Strengthen your internal bookkeeping function without replacing your team.
Your administrator, office manager or accounts person may already understand the day-to-day operations of your business. What they may need is experienced bookkeeping guidance, stronger systems and a clear framework for completing the work properly.
SGH works alongside internal accounts teams to improve accuracy, consistency and confidence through practical training, workflow development, documented procedures and ongoing technical support.
This service may be right for you if:
- You want to retain bookkeeping inside the business
- Your internal accounts person needs training or technical guidance
- Bookkeeping processes are undocumented or inconsistent
- The owner is still answering too many finance questions
- Month-end, payroll or BAS processes lack structure
- You need experienced oversight without hiring a finance manager
Good people still need good systems and experienced support.
Many businesses have a capable administrator, office manager or accounts person who understands the business inside and out. But bookkeeping has become increasingly technical, with changing payroll legislation, BAS obligations, software integrations and reporting expectations.
That's where SGH fits in. Rather than replacing your existing team, we work alongside them to provide technical expertise, strengthen processes and build confidence that your finance function is operating as it should.
Keep your valuable team
Your internal staff already understand your customers, suppliers and daily operations. Our role is to build on that knowledge, not replace it.
Add specialist expertise
Gain access to an experienced Registered BAS Agent who can provide technical guidance, answer complex questions and help your team navigate changing compliance requirements.
Build long-term capability
The goal isn't to create dependence on SGH. It's to leave your business with stronger systems, better processes and a more capable internal finance function.
Practical support that strengthens the people, systems and processes behind your bookkeeping.
Bookkeeping consulting is tailored to the gaps inside your current finance function. SGH can step in for a focused review, a defined improvement project or ongoing technical support for your internal accounts team.
Bookkeeping function review
Review how the bookkeeping currently operates, identify areas of risk or inconsistency and determine where stronger systems, training or oversight are needed.
- Review of current roles and responsibilities
- Assessment of bookkeeping accuracy and workflow
- Identification of process gaps and key-person risk
- Prioritised improvement recommendations
SOP and procedure development
Replace undocumented knowledge and inconsistent habits with clear, practical procedures your team can follow and maintain.
- Accounts payable and receivable procedures
- Bank reconciliation processes
- Month-end and reporting checklists
- Payroll and BAS process documentation
Training and mentoring
Build the confidence and technical capability of your internal accounts person through practical, business-specific guidance.
- Role-specific bookkeeping training
- Xero and workflow guidance
- Technical troubleshooting and question support
- Ongoing mentoring where required
Xero optimisation
Improve the way Xero is configured and used so your internal team can work more efficiently and produce more reliable information.
- Chart of accounts review
- Tracking category and reporting setup
- Integration and workflow review
- Template, rule and automation improvements
Month-end and reporting processes
Create a repeatable month-end rhythm that improves accuracy, accountability and the usefulness of your financial reports.
- Month-end close procedures
- Balance sheet review processes
- Reporting deadlines and responsibilities
- Management reporting workflows
Payroll and compliance process review
Strengthen the internal processes supporting payroll, superannuation, BAS and other recurring compliance obligations.
- Payroll workflow and control review
- STP, super and leave reconciliation processes
- BAS preparation readiness
- Compliance calendars and cut-off dates
Focused support for a defined improvement project.
Best suited to businesses needing a finance function review, SOP development, Xero optimisation, staff training or help resolving a specific bookkeeping issue.
Experienced guidance your internal team can call on.
Ongoing consulting can provide regular quality reviews, technical support, mentoring and accountability without outsourcing the entire bookkeeping function.
From identifying the gaps to building a stronger internal finance function.
Every consulting engagement begins with understanding how the bookkeeping currently works, where the risks or inefficiencies sit and what your team needs to operate with greater confidence.
Review the current setup
We assess the people, systems, responsibilities and workflows currently supporting the bookkeeping function.
- Current team capability
- Xero setup and integrations
- Existing procedures and documentation
- Month-end, payroll and compliance workflows
Identify priorities
We identify the areas creating the most risk, inconsistency or unnecessary owner involvement and determine what should be addressed first.
- Process gaps and control weaknesses
- Training and knowledge gaps
- Key-person dependency
- Reporting and compliance risks
Build the improvement plan
A practical scope is developed around the outcomes your business needs, rather than applying a generic consulting package.
- Recommended workflow changes
- SOP and documentation requirements
- Training and mentoring priorities
- Implementation responsibilities and timing
Implement the changes
SGH works alongside your internal team to put the agreed systems, procedures and improvements into practice.
- Workflow and Xero improvements
- Procedure development
- Practical team training
- Testing and refining new processes
Review and strengthen
Once the new approach is in place, we review how it is working and address any areas needing further clarification or support.
- Quality and accuracy review
- Team feedback and troubleshooting
- Procedure refinements
- Confirmation of ongoing responsibilities
Handover or ongoing support
The engagement can conclude once your team is operating confidently, or continue through regular mentoring, reviews and technical support.
- Structured handover
- Ongoing quality reviews
- Technical mentoring
- Periodic process improvement
Designed for businesses that want to build capability, not dependence.
Bookkeeping consulting is best suited to businesses that already have someone managing the day-to-day bookkeeping but recognise the value of experienced guidance, stronger systems and ongoing technical support.
This service is ideal if your business...
- Has an administrator, office manager or accounts person managing the bookkeeping
- Wants to improve the quality and consistency of financial information
- Needs documented bookkeeping procedures and SOPs
- Relies heavily on one person knowing how everything works
- Has grown beyond informal finance processes
- Wants experienced oversight without employing a Finance Manager
- Values continual improvement rather than simply maintaining the status quo
This service may not be the right fit if...
- You want to outsource all bookkeeping responsibilities
- You only need basic bookkeeping data entry
- Your business has no internal finance resource to support
- You're looking for the lowest-cost bookkeeping solution
- You want someone to simply "fix it" without improving the underlying processes
Great finance functions aren't built by replacing good people.
More often, they're built by giving capable people the systems, training, processes and experienced support they need to perform at a higher level.
That's exactly where SGH adds value.
A stronger finance function that continues delivering long after the project is complete.
Bookkeeping consulting isn't about creating ongoing dependence on SGH. It's about building the capability, confidence and systems your business needs to operate more effectively—whether we're involved for a few weeks or provide ongoing technical support.
More capable people
Your accounts team gains practical knowledge, stronger technical skills and greater confidence to manage the bookkeeping function independently.
Better systems
Clear procedures, documented workflows and defined responsibilities create a finance function that is consistent, scalable and less dependent on one person's knowledge.
Greater confidence
Business owners, accountants and internal staff can rely on more accurate financial information, stronger compliance processes and a more structured approach to bookkeeping.
Success isn't measured by how long you need us.
Success is measured by the confidence of your team, the strength of your systems and the quality of the finance function you've built. Whether the engagement finishes after implementation or evolves into ongoing technical support, the objective remains the same—to leave your business stronger than we found it.
Questions business owners commonly ask.
Every business is different, but these are some of the most common questions we receive before a consulting engagement begins.
Do I need to replace my existing accounts person?
No. In most cases, the purpose of bookkeeping consulting is to support your existing team, not replace them. We provide the systems, technical guidance and bookkeeping expertise that help them perform their role with greater confidence and consistency.
Can consulting be provided remotely?
Yes. Most consulting engagements can be delivered remotely using Xero, Microsoft Teams and cloud-based collaboration tools. On-site support may also be available where appropriate.
Do you only work with businesses using Xero?
Xero is our preferred accounting platform and where we provide the greatest level of expertise. Some consulting support can be provided for other systems, however Xero-based businesses will benefit most from this service.
How long does a consulting engagement take?
Every engagement is different. Some businesses require a focused review completed over a few days, while others engage SGH over several months to implement systems, mentor staff and strengthen the finance function over time.
Can consulting lead to ongoing bookkeeping support?
Absolutely. Some businesses engage SGH purely as a consultant, while others decide ongoing bookkeeping or external finance support is the better long-term solution once the review is complete.
How is bookkeeping consulting priced?
Consulting is individually scoped based on the objectives, complexity and level of involvement required. Following an initial discussion, we'll recommend the most appropriate engagement and provide a fixed proposal wherever possible.
Let’s strengthen your internal finance function.
Complete the enquiry form below so we can understand your current finance team, systems, challenges and the outcomes you would like to achieve.
We’ll review your enquiry and determine whether bookkeeping consulting is the right fit. Where appropriate, you’ll be invited to a discovery call to discuss the most suitable next step.