How Business Owners Can Delegate Payroll, BAS, and Tax Tasks to Accountants

Running a small business is exciting but let’s be honest it’s also tiring. There’s always something to do: serving customers, managing staff, checking stock, and thinking about how to grow. And then comes the paperwork you can’t escape: payroll, BAS, and tax obligations.

I’m Zoe Hadley, and I’ve spent 35 years helping business owners just like you. I’ve seen owners trying to do everything themselves, staying up late doing payroll, worrying about GST, and stressing over BAS deadlines. Trust me I’ve been there with them.

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to do it all alone. Handing over payroll, BAS, and tax tasks to a trusted accountant can save time, reduce mistakes, and give you peace of mind. Let me explain how it works in simple terms.

Why You Should Delegate

Many business owners think, “I can do this myself,” and maybe you can. But here’s the problem: mistakes happen. And even small errors can cost you time, money, or fines from the ATO.

Delegating to an accountant gives you:

• Accuracy – Taxes, superannuation, and BAS are done correctly.
• More Time – You get hours back every month to focus on your business.
• Advice – Accountants don’t just file numbers—they can show you how to save money and plan ahead.
• Less Stress – You know someone experienced is taking care of everything.

What You Can Delegate

Delegation doesn’t mean giving up control. It means letting an expert handle tasks that are tricky, time-consuming, or stressful.

Payroll

Payroll is more than paying staff. It involves:

• Calculating wages correctly
• Deducting PAYG tax from wages
• Paying superannuation on time
• Reporting to the ATO through Single Touch Payroll (STP)

I’ve seen business owners try to do this manually, making small mistakes each month. For example, a café owner I helped kept underpaying super without knowing. Once we set up Xero with automated payroll, staff were paid correctly, the ATO reports were on time, and the owner had more free time.

As a trusted bookkeeping outsourcing company, Globus Prosourcing helps small and medium businesses gain clarity, accuracy, and peace of mind with tailored bookkeeping solutions. Whether you need ongoing support or a full financial cleanup, Globus Prosourcing ensures your books are always in perfect shape  saving you time and protecting your profits.

BAS

The BAS (Business Activity Statement) is how your business reports GST, PAYG, and other taxes to the ATO. A small miscalculation can trigger a penalty. Your accountant can:

• Prepare BAS accurately
• Lodge it on time
• Give you tips to avoid mistakes in the future

Tax Returns

An accountant can also take care of:

• Business income tax
• PAYG instalments
• Any other taxes relevant to your business

Combining payroll, BAS, and tax returns with your accountant ensures your finances are accurate and compliant.

How to Delegate

Delegating isn’t about handing everything over and forgetting. It’s about working together. Here’s how:

1. Decide What to Delegate

Do you need help with:

• Payroll and super
• BAS and GST
• Business tax returns
• Financial reports for planning

2. Find the Right Accountant

Look for someone who:

• Knows your industry
• Is a registered BAS agent if you need BAS lodgement
• Understands payroll, super, and PAYG
• Can use your accounting software like Xero or QuickBooks
• Explains things in plain English

3. Set Up Systems

Cloud-based software makes collaboration simple. Give your accountant access to:

• Your accounting system
• Bank feeds
• Payroll system

4. Clarify Responsibilities

Decide who handles:

• Entering invoices and expenses
• Approving payroll
• Lodging BAS and tax returns

Clear roles keep everything on track.

5. Stay Involved

Even when you delegate, check in monthly or quarterly. Look over financial reports, discuss tax strategies, and plan ahead. You stay informed without doing all the work yourself.

Real-Life Story

I worked with a small online store owner who was drowning in payroll and BAS work. They were spending 20 hours every month doing payroll, trying to calculate GST, and lodging BAS. Mistakes kept happening, and they were stressed.

We moved their payroll to Xero with automated STP reporting, and I handled their BAS and monthly reports. Suddenly, they had 15+ hours back each month, staff were paid correctly, and the business was running smoothly.

This is why delegation works. It doesn’t take control away it gives you freedom, accuracy, and peace of mind.

Benefits of Delegating

1. Accuracy – Reduce mistakes in payroll, BAS, and tax returns.
2. Time Savings – Spend more time growing your business.
3. Insights – Understand cash flow, profits, and tax strategies.
4. Less Stress – Stop worrying about fines or errors.
5. Scalability – As your business grows, your accountant can handle more tasks.

Choosing the Right Accountant

When picking someone to handle your payroll, BAS, and tax:

• Are they registered BAS agents?
• Do they have experience with your industry?
• Can they handle payroll, super, and PAYG?
• Do they know your accounting software?
• Do they explain things clearly and answer questions patiently?

A great accountant isn’t just a service provider they’re a trusted partner in your business journey.

Final Thoughts

After 35 years helping Australian business owners, I can confidently say: delegating payroll, BAS, and tax tasks is one of the smartest moves you can make.

It frees up your time, reduces stress, and keeps your business compliant with the ATO. Delegation doesn’t mean losing control it means having a professional partner to ensure everything runs smoothly while you focus on growing your business.

Remember, your accountant can handle the tricky stuff, while you focus on the parts of your business you love. That’s the power of delegation.