Need help? Email tracy@ruralbizassist.com
Thank you — you’re all set.
We’ve received your details. Next, we’ll send your Engagement Letter/SLA and the legal terms below to review and sign.
What happens next
- Check your inbox for an email from Rural BizAssist.
- Review the Engagement Letter/SLA and the terms below.
- Reply with any questions, then sign to get started.
If you don’t see the email within 10 minutes, please check your spam/junk folder.
Quick confirmation
Thanks for taking the next step with Rural BizAssist. Your request has been received and is now in our queue.
If you have anything time-sensitive to add, email tracy@ruralbizassist.com.
Before we begin
To protect both you and Tracy Minchin, we work under an Engagement Letter/SLA. The legal terms below are designed to be attached to that agreement.
Important: This page is a general template and may need tailoring for your specific engagement and jurisdiction. If you need legal advice, please consult a qualified lawyer.
Legal Terms (to add to the Engagement Letter/SLA)
These terms help set clear expectations for how we work together. If anything here doesn’t match what you understood, please raise it before signing.
1) Parties & Scope
These terms apply to services provided by Rural BizAssist ("we", "us") to you ("you", "Client") under the Engagement Letter/SLA. The scope, deliverables, timelines, and fees are defined in the Engagement Letter/SLA and any written change requests.
These terms apply to services provided by Rural BizAssist ("we", "us") to you ("you", "Client") under the Engagement Letter/SLA. The scope, deliverables, timelines, and fees are defined in the Engagement Letter/SLA and any written change requests.
2) Client Responsibilities
You agree to provide timely access to information, systems, and decision-makers needed to complete the work. Delays in approvals, content, or access may impact timelines and may require rescheduling.
You agree to provide timely access to information, systems, and decision-makers needed to complete the work. Delays in approvals, content, or access may impact timelines and may require rescheduling.
3) Communication
Primary communication is via email. We aim to respond within a reasonable timeframe during business days. Urgent requests should be clearly marked as urgent and may incur additional fees if they require out-of-scope work or after-hours support.
Primary communication is via email. We aim to respond within a reasonable timeframe during business days. Urgent requests should be clearly marked as urgent and may incur additional fees if they require out-of-scope work or after-hours support.
4) Fees, Invoicing & Payment
Fees are as stated in the Engagement Letter/SLA. Unless otherwise agreed, invoices are due on receipt (or within the timeframe stated on the invoice). Late payments may pause work until the account is brought up to date.
Fees are as stated in the Engagement Letter/SLA. Unless otherwise agreed, invoices are due on receipt (or within the timeframe stated on the invoice). Late payments may pause work until the account is brought up to date.
5) Changes & Out-of-Scope Work
Requests outside the agreed scope (including additional revisions, new deliverables, or expanded requirements) may require a written change request and may be billed at the agreed rate or quoted separately.
Requests outside the agreed scope (including additional revisions, new deliverables, or expanded requirements) may require a written change request and may be billed at the agreed rate or quoted separately.
6) Confidentiality
Both parties agree to keep confidential information private and to use it only for the purpose of delivering the services, except where disclosure is required by law.
Both parties agree to keep confidential information private and to use it only for the purpose of delivering the services, except where disclosure is required by law.
7) Intellectual Property
Unless otherwise stated, you retain ownership of your pre-existing materials. Upon full payment, you receive the rights to the specific deliverables created for you, excluding any third-party tools, templates, stock assets, or pre-existing materials used in the work.
Unless otherwise stated, you retain ownership of your pre-existing materials. Upon full payment, you receive the rights to the specific deliverables created for you, excluding any third-party tools, templates, stock assets, or pre-existing materials used in the work.
8) Third-Party Services
If the engagement involves third-party platforms (e.g., hosting, email marketing, payment processors, software subscriptions), you are responsible for their fees and compliance. We are not responsible for outages, changes, or limitations imposed by third parties.
If the engagement involves third-party platforms (e.g., hosting, email marketing, payment processors, software subscriptions), you are responsible for their fees and compliance. We are not responsible for outages, changes, or limitations imposed by third parties.
9) Data, Security & Access
You are responsible for maintaining appropriate backups and security controls for your systems. Where we are granted access, you agree to provide the minimum access required and to revoke access when no longer needed.
You are responsible for maintaining appropriate backups and security controls for your systems. Where we are granted access, you agree to provide the minimum access required and to revoke access when no longer needed.
10) No Guarantee of Outcomes
We provide professional services and guidance; however, business outcomes (including revenue, rankings, leads, or performance) depend on many factors outside our control and are not guaranteed.
We provide professional services and guidance; however, business outcomes (including revenue, rankings, leads, or performance) depend on many factors outside our control and are not guaranteed.
11) Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, our total liability for any claim related to the services is limited to the fees paid by you for the specific services giving rise to the claim. We are not liable for indirect, incidental, special, or consequential losses.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, our total liability for any claim related to the services is limited to the fees paid by you for the specific services giving rise to the claim. We are not liable for indirect, incidental, special, or consequential losses.
12) Indemnity
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Rural BizAssist and Tracy Minchin from claims arising from materials you provide, your instructions, or your use of the deliverables, except to the extent caused by our proven negligence or willful misconduct.
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Rural BizAssist and Tracy Minchin from claims arising from materials you provide, your instructions, or your use of the deliverables, except to the extent caused by our proven negligence or willful misconduct.
13) Term, Suspension & Termination
Either party may terminate as set out in the Engagement Letter/SLA. We may suspend work for non-payment, lack of required access, or abusive conduct. Fees for work completed up to the termination date remain payable.
Either party may terminate as set out in the Engagement Letter/SLA. We may suspend work for non-payment, lack of required access, or abusive conduct. Fees for work completed up to the termination date remain payable.
14) Refunds & Cancellations
Unless otherwise stated in the Engagement Letter/SLA, fees for completed work are non-refundable. If a session or booked time is canceled with sufficient notice (as defined in the Engagement Letter/SLA), we will reschedule where possible.
Unless otherwise stated in the Engagement Letter/SLA, fees for completed work are non-refundable. If a session or booked time is canceled with sufficient notice (as defined in the Engagement Letter/SLA), we will reschedule where possible.
15) Governing Law
These terms are governed by the laws applicable in the jurisdiction stated in the Engagement Letter/SLA (or, if not stated, the jurisdiction where Rural BizAssist primarily operates).
These terms are governed by the laws applicable in the jurisdiction stated in the Engagement Letter/SLA (or, if not stated, the jurisdiction where Rural BizAssist primarily operates).
16) Entire Agreement
The Engagement Letter/SLA, together with these terms and any written change requests, forms the entire agreement and supersedes prior discussions.
The Engagement Letter/SLA, together with these terms and any written change requests, forms the entire agreement and supersedes prior discussions.
17) Contact
Questions about these terms can be sent to tracy@ruralbizassist.com.
Questions about these terms can be sent to tracy@ruralbizassist.com.
Effective date: [Insert date]
Want a copy of these terms emailed to you? Request it below.
To Be a Professional Bookkeeper
The points below outline the key expectations and standards for professional bookkeeping practice in Australia today.
Understanding
- An understanding of what “Professional Bookkeeping” is in Australia today.
- An understanding of what the respective business expects.
Qualified
- Obtained the required minimum formal qualifications as specified by Government and the professional associations.
Experienced
- An independent verification of the quality and quantity of experience held.
Commitment to professional development
- A commitment to education, learning and development of skills via continuing professional development.
Resourced
- Access to current information and assistance.
- Capacity to professionally provide service to business.
- Software understanding and techniques.
Communicative
- With your team.
- With the business.
Insured / Protected
- Appropriate Professional Indemnity Insurance is required in addition to other business insurances that should be in place.
- Required to protect the consumer in the event of an issue.
- Cybersecurity processes in place.
Endorsed
A member of a professional body, committed to the requirements of the respective professional codes of conduct as an adherent to that membership, including:
- Acts with honesty and integrity.
- Acts in the best interest of their clients or employers.
Note: A professional bookkeeper in practice will be a Registered BAS Agent.
Policy Statement
Our policies and systems support ethical, compliant, and professional bookkeeping and BAS services.
In Our Business, we:
- Uphold and adhere to being a “Professional Bookkeeper”.
- Uphold and adhere to the requirement of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) Professional Code of Conduct.
- Uphold and adhere to the requirements of the TASA2009 Code of Conduct for Registered BAS Agents (The Code).
- Uphold and promote the ethical standards of the tax profession.
- Comply with our personal and business tax and compliance obligations.
To Achieve This in Our Business, we:
- Have a Quality Management System.
- Undertake at least 30 hours per year of Continuing Professional Education.
- Provide training and resources to ensure we understand and apply the current business and compliance obligations for our clients.
- Provide training and resources to ensure we understand and apply the Code.
- Actively endorse, promote and require adherence to the Code.
- Have a culture of transparency, accountability, ethical conduct and compliance with the Code and the tax laws.
Our Quality Management System Includes Processes for:
- Our approach to providing services.
- Our approach to communication with Clients.
- Review of work performed.
- Supervision and control.
- Record keeping in relation to services provided.
- Recognition and required actions in relation to amending or correcting previous work, including any false or misleading statements to the ATO or other Government agency.
If there was ever an issue (including breaches of the Code):
- We have systems to enable team members to report concerns.
- Our policy is to protect team members who raise any such concerns.
- We have processes to manage and address any underperformance.
- Appropriate records of actual or potential breaches of the Code are maintained.
Our Team Members:
- Are supervised and reviewed as necessary to ensure quality of provision of services.
- Are trained and enabled to be up to date with necessary skills and knowledge.
- We ensure that any team member, person or entity providing services to you on our behalf has not been disqualified by the Tax Practitioners Board.
- We have conducted police checks as required as an element of ensuring the team meet the requirements of being a fit and proper person.
- Are remunerated in accordance with consideration of their skill, experience and adherence to the Code.
Professional principles & client obligations
We specifically note that in accordance with the requirements of the Code we uphold the principles of Honesty & Integrity, Independence, Confidentiality and Competence. We take reasonable care in ascertaining a client’s state of affairs and in ensuring that taxation laws are applied correctly to your circumstances in relation to the statements we are making on your behalf or the advice we are providing to you. We will advise you of your rights and obligations under relevant taxation laws.
We also advise you of any matter that could significantly influence your decision in relation to our engagement for provision of services.
Please also refer to: our Disclosure statement and issued Engagement Letter.
Tax Agents Services Act 2009 – Disclosure Statement
This disclosure is provided in line with TASA 2009 section 45(2) for entities considering engaging or re-engaging a registered Tax Agent or BAS Agent, or upon request.
Tracy Minchin T/As Rural BizAssist is a registered BAS Agent and are required in order to provide BAS Services (including advice, interpretation, interactions with the ATO, and lodgement of forms in respect to GST, BAS, Payroll & Superannuation Guarantee). Any practitioner providing these services must be a registered BAS Agent or Tax Agent.
I/We are subject to the Code of Conduct prescribed in the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 and additional determinations. The Tax Practitioners Board (the board) are the regulator of Registered Agents. I/We are also required to adhere to the requirements of the ATO in our interactions with their Online Services and use of other relevant software.
We advise as follows: We advise that to the best of our knowledge and based on all information known to us, we:
- Have not had our registration suspended or terminated by the Board.
- Are not and have not been an undischarged bankrupt or been put into external administration.
- Have not been convicted of a serious taxation offence or an offence involving fraud or dishonesty.
- Have not been sentenced to a term of imprisonment in Australia for 6 months or more.
- Have not been otherwise penalised, subject to an injunction, or been subject to an order requiring disclosure.
- Are not subject to any conditions upon our registration.
- Do not engage with other TASA disqualified persons.
We are not aware of any matter that we have not otherwise discussed or presented to you that would significantly influence your decision to engage or continue to engage our services. If there is anything you would like to discuss, please contact us.
Register of Tax Agents and BAS Agents
The Board maintains a public register of Tax Agents and BAS Agents. The register contains registration details of registered, suspended and deregistered Tax and BAS Agents.
- Register: https://www.tpb.gov.au/public-register
- How to use the register: https://www.tpb.gov.au/help-using-tpb-register
Complaints
We hope any concerns can be discussed with us first so we can respond to any misunderstanding or any performance issues. Complaints about the services you receive can also be made directly to the Board.
The Board’s complaints process is explained, and the online form is available at https://www.tpb.gov.au/complaints.
This information is true and correct at the time of making this statement. Any change to this information must be updated within 30 days of us becoming aware of any change matter.
Statements made to the ATO
In our role of providing services to you, the law states:
We must not make a statement, prepare a statement, or permit an entity to make or prepare a statement to the commissioner that:
- Is false, incorrect or misleading in a material particular.
- Omits anything that causes the statement to be misleading.
If, after making a statement, based on subsequent information, it is apparent that the statement is false or misleading in a material particular, then we should discuss any further information that indicates the statement is not, in fact, incorrect.
If we have reasonable grounds to believe that the false or misleading nature of the statement resulted from:
- Failure to rake reasonable care in connection with the preparation or making of the statement; or
- Recklessness as to the operation of a taxation law; or
- Intentional disregard of a taxation law.
Then we must advise you:
- That the statement should be corrected.
- The possible consequences of not taking action to correct the statement.
- Our responsibility to take further steps if required.
- If the statement is not corrected, we may have to withdraw from providing any future services.
We also note that in the event that the statement is not corrected and the false or misleading statement has caused or will cause “substantial harm” to the interests of others, the law requires us to notify the ATO that a statement that has been made should be corrected.
This information is required to be provided by TASA 2009 Sn 45(2) and is required when an entity is considering engaging or re-engaging a registered Tax Agent or BAS Agent or upon request.
This information is required to be provided by TASA 2009 Sn 45(2) and is required when an entity is considering engaging or re-engaging a registered Tax Agent or BAS Agent or upon request.
This information is true and correct at the time of making this statement. Any change to this information must be updated within 30 days of us becoming aware of any change matter.
Acceptance of Agreement
Please read the statement below carefully. By proceeding, you confirm you understand how acceptance is recorded for this engagement.
I hereby acknowledge and accept the terms of this engagement as set out in this agreement.
Alternatively, your acceptance of this engagement letter will be signified by the commencement or continuation of work in accordance with this letter or by any other conduct that indicates that you accept these terms.
Questions before you accept? Email tracy@ruralbizassist.com.
