Retail Industry Partnership minutes - 25 October 2005

8. Bookkeepers project

In response to the concern raised at the previous Retail Industry Partnership regarding the shortage of tax compliance practitioners and the impact this could have on small retailers, Greg Lansdell, Project Director of the Bookkeepers Integration Project, outlined the Tax Office's initiatives in this area.

Greg provided a high level overview of State of the industry research - understanding the bookkeeping profession which confirmed the view relating to the aging demographic, skilling, and general perceptions concerning bookkeepers. A two page colour summary was distributed.

Additionally, the Tax Office has sponsored bookkeeper consultative forums:

• The Bookkeeper Industry Advisory Group (BIAG).
• CEO's meetings (chaired by Mark Konza, Deputy Commissioner Small Business) - the aim of which is to develop a joint strategy for a para-professional framework covering ethics, discipline, qualifications and professional development.

Greg also provided an overview of the Bookkeeper Integration Project, including the priority deliverables of:

• aligning Tax Office products and processes for bookkeepers
• a whole of Tax Office compliance strategy, focusing on help and educate but also addressing section 251L impact on BAS services
• Electronic commerce interface (ECI) Pilot for online lodgment of activity statements - underway with 56 participants (delivery March 2006)
• building capability via improved access to tax information and education products (delivery March 2006).

Sections within Agenda items

• 1. Welcome, introductions and apologies
• 2. Acceptance of previous minutes
• 3. Action items from previous meeting
• 4. Updates and developments
• 5. TR 2005/D11 re absorption cost method of valuing stock on hand
• 6. Retailer code of best practice
• 7. Fringe Benefits Tax
• 8. Bookkeepers project
• 9. Simplified Tax System
• 10. Issues and emerging risks
• 11. Other business
• 12. Next meeting