Running a business in Melbourne involves more than serving customers and keeping work coming in. Business owners also need to stay on top of payroll, reconciliations, BAS obligations, software, reporting and a growing list of administrative tasks.
When those systems are working well, they can make the business easier to manage. When they are not, even routine bookkeeping can become a source of stress.
For Melbourne business owners researching bookkeeping and cloud accounting support, Two Peas is one business worth knowing about.
Two Peas works with small and medium businesses across Melbourne, Victoria and wider Australia. Its services include ongoing bookkeeping, payroll, BAS support, accounting software training, system reviews, data migration, cleanup work and assistance with more complex operational platforms.
Why Two Peas may be worth considering
Two Peas has been supporting Australian businesses for more than 25 years.
The business began in Malvern when two experienced bookkeepers, both named Pam, combined their practices. Since 2020, it has been owned and led by Anna Eydlish, Director and Senior Bookkeeping Consultant.
Anna has more than 20 years of experience across accounting, auditing and finance. Her background includes cloud accounting, ERP systems, inventory management, manufacturing and job-based businesses. She is a member of ACCA and CPA Australia at ASA level and holds a Master of Accounting.
That breadth of experience may be particularly useful for businesses whose needs extend beyond routine transaction processing.
Bookkeeping support for Melbourne businesses at different stages
Not every business needs the same level of bookkeeping support.
A sole trader or new business may only need a few hours of help each month. A growing employer may need regular payroll support, BAS assistance and clearer reporting. A larger or more established business may need help correcting older records, moving between systems or improving the way its accounting software connects with payroll, inventory, point-of-sale or job management tools.
Two Peas works with businesses across a range of industries, including:
- building and trades
- retail and e-commerce
- cafés, restaurants and hospitality
- franchise businesses
- medical and dental practices
- legal firms
- engineering and professional services
- manufacturing
- startups
- multi-site and inventory-based businesses
This range means the team is accustomed to working with businesses that have different reporting needs, payroll structures and operational systems.
Two Peas bookkeeping, BAS and payroll services
Two Peas provides both ongoing and project-based support.
Depending on the business, this may include:
- day-to-day bookkeeping
- bank and account reconciliations
- BAS and IAS support
- payroll processing
- bookkeeping cleanup
- software reviews and setup
- data migration
- accounting software training
- inventory and ERP support
- franchise reporting
- process improvement
- management reporting support
Some businesses may need full bookkeeping management, while others may only need assistance with payroll, BAS, training or a review of their current setup.
There are no one-size-fits-all systems in business, so it can be useful to work with a provider that looks at how the business actually operates before recommending changes.
Experience with Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks and connected systems
Many bookkeeping problems are not caused by a lack of software. They are caused by software that has been set up incorrectly, is being used inconsistently or does not connect properly with the rest of the business.
Two Peas works with core accounting platforms including:
- Xero
- MYOB
- QuickBooks Online
- Ostendo ERP
The team also has experience with payroll, point-of-sale, reporting, legal, retail and workforce platforms such as Deputy, TANDA, Retail Express, Redcat, LEAP, Fathom, Spotlight, Calxa and HR Central.
This may matter for businesses that rely on several connected tools.
For example, a café group may need its point-of-sale and payroll systems to feed reliable information into its accounting file. A trade business may need job or inventory information to flow correctly into Xero or MYOB. A legal practice may need someone familiar with the way LEAP affects its bookkeeping processes.
Two Peas reviews the existing setup, identifies what is working and looks for changes that may reduce manual work or prevent avoidable errors.
Support when the books have fallen behind
Business owners do not always seek bookkeeping help at the first sign of a problem.
In many cases, support becomes necessary after reconciliations have fallen behind, BAS deadlines have become stressful or the financial records are no longer giving a reliable picture of the business.
Two Peas assists with cleanup and catch-up work, including more complicated files.
One example provided by the business involved a client with four MYOB files that had not been reconciled for almost two years. The client had also developed issues with the Australian Taxation Office. Three bookkeepers worked on the records over six months to bring the files up to date.
That type of work requires more than routine data entry. It involves reviewing past records, finding inconsistencies and rebuilding a clearer financial position.
For Melbourne business owners who feel they have fallen too far behind to fix the problem themselves, experienced cleanup support may provide a more practical way forward.
Payroll support for growing teams
Payroll can become increasingly complicated as a business grows.
Different awards, work sites, allowances, employment conditions and superannuation obligations can make payroll difficult to manage without the right systems and oversight.
Two Peas has supported businesses with payroll requirements ranging from small teams to workforces of up to 500 staff. Its experience includes large trade payrolls, site-based variations and payroll-intensive businesses.
This may be relevant to Melbourne employers who are spending too much time on payroll or are concerned that their current setup is not keeping pace with the business.
A team-based approach to bookkeeping
One practical feature of Two Peas is that clients are supported by a wider team rather than relying entirely on one individual bookkeeper.
New clients begin with a discovery process, followed by a senior review of the accounting file or existing systems. The business can then address setup problems, compliance concerns or inefficiencies before matching the client with a suitable ongoing bookkeeper.
This structure also provides backup if the regular bookkeeper is unavailable.
For a business owner, continuity can be important. Payroll, BAS deadlines and reconciliations still need attention when a team member is on leave, so having broader support behind the main contact may reduce disruption.
Software training for business owners and staff
Sometimes a business already has suitable accounting software but is not using it effectively.
Two Peas provides training in platforms such as Xero and MYOB for business owners, staff and franchisees. Training may cover everyday processes, reporting, payroll, software features or the correct use of connected systems.
This can be useful for businesses that want to keep some bookkeeping tasks in-house while improving the accuracy and efficiency of their processes.
It may also help prevent problems caused by inconsistent coding, incomplete reconciliations or staff using the same system in different ways.
Experience with franchise and multi-site businesses
Two Peas has a long history of supporting franchise groups and multi-site operators.
Its work has included onboarding franchisees, providing financial software training and helping establish consistent charts of accounts and reporting processes across networks.
Consistency matters in a franchise environment. When individual locations record income, expenses or payroll differently, it becomes harder to compare performance or produce reliable group reporting.
For Melbourne franchisees or operators managing several sites, this experience may be relevant when assessing bookkeeping providers.
Professional recognition and credentials
Two Peas has received recognition across the bookkeeping and accounting software sector.
Its stated credentials and industry recognition include:
- registered BAS agent capability within the team
- Xero Gold and Platinum Partner recognition
- QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor status
- MYOB Partner of the Year for 2013–2014
- MYOB national and state sales awards from 2009 to 2016
- MYOB Bookkeeper of the Year and Innovator of the Year recognition
- Australian Accounting Awards finalist recognition in 2020
- Accountants Daily finalist recognition in 2020
- long-standing Ostendo ERP accreditation
- LEAP accreditation within the team
Awards do not replace the need to assess whether a provider is right for your business, but they can indicate established experience with the systems and services being offered.
How the Two Peas process works
Two Peas follows a structured onboarding process.
1. Initial discovery
The process begins with a conversation about the business, its current bookkeeping setup and the problems that need to be addressed.
2. Senior review
Where appropriate, the team reviews the accounting file, software or existing processes in more detail.
3. Scope and engagement
Two Peas then confirms the proposed services, pricing and terms through an engagement letter.
4. Setup, cleanup or handover
The team may correct existing issues, bring records up to date, improve the setup or manage a handover from another provider.
5. Ongoing support
The client is matched with a bookkeeper suited to the business, with senior support available where required.
This process may help business owners understand what needs to be fixed before committing to ongoing work.
Who may find Two Peas relevant?
Two Peas may be worth considering when:
- bookkeeping is taking too much time away from running the business
- reconciliations or BAS obligations have fallen behind
- payroll is becoming difficult to manage
- financial reports are unclear or unreliable
- the business has outgrown DIY bookkeeping
- accounting software is not being used effectively
- several systems are not integrating properly
- the business is opening a new site
- inventory or job-based reporting has become more complicated
- records need to be cleaned up before an accountant can use them
It may also suit businesses that do not need full outsourcing but want professional training, a system review or occasional specialist support.
Questions to ask before choosing a Melbourne bookkeeper
Before engaging any bookkeeping provider, it is worth asking:
- Are they experienced with your accounting software?
- Have they worked with businesses in your industry?
- Can they support your payroll size and complexity?
- Who will manage your account?
- Is there backup if your regular bookkeeper is unavailable?
- Can they help with cleanup or migration work?
- How do they protect confidential financial information?
- Are services and fees clearly documented?
- Can they work with your accountant?
- Will they help improve systems, or only process transactions?
A good fit should depend on the complexity of your business, the support you need and how comfortable you feel with the provider’s process.
Speak with Two Peas about your bookkeeping setup
For help with bookkeeping, payroll, BAS, software training, data cleanup or cloud accounting systems, contact twopeas.com.au to discuss what your business needs.
