Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland
Accountant in Coolum Beach
Payroll for the cafe, apportionment for the beach house, a pension that has to be paid by 30 June
Bookkeeping, BAS, payroll, tax returns and SMSF administration for Coolum Beach businesses, families and trustees, from a CPA practice registered with the Tax Practitioners Board.
Coolum Beach takes its name from the Indigenous word gulum or kulum, describing the shape of Mount Coolum, which dominates the landscape south of the suburb. In the 2021 Census it had 9,152 residents and a median age of 45, and Cafes and Restaurants was the second largest industry of employment for people living here. Lomandra Accounting delivers Accounting Services on the Sunshine Coast for individuals, families and businesses that want reliable numbers, timely lodgements and practical guidance. Lomandra Accounting proudly works with trades, hospitality businesses, and property investors across Australia.
Coolum Beach in the numbers
Figures from the 2021 Census.
The suburb sits in Divisions 8 and 9 of the Sunshine Coast Region, 26.8 km north-east of Nambour. Coolum Provisional School opened on 2 April 1917, and in 2018 Coolum State School had 1,025 students and Coolum State High School, opened in 1985, had 1,092. In 2002 Coolum hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, moved from Brisbane after the September 11 attacks.
Three Census figures shape the accounting questions here. Of the 9,152 residents, 155 worked in Cafes and Restaurants and 185 in hospitals, and 36.8% of the labour force worked part-time. Of the 4,579 private dwellings, 650 (15.4%) were unoccupied on Census night. And of the occupied homes, 33.5% were owned outright, with 619 residents aged 65 to 69 and 503 aged 70 to 74.
Three situations follow, each covered by different ATO rules: running a hospitality payroll, owning a home that is let for part of the year, and moving an SMSF into pension phase.
Three situations, and the rules behind them
Hospitality payroll with a part-time roster
Why it happens
A cafe or restaurant roster mixes full-time, part-time and casual staff, with hours that change week to week. Every pay run is reported to the ATO through Single Touch Payroll, and pay rates have to follow the award that covers the business.
Why it matters
When payroll, super and the BAS are worked from different records, the errors show up at the end of the quarter or the end of the year, when they are slow to unpick.
How we help
We offer BAS lodgements, GST reviews and payroll aligned to STP and award settings. We set up or refine your accounting system so transactions are captured correctly, bank accounts reconcile, and payroll and super are processed on schedule. For BAS, we prepare and lodge accurately using reconciled figures and check GST coding to avoid common errors.
A home that is let for part of the year
Why it happens
A house or unit near the beach may be used by the owners for some weeks, lent to family, and offered to paying guests for the rest of the year.
Why it matters
The ATO says expenses must be apportioned where a property was available for rent for only part of the year, was used privately for part of the year, or was rented to family or friends below market rent. Costs that relate only to renting, such as commissions, booking fees and advertising, are not apportioned by time. Costs for private-use periods, such as cleaning after family or friends have stayed, are not deductible.
How we help
We focus on understanding your circumstances, from employment income and deductions to investments and rental properties, so your return reflects your real position. Keep a calendar of the days the property was booked, the days it was offered for rent and the days your family used it, and bring it with the year's statements.
An SMSF moving into pension phase
Why it happens
Trustees who have built up super in a self-managed fund reach the age where they start an account-based pension.
Why it matters
The ATO sets a minimum annual payment as a share of the member's balance: 4% under 65, 5% from 65 to 74 and 6% from 75 to 79, with higher factors after that. Age is taken at 1 July of the financial year, the minimum is pro-rated in the year a pension starts, and the minimum must be paid by 30 June.
How we help
Lomandra Accounting offers contribution strategies, pension commencement and complete documentation, and annual financials and SMSF tax returns with independent audit coordination. We also work closely with auditors and handle the day-to-day compliance details, from contribution and pension record-keeping to reviewing fund expenses and investment documentation.
Frequently asked questions
Can you do the BAS and payroll for my Coolum Beach cafe?
Yes. Lomandra Accounting offers BAS lodgements, GST reviews and payroll aligned to STP and award settings, and cloud accounting support for Xero and MYOB, including conversions and workflow training.
How do I claim expenses on a Coolum Beach home I let for part of the year?
Under ATO guidance, expenses are apportioned where the property was available for rent for only part of the year or was used privately for part of the year. Rent-only costs such as booking fees, commissions and advertising are not apportioned by time, and costs from private-use periods are not deductible. Keep a record of booked, available and private days.
What is the minimum my SMSF pension has to pay?
It depends on the member's age at 1 July: 4% of the account balance under 65, 5% from 65 to 74, 6% from 75 to 79, 7% from 80 to 84, 9% from 85 to 89, 11% from 90 to 94 and 14% from 95. The amount is pro-rated in the first year and must be paid by 30 June.
Can Lomandra Accounting fix overdue BAS or late tax returns?
Yes. We reconcile transactions, prioritise lodgements to limit penalties and work with the ATO on realistic payment plans where needed.
Do I need to come into an office?
No. We operate as a virtual accounting firm, meaning we work efficiently online with phone, video, and email support. Lomandra Accounting also offers flexible virtual appointments.
Where to next
Have a question?
Get started with Lomandra Accounting
Connect with Lomandra Accounting for a quick scoping call. We will review your position, highlight immediate wins and provide a clear plan for bookkeeping, BAS, payroll, tax returns, cloud accounting and SMSF administration.
Lomandra Accounting is a CPA Practice, registered with the Tax Practitioners Board and an SMSF Specialist. Emma, the Director, is a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) with extensive experience in commercial business management, and specialises in Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs).
- 07 5234 9201
- admin@lomandraa.com.au
- Sunshine Coast, QLD
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 4:30pm