Summer often brings a mix of catch-up and planning, which makes it a useful time to speak with your accountant. The pace can feel slower before things pick up again, so it’s a good window to ask questions that help you stay ahead.

If you’re working with an accountant in Caloundra, having a focused list of questions ready can make the meeting more useful. Whether you’re dealing with cash flow, preparing for the end of quarter, or just trying to simplify your records, a quick check-in now can make the rest of the financial year run smoother. With summer in full swing and EOFY slowly edging closer, it’s the right moment to make sure nothing gets missed.

Taking the time to prepare and make your check-in constructive will allow you to get clarity on pain points and find opportunities for improvement. Setting aside a dedicated meeting, whether in person or remotely, ensures there’s space to address topics that can too easily be skipped in the day-to-day rush.

What Can We Do Now to Strengthen Cash Flow?

Cash flow isn’t just about how much money is coming in. It’s about the pace, timing, and habits in play behind each transaction. Starting with a review of your income and spending can flag issues early.

• Ask your accountant to go over your recent cash flow reports for patterns in delays or sharp jumps in costs.

• Flag upcoming summer expenses. Even small increases in seasonal-related spend, like hiring extra staff or managing high energy bills, can affect working capital.

• Review your invoicing process together. Is there a pattern of late payments? Are follow-ups happening too slowly? Smoothing out these areas could make a big difference in weekly cash on hand.

This is especially relevant for Caloundra businesses with tourism-based traffic or seasonal client peaks. Timing matters. By tackling rhythm-based patterns now, we can deal with issues before business activity ramps up again.

To further fortify your financial position, consider talking through your recurring expenses. Even costs that seem locked in may have areas for adjustment or negotiation. Sometimes, your accountant can spot invoice errors or duplications that have slipped through the cracks, saving you more in the long run. When regular cash flow reviews are built into your planning, financial surprises are much less likely to catch you off guard.

Are My Records Set Up for Easier Reporting?

If getting financial information takes too long or leaves you unsure what to trust, it’s time to ask whether your systems are helping or holding you back.

• Talk to your accountant about how you’re tracking data. Are your tools, whether spreadsheets or software, actually clear and up to date?

• Look at how expenses are being coded. Mislabelled or uncategorised items can slow down reporting and even lead to missed claims in March or at EOFY.

• Ask which reports really matter each month or quarter and how to read them. Knowing where to look can give more confidence when it comes to budgets and forecasting.

It doesn’t take a whole system overhaul to make a difference. Sometimes it’s one or two changes, storing receipts properly or reviewing report settings, that clear up daily confusion and make planning simpler.

Updating how you store and sort receipts is a practical start. If you’re still handling paperwork manually, your accountant may recommend mobile or cloud apps to simplify the collection and categorisation process. Even just talking through which reports you rely on can highlight knowledge gaps. From there, your accountant can demonstrate which dashboards to check daily or weekly for a faster temperature check on the numbers that really matter.

Are There Tax Steps I Can Take Before the End of Quarter?

Waiting until the last minute to fix a tax hiccup can lead to pressure that could have been avoided. A summer meeting gives us a chance to do more with the time still left in the current quarter.

• Ask your accountant if anything from the last quarter was overpaid or missed and can still be adjusted.

• Go over any deductions or rebates that could still apply this early in the year. Some tax steps require action now rather than at the June rush.

• Make sure you’re on track with BAS, PAYG, or other reporting blocks. Small gaps in lodgement or planning can get harder to fix if left too long.

These check-ins aren’t about doing everything at once, they’re about getting a clear picture so you’re not surprised later. Starting summer with a few of these questions lets us ease into March with fewer roadblocks to sort through.

Timely tax reviews in summer deliver benefits later in the financial year. With enough lead time, record corrections or adjustments for prior mistakes can be handled without stress. Your accountant may suggest ways to bring forward deductions, allocate prepaid expenses, or optimise your lodgement sequence, which can have meaningful impacts on your cash position and compliance confidence.

Are There Any Risks or Gaps I’m Not Seeing?

Sometimes we get too close to the work. That’s where a second pair of eyes helps, especially one trained to look at the finer details that don’t always come up in day-to-day operations.

• Ask your accountant to flag any weak points in your usual tasks. Missed filings, unclear records, or late data entries can quietly cause headaches weeks or months down the track.

• Use their knowledge of how Caloundra businesses flow during summer to check if you’re reacting the right way to the season. Are you making the right calls based on tourism patterns or local demand?

• Ask what other clients typically struggle with around this point in the year. It’s a good way to stay ahead of problems before they become yours.

Risk isn’t always obvious. Sometimes it’s just not knowing what’s changed or not realising how close a process is to breaking down. The questions above keep us connected to changes before they snowball.

Your accountant is experienced at catching emerging issues, whether it’s an approaching compliance deadline or a risk embedded in daily routines. Sometimes small changes in banking, super payments, or payroll legislation might escape notice, and catching these now helps you stay ahead. Use the meeting as a chance to explore “what if” scenarios so you can respond to uncertainty with practical adjustments instead of reacting too late.

Confident Conversations Lead to Better Business Choices

Conversations with your accountant are a great opportunity to identify small changes that make a real difference in your business. At SMB Accounting, we offer support for small business clients, including help with tax returns, BAS lodgements, and advice on business structure to boost your long-term planning. Staying on top of tax and compliance tasks is much easier with a dedicated local resource, so you can focus on running your business without setbacks.

Planning for a successful summer is easier with guidance from an accountant in Caloundra. At SMB Accounting, we understand the seasonal patterns and can help you prepare for what’s ahead, so you can make small adjustments now that really pay off later. Let us help you streamline your planning, identify potential gaps, and ensure you feel confident heading into the busy months. Reach out to discuss your options or to schedule a summer check-in with our team.