The Geelong Bookkeeper Tradies Trust

Job costing, payroll, super, and BAS — handled end to end. Know exactly what you made on every job, every fortnight.

Sound Familiar?

You finish a big job and somehow still feel broke
Payroll day sneaks up on you every fortnight — and you’re always scrambling
You’re not sure if your subcontractors are set up correctly for STP reporting
BAS time turns into a lost weekend of digging through receipts
You can’t tell which jobs are profitable and which are quietly bleeding money

If any of these hit close to home, you’re not alone. Most trades business owners in Geelong are running their books on instinct — and it costs them more than they realise.

Our Cash Clarity System

Unlike generic bookkeepers who process transactions and hand you a report, True Tally uses a three-step system built specifically for trades businesses:

1 Clean Up

We take over your Xero account, reconcile every transaction, fix historical errors, and connect your job management software (Jobber, ServiceM8, Tradify, Deputy) so your data flows in automatically.

2 Clarify

We map your cash flow 90 days forward. You’ll always know what’s coming in, what’s going out, and what you’ll have left after payroll, super, and tax obligations are met.

3 Control

We handle every payroll run, STP lodgement, superannuation payment, and BAS submission before the deadline.

Nothing slips. Nothing surprises you.

What's Included:

Monthly bank reconciliation and transaction categorisation
Fortnightly payroll processing and STP reporting to the ATO
Superannuation calculation and lodgement
Job costing and per-job profitability tracking
Quarterly BAS preparation and lodgement (as Registered BAS Agent)
90-day cash flow forecasting
Subcontractor payment summaries
Xero setup, integrations, and ongoing management
Monthly plain-English financial summary

Why Tradies Trust True Tally

Trade Specific Expertise

We understand job costing, subbie management, and the cash flow cycles that come with project-based work.

Local and Genuinely Available

Based in Geelong and Melbourne. Same time zone, same market, available when you need us.

Fixed Monthly Pricing

No surprise bills, no hourly rate anxiety. You know exactly what you’re paying.

Registered BAS Agents

The team is legally authorised to prepare and lodge your BAS.

Xero Certified

We integrate Xero with the apps tradies actually use: Jobber, ServiceM8, Tradify, Deputy, and more.

Systems Focused

We are experienced with AI, Automation and business efficiency optimisations and can advise you re best practice to cut costs.

Join Our Community + Free Tips

Get in touch with us to unlock insights and opportunities tailored to your business needs.

Our team is ready to assist you with swift and effective solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a bookkeeper for tradies cost in Geelong?

Bookkeeping for trade businesses in Geelong typically costs between $400 and $1000 per month on a fixed plan, depending on team size and transaction volume. True Tally offers fixed monthly pricing with no surprise bills — book a free call to get a quote tailored to your business.

What bookkeeping software do Geelong tradies use?

Most trade businesses in Geelong use Xero, which integrates directly with job management apps like Jobber, ServiceM8, Tradify, and Deputy. True Tally is Xero Certified and sets up all integrations during onboarding so financial data flows in automatically without manual entry.

Does a bookkeeper for tradies handle payroll in Australia?

Yes. True Tally manages full fortnightly payroll for trade businesses, including STP reporting to the ATO, superannuation calculations and lodgements, leave balance tracking, and award rate compliance for both employees and subcontractors.

What is job costing and can a bookkeeper help with it?

Job costing tracks the income and expenses of each individual project so you can see exactly what profit you made per job. True Tally sets up job costing in Xero for trade businesses in Geelong so owners can identify which jobs are profitable and quote future work more accurately.

Do you work with businesses remotely or only in Geelong?

We work flexibly with businesses remotely across Victoria.

Meetings can be arranged in person at your business, virtually through cloud accounting platforms, or by phone depending on your preference.

What is the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant for a trades business?

A bookkeeper manages day-to-day financial records including payroll, bank reconciliation, BAS lodgements, and cash flow management. An accountant handles year-end tax returns and strategic planning. True Tally works alongside your accountant to keep your books clean and tax-ready year-round.

Does True Tally service trade businesses in Melbourne as well as Geelong?

Yes. True Tally provides bookkeeping services for trade businesses across both Geelong and Melbourne. All services are delivered remotely via Xero, so we can work with any trades business in Victoria.

How do I switch bookkeepers without losing my financial data?

True Tally manages the full transition. We review your existing Xero file, fix any historical errors, reconcile outstanding transactions, and bring your books fully up to date before taking over ongoing management. Most businesses are operational within two weeks.

Is True Tally a registered BAS Agent in Australia?

Yes. True Tally is a registered BAS Agent, meaning we are legally authorised to prepare and lodge your Business Activity Statement on your behalf. Under Australian law, any person who charges a fee to prepare or lodge a BAS must be a registered BAS Agent.

We work flexibly with business across Greater Geelong and Melbourne, Victoria businesses to meet collaboratively in person within their business, virtually, or by phone as needed.

There are no silly questions in business and we feel that you should be across your numbers at all times to make the right decisions to propel your business forward.

Book a free 20-minute call with True Tally. No obligation, no jargon — just a straight conversation about your books and what we can do for your trade business in Geelong or Melbourne.

Get in Touch with Us

Feel free to contact us anytime. We’re here to answer your questions and provide fast, friendly support.