and day.
I’ll never forget when one client, a florist, finally handed her BAS over to me. She cried tears of relief because for the first time in years, she wasn’t dreading the end of the quarter. She said, “Zoe, I can actually enjoy my weekends again.” Moments like that remind me why I love what I do.
Let’s Talk About Payroll
Now, payroll. Oh goodness, if BAS is a stress, payroll is its constant little brother that never gives you a break.
People often think payroll is just clicking “pay” once a week. I wish it were that simple. Payroll involves so much more:
- Making sure staff are paid the right amount for their hours.
- Handling overtime and penalty rates properly.
- Superannuation – which so many business owners forget about until it’s too late.
- PAYG withholding – tax has to be taken out correctly.
- Annual leave, sick leave, long service leave – and keeping track of it all.
- Single Touch Payroll – reporting to the ATO every single pay run.
Over the years, I’ve seen some heartbreaking payroll mistakes. One business owner didn’t realise super had to be paid quarterly and ended up with a massive bill. Another was underpaying staff without realising because they didn’t fully understand award rates. Both felt awful when they found out not because they didn’t care, but because they were simply overwhelmed.
And here’s the thing: payroll isn’t just about numbers. It’s about people. When staff aren’t paid correctly or on time, it damages trust. I’ve always said, your team will forgive the occasional bad coffee or messy office, but they won’t forget if their wages are late. Payroll is how you show respect for the people who keep your business running.
The Role of an Accountant
So where does an accountant come into all this? For me, it’s never just been about crunching numbers. It’s about lifting weight off people’s shoulders.
When I take on someone’s BAS or payroll, here’s what I’m really doing:
- Giving them back their evenings and weekends.
- Helping them sleep without worrying about the ATO.
- Making sure their staff feel secure and valued.
- Turning a mountain of stress into something manageable and clear.
One client once told me, “Zoe, you don’t just do my books. You give me peace of mind.” I’ve carried that with me ever since, because that’s exactly what this work is about.
Looking Back
After 35 years, I’ve seen accounting move from paper ledgers to cloud software, from mailing forms to clicking “lodge” online, from hand-written payslips to automated payroll systems.
But one thing has never changed: the human side of it. Behind every BAS lodgement and payroll run, there’s a business owner who just wants to do the right thing, keep their business afloat, and look after their people.
My Final Thoughts
If you’re a business owner reading this, I want you to know something: you’re not alone. BAS every quarter doesn’t have to be a dark cloud hanging over your head. Payroll doesn’t have to be a nightmare.
I’ve seen the stress these things can cause, but I’ve also seen the relief that comes when they’re handled properly. Over the years, I’ve shared laughter, sighs of relief, and sometimes even tears with my clients. And every time, I’ve been reminded that accounting is about far more than numbers. It’s about people, trust, and peace of mind.
Because at the end of the day, the real value of having an accountant isn’t just about BAS being lodged on time or payroll being correct. It’s about giving you back your time, your confidence, and your calm.
And after 35 years, I can tell you that’s worth everything.
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