Whether you're running a business from your spare room or clocking in a few admin hours at the kitchen bench, you’ve probably wondered what you can actually claim working from home — and what’s wishful thinking (no, your air fryer doesn’t count).

This episode clears up the confusion around WFH deductions with a no-fluff breakdown of the ATO-approved methods you can use to claim - and how to get it right. I’ll walk you through the two main options available, who they’re best suited for, and exactly what you can and can’t include. If you’re second-guessing what counts or relying on TikTok tips, this one’s for you.

With the ATO keeping a close eye on these deductions, it’s more important than ever to understand the rules, track your expenses properly, and stay on top of your records. You’ll leave this episode knowing the difference between fixed rate and actual cost methods, what each covers, and what to avoid so you don’t land in hot water at tax time.

Here’s what’s covered:

• There are two ways to claim: the fixed rate method and the actual cost method - each has specific requirements
• Fixed rate covers things like internet, phone, power, and stationery
• Actual cost lets you claim what you’ve spent
• You can’t double-dip or mix methods, and some items (like rent) are only claimable under strict conditions for business owners
• Records matter: keep invoices, receipts, and diaries to support your claim
• Your tax agent is your best friend for working out what applies to your setup

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Grab our free Xero Money Saver guide here
• ATO Work From Home resource here

EOFY shouldn’t feel like an annual panic button, but if it still does, you’re not alone. This episode is for the business owner who’s been at it for a few years and still finds themselves scrambling, second-guessing, or flat out avoiding the numbers when June rolls around.

Whether you’re DIYing or already have a bookkeeper, if you’re feeling behind and unsure what your BAS will be until it lands in your inbox, or scrambling to piece things together for your tax return, this is your sign to change things up. If you didn’t get a chance to review and optimise your tax position this year, it’s time for support which keeps you ahead, not playing catch-up.

From real-life client stories to some exact points from the checklist we use in my bookkeeping practice, I’m walking you through what EOFY can look like when it’s done right, with clarity, confidence and way less stress. You’ll also hear a gentle but honest reality check about what your bookkeeper should be doing for you (and what to ask if you’re not feeling the love).

Let this be the last EOFY you feel unprepared!

Here’s what’s covered:

• EOFY isn’t the time to fix everything, it’s the deadline, not the strategy
• The difference between a good bookkeeper and a great one? Ongoing support, clarity, and proactive insights
• Hidden costs in ecommerce and missed deductions in service-based businesses can lead to paying more tax than necessary
• Create a rinse-and-repeat EOFY checklist including super timing, stock takes, tidy payroll, and tax planning
• If you’re still winging it or only hearing from your bookkeeper at BAS time, it might be time to reassess

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Previous Podcast Ep: 03 My Top Tips for a Smooth EOFY
• Blog post: Here's Why Your EOFY Stock Take is a Good Thing
• Blog post: The EOFY Checklist for Small Business Owners
• Book a Discovery Call here!

Whether you’re hiring your first team member or reshuffling how support looks inside your growing business, this conversation will help you make smarter, more sustainable decisions. I’m joined by hiring and leadership expert, and my friend, Paula Maidens, and together we dive into one of the biggest growth questions I see small business owners face: should this role be in-house, outsourced or offshored?

It’s a topic full of opinions and assumptions, but Paula breaks it down with clarity and logic. We talk about how to weigh up true costs (spoiler: it’s not *just* about hourly rates), what red flags to watch for, and why your gut feel isn’t always the best hiring strategy.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you're overpaying, under-briefing or building a team not quite right for where your business is heading, this episode gives you the practical tools and mindset shifts to figure it out.

This one’s especially useful if you’re wearing too many hats and want to grow without losing control, profit, or peace of mind.

Here’s what’s covered:

• Control, confidentiality and consistency are key drivers when deciding where a role should sit
• The true cost of hiring isn’t limited to wages. Factor in training, communication, systems, and time
• Use Paula’s 5-step framework to assess: cost, value, hours, risk, and medium-term fit
• Onboarding is crucial. Skipping it sabotages your hire and your ROI
• Red flags your outsourcing or offshoring setup isn’t working: disappearing acts, lack of process ownership, or system misalignment
• Pay attention to communication flow. If they can’t integrate with your systems or team, it may not be a good fit
• Always document processes in your business, no matter who’s doing the task, in-house or external

We had such a great chat, and there was so much to unpack - if you enjoyed this episode as much as I did talking to Paula, there’s an extended version over on YouTube. Pop over there if you want to hear even more insights we couldn’t quite squeeze into the podcast here.

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Paula Maidens Kickass Hiring & Interview Masterclass

Connect with Paula:

• Website: Paula Maidens
• Instagram: Paula Maidens Consulting
• LinkedIn: Paula Maidens
• Podcast: Big Dreams Great Teams

Running a business without solid financial systems is like driving with your eyes closed. It’s risky, stressful, and unsustainable. This checklist covers the non-negotiables every small business owner must have in place to avoid the chaos and keep things on track.

Whether you’re in your first year or five years in, these seven financial must haves are what I make sure every client of mine is across, because they’re the difference between winging it and running a profitable, compliant business.

This isn’t a scare tactic. It’s a practical guide to help you stay in control, avoid costly surprises, and make smarter money moves with confidence. You don’t need to know everything, but you do need a solid handle on the essentials or the right expert in your corner.

If you're unsure whether your financial setup is working for you or against you, this episode is your starting point.

Here’s what’s covered:

• The two business bank accounts I consider non-negotiable (yes, two)
• The mistake I see far too often when it comes to GST
• Why staying “sort of” up to date with your numbers won’t cut it
• What should always be on your invoices, and when it’s missing what it says about you and your business
• The smartest move you can make, even if you're not a finance person

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Previous Podcast Ep: 78 Is Your Tax Invoice Giving Me a Headache?
• Bookkeeping Matters Learning Hub
• Blog post: The 6 Bank Accounts Every Business Needs

Pricing is one of the trickiest parts of running a business, and it’s also one of the easiest ways to watch your profit disappear. If you’re working non stop, but cash still feels tight, chances are your pricing strategy is the problem (whether you realise it or not).

In this episode, I’m breaking down the exact mistakes I see female-led businesses making with their pricing. It's the same traps I’ve seen with my own clients, and even faced myself. From guessing your prices and forgetting hidden costs, to relying on outdated models or chasing competitors’ rates, these issues chip away at your profit fast. The good news? Once you know what to look for, you can turn things around.

I’ll walk you through the practical steps to review your pricing properly. So you can make sure it covers all your true costs (including those sneaky ones like admin time, taxes, and overheads), supports your goals, and keeps your business sustainable. No fancy spreadsheets needed, just simple, actionable advice to get you back on track.

If pricing has ever felt overwhelming or you’ve been putting off a proper review, this is your reminder small changes can make a massive difference to your bottom line.

Here’s what’s covered:

• Why “set and forget” pricing is a recipe for profit loss, and how often you should review your prices
• The danger of hourly pricing when your business evolves (and how one client turned things around by switching models)
• What happens when you copy competitors’ pricing, and why it usually backfires
• The true costs you need to build into your pricing to avoid accidentally working for free
• Why discounting feels like a quick win but can seriously damage your brand and long-term profit
• How to set clear pricing boundaries and focus on value instead of dropping your prices

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Free Tool Pricing Calculator
• Previous Podcast Ep: 19 Pricing for Profit (and Mistakes to Avoid)
• Previous Podcast Ep: 82 Beyond Profit: Why Adding Value Matters Most
• Watch this episode on YouTube

Running a small business often means wearing many hats, but when it comes to bookkeeping, trying to DIY can hold you back more than help. If you’re serious about growth, it’s time to stop thinking of a bookkeeper as someone who merely clicks buttons in Xero. The right bookkeeper becomes part of your team, helping you make confident, informed decisions and setting your business up for sustainable success.

Bookkeeping goes beyond data entry, it plays a key role in your business growth. From cleaning up messy accounts to setting up smarter systems and giving you the financial clarity you need to scale, this episode is packed with insight. Whether you’re overwhelmed by overdue invoices or unsure how much to set aside for BAS, after this episode you’ll walk away understanding exactly how a proactive bookkeeper can help move your business forward.

Here’s what’s covered:

• How a great bookkeeper helps you see the full picture of your business
• The unexpected ways they can support your decision making and strategy
• Why you don’t need to have it all figured out before working with a bookkeeper
• How they help you stay focused on what matters
• What it looks like when your numbers finally start working for you

Links + Resources :

• Podcast Episode 09: Bookkeeper vs Accountant
• Podcast Episode 36:Hiring a Bookkeeper? Here’s What You Need To Know
• Podcast Episode 10: Should You Outsource or DIY your Books?
• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Learn more about working together with Accounted For You

Running a business while trying to maintain a personal life can feel like a never-ending juggling act. The pressure to be everywhere, do everything, and keep it all together is real, and exhausting. That’s why we’re stepping back to ask a more intentional question: is this helping create harmony, or is it feeding the overwhelm?

After a shaky 2024, the word harmony has become a guiding principle for me. Instead of striving for a perfect work-life balance (spoiler: it doesn’t exist), my focus has shifted to systems that support a flow between business and life, one that is flexible, realistic, and sustainable. I share what that looks like in practice with four systems that have helped me create harmony between work and life:

• Automating repetitive tasks. Whether it’s email rules, invoice reminders, or integrating tools, automation helps cut down manual work so you can focus on what matters most.
• Scheduling and Time Blocking. Create consistency and structure by scheduling tasks and batching them together. Time blocking helps protect your focus and ensures important things get done, without the mental clutter.
• Outsourcing the Right Tasks. You don’t need to do it all. Let go of tasks that drain your energy or take time away from your strengths. Think about where you add the most value and get help with the rest.
• Setting Boundaries. Define what works for you, whether that’s turning off notifications, not working Fridays, or saying no more often. Boundaries are essential for protecting your time, energy, and wellbeing.

Links + Resources

• Number News fortnightly email insights

Small changes can make a huge difference in your business. The right tweaks to your bookkeeping and financial habits can save time, improve cash flow, and help you feel more in control, all without adding more to your plate.

Efficiency is key, and it starts with reducing time spent on repetitive tasks. Are you still manually processing transactions that could be automated? Whether it’s setting up bank rules, batching expenses, or offering online payment options, there are smarter ways to handle your finances.

One simple shift? Automate your invoicing. Sending invoices manually not only takes time but can also lead to delays and cash flow issues. With automation, you streamline the process, get paid faster, and free up your focus for more important things.

Another game-changing habit? A weekly financial check-in. Instead of letting tasks pile up, block out a set time each week. Whether it’s Money Mondays or Finance Fridays, to review cash flow, send invoices, and stay on top of your accounts. This one habit alone can transform financial confidence and business growth.

Finally, don’t ignore your reports. Your bookkeeper isn’t sending them for fun! They’re a powerful tool for understanding your numbers. Start simple: find your gross profit and understand what it means. As you get comfortable, you’ll naturally start asking more questions and making smarter financial decisions

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Xero Money Saver Guide – Learn how to optimise your Xero set up.
• Blog post: Gross Profit vs. Net Profit – For a simple breakdown of gross profit.