Terms of Engagement

1. Purpose and Scope of Engagement

Northern Accountants provides registered tax agency services, including the preparation and electronic lodgement of individual and business income tax returns, Business Activity Statements (BAS), Single Touch Payroll, and statutory financial statements.

The specific scope of each engagement is agreed upon prior to commencement. We act in accordance with instructions provided by you, applying professional skill, care, and diligence governed by the Tax Practitioners Board Code of Professional Conduct.

2. Transparent Fixed Pricing and Billing

We operate on transparent, agreed upfront fixed pricing for individual tax returns, couples returns, sole trader businesses, quarterly BAS, and company financial statements.

All engagement fees are confirmed prior to commencement with zero hourly billing surprises. Before undertaking any work that falls outside your agreed scope—such as unrecorded capital gains, complex international income, or multi-entity restructures—we provide a clear written or verbal quote for your approval before proceeding.

3. Client Responsibilities and Substantiation

Under Australian tax law, the legal responsibility for the accuracy of information contained in tax returns and statements rests with the taxpayer.

You are required to provide complete, accurate information and retain necessary substantiation records, including tax invoices, receipts, travel logbooks, and bank records, for the statutory retention period (typically five years from lodgement).

4. Professional Standards and Liability

Northern Accountants is bound by the professional conduct standards of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA), the National Tax & Accountants Association (NTAA), and The Tax Institute.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. For enquiries regarding our engagement terms, telephone our Casuarina office on 08 8941 3900 or our Palmerston office on 08 8932 8004.