If you’ve ever wondered how to move your business from getting by to growing smart, accounting advisory could be the missing piece.
But what is accounting advisory? Simply put, it’s strategic financial guidance to help you plan ahead, manage risks, and build a stronger, more resilient business. While traditional accounting focuses on tax filings or BAS lodgements, advisory looks forward. It’s about helping you reach your goals faster—with fewer surprises along the way.
At Spark Accountants, we work with Brisbane businesses every day to bridge the gap between compliance and strategy. In this blog, we’ll explain what accounting advisory involves, the different types of advisory services available, and its benefits.
Breaking Down Accounting Advisory
Advisory accounting studies your current challenges and financial data to create proactive strategies for growth opportunities. Let’s break down what that actually means.
So, if you’re running a business, you don’t want to wait until you’re down to your last two cents to make a change. An advisory accountant looks at what’s going on right now to help you make decisions that drive your business in the direction you want. It’s not about cleaning up the mess, but rather building something even better bit by bit.
Plus, with automation and cloud software simplifying traditional tasks, accounting advisory is now a sought-after service because the real value lies in the expertise they bring.
Wondering what’s the difference between account advisory and accounting for small businesses? Discover our guide on what business accounting is.
Types of Advisory Services in Accounting
The types of advisory services can be categorised into:
Tax Advisory
- Tax planning to minimise tax liability and maximise deductions.
- Business structuring for tax efficiency.
- Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) planning.
- PAYG variations and compliance strategies to improve cash flow.
Business Advisory
- Cash flow forecasting and wealth management to avoid shortfalls and make smart spending decisions.
- Business planning and scenario analysis to scale operations and set financial goals.
- Profitability consulting and budgeting to identify revenue opportunities and allow for strategic resource allocation.
- Risk management support to minimise impact and maintain business stability.
- Succession or exit strategy planning for a clear, tax-effective transition that aligns with your goals.
Broader Advisory Services
- Asset protection and estate planning to protect your financial legacy.
- Tech stack selection and implementation to navigate growth and structural change with the right tools.
- Reviewing operations and key performance metrics to identify areas of improvement.
- Industry benchmarking to uncover areas of competitive growth.
- Financial modelling and reporting improvements to enable smarter planning and decision-making.
- Business loans or funding applications for access capital and to improve approval chances.
The Benefits of Advisory Services for Businesses
Running a business isn’t just about staying afloat—it’s about steering in the right direction. Advisory accounting helps you do exactly that.
Some of the benefits of advisory services for business include:
- Making Better Calls: When you know where your business stands, it’s easier to make your next move. An advisor helps you cut through the noise and spot focus areas.
- Optimised Tax Outcomes: With the right structure, you can reduce tax and protect your assets. Every dollar saved is a dollar you can reinvest into growing your business.
- Improved Cash Flow: Advisory support helps you better forecast income, costs, and seasonal ups and downs so you’re not caught off guard when things shift.
- Feeling in Control: Regulation, inflation, or competition can set things back, but with a trusted advisor by your side, you’re ready, not reactive.
- Personalised Support: Spark Accountants’ advisory services are personalised to realise the vision you have for your business.
Signs to Seek Professional Accounting Advisors
Wondering when the right time is to consider accounting advisory? Here are a few common scenarios:
- Your business is growing rapidly and needs structure.
- You feel stretched thin when dealing with unpredictable cash flow or inconsistent income.
- You’re preparing for a sale, expansion, or succession.
- You need help with budgeting, forecasting, or setting targets.
- You’re unsure how to legally reduce your tax bill.
- You’ve hit a wall and need strategic support to move forward.
The sooner you engage advisory services, the sooner you gain control and clarity.
The Advisory Gap and How We’re Closing It
Many accounting firms offer advisory services in name only without delivering real value. They might provide a once-a-year planning session or add generic advice during tax season. This is known as the advisory gap. The problem isn’t the lack of advisory services—it’s the lack of clarity and consistency in how they’re delivered.
At Spark Accountants, we’ve closed this gap by:
- Providing fixed-fee advisory packages with ongoing support.
- Using real-time data to offer strategic and actionable insights.
- Being responsive, relationship-focused, and always a call away.
We don’t just file the numbers. We help you understand them—and use them to make better decisions.
Finding the Right Accounting Advisor for Your Business
Choosing the right advisor can make a big difference to your business. Here are some key questions to ask to ensure you’re getting more than just the basics:
- Do they look beyond the compliance and suggest next steps to plan ahead?
- Do they understand the local business environment, your industry, the pressures, and financial trends?
- Can you count on them to be proactive, helping you stay on top of deadlines and flag growth opportunities?
- What’s their experience like in diverse industries, from healthcare to retail? And have they worked with businesses like yours?
- Do they offer support with structuring, tax planning, and cash flow management?
- Are they upfront about fees (clear estimates or fixed fees) and communication?
- Do they offer regular reporting and insights you can actually use?
- Can they support more complex needs like funding applications or restructuring to support business growth?
Ready to Make Smarter Business Decisions?
Don’t wait for a financial headache. If you’re serious about growing your business, managing risk, and building long-term economic stability, now is the time to act. At Spark Accountants, we offer tailored, proactive advisory services for Brisbane businesses built on experience, trust, and results.
Book your free discovery call today—let’s turn your goals into a practical plan that works.
