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AI for bookkeepers and BAS agents

Reduce repetitive bookkeeping work with a tested AI workflow

Use AI to assist with draft data entry, document collection and reconciliation. Keep professional review in the process and measure the result before expanding.

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Bookkeeping workflows worth assessing

These are possible project scopes, not a list of features included in a single product. The available workflow depends on your accounting systems, access and review requirements.

Data extraction and coding suggestions

Extract draft fields from invoices and receipts, and suggest transaction codes using approved rules. Review source documents and corrections before posting.

Reconciliation assistance

Suggest possible matches between bank transactions, invoices and bills. Test partial payments, duplicates and unusual transactions against your existing review process.

Document collection

Schedule approved reminders and organise submitted receipts by client. Keep a process for missing, unreadable or incorrectly assigned documents.

BAS preparation support

Prepare draft summaries and exception lists for practitioner review. AI output does not establish that a return is accurate or ready for lodgement.

Routine client communication

Draft document requests and deadline reminders from approved templates. Financial advice, sensitive questions and unusual requests need an authorised person.

Workflow tracking

Bring agreed task statuses, deadlines and outstanding documents into a dashboard. Confirm what each connected accounting product makes available.

Start with a limited pilot

1

Choose one workflow

Review the current process, time spent, error types, accounting products and client permissions. Select a repeatable task with a clear acceptance test.

2

Confirm access and data handling

Check product versions, API permissions, provider terms, client separation and processing locations. Agree which actions require approval.

3

Test a limited pilot

Use approved test data, compare results with source records and test exceptions. Agree review responsibilities and a rollback process before going live.

4

Measure before expanding

Compare total handling time, including review and corrections, with the previous process. Expand only when the evidence supports the additional scope.

Illustrative capacity calculator

Change the assumptions to explore the arithmetic. The starting percentages are illustrative, not measured client results or promised savings. A pilot must establish whether any reduction is achievable after review and corrections.

5100
2 hours20 hours
40 AUD150 AUD
0%100%
0%100%

Results under these assumptions

Current monthly workload
200 hours
Modeled monthly time released
56 hours
Equivalent whole-client workload
7
Annual value of modeled time at your rate
A$50,400

Formula: clients × monthly hours × assumed data-entry share × assumed reduction. Annual value multiplies that time by your hourly rate and 12 months.

This is capacity value, not additional revenue or profit. It assumes released time can be used at the stated rate and excludes implementation, software, maintenance, additional review, client acquisition and GST. Actual demand and outcomes may differ.

Measure the work that remains

Agree a baseline and acceptance criteria before the pilot. These are measures to collect, not claimed customer results.

Total handling time

Include preparation, checking, corrections and follow-up, not just the time taken to generate a draft.

Error and exception rates

Check sampled outputs against source records. Separate serious errors from formatting changes.

Client separation

Test access permissions, entity mapping and the handling of incorrectly uploaded documents.

Operating cost

Include software, API usage, implementation, maintenance and the practitioner time still required.

An example BAS preparation workflow

The following is an example process to assess with your practitioner. It does not promise a particular saving, accuracy rate or compliance outcome.

1. Collect documents

Use an agreed checklist and approved reminders. A person follows up missing or unclear records.

2. Prepare working papers

Automation can draft summaries and suggest matches. Check completeness and reconcile them to source records.

3. Review and lodge

The responsible practitioner applies professional judgement and verifies the work. A flagging system can miss errors, so reviewing only flagged items may be insufficient.

4. Communicate with the client

Review amounts, due dates and recipients before sending summaries or reminders. Keep records of approvals and communications.

Practitioner responsibilities and client data

The TPB guidance addresses professional judgement, verification of AI output and client confidentiality. It explains that disclosure to an AI provider can require client permission. Review the proposed workflow against your obligations before supplying client information.

The OAIC also provides guidance on selecting and using commercial AI products. Processing locations, retention and training settings depend on the chosen providers and configuration.

Frequently asked questions

Assess one workflow in your practice

Bring your current process, accounting products and review requirements to a consultation. We can discuss a suitable pilot and what it would need to demonstrate.

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