If you’re a tradie running your own business, chances are you didn’t sign up to be a bookkeeper, tax expert, or paperwork chaser. But here you are—balancing jobs, quoting, running a team, dealing with suppliers… and trying to make sense of your numbers too.
The truth is, your accountant should be making life easier. But for many tradies, that’s not the case.
If you’ve been feeling frustrated, ignored, or left doing all the heavy lifting, here are a few signs it might be time to look for someone new.
1. They’re Impossible to Get Hold Of
Let’s start with the most common one: they don’t answer the phone. Or emails. Or texts. Or anything.
You’ve got a question about a tax payment, or you’re trying to make a decision about buying a new vehicle, and your accountant has gone missing in action.
You follow up… nothing. When they do get back to you, it’s too late—or the moment’s passed. You shouldn’t have to chase your accountant like an overdue invoice.
If you’re constantly left waiting, wondering, or making guesses without the right info, that’s a serious red flag.
2. They Only Show Up at Tax Time
You shouldn’t only hear from your accountant once a year when it’s time to lodge your tax return.
Tax planning, structure advice, cash flow help, asset protection… none of that happens in June if it’s the first time you’re talking. Good support happens before the pressure hits.
If your accountant is just ticking boxes and not helping you plan ahead, you’re not getting the value you deserve.
3. They Don’t Understand Trade Businesses
Running a trade business isn’t like running a café or an office. You’ve got irregular cash flow, deposit payments, suppliers, crew on site, licensing requirements, tools, utes, insurance…
If your accountant doesn’t understand your world, how can they give you relevant advice? Too often tradies are stuck explaining how their business works to the person who’s supposed to be advising them.
That’s not your job.
4. You’re Not Getting the Support You Actually Need
There’s a big difference between having someone lodge your BAS and having someone help you build a better business.
If your accountant isn’t talking to you about how to improve your profits, manage your cash flow, or build long-term wealth—what are they doing?
Too many tradies are stuck with accountants who just do the bare minimum. No business advice. No forward planning. No checking in. Just a tax bill once a year and a “see you next time.” If you feel like you’re handling everything on your own and your accountant is just ticking boxes in the background, that’s not real support.
You deserve more than that. You deserve someone in your corner who helps you grow—not just stay compliant.
So, Is It Time to Move On?
If even one of these points sounds familiar, it might be worth asking yourself: is your accountant really supporting your business?
This isn’t about loyalty—it’s about getting the support you need to grow a solid, profitable, and protected business. If your accountant isn’t picking up the phone, giving you useful advice, or helping you stay ahead of the game, it might be time to find someone who will.
You deserve better than silence, stress, and guesswork.
Get started right away and contact us for a FREE Business Financial Health Check.
Please Note: Many of the comments in this publication are general in nature and anyone intending to apply the information to practical circumstances should seek professional advice to independently verify their interpretation and the information’s applicability to their particular circumstances.
