Fremantle Bookkeeping Service Helps Local Business Stay Focused on What Matters

This case study features a talented wedding photographer based in Fremantle and how an experienced Fremantle bookkeeper service was able to streamline their bookkeeping after they tried to manage it in house.

This photographer built a successful business through word of mouth and years of dedication. But like many creative professionals, managing the business side — particularly the financials — was not particularly their strong suit. They were starting to realise they needed professional Fremantle bookkeeping services.

The business used Xero for payroll and Zoho for bookkeeping, a combination that had worked well in the early days. However, during busy wedding seasons, tasks like invoicing, tracking expenses, and updating records were regularly pushed aside in favour of editing, client meetings, and time on the road. Gradually, the books fell behind. As weeks turned into months, it became harder to catch up, and tax time became a source of stress. The owner had no clear view of their financial position, and missing an ATO deadline was a constant worry.

The owner realised they needed help; not just with catching up, but with maintaining control of their finances year-round. They wanted someone who was local to Fremantle, but also someone who understood the photgraphy business, and someone willing to work with the systems they already had in place. That’s when they found a bookkeeper from Darcy Bookkeeping & Business Services.

How a Fremantle Bookkeeper Turned Things Around

Darcy Bookkeeping provided a bookkeeper from their team with an experience and skills needed for the role. The Xero bookkeeping professional understood the particular needs of creative industries, including how unpredictable income can be from month to month and how admin often falls to the bottom of the list. The bookkeeper quickly set to work, beginning with a full review and clean-up of the client’s accounts. That meant reconciling months of transactions in Zoho, identifying duplicate or missing entries, checking that GST had been recorded correctly, and ensuring the payroll in Xero was fully up to date and in line with Fair Work obligations. The bookkeeper identified ATO lodgements that the client had missed. These were submitted promptly, eliminating the risk of late fees or penalties and restoring confidence in the business’s compliance.

Once everything was up to date, the focus shifted to prevention. The bookkeeper worked closely with the client to create a schedule that included monthly reconciliations, payroll processing, and GST tracking. They also streamlined the client’s use of Zoho to make invoicing and expense recording more efficient, even during the busiest months. 

Today, this Fremantle photographer no longer dreads tax time. With accurate books, timely reporting, and a local expert just a phone call away, they’ve reclaimed hours each week and gained peace of mind. 

Here’s what the bookkeeper helped with:

• Payroll in Xero is now processed accurately and on time, with all obligations met.
• Zoho bookkeeping is kept up to date, with reconciliations completed monthly.
• BAS and ATO lodgements are submitted on time, avoiding penalties.
• Clear systems are in place to manage invoicing and expenses, even during busy periods.
• The client receives ongoing support from a Fremantle bookkeeper who understands their business and tools.

With professional bookkeeping now in place, the client has peace of mind and a clear financial picture. They can now focus on doing the work they love, without the constant stress of making a financial error. If you need a bookkeeper in Perth get in touch with us to help you get the same positive outcome with your books.