State of the industry research - understanding the bookkeeping profession (summary) - 2005
Key findings
The following list contains the key findings of the research.
The majority of bookkeepers are:
female (77%), and at least 40 years of age (71%)
sole practitioners/contractors (77%), and
comfortable with their working hours (61%) – the mean number of hours worked per week is 32.4.
Sixty-five per cent of bookkeepers did not attend any workshops, courses or seminars conducted by the Tax Office or professional associations over the past year.
Bookkeeping is a diverse industry in terms of client numbers. The median number of bookkeeper clients is 10 with a standard deviation of 52.7 – 48% reported no growth in client numbers over the past 12 months.
Word of mouth is the major source of new business for bookkeepers, followed by direct referrals from tax agents.
The vast majority (80%) of bookkeepers are satisfied with their job – only 4% are dissatisfied.
Around 57% of bookkeepers are highly optimistic – only 2% are very pessimistic.
Motivational factors cited by bookkeepers revolve around flexible working arrangements and client relationships.
De-motivating factors cited by bookkeepers include the complexity of tax legislation, the Tax Office’s approach to deadlines and penalties and the poor quality of some bookkeepers' work.
While most bookkeepers generally have a low level of contact with the Tax Office, the relationship between bookkeepers and the Tax Office is quite positive, with 64% satisfied with the overall level of service.
The major issues bookkeepers want the Tax Office to address are:
lack of recognition for bookkeepers
the complexity of the tax legislation
Tax Office telephone services for bookkeepers, and
BAS lodgment deadlines.
The products and services most desired by bookkeepers are:
more flexible, staggered BAS deadlines
information seminars
a bookkeepers’ portal
a dedicated phone line for bookkeepers, and
a dedicated bookkeeper section on Tax Office website.
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