Bookkeeping Sydney

Master your finances with leading Sydney bookkeepers

Liston Newton Advisory
Liston Newton Advisory is rated 4.8 from 32 reviews
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An award-winning Australian accounting firm

SMSF multi service firm of the year awardSMSF customer service firm of the year awardIfa innovator of the year awardIfa holistic adviser of the year award

Build the best business you can, and leave the books to us

Ambitious entrepreneurs and business owners may dream about business growth, financial success and new ways to serve their clients. But if you’re asleep thinking about your finances, chances are you’re having a nightmare. 

Liston Newton provides specialist bookkeeping and accounting services for Sydney businesses. We design bespoke plans tailored to your goals and light a clear path to overcome your unique challenges. That path begins with a coffee at our George Street office. Let’s schedule a consultation — we’re happy to come by your offices or meet via video. Let us know what works best.

Contact us

Call us on

1300 359 905
Business hours

Monday to Friday

8.30am to 5.30pm

Parking

The Wilson Parking on 383 Kent Street is a 6-minute walk from our office.

Visit us

Contact us

Call us on

Business hours

Parking

Build the best business you can, and leave the books to us

Ambitious entrepreneurs and business owners may dream about business growth, financial success and new ways to serve their clients. But if you’re asleep thinking about your finances, chances are you’re having a nightmare. 

Liston Newton provides specialist bookkeeping and accounting services for Sydney businesses. We design bespoke plans tailored to your goals and light a clear path to overcome your unique challenges. That path begins with a coffee at our George Street office. Let’s schedule a consultation — we’re happy to come by your offices or meet via video. Let us know what works best.

Contact us

Call us on

1300 359 905
Business hours

Monday to Friday

8.30am to 5.30pm

Parking

The Wilson Parking on 383 Kent Street is a 6-minute walk from our office.

Business bookkeeping services available in Sydney

Bookkeeping and cash flow reporting is a fraction of our service list. We are full-service financial experts, able to help you optimise every facet of your business, from virtual CFO services to tech and system upgrades.

I am thrilled with Liston Newton Advisory's services. Their team consistently exceeds my expectations, providing exceptional accounting support for me and my business. Their proactive approach, innovative technological solutions, and dedication have been a huge benefit. I highly recommend their top-notch accounting support.

Clayton Munro

Logistics Advisory & Recruitment Pty Ltd

Liston Newton helped us move our accounting over to Xero. Their Accountant managed the set up and training so we felt comfortable with the software. We now have all our processes streamlined which gives us improved visibility of our business performance. This has allowed us to open 2 more stores without a significant increase in administration effort.
Peter Luskan
Pandora

Exceed your ambitions with Sydney’s business experts

Talk to us

Trust our eagle-eyed experts to unknot your books

Accurate bookkeeping is the foundation for any successful business. It may seem like a straightforward task, but like a ship sailing kilometres off course because of a one-degree error, a slight flaw in your accounts will compound into a larger problem.

By trusting our meticulous bookkeepers to keep your cash flow in order, you’re setting yourself up for success and avoiding financial pitfalls long before they appear. As your dedicated team, it’s our responsibility to ensure you always have a clear and thorough understanding of your business’s financial position.

Bookkeeper responsibilities

  • Creating and sending invoices
  • Automated bank feeds and reconciliation
  • Cash flow management
  • Payroll functions
  • Receipts and payments
  • Superannuation payments

Learn more about your business with our comprehensive guides

At Liston Newton Advisory, we take pride in helping business owners get more out of their hard work. Our downloadable guides can give you an in-depth look at strategies and technologies that will help your business grow.

  • Discover tax strategies and business structures available to you
  • Understand and apply new business management technology
  • Get in touch with us for information tailored to your business

Meet the Sydney team

Accredited. Experienced. Reputable

The service we’re best known for is providing business owners with total peace of mind. Partner with Liston Newton, and you can rest assured your books are in the best hands.

Why choose us

Our strategies deliver exceptional results. Ask our clients.

Success built on poorly kept books rarely lasts long. A prudent business owner knows when to seek help. We’ve had the fortune to do the bookkeeping for leading Sydney businesses in several industries, and the work we’ve delivered has helped them secure the success they’ve worked so hard for.

We admit that we make bold claims about our bookkeeping services. But please do not mistake our confidence for marketing bluster. We have been honing our expertise in this field for decades, and we’ve earned the awards to back up our claims. Work with our local Sydney specialists, and we’ll help you to:

  • Automate your bookkeeping using leading fintech solutions
  • Reconcile your accounts and deliver accurate reports
  • Discern invaluable insights and turn them into actionable steps

Browse our case studies, and you’ll see how profoundly our services have helped our clients.

Three simple steps towards financial freedom

How we get you set

The first phase is all about establishing the fundamentals of your business and creating a strong foundation to build from. You also need to establish your long-term goals so you have a clear idea of what you're working towards.

  • Plan your goals
  • Structure your business and assets
  • Online accounting
  • People and HR
  • Protect your business and personal risk
  • Business and personal will

How we get you moving

The second phase is about gaining a deeper understanding of your business; how to make it more efficient and experience sustainable growth. This is where you transition from working in your business to working on your business.

  • Understand your numbers
  • Delegate bookkeeping
  • Systematise and automate tasks
  • Minimise tax
  • Forecast cashflow and capital needs
  • Quarterly coaching and accountability

How we get you free

The final phase is when all your hard work really starts to pay off. This is when you start using your profits to build your personal worth to a point that give you financial freedom—the freedom to work only if you want to.

  • Understand wealth creation
  • Investment portfolio
  • Investment property
  • Superannuation
  • Succession and exit planning
  • Your legacy

Our Sydney case studies

Giving back as much as we get

While we’ve done our best to be the best, we couldn’t have gotten anywhere without the support of our clients and the Sydney community. We are extraordinarily grateful for that support, which is why we’ve created a list of local and national charities to pay it forward to. That list includes:

  • The Cancer Council’s Biggest Morning Tea
  • The Cancer Council’s Small Business Advisory Service
  • The Type 1 Foundation

Of course, that’s just us here at the Sydney office. Each office in the Liston Newton family has its own list of community initiatives and charities. We hope we can give back to your communities as much as they’ve given us.

Image of a team of business accountant reviews

Frequently asked questions

How is a Sydney bookkeeper different from an accountant?

Many business owners get confused about the difference between bookkeeping and accounting. Both play a critical role in your financial journey, but they focus on different tasks and bring different value. Understanding this distinction helps you decide what level of support you need and when.

If you’re running a business and looking at Sydney bookkeeping services, what you’re really getting is someone to manage the day-to-day flow of your financial information. A bookkeeping firm makes sure your income and expenses are recorded properly, invoices are tracked, bank statements are reconciled, and your books stay accurate. It’s about keeping your financial records clean and up to date, so you always know where you stand.

An accountant, on the other hand, takes those records and turns them into something bigger. They provide accounting solutions that help you make strategic decisions, structure your affairs, and manage both business and personal finances. This often includes preparing and lodging tax returns, acting as a registered tax accountant, and giving broader advice that goes beyond the day-to-day.

Think of it this way:

  • Bookkeepers keep your numbers organised.
  • Accountants use those numbers to advise on accounting and tax, long-term planning, and building wealth.

Both roles are essential, but they serve different purposes. The businesses that thrive are usually the ones that see the value in having both accurate bookkeeping as a foundation and accounting expertise to turn that information into a strategy for growth.

What bookkeeping software do you recommend for Sydney businesses?

One of the most common questions we hear from clients is which platform they should use to keep their books in order. With so many options on the market, it can feel overwhelming, but the truth is, the right choice often comes down to what will make your life easier and your business more efficient.

For most of our clients, the answer is Xero. It’s intuitive, designed for Australian businesses, and makes collaboration between you and your advisors incredibly smooth. As an online accounting software, Xero allows you to log in from anywhere and see a real-time picture of your finances, without waiting for reports to be emailed or reconciled.

That said, platforms like MYOB and QuickBooks still have their place, particularly for businesses with specific legacy systems or industry needs. But more often than not, we find that moving to Xero helps our clients streamline their processes and keep everything connected.

When you combine the right software with the bookkeeping services Sydney businesses can rely on, you get more than tidy records: you get better visibility and stronger control of your operations. Xero supports this by offering:

  • Seamless integration: It connects with your bank, payment gateways, and hundreds of apps, removing duplication and saving time.
  • Better financial management: By giving you accurate, up-to-date information, Xero supports clearer decision-making and helps you stay ahead of tax obligations.
  • Simplified back office: From payroll to invoicing, Xero reduces manual work so you and your team can focus more on clients and growth.

While software can’t replace professional advice, the right platform makes it easier for us to provide timely insights and support. For most of our clients, Xero strikes the perfect balance between simplicity, power, and reliability.

Can Sydney bookkeepers help with cashflow tracking and forecasting?

Yes. Cashflow is the lifeblood of any business, and without clear visibility, it’s easy to find yourself making decisions in the dark. This is one of the areas where expert bookkeeping services in Sydney make a real difference. By keeping your records accurate and up to date, bookkeepers give you the foundation you need to understand how money is moving in and out of your business.

The starting point for cashflow management is having accurate financial statements. These documents show your income, expenses, assets, and liabilities, but they’re more than just compliance paperwork. When they’re prepared properly, they offer valuable financial insights into where your money is going, how quickly you’re getting paid, and whether your working capital is strong enough to support your plans.

Here’s how experienced bookkeepers contribute to cashflow forecasting:

  • Helping clients plan ahead: Rather than just recording history, we work with you to map out what’s coming, so you can anticipate peaks and troughs.
  • Improving profitability: Forecasting helps highlight which products, services, or customers are most profitable, and where you may be losing money.
  • Tailored bookkeeping support: Every business has different cycles and pressures, so we customise our approach to match your unique cashflow needs.
  • Drawing on experience: With experienced Sydney bookkeepers, you benefit from practical knowledge built across many industries, not just your own.

Cashflow forecasting isn’t just about survival — it’s about growth. When you have clarity, you can make confident decisions, invest at the right time, and avoid unnecessary stress. With the right bookkeeping team behind you, that confidence becomes part of how you run your business.

What are the benefits of outsourcing bookkeeping in Sydney instead of hiring in-house?

Many business owners wonder whether to bring someone into their team or outsource their books to professionals. Both options have pros and cons, but for most small business owners, outsourcing is more cost-effective, flexible, and reliable.

When you work with professional bookkeepers in Sydney, you’re not just paying for data entry. You’re gaining access to effective bookkeeping systems and experienced advisors who already know how to keep businesses compliant and financially healthy. This means fewer mistakes, stronger processes, and more confidence in your numbers.

Outsourcing also delivers a freedom that’s hard to match with an in-house role:

  • Allowing you to focus on what you do best — running your business.
  • Helping you free up your time so you’re not bogged down in reconciliations and paperwork.
  • Giving you clarity that supports long-term stability and a stronger focus on growing your business.

For many business owners, outsourcing simply makes financial sense. Instead of carrying the cost of salary, training, and overheads, you can access expert bookkeeping on a flexible basis. That means you get the accuracy and advice you need, without the stress or expense of managing it in-house.

How secure is my data when using Liston Newton’s bookkeeping services in Sydney?

We understand that handing over your financial information requires trust. Protecting client data is a top priority for us, which is why we’ve built our systems with multiple layers of security and compliance in mind. When you engage our professional bookkeeping services in Sydney, you can be confident that your records are safe, private, and handled with care.

Our team of experienced bookkeeping professionals use cloud platforms and processes that are regularly updated and tested. These are the same systems relied upon by thousands of businesses across New South Wales, designed with built-in services to ensure your financial data is protected from unauthorised access or loss.

Here’s how we safeguard your information:

  • Up-to-date software and practices: We only use platforms that meet Australian data security standards and are regularly updated against new threats.
  • Local oversight: With a team based in Sydney, you know your information isn’t being sent offshore without your knowledge.
  • Proactive monitoring: Security isn’t “set and forget.” We continually review our systems to make sure your business stays protected.

By combining secure technology with local expertise, we provide peace of mind alongside accuracy. Your numbers aren’t just kept compliant — they’re kept safe.

Can your Sydney bookkeepers work with businesses that have multiple entities?

Yes. Many of our clients operate more than one company, trust, or investment structure, which can quickly become complicated. Our Sydney bookkeepers specialise in helping business owners bring everything together, so their numbers stay accurate and easy to understand across the group.

Managing multiple entities means more moving parts:

  • Overseeing business finances across different accounts.
  • Keeping on top of tax obligations for each entity.
  • Lodging BAS and ensuring compliance deadlines are met.
  • Handling payroll services when staff are spread across different businesses.

We know that no two groups are alike. That’s why we provide tailored support designed to meet your unique needs, helping you make informed decisions about how your entities work together.

And just as importantly, outsourcing this work helps you free up valuable time. Instead of getting lost in spreadsheets and reconciliations, you can focus on strategy, growth, and the bigger picture: knowing that the details are handled by experts.

How do your bookkeepers in Sydney ensure accuracy and minimise errors?

Accuracy is everything. If your books aren’t right, every decision rests on shaky ground. Our bookkeeping experts put tight processes around your numbers so they’re not just tidy — they’re trustworthy and decision-ready.

We start by bringing discipline to your financial records: consistent coding, timely reconciliations, source-document checks, and clear month-end routines. That foundation makes it far easier to stay compliant with tax regulations and broader Australian tax requirements, without last-minute stress.

Here’s how we keep errors low and confidence high:

  • Structured workflows: Defined checklists for daily, weekly, and month-end tasks so nothing is missed.
  • Two-step review: A preparer checks the data; a second set of eyes signs off before reports are finalised.
  • Smart automation: Bank feeds, rules, and validation alerts reduce manual entry and catch anomalies early.
  • Source-to-ledger traceability: Every transaction ties back to a document, so audits and queries are straightforward.
  • Compliance readiness: Books are maintained in a format that’s ready for tax time — and for interactions like dealing with ASIC when required.
  • Clear reporting cadence: Regular packs (P&L, balance sheet, aged payables/receivables, cashflow) so you always know where you stand.

We’re also pragmatic about value. Clean books lower bookkeeping costs over time by reducing rework, penalties, and firefighting. If you’d like to see how our process would apply to your setup, we offer a free consultation — no pressure, just straight advice on getting your numbers accurate and useful.

What industries do your Sydney bookkeeping services specialise in?

We work with a broad range of businesses in Sydney, from startups to established family groups. Every sector comes with its own challenges, and our role is to adapt our approach so that our services are designed to match your world — whether that means understanding seasonal revenue swings, managing trust structures, or navigating complex compliance requirements.

Our team provides ongoing support across industries such as:

  • Professional and financial services, where accuracy, confidentiality, and timeliness are critical.
  • Trades and construction, where job costing and cashflow visibility are essential to keep projects profitable.
  • Retail and hospitality, where margins can be tight and reporting needs to be fast and reliable.
  • Healthcare and allied services, where compliance and funding arrangements add layers of complexity.

In every case, our goal is to give you financial clarity — the ability to see your numbers clearly and make better decisions. We don’t just offer bookkeeping as a service; we provide insight, advice, and the right tools so you can stay ahead.

Our bookkeeping team also works closely with other specialists when needed. For example, if your business requires guidance from a registered tax agent, or if you’d benefit from broader oversight through our virtual CFOs in Sydney service, we ensure that everything is connected. And when you need more strategic input, our business accountants for Sydney businesses are ready to step in.

Whatever industry you’re in, our bookkeeping support is tailored to keep your numbers sharp, compliant, and genuinely useful.

About our content authors

Andrew Phelan is a highly experienced and dedicated professional who specializes in providing specialist business and entrepreneurial advice to high net worth clients. With a focus on understanding the unique needs of business owners, Andrew excels in building service offerings that align with client expectations and budgets.

One of Andrew's key strengths lies in his ability to offer guidance and mentorship to younger staff, ensuring their growth and development within the organisation. He is known for his approachability and down-to-earth nature, and his enthusiasm for the profession leaves a lasting impression on his clients and colleagues.

Andrew's expertise spans a wide range of areas, including structuring (sole trader, partnerships, trusts, companies, etc.), division 7a loans, personal services income (PSI), capital gains tax (CGT) and exemptions, state taxes (land tax, payroll tax, etc.), and goods and services tax (GST). He excels in helping clients navigate complex tax regulations and optimise their financial strategies.

Andrew holds a bachelor's degree in Accounting, is a Member of the Institute of Public Accountants (MIPA) and is an associate member of the Certified Practising Accountant's (CPA) body.

In addition to his professional achievements, Andrew is passionate about personal growth and enjoys helping clients achieve success not only in their business lives but also in their personal lives. Outside of work, he enjoys socializing with friends in local bars and cafes and indulging in his love for travel. Andrew is also an avid sportsman, participating in various sports such as AFL, golf, and tennis.

Trust proven experience over hype-driven technobabble

It’s hard not to be awed by the promises of the latest ‘artificial intelligence’ technologies. Tech evangelists claim that the new tools will revolutionise industries. They claim that new AI generators, trained on the sum of human knowledge, can deliver data-backed future-focused strategies. Do not be fooled.

AI tools are incredibly useful for optimising rote tasks, as we’ve found, but they cannot deliver the high-level strategies our clients deserve. The tools can only regurgitate the data set they’ve been trained on, including its flaws and biases. It cannot synthesise new strategies or plan for the future. For that, we place our trust in our human team. You should, too.