Welcome to AKJ® Business Services
Business Growth is Our Business
On the surface, accounting is the process by which financial information about a business is recorded, classified, summarized and communicated to the appropriate person.
But that’s ‘on the surface’.
Beneath the surface, there’s an interpretation, a language that speaks about your business’s health.
There’s its legacy of the past, its current state-of-health and crucially, there’s your business’s future.
No matter what size the business is, there’s always a story to be told through accounting. Whether
it’s sad, exciting or stagnating, the numbers are always there as a fundamental part of every
business.
For over 30 years I’ve been guiding my clients through my understanding of good accounting
practices and principles. Some of these clients have been with me the entire time.
On the surface, there’s been a lot of routine, a lot of black and white. But beneath the surface, my
experience in accounting has never been dull. And that’s fuelled my passion to serve my clients.
My name is Amanda Johnson. Welcome to AKJ® Business Services
Our Services
Year-End Compliance
- Preparation of tax returns for individuals.
- Preparation of income tax returns and financial statements for all entities
including companies, trusts, partnerships, self-managed funds and sole traders.
Structuring Advice
When establishing a business or making a significant asset purchase, it’s important to get the right advice as to the best place to hold your assets. We can assist with looking at your overall affairs, your long-term plans and advise on the most suitable structure for your business and investment needs.
Establishment of Entities
Once we’ve provided advice on what business structure is most appropriate for you and your family’s circumstances, we establish the structure for you and apply for the necessary ATO registrations to make your entrance into the business world less complicated.
Quarterly Business Activity Statements
For some businesses, managing financial affairs is time-consuming, stressful and a diversion away from business generation and cash-flow which is so vital to businesses. We provide a variety of bookkeeping options to assist with quarterly BAS compliance which facilitates year-end reporting. And it may lead to savings in both tax obligations and on-going business costs.
Year-End Tax Planning
Many businesses fail to plan their year-end reporting well in advance. And often, this leads to missed opportunities that affect tax compliance and cash-flow. If required, we can provide regular reviews of your business which avoids unexpected liabilities and may assist in reducing tax obligations.
Day to Day Business Accounting and Tax Advice
We provide guidance in many, often over-looked areas of business. For example, we can assist with WorkCover registration, determine if a fringe benefit is relevant and register a business name. These simple, yet critical, business tasks can often be accomplished with a brief email or call to our office. It’s a simple policy that keeps us – and our clients, informed.
Property Purchases
Amanda is very experienced in property investment. She works closely with financial advisors and finance brokers to ascertain the most effective structure for your finances prior to purchasing.
General Support & Advice
Our experience spans far more than the services we’ve detailed here. If you have any type of query there is an excellent chance we have someone that can help you out. We’re only ever a phone call away.
Our Team
Amanda Johnson ~ Director
Amanda has provided professional taxation and accounting advice for 30 years. This includes tenures with regional and national firms as well as the creation of a business partnership.
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Prior to working within her own partnership firm, Amanda managed the Business Advisory Services of a tier-two accounting firm and she managed the tax division of a specialist financial advisors firm in Brisbane.
Along the way, Amanda also gained experience in the finance and investment property sectors. This, coupled with her taxation and accounting experience, has enabled her to take a more strategic approach to her clients’ goals and objectives.
In 2011 she launched AKJ Business Services on the Gold Coast. Amanda’s business objective was to provide a scope-of-services offered by larger firms combined with boutique-sized client service and flexibility.
AKJ Business Services has never advertised. Growth has come through steady referrals. In this way, growth hasn’t compromised personalised and attentive service. This has been evidenced by the longevity of client-relationships; some lasting over 30-years.
This says much about the quality of service, and the passion of the service provider.
Amanda is a CPA, a Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants and a member of the Australian Institute of Management.
In her spare time, Amanda is a passionate supporter of youth and is on the board of three non-profit organisations, RADFLY Inc (including the RADLFY Foundation), OHANA for Youth (encompassing Gen-Z Employment) and Arcadia College. These organisations provide support and assistance to the youth of the Gold Coast. When she has time away from this, she enjoys traveling, spending time with friends, her nieces, godchildren and occasionally attempting to paint.
Lisa Bisdee | Senior Accountant
Lisa is a qualified Accountant and with over 20 years experience. She has been working closely with Amanda and many of her clients since 2004. She has degrees in Science, Teaching and Accounting and we are thrilled she chose the Accounting Profession as her final destination. Lisa’s experience in Teaching roles allows for her to talk to clients in logical and clear way. She has a special interest in the Property and Construction Industry and spends her spare time with her husband, family and 2 Jack Russell’s.
Vicki Wilkins | Senior Accountant
Vicki is a qualified Accountant with over 30 years experience. She has worked predominately in the Accounting Profession but also ran a bookkeeping business when bringimg up her children. Vicki is passionate about clients using the right platform for their bookkeeping and is often the first person we refer to for assistance in Xero, MYOB and Quickbooks. Vicki is a Xero Certified Practitioner. When she is not training for Triathalons, Ironmans or Marathons, she enjoys renovating her home with her husband and children.
Julie Bonnor | Office Manager
Julie’s been working in the accounting profession for over 30 years in a variety of support and administrative roles. She manages all aspects of administration in the office and is often the first person to greet you at our offices and take your calls. In her spare time, Julie loves travelling around Australia with her husband in their caravan and spending time with her grandchildren.
Kathie Cathcart | PA to Amanda & Bookkeeping
Katie has been working in the financial services industry for over 20 years. Katie’s role includes client bookkeeping, general office administration and direct support to Amanda. She is also our Entertainment Co-Ordinator. When Katie is not working, she supports her children in their golfing and diving activities and spending time with family and friends.
Kirsty Tate | Admin Support
Kirsty is the newest additional to the team and provides administration support to the Accountants and Office Manager. Kirsty managed all administrative aspects of a small legal firm and currently works part time in the travel industry. When she is not working, she loves spending time travelling with family and friends.
Sam Sales | Admin Support
Sam has provided administrative support casually for the last few years. He has many years’ experience in Customer Service roles and has brought an abundance of energy to the office. Even though he has moved to Brisbane to follow his chosen career, he still drops in when he can to provide assistance and entertainment.
Testimonials
We’ve been with Amanda for 30 years mainly because she consistently goes above and beyond our expectations. Over the years she’s provided excellent general business advice, tax advice and she handles year-end reporting for our businesses. She’s also pro-active and keeps us abreast of what we need to know.
Amanda’s been managing our quarterly bookkeeping and BAS for 15 years. What we really like about her is that she simplifies the complexities and explains things really well. She also takes care of our year-end reporting and provides lots of insightful business advice.
When we decided to start our business we had no idea how to structure it and what our options were. Amanda explained everything in lay-terms so we were confident in our decision-making. Then she established the entities and handled the ATO registrations, all the while making herself available for our numerous and sometimes anxious phone calls.
For the last 30 years, Amanda’s helped with our day-to-day accounting as well as our year-end compliance. She’s an excellent communicator and very professional making her a real asset to achieving our financial goals.
Amanda has helped us in so many ways over the last 20 years — we can’t function without her! She provides excellent advice on day-to-day decisions and manages our year-end compliance. She’s so personable she’s now part of the family.
I’ve relied on Amanda’s advice for many years and on many things including investment property decisions and year-end compliance. She’s a pleasure to work with; very professional, approachable and thorough.