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Choosing & Switching

Do I need a chartered accountant or just a registered tax agent?

For a straightforward tax return, a registered tax agent is all you legally need. If you run a business and want advice on structures, tax planning, growth or an eventual exit, a chartered accountant brings a materially higher level of training and professional accountability. The two are not mutually exclusive, and the strongest firms hold both credentials.

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What’s the difference between a chartered accountant and a CPA?

A Chartered Accountant (CA) and a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) are both qualified members of professional accounting bodies in Australia, with similar standing and rigorous entry requirements. The main difference is the body itself: CAs belong to Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and CPAs belong to CPA Australia, each with its own professional program. For most clients, the individual’s experience and fit for your situation matter more than which of the two letters they hold.

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Why does my accountant only contact me at tax time?

Most accountants only contact you at tax time because their service is built around compliance: preparing and lodging your return once a year. That model does the legal minimum but leaves out the planning and advice that actually help a business move forward. If you want more than annual lodgement, you usually need an accountant who offers ongoing advisory rather than a once a year relationship.

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How do I switch accountants without disrupting my business?

Switching accountants is more straightforward than most owners expect, and your new accountant handles most of it. You sign an engagement with the new firm, they request your records and history from the old one through a standard professional handover, and your obligations continue without a gap. The main thing you control is timing the move for a quieter point in your cycle rather than mid lodgement.

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What are the signs my current accountant isn’t doing a good job?

The clearest signs are slow or vague communication, contact that only happens at tax time, and a tax bill that surprises you every year. If your accountant never suggests anything proactively, cannot explain your numbers in plain terms, or makes you feel like a nuisance for asking questions, the relationship is underperforming. A good accountant should leave you better informed and ahead of problems, not chasing answers.

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