A five-question records conversation for local business groups

Business groups often bring together owners who use different software, run different structures and have different accounting needs. A useful discussion can begin with how records are organised, without asking anyone to disclose turnover, debts or private client information.

Regans has prepared this short resource for voluntary use by local business groups, community publishers and complementary professional businesses. No partnership or endorsement is implied.

The five questions

1. Where is the current set of business records kept?

2. What is the last period that has been checked and completed?

3. Which missing item is holding up the next step?

4. Who is responsible for keeping records current and answering questions?

5. What needs to be clarified with the accountant before more work starts?

Participants can answer privately on their own worksheet. There is no need to read figures aloud, share documents with a group organiser or submit information to Regans to use the resource.

A simple ten-minute discussion

Spend two minutes explaining the purpose: identify one practical improvement, not assess another person's business. Give each person five minutes to consider the questions privately. Use the remaining time to invite optional discussion about general processes, such as naming files consistently or keeping one missing-records list.

Finish by asking each participant to choose one next action. Do not turn a general conversation into individual tax, payroll or financial advice. Questions about a person's obligations belong with the appropriate adviser.

A fictional example

An owner realises that purchase documents arrive in two email accounts while the bookkeeper checks only one. The next action is to agree a consistent collection process and confirm who will maintain it. The example illustrates a records problem; it is not a Regans client story or a promised result.

Free resources to share

The Business Readiness Kit provides a handover checklist, missing-records tracker and questions sheet. The switching-accountants guide explains useful preparation for a change of adviser.

You may share a link to this page or reproduce the five questions with attribution to “Regans Accountants, Gregory Hills” and a link to the original resource. Please keep the questions in context and do not present them as personalised advice or as an endorsement of another business.

Interested in a local resource collaboration?

A community publisher or business group can contact reception@regansaccountants.com.au to discuss adapting this practical resource for its audience. Any co-authored version would need agreement from both parties before publication. There is no paid link exchange or requirement to recommend Regans.

For information about Regans' own services, visit bookkeeping or request an appointment.

Prepared 16 September 2026. No member or client information is collected by this guide.