WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BOOKKEEPERS AND REGISTERED BAS AGENTS?
                     WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE 
BETWEEN BOOKKEEPERS 
AND REGISTERED BAS 
AGENTS?
With the end of financial year fast approaching, you 
need to ensure that customer satisfaction is 
translating into a healthy and happy balance sheet. If 
you have or are looking to outsource your books 
management, you have 2 options. A bookkeeper or a 
BAS agent. Each option differs slightly and has its 
benefits. It depends on your needs. We will try to 
address how they are different and similar and how it 
will impact your business. 
Bookkeeper
You’re likely to have used a bookkeeper for your 
business needs already. If you put someone else in 
charge of accounting, then that person would be 
considered an everyday bookkeeper who ensures 
financial trust by balancing books throughout each 
quarter and at year-end; they process transactions 
using software like Xero which is easy enough even 
without training! If your bookkeeper has been on top 
of the numbers, your accountant will have less work 
to do.
BAS Agents
A registered BAS agent is a professional with the 
ability to handle all bookkeeping responsibilities 
while flying an important flag of differentiation. They 
must meet certain qualifications and follow 
guidelines that keep them protected from liability for 
any mistakes made during their work hours or 
accidents resulting thereof, so make sure you're 
trained properly before trying this job out!
Differences
What is the difference between a bookkeeper and a 
BAS Agent? A simple answer would be that 
Bookkeepers handle a few tasks while BAS agents are 
able to carry a heavier load. BAS agents provide their 
employer with much more clout when it comes to 
the ATO than bookkeepers do. But this isn't quite 
accurate enough for what constitutes “the bigger 
picture."
Bookkeepers can perform some of these functions, 
but they're limited in capacity; whereas registered 
BAS agents have much stronger abilities which allow 
them to assist their employers with various matters- 
things even employees may not do without 
permission or supervision from management.
- A bookkeeper is not required to be registered with 
the Tax practitioners board (TPB); a BAS agent must 
be registered by TPB and There are severe penalties 
for anyone providing BAS services for a fee or reward 
or advertising BAS services while unregistered.
- A bookkeeper can only perform everyday 
bookkeeping for work for their employer, whereas a 
BAS agent working out or advising about liabilities, 
obligations, or entitlements of clients under a BAS 
provision, or representing a client in their dealings 
with the Commissioner of Taxation in relation to a 
BAS provision.
- Bookkeepers are employed to look after the books 
and that’s pretty much it. They’re also able to do 
many things related to business finances. Registered 
BAS agents, however, can represent, advise, or assist 
their employer with certain matters – things 
bookkeepers are not allowed to do. 
These include GST, wine taxes, fuel taxes, luxury car 
taxes, FBT payments, all aspects of payroll relating to 
withholding tax amounts and reporting those 
amounts to the Tax office, any other PAYG 
withholding amounts, and all aspects of income tax 
payments via PAYG instalments. If your business 
requires representation to the Tax office on these 
matters, a BAS agent is required. Bookkeepers simply 
won’t do.
Similarities
Bookkeepers and BAS agents are both essential for 
maintaining your accounting records. They report on 
the state of business finances while ensuring that 
books stay balanced appropriately, provide you with 
financial statements. Both bookkeepers and BAS 
agents can interpret the financial situations of their 
business and help you, the owner, make business 
decisions based on their conclusions. Their work 
helps you know if your business is succeeding or if it 
requires taking a new direction to get back on track.
One similarity between bookkeepers and BAS agents 
is the amount of schooling required to be a great 
accountant for a business. Both bookkeepers and 
registered BAS agents typically require a bachelor’s 
degree in accounting or need to have obtained or be 
working toward CA or CPA qualifications. In 
Australia’s current business climate, having these 
qualifications is important.
If you need information on registered BAS agents – 
or need quality accounting from one – then don’t 
hesitate to contact iKeep Bookkeeping. We’d be 
happy to help you with any of your Bookkeeping and 
BAS agent needs.