When I sat down to prepare what I found in a Brisbane electrical company’s BAS, I realised straight away something didn’t add up. The PAYG Instalment showing on the BAS looked far too high for how their business was performing – so I had a closer look at their P&L to see what was going on.
Sure enough, their wages had jumped faster than turnover, and that meant profit had dropped. But it wasn’t because the team was slacking off – it was mostly because the directors had started spending more time in the office trying to grow the business.
The Catch Behind Growing Off the Tools ⚡
Like many growing trade businesses, they were making the shift from “on the tools” to “running the show.” That’s a good move – but only when the timing’s right.
In this case, turnover hadn’t caught up to the higher wage bill. The business was stretching to grow, but the numbers hadn’t caught up yet. The ATO’s automated PAYG estimate was still based on last year’s stronger profit, so they were about to overpay company tax without realising it.
Fixing the BAS Was Easy – Finding the Real Problem Took Skill 💡
I recalculated their PAYG Instalment and saved them from paying too much tax. But the real win was helping them understand why profit had slipped.
We went through everything together – job margins, admin time, and how much of their week was actually generating income.
We also talked about:
✅ How to use Xero job tracking to see which projects were profitable
✅ When to review charge-out rates as roles change
✅ How to ease off the tools without crushing cash flow
That chat changed how they managed growth – they didn’t need to work harder, just smarter.
The Numbers Don’t Lie (But They Don’t Talk Either)
This wasn’t about errors – it was about timing and visibility. The BAS is more than a compliance task; it’s a snapshot of the health of your business. When you dig into the numbers, they’ll often tell you what’s really happening before you feel it in your bank balance.
That’s why every BAS we prepare at Tradies Bookkeeping goes beyond the tick-and-flick. We read between the lines to make sure the numbers tell the truth.
If you’re a Brisbane trade business stepping off the tools and things feel a bit tight, your books might already be hinting at why.
Time to Check What Your Numbers Are Saying
If you’re trying to grow your trade business, it’s worth making sure your numbers agree with your goals. A proper BAS review can uncover cash leaks, show where profit’s hiding, and stop the ATO from taking more than their fair share.
👉 Book your free financial health check and find out what your numbers are really saying.
🔗 Tradies Bookkeeping Services
Because the best insights often come before the bills do. 💡
⚙️ Want to See How the Industry’s Tracking?
If you’re curious how other electrical companies across Queensland are performing, check out the IBISWorld Electrical Services Industry Overview. It breaks down where margins are tightening, how labour costs are shifting, and why strategic growth is everything right now.
