Welcome to BML Accounting & Tax
Thank you for choosing us as your trusted accounting and tax partner. This handbook explains everything you need to know about working with us—from how to send documents to what you can expect throughout the year. Our goal is to make accounting simple, transparent, and stress-free.
Explore the Handbook ↓Meet Your Accountant
Brendon Lillis AGA(SA)
- SAICA-trained accounting professional (Associate General Accountant SA)
- Registered SARS Tax Practitioner with 7 years’ experience in public accounting
- Passionate about helping SMEs grow through accurate financial information and proactive tax advice
- Direct, personal point of contact for all your accounting and compliance matters
What to Expect in Your First 30 Days
Switching accountants or setting up a new service should feel seamless. Here is how your account is activated during the first month:
Setup & Review
- Onboarding details reviewed
- Engagement confirmed
- Access requests initiated
System Integration
- Xero & Hubdoc configured
- SARS eFiling transfer sent
- Previous records requested
Bookkeeping Alignment
- Initial ledger configuration
- Bank feeds synchronized
- First record review
Active Service
- Normal service cycle begins
- Schedule confirmed
- First update call/email
Our Promise
When you work with BML Accounting & Tax, you can expect us to uphold five clear commitments:
- ✓ Respond promptly and keep communication clear.
- ✓ Keep your financial and personal information strictly confidential.
- ✓ Explain complex tax and accounting matters in plain English.
- ✓ Never undertake additional chargeable work without discussing and quoting it with you first.
- ✓ Proactively help your business remain 100% compliant with SARS and CIPC.
How We Communicate
To ensure queries are answered promptly while maintaining accurate technical work, we use three primary channels:
Formal communications, tax advice, document submissions, and queries.
Response: Within 1 business dayPhone
Urgent issues or scheduled strategic discussions.
Response: Same day where practicalQuick administrative alerts or scheduling reminders only.
Response: Office hoursHow to Send Documents
Submitting clean digital files keeps your accounts running smoothly and avoids unnecessary back-and-forth:
Preferred Formats
- PDF: Digital tax invoices, bank statements, CIPC/SARS letters.
- CSV / Excel: Bank statement feeds, inventory, and payroll logs.
- Hubdoc: Direct photo/upload receipts fed right into Xero.
Formats to Avoid
- Photos taken in poor lighting or angled smartphone snaps.
- Incomplete bank statements missing running totals.
- Partial phone screenshots showing incomplete payment details.
Monthly Bookkeeping Workflow
Why this matters: Keeping your bookkeeping up to date throughout the year allows us to identify issues early, improve reporting accuracy, reduce year-end stress, and ensure statutory deadlines are met effortlessly.
| Date Window | Activity | Responsible |
|---|---|---|
| 1st – 5th | Submit previous month's statements and supplier bills. | Client |
| 5th – 15th | Bank reconciliation and monthly ledger processing. | Brendon / BML |
| 15th – 20th | Unallocated transaction queries submitted & resolved. | Both |
| Month End | Management reporting generated & statutory returns prepared. | Brendon / BML |
VAT, Payroll & Annual Compliance
Value-Added Tax (VAT)
Bi-monthly submissions (VAT201). Vendor invoices must display your entity's legal tax number and address to claim input credits under SARS rules.
Payroll & EMP201
Monthly payroll updates must be sent by the 25th. EMP201 returns (PAYE, UIF, SDL) are calculated and submitted to SARS on or before the 7th of every month.
Annual Financial Statements (AFS) & Income Tax
Year-end statements are drafted after closing off the financial year. Provisional tax submissions occur in August and February each year.
How Billing Works
We believe in complete pricing transparency without unexpected surprises:
- Monthly recurring services are invoiced in advance.
- Additional work outside the agreed scope will always be quoted before commencement.
- Fees are reviewed annually to account for practice growth and operational changes.
- If you ever have any questions about an invoice, please contact us promptly so we can resolve it immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send receipts via WhatsApp?
WhatsApp is reserved for quick admin updates. To keep your audit trail secure and compliant, receipts should be uploaded via Hubdoc or emailed as PDFs.
What if I receive a letter or audit notification from SARS?
Forward the notice directly to info@bmlaccounting.co.za before taking any action. As your registered tax practitioner, I will review it and handle SARS directly on your behalf.
How often should I submit my accounting documents?
Sending your documents between the 1st and 5th of every month keeps your accounts current and avoids last-minute cut-off stress.
Do you offer strategic business advice in addition to compliance?
Yes! Accurate bookkeeping provides the foundation for management reporting, cash flow forecasting, and tax planning to help your business scale.
We're delighted to welcome you aboard!
Whether you need assistance with bookkeeping, tax, payroll, or strategic financial guidance, we are here to support you every step of the way. We look forward to building a long and successful professional relationship with you.
Brendon Lillis AGA(SA) — Founder, BML Accounting & Tax