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Controller services in Australia: how it runs
LedgerBPO's outsourced controller services Australia growing businesses use put a senior accountant over your close every month: reviewing GST and PAYG reconciliations, writing accounting policies, checking approval controls and issuing a review memo, inside your Xero or MYOB file, in AUD.
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What it covers
LedgerBPO's outsourced controller services Australia growing businesses use put a senior accountant over your close every month: reviewing GST and PAYG reconciliations, writing accounting policies, checking approval controls and issuing a review memo, inside your Xero or MYOB file, in AUD.
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What you get
A senior accountant reviews every close and signs a monthly review memo
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How it runs
Accounting policies, approval limits and controls written down and checked
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What you see
Works with your bookkeeper or ours, inside your software
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A named accountant, a backup and a team lead
Inside your own software, on a fixed close calendar, with a reply from a person within 1 business day. Call +1-657-777-0006 or start a quote.
Get a custom quote 06 / 06
What is different in Australia
A controller in Australia has to keep an eye on obligations most other markets do not separate out: PAYG withholding and instalments, the superannuation guarantee moving to a per-pay-run deadline under Payday Super from 1 July 2026, and payroll tax that varies by state once wages cross each state's threshold. Multi-entity groups need someone who owns the accounting policy across the whole organisation, including how GST and BAS timing is handled consistently. Xero and MYOB both support the reconciliation and reporting a controller reviews, and figures are reported in AUD. The controller checks the close before you see it, but gives no audit opinion. Reviews are scheduled inside AEST hours from our second office in Pakistan.
AU rules that shape the work
PAYG withholding and instalments reviewed
The controller checks that PAYG withholding on wages and any PAYG instalment notice agree with the ledger before the close is signed off, so a mismatch is caught before it reaches your BAS agent.
Payroll tax policy across states
Where a group has staff in more than one state, the controller owns a written policy for tracking wages against each state's own payroll tax threshold and rate, since both differ from state to state.
Close calendar owned against ATO dates
The controller sets and enforces a close calendar built around your BAS and instalment due dates, so the close finishes with time for your BAS agent to review rather than racing the deadline.
Review extends to BAS workpapers, not lodgment
The controller reviews the GST and PAYG workpapers before they go to your TPB-registered BAS agent or accountant. LedgerBPO never lodges BAS itself, whatever the entity structure.
What's included
- Monthly review of every balance sheet reconciliation and journal entry
- Written review memo listing findings, corrections and open risks
- Accounting policy manual: revenue, cut-off, capitalization, accruals, expenses
- Approval matrix for spending, payments and credit notes, checked monthly
- Segregation-of-duties review across bookkeeping, payables and banking
- Chart of accounts ownership and change control
- Month-end close calendar owned and enforced through CloseTrack
- Revenue recognition and cut-off checks at each period end
- Intercompany, related-party and owner transaction review
- Financial statement walk-through with the owner each month
- Year-end coordination with your CPA, accountant or auditor
- Quarterly controls checklist with remediation dates
Deliverables and KPIs
| Deliverable | KPI we report |
|---|---|
| Controller review memo in AUD | Issued within 3 business days of the close sign-off |
| GST and PAYG reconciliation review | Every reconciliation reviewed and initialled before the BAS workpaper is released |
| Payroll tax policy by state | Wages tracked by state against each threshold, reviewed quarterly |
| Close calendar compliance | Close sign-off achieved ahead of the relevant ATO due date |
AU software we work in
Pricing in AUD
Pricing depends on volume and scope. Get a custom quote within 1 business day. Quotes for Australia clients are issued in AUD.
Security and compliance
- Controller holds review access; payment release stays with you. We never move money
- MFA on every login, access reviewed quarterly as part of the controls checklist
- Review memos and policy manuals stored in the LedgerDesk portal with version history
Full control list on the security page and country rules on the compliance page. Certifications are listed only when held.
Frequently asked questions
How much do outsourced controller services cost in Australia?
Pricing depends on volume and scope, so we send a custom quote within 1 business day. As a market reference, a full finance function for a company with 10 or more staff typically runs A$2,200 to A$4,500 a month, while bookkeepers charge A$40 to A$100 per hour and registered BAS agents A$75 to A$150 per hour (Australian bookkeeping fee surveys, 2026).
Do you lodge our BAS?
No. The controller reviews the GST and PAYG workpapers behind the BAS, then your TPB-registered BAS agent or accountant reviews and lodges it with the ATO. LedgerBPO never lodges BAS, and the controller gives no audit opinion or licensed advice.
Do you cover AEST hours?
Yes. Reviews and questions are handled inside Australian Eastern Standard Time from our second office in Pakistan, so a finding in the review memo can be discussed during your business day.
How do you handle payroll tax across states?
The controller tracks wages by state against each state's own payroll tax threshold and rate, since both vary, and writes a policy so a growing multi-state employer sees a new liability coming rather than finding it at year-end.
Is this the same as a fractional CFO?
No. A controller looks backward and inward at whether the numbers are right, controlled and documented, including GST, PAYG and super. A CFO looks forward at financing and strategy. We provide controller-level review and reporting, not CFO advice or investment advice.
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