Accounting for Startups on the Gold Coast
Startup accounting and tax advice
Startup Tax Accountants Who Know How Founders Work
Most accounting firms treat a startup like a small business that hasn't grown yet. We don't.
Startups move fast, operate lean, and make structural decisions in the first six months that affect their tax position for years. The wrong company structure, a missed R&D claim, or a BAS lodged late costs more than the accounting fees you were trying to avoid.
Cordner Advisory has worked with founders, IT firms, SaaS businesses, app developers, and technology companies across South East Queensland for over two decades. We understand technology concepts and business models, and we know where founders lose money they didn't have to lose.
Accounting Advice for Startups at Every Stage
The decisions you make before you launch shape what's possible at Series A. Here's where we focus at each stage.
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You need a structure that protects your IP, keeps co-founder relationships clean, and doesn't create a tax problem you'll spend years unwinding. We map the right structure before you commit to anything.
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Cash is tight and every dollar needs to work. This is also the stage where most startups miss R&D incentives they're already entitled to, simply because nobody told them to start tracking eligible spend.
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Revenue is coming in and you've started hiring. Compliance that was manageable at three people gets complicated fast at ten. We make sure it doesn't become a bottleneck.
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Investors want board-ready financials, clean cap tables, and a forecast that holds up under scrutiny. This is where the groundwork from earlier pays off and the right structure starts to earn its keep.
Our Startup Accounting Services
We can help you with…
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Eligible R&D spend can be refunded up to 43.5 cents per dollar by the ATO. We identify qualifying activity, set up record-keeping, and lodge your R&D entitlement with AusIndustry.
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R&D isn't the only funding available. State and federal government grant programs exist across a range of industries and stages. We identify which ones apply and coordinate the applications on your behalf.
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The structure you choose affects your tax position, co-founder arrangements, and investor readiness. We advise on companies, trusts, and IP protection, and help you restructure as the business evolves.
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Startups that run out of cash rarely do so suddenly. We build and stress-test your cash flow model, forecast profit and loss, and identify pressure points before they become problems.
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Accurate financials prepared to the standard your board, investors, or lender requires. We prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual statements that clearly and accurately represent the business.
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Annual reviews, director changes, registered office updates, and ASIC lodgements are handled on your behalf. We keep you compliant with your corporate obligations so you can stay focused on the business.
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Sometimes you need someone to pressure-test a decision more than you need another report. Our advisors have worked with founders at every stage of growth, focusing on outcomes, not outputs.
Your Startup Accountant Specialist
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Jarrad Young
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Common Startup Accounting Questions
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Before you register the company, if possible. The structure you choose in the first week affects your tax position, IP ownership, and investor readiness for years. Getting it right at the start costs less than fixing it later, and fixing it later usually costs more than people expect.
Get in touch to discuss how we can support your business. -
Not until you hit $75,000 in annual turnover, unless you want to claim GST credits on expenses before that threshold. Timing it correctly avoids unnecessary reporting obligations while you're still pre-revenue. We'll tell you when it makes sense.
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A few red flags: IP sitting in a personal name rather than a company, no shareholders’ agreement in place, or a trust structure with no clear path to issuing equity. Investors and acquirers will find these during due diligence. We audit your structure early so there's nothing to clean up when it counts.
Contact our team to book a free consultation. -
Yes, but it costs more and creates more risk the longer you wait. Restructuring after you've taken on investors or hired staff involves legal fees, potential tax consequences, and sometimes stamp duty. Getting it right early is significantly cheaper.
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Some pre-revenue expenses are deductible; others need to be capitalised. Software development costs, legal fees for setup, and certain R&D expenditure all have specific treatment under Australian tax law. Getting the classification right from the start avoids adjustments later.
Other Industries We Specialise In
