CPA practice and registered tax agent, Chadstone
CPA Accountants in Melbourne. Fixed Fees, Registered Tax Agents, Plain Advice.
42 Advisory is a CPA practice and registered tax agent in Chadstone, Melbourne. We act for owner-operated businesses, professionals and property investors across Melbourne's south-east and Australia-wide. Every engagement is quoted as a fixed fee.
The firm is led by two directors, Sergiy Kucherenko CPA and Geoffrey Tulett CPA. Both are members of CPA Australia, registered tax agents and ASIC registered agents. You deal with them directly.
Fixed fees, agreed in writing after your initial meeting.
Who we work with
Most of our clients fall into four groups.
Small and medium businesses. Companies and trusts with turnover from start-up to around $20 million, typically on Xero. We handle the annual accounts and tax return, BAS and IAS, payroll and superannuation, and the questions that come up in between. See our small business accountants in Melbourne page for the full scope.
Professionals and their practices. Doctors, dentists, allied health, consultants and contractors, including practice structuring and Victorian payroll tax. Our medical and allied health accountants page covers this work in detail.
E-commerce and SaaS businesses. Multi-channel sellers, Amazon FBA operators and subscription software companies, where GST, revenue recognition and inventory need to be right from the first return.
Individuals and property investors. Personal tax returns, rental schedules, capital gains and property tax planning.
If your organisation is audited, ACNC-registered or reports to a lender under AASB standards, we prepare those accounts too. That work is described further down this page.
What a CPA accountant does for a Melbourne business
A CPA accountant prepares the work the ATO, ASIC and your bank rely on, and advises you on the decisions that sit behind the numbers. For our clients that means:
- Company, trust, partnership and individual tax returns
- Annual financial statements
- BAS and IAS lodgement, PAYG withholding and instalments
- Payroll, superannuation guarantee and Single Touch Payroll
- Tax planning before 30 June, not after
- Business structuring, restructures and Division 7A management
- Business valuations and 3-way forecasting
- R&D Tax Incentive claims
- ASIC company secretarial work and ATO correspondence on your behalf
Under the Tax Agent Services Act 2009, a person must be registered with the Tax Practitioners Board to provide tax agent services for a fee or other reward. A CPA is also expected to follow the APES 110 code of conduct and complete continuing professional development each year. 42 Advisory holds both credentials.
How our fixed-fee model works
We quote every engagement before we start, in writing, and the fee does not change unless the scope does. If the scope changes, we tell you first and agree the revised fee.
The annual engagement typically covers the financial statements and tax return, BAS and IAS lodgements, ASIC annual review, and a set number of planning meetings across the year. Phone calls and emails on matters within scope are included. We do not bill in six-minute units.
Our article on fixed-fee versus hourly billing explains why we work this way.
What does the CPA designation mean?
CPA stands for Certified Practising Accountant, the designation held by members of CPA Australia. To become a CPA, a person must hold a recognised degree, complete the CPA Program (four compulsory subjects, including Ethics and Governance, and two electives) and complete 36 months of relevant experience.
Membership carries continuing obligations. CPA Australia members must complete at least 20 hours of continuing professional development each year, 120 hours over each three-year period, including a minimum of 2 hours of verifiable ethics learning each year. Members in public practice must follow the Code of Professional Conduct (APES 110), maintain appropriate professional indemnity insurance and take part in CPA Australia's Quality Review Program.
Why it matters to you. You can check membership on Find a CPA, and the accountant works to a published code of conduct and ongoing learning requirements.
What it does not do. The designation does not guarantee a particular outcome or fee, and it is not the same as registration as a tax agent. Tax agents are registered with the Tax Practitioners Board, which requires, among other things, that the person is a fit and proper person and holds professional indemnity insurance. You can check registration on the TPB public register. 42 Advisory is a CPA firm and a registered tax agent.
How much does a CPA accountant cost in Melbourne?
The fee depends on your structure, the number of entities, transaction volumes and the state of your bookkeeping. We quote from your actual position after a short scoping call, and the fee is agreed in writing before work begins.
Fixed fees, agreed in writing after your initial meeting.
Fees paid to a registered tax agent for managing your tax affairs are generally deductible under section 25-5 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. That includes return preparation, tax planning advice from a recognised tax adviser and the cost of objecting to an ATO assessment.
How to verify a CPA accountant in Melbourne
Check three things before you engage any firm.
CPA Australia membership. Search the firm or principal on Find a CPA.
Tax Practitioners Board registration. Confirm an active registered tax agent number on the TPB public register. Ours is 26303651.
Independent reviews. Look for verifiable ratings on Google or a comparable platform, and read the detail rather than the star count.
Frequently asked questions
Is a CPA accountant the same as a tax agent?
No. CPA is a professional designation from CPA Australia. A registered tax agent is registered with the Tax Practitioners Board to provide tax agent services for a fee. A CPA can also be a registered tax agent. 42 Advisory is both (RAN 26303651).
Does a CPA designation guarantee a better result?
No. A CPA is a member of CPA Australia and meets its qualification, ethics and continuing professional development requirements. The designation does not guarantee any outcome or fee. Compare experience, scope and how clearly the fee is set out.
Is it worth paying a tax accountant in Melbourne?
That depends on your circumstances. The fee is generally deductible, and the value is usually in what a self-prepared return misses: capital allowances, timing of income and deductions, PAYG instalment variations, Division 7A exposure and the treatment of capital events. See the ATO guidance on the cost of managing tax affairs.
Are CPA or tax agent fees tax-deductible?
Fees paid to a registered tax agent for managing your tax affairs are generally deductible under section 25-5 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, including return preparation, tax planning advice from a recognised tax adviser and the cost of objecting to an ATO assessment. See the ATO guidance on the cost of managing tax affairs.
Do you only work with clients near Chadstone?
How do I switch accountants?
Once the engagement is agreed, we explain the records and access required and, where you authorise it, coordinate the handover with your previous accountant. You may also need to nominate us as your registered agent through ATO online services. The ATO explains how to nominate your registered agent.
Can you fix a backlog of overdue returns?
Yes. We prepare overdue returns across several years, deal with the ATO on penalties and interest, and can help arrange a payment plan where one is needed.
Is 42 Advisory a CPA firm?
Yes. Both directors are members of CPA Australia, and the firm is a registered tax agent and ASIC registered agent.
Is a CPA better than an accountant?
Not automatically. A CPA is a member of CPA Australia and meets its qualification, ethics and continuing professional development requirements. A registered tax agent is registered with the Tax Practitioners Board. When choosing any accountant, check membership of a professional body and tax agent registration, then compare experience and how clearly the fee is set out.
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Book a 30-minute initial meeting with one of our directors. We will explain the next steps and prepare a written scope and fixed-fee proposal.
Suite 752, Level 2 UL40, 1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone VIC 3148 · 03 9997 7081 · info@42advisory.com.au
The information provided is general in nature and does not constitute specific tax, legal, or financial advice. We recommend seeking professional advice tailored to your individual circumstances.