Our Standard Terms of Engagement –Taxation Services Only (Intended for Individual Current Client Reference Only)
We realise how important it is to understand your needs and we have prepared the below Terms of Engagement (TE) to clarify works and other important terms. It is important that you read the TE before you indicate that you agree.
The scope of work may fall within the CPA Australia Ltd Professional Standards (Accountants) Scheme (Scheme), which facilitates improvements to industry professional standards and protects consumers. Accordingly, we need to notify you of the following:
“Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.”
If you want more information on the Scheme you can go to:
· CPA Australia's Professional Standards Scheme, or visit
· Professional Standards Councils’ website for additional consumer information.
Alternatively, if you want to clarify anything in the TE please call us on (03) 5456 4626
[Section:1. Purpose]
This Client Service Agreement (CSA) confirms and provides our understanding of the engagement and the nature and limitations of the services provided. If you have any queries or concerns, please contact us and we will be pleased to discuss these with you.
[Section:2. Term]
This CSA commences when you indicate acceptance and continues until either superseded or revoked by us or by you in accordance within these terms.
[Section:3. Objectives and Scope of work]
3.1 We will provide you with taxation services in compliance with APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) (the APES Code), APES 315 Compilation of Financial Information, APES 205 Conformity with Accounting Standards, APES 220 Taxation Services, and the Code of Professional Conduct pursuant to the Tax Agent Services Act 2009, and Corporations Act 2001 which include – (Only services specifically requested by you and accepted by us in writing (including email or engagement system) will form part of this engagement)
• Preparation of the unaudited special purpose financial statements for the currently engaged and future financial years based on the information provided to us from your accounting records.
• Preparation and lodgement of your income tax returns, if requested.
• Review and assist in the preparation and lodgement of your Activity Statements (E.g. BAS/GST, IAS, PAYGW and PAYGI), if requested.
• Bookkeeping Services, if requested.
• Preparation of any WorkCover and Payroll Tax obligations, if requested.
• Preparation of interim profit projection management reports/advice, if requested.
• Assistance with maintenance of Company Registered, Consents, Minutes, Changes, and Notifications if appointed as your company ASIC agent, if requested.
• Preparation and lodgement of Single Touch Payroll (STP) reports if requested and the STP Engagement Authority has been provided.
3.2 Unless otherwise agreed, this engagement does not include proactive tax planning, business structuring advice, or forecasting. These services can be provided separately upon request
3.3 Based on the above scope of work, you have given us the authority to use the tax agent portal, ASIC agent portal, and any other necessary portal and portal-related activities to manage and meet your taxation, superannuation, and company secretarial lodgement obligations and any other engagement requirements.
3.4 I/We appoint JF Accounting Pty Ltd (RAN 24725128) as my/our registered tax agent and authorise JF Accounting Pty Ltd and its authorised representatives to:
This authority remains in effect until revoked in writing by me/us.
3.5 We will provide the scope of work output within the specified timeframe or within a reasonable period considering the context of the services.
3.6 The purpose for which the financial statements will be used is to provide financial information showing the client's financial position at the financial reporting date and financial performance for the year then ended. The financial statements will be primarily for your use.
3.7 As part of our engagement, we will issue our report attached to the financial statements compiled by us, which will describe the financial statements and the work we performed for the compilation engagement. The report will also note that the use of the financial statements is restricted to the purpose set out in this engagement CSA . You may provide the financial statements to third parties, however no third party may rely on our report without our prior written consent.
3.8 We acknowledge that you may authorise an Accredited Data Recipient under the Consumer Data Right (‘CDR’) to provide CDR data to us via a Trusted Adviser Insight. We will discuss the need for these providers with you and you may nominate those providers from time to time as the need arises. In doing so will be done in accordance with the Competition and Consumer (Consumer Data Right) Amendments Rules (No. 1) 2021.
3.9 Unless otherwise specified in this CSA or letter of engagement, audit and assurance or review are not included in this engagement.
3.10 Our advice and information is for your sole use, and no third party may rely on our work without our prior written consent, and we do not accept responsibility for any loss or damage suffered by any third party relying on our work.
[Section:4. Our Promise]
4.1 We will perform procedures (guided by the APES suite of standards) required that are directly related to the engagement consistent with our Fundamental Principles of integrity, objectivity, professional competence and due care, confidentiality, professional behaviour, and identifying, avoiding, and dealing with conflicts of interests.
4.2 We will seek to understand your requirements and provide you services confidentially and professionally. Any information pertaining to your affairs, whether it be provided by you, or through a Trusted Adviser Insight via the CDR, will be utilised and stored in an appropriate manner to maintain our professional standards and obligations. Further information on privacy is noted at section 12 of this CSA.
4.3 We will document sufficient and appropriate records of the procedures performed for the CSA, which may be subject to CPA Australia Best Practice Program assessment under APES 320 Quality Control for Firms.
[Section:5. Our obligations]
5.1 We are obliged to consider whether our clients create any threats to our compliance with our Fundamental Principles and where we cannot reduce the risk to an acceptable level we are obliged to decline or cease the client engagement.
5.2 We have a duty to act in your best interests, unless this duty is inconsistent with our duty to act in the public interest.
5.3 We will inform you:
5.3.1 of your or your employer’s rights and obligations available under taxation law, including any rights that might be available to seek a private ruling and the lodging of objections and appeals against adverse positions adopted by revenue authorities
5.3.2 of any possible penalties and other legal tax consequences to enable you to make an informed decision.
5.4 We are responsible for maintaining our records for a period of 5 years unless otherwise required by legislation.
5.5 During the course of our engagement, if we identify or suspect that Non-Compliance with Laws or Regulations (NOCLAR) has occurred or may occur, which may have a direct effect on material amounts or disclosures in the financial statements or compliance and may be fundamental to your entities ability to continue its business or to avoid material penalty, we may:
• 5.5.1 Discuss the matter with the appropriate level of management, those charged with governance or the internal auditor, as appropriate
• 5.5.2 Communicate the non-compliance or suspected non-compliance with your external auditor, unless prohibited by law or regulation
• 5.5.3 Disclose the matter to an appropriate authority even when there is no legal or regulatory requirement to do so; and/or
• 5.5.4 Withdraw from the engagement and the professional relationship where permitted by law or regulation
5.6 Where appropriate we will inform you of our intention to disclose the matter to an appropriate authority before disclosing the matter. However, if we have reason to believe that the actual or intended conduct would constitute an imminent breach of a law or regulation that would cause substantial harm to the general public, we may immediately disclose the matter to an appropriate authority in order to prevent or mitigate the consequences of such imminent breach of law or regulation.
5.7 Our involvement in this type of engagement will not disclose fraud, defalcations or other irregularities that may occur. However, any material weakness in the account or internal control systems that come to our notice will be drawn to your attention.
5.8 Tax-Related Recommendations and Financial Product Advice Disclosure
5.8.1 In the course of providing services to you, we may from time to time make recommendations or express opinions that touch upon financial products, where those recommendations are made solely by reference to the taxation consequences of a particular course of action. Such recommendations form part of our taxation advisory services and do not constitute holistic financial planning advice. In accordance with our obligations under the Corporations Regulations 2001 (Cth), we are required to make the following written statement to you, and by signing this engagement/CSA you acknowledge having received and read it.
5.8.2 We are not licensed to provide financial product advice under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). Any recommendation we make in relation to a financial product is made purely by reference to its taxation implications and is not a comprehensive assessment of that product's suitability for you. Taxation is only one of the matters that must be considered when making a decision on a financial product. Before making any decision in relation to a financial product referred to in our advice, you should consider obtaining advice from the holder of an Australian Financial Services Licence who can assess your personal financial circumstances in their entirety.
5.8.3 This disclosure applies to all taxation advice provided under this engagement that may also constitute financial product advice, and it should be read in conjunction with the scope of services set out in this CSA.
5.9 We will endeavour to record advice on important matters in writing. Written advice is provided solely in the context of the facts and circumstances communicated to us at the time the advice is given. Advice given verbally (for example during a meeting or telephone conversation) is not intended to be relied upon unless confirmed in writing. If you wish to rely on verbal advice, you must seek written confirmation as soon as possible. You must not act on advice given by us on an earlier occasion without first confirming with us that the advice remains valid.
[Section:6. Your obligations]
6.1 You acknowledge and understand that our role is to assist you in the preparation and presentation of the financial statements in accordance with the financial reporting framework you have adopted for the financial statements.
6.2 You are responsible for the form and content of the financial information in accordance with an applicable financial reporting framework that is acceptable in view of the intended use of the financial statements and the intended users including the notes and disclosures required for the financial statements.
6.3 You are responsible for your own record-keeping relating to your affairs.
6.4 You agree to cooperate fully with any enquiries relating to suspected non-compliance(NOCLAR).
6.5 You will provide all relevant records relating to your affairs in a complete and timely manner.
6.6 You are responsible for the reliability, accuracy and completeness of the particulars and information provided to us, and, if the CSA includes financial reporting, the accounting records and disclosures of all material and relevant information provided to us are your responsibility. Accordingly, any advice given to you is only an opinion based on our knowledge of your particular circumstances
6.7 You are responsible for the judgments needed in the preparation and presentation of the financial statements, including those for which we may assist in the course of the engagement.
6.8 You are responsible for retaining paperwork for as long as legally required
6.9 You have obligations under self-assessment to keep full and proper records in order to facilitate the preparation of accurate returns.
6.10 You must retain paperwork for a period of five years (Or longer as required) after the assessment as you may be subject to an Australian Taxation Office review.
6.11 You are responsible for reviewing all returns, forms, statements and other documents before submission and advising us of any errors or omissions.
6.12 You must advise us of changes to your contact details. Unless you instruct us otherwise, we may communicate by email or other electronic means. The recipient is responsible for virus checking. There is a risk of non-receipt, delayed receipt, inadvertent misdirection or interception; we are not responsible for such matters beyond our control.
[Section:7. Third Party Involvement]
7.1 We may from time to time engage third-party specialist professionals and other public practitioners, where warranted to obtain the advice you need or to assist us in providing our service to you. These may include cloud service providers and outsourced service providers. (Note – We do not currently offshore client work. Should this change, we will notify you and obtain any consents required by law or professional standards.)
7.2 We will seek your consent if third-party involvement is likely to exceed the fixed price (if applicable).
7.3 We have outsourcing arrangements with Hardware and Software Providers and Document Management and Maintenance Companies in Australia whom we engage to assist us. We rely on their security measures. While we take reasonable steps to maintain data security, including through the use of reputable cloud and software providers, we cannot guarantee the security of data transmitted electronically or stored with third-party providers. Those providers and/or their locations may change, and additional services may be sought. Further details can be provided at any time should you require them. This may include (without limitation): Xero, Xero Practice Manager, Microsoft (including Microsoft 365, Copilot and related Microsoft services), OnboardMe, BGL, FYI Docs, FuseSign, MYOB, identity verification providers, communication platforms, AI-assisted technologies, and other providers as separately notified to you from time to time. We may also engage technology, artificial intelligence, workflow automation, communication, identity verification, document management, data processing, cybersecurity, hosting, analytics and other service providers as reasonably required to deliver our services. These providers may process, store or transmit information on our behalf. We will take reasonable care in selecting reputable providers and require them to maintain appropriate security and confidentiality measures, however we do not control their systems and cannot guarantee uninterrupted service or absolute security.
7.4 Acceptance of our services in conjunction with this engagement document indicates your acceptance of the use of outsourced services as described above. Further details can be provided at any time should you require them.
7.5 We may utilise artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, automation technologies and related software tools to assist with administrative functions, document drafting, data extraction, transcription, summarisation, workflow management, research assistance and other internal business processes. These technologies are used as tools to assist the delivery of our services and do not replace our professional judgement. Any advice, recommendations or deliverables provided to you remain subject to review and oversight by appropriately qualified personnel where considered necessary. Information processed through such systems will be handled in accordance with this agreement, including the Privacy and Confidentiality provisions.
7.6 We may utilise telephone systems and related service providers that enable the recording of telephone conversations for the purpose of maintaining accurate file notes, including through transcription, summarisation, file note generation technologies and service records. By continuing with a telephone call after notification, you consent to the recording of that call. Recordings are used for internal purposes only, stored securely, and retained for a limited period (generally no longer than 90 days) before being deleted. Personal information contained in recordings is handled in accordance with clause 12 (Privacy). If you do not wish a call to be recorded, you must advise us at the beginning of the call and we will arrange an alternative method of communication.
7.7 While we exercise reasonable care in selecting third-party providers, we are not responsible for the performance, availability, security incidents, data loss, service interruptions, acts or omissions of those providers except to the extent required by law.
7.8 While we maintain reasonable administrative, technical and physical safeguards to protect information, no electronic system or method of data transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure. You acknowledge that the use of email, cloud storage, internet-based platforms and electronic communications carries inherent risks including unauthorised access, malware, ransomware, data breaches, service interruptions and data loss. To the maximum extent permitted by law, we are not liable for losses arising solely from events beyond our reasonable control.
[Section:8. Fees, Billing & Trust Monies]
8.1 If the engagement involves the use of trust monies, we will manage those funds in accordance with APES 310 Client Monies and as authorised by you in the Trust Account Authority Letter or as otherwise instructed by you.
8.2 Our professional fees will be calculated on a time-cost basis unless otherwise stated.
8.2.1 Agreed Price - As agreed in this proposal or communicated and confirmed in writing during this engagement period.
8.3 We reserve the right to revise fees annually or where the scope of services changes.
8.4 Our invoices may also include disbursements paid by us. These may include photocopying charges, telephone and facsimile transmission charges, travel fares and expenses, stamp duty and fees paid to third parties such as couriers, registration fees or fees for other professionals. These may be in addition to our professional fees (8.2).
8.5 Each invoice is payable within 14 days of invoice. Invoices may be issued to your listed email address or postal address.
8.6 If an invoice is not paid by the due date, we may charge interest on late paid invoices at the rate of 10%p.a., calculated daily from the due date until paid.
8.7 We may suspend our services or cease to act on giving written notice if payment of any fees is unduly delayed. We intend to exercise these rights only where it is fair and reasonable to do so.
[Section:9. Ownership of materials]
9.1 You own all original materials given to us.
9.2 We own all materials produced by us that resulted from our skill and attention to the extent that the materials produced by us incorporate any original materials you give to us.
9.3 We may exercise a lien of your documents in our possession in the event of a dispute, which will be handled in accordance with our firm’s dispute resolution process.
9.4 Subject to the payment of all outstanding professional fees and disbursements owing to us, we will provide you with materials produced by us for you in the event you engage the services of another practitioner, and the materials are required by your new practitioner.
[Section:10. Termination]
10.1 Either party may terminate this CSA by giving not less than 21 days’ notice in writing to the other party.
10.2 We may terminate this CSA immediately (or suspend services immediately) where we reasonably consider it necessary, including (without limitation) where: fees are unpaid or payment is unduly delayed; you provide misleading or factually inaccurate information; you fail to communicate or cooperate (including failing to provide information/instructions required to perform the services); a conflict of interest arises that cannot be managed; or we are required or entitled to do so under law, regulation or professional obligations.
10.3 Termination will not affect any accrued rights. You remain liable for fees and disbursements incurred up to the effective termination date.
[Section:11. AML/CTF and Identity Verification (KYC)]
11.1 We may be required to verify your identity and the identity of your representatives (and, where relevant, beneficial owners/controllers) for the purposes of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws and regulatory guidance (AML/CTF).
11.2 You agree to promptly provide information and documents we reasonably request to complete customer due diligence (CDD) and ongoing monitoring where required.
11.3 You consent to us using electronic verification processes and making searches of appropriate databases.
11.4 We may also undertake ongoing risk assessments of your engagement and transactions in accordance with AML/CTF obligations.
11.5 We may collect, store and retain copies of identification documents and verification evidence (including results, metadata and related correspondence) securely and for the period required by applicable law and our professional obligations.
11.6 If you do not provide required information, we may be unable to commence or continue providing some or all services.
11.7 Where required, we may have obligations to make reports to AUSTRAC (including suspicious matter reporting) in accordance with applicable law.
[Section:12. Privacy]
12.1 Our collection use and disclosure of your personal information (PI) may be subject to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and accordingly we will only collect PI about you that relates to the CSA. We may use and disclose PI about you for the primary purpose of providing taxation services to you, as well as for other purposes required or authorised by or under law (including purposes for which you have provided your consent). This PI may be stored in Australia and overseas. You acknowledge and consent to us disclosing your personal information to our related entities, contractors, service providers, cloud software providers and technology providers (including those located overseas) where reasonably necessary to provide our services. If you would like more details or to access/correct any PI we might hold about you, contact us on (03) 5456 4626.
12.2 We may collect PI about you, your representatives, your clients and others when we provide services to you. If we do, you agree to work with us to ensure that we both meet our respective obligations under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). Your obligations may include ensuring your privacy policy and contracts include a reference to your collection practices, how you will use the PI and that you may disclose the PI to an agent for public accounting services.
12.3 Where an outsourced service requires the disclosure of PI to an overseas recipient, we take care to ensure that other third parties outside Australia to whom we disclose PI are subject to contractual obligations relating to privacy and the handling of your personal information and can only use the information for the purposes stipulated by us.
12.4 In providing our services to you, we may utilise various cloud computing facilities and providers based in various locations and we rely on their security measures. We also store client information in a data server managed in locations which may change from time to time, which may be subject to the privacy law of that location. Further details regarding the locations of service providers and data hosting arrangements can be provided upon request.
12.5 If your PI is disclosed to CPA Australia for the purpose of conducting a CPA Australia Best Practice Program assessment on the services provided, your personal information will be handled by CPA Australia as outlined in the CPA Australia Privacy Policy.
12.6 As part of our service delivery, we may collect personal information through telephone recordings and related transcription processes used to create file notes and maintain accurate records of advice and instructions. Such information is collected and used for the primary purpose of providing our services to you and for related internal purposes, including quality assurance. These recordings and any derived transcripts are stored securely, retained only for a limited period, and handled in accordance with this clause 12.
[Section:13. Confidentiality]
13.1 Under the APES Code, we have an ethical duty of confidentiality, meaning we must not share or disclose your details of this CSA to anyone, except as otherwise specified in this clause, without your consent unless required to by law. Specifically, and as required by subsection 114 of the Code, we will:
• 13.1.1 Be alert to the possibility of inadvertent disclosure, including in a social environment, and particularly to a close business associate or an immediate or a close family member;
• 13.1.2 Maintain confidentiality of information within our firm;
• 13.1.3 Not disclose confidential information acquired as a result of our professional and business relationship outside the firm without proper and specific authority, unless there is a legal or professional duty or right to disclose;
• 13.1.4 not use confidential information acquired as a result of our professional and business relationship for our personal advantage or for the advantage of a third party;
• 13.1.5 not use or disclose any confidential information, either acquired or received as a result of our professional or business relationship, after our relationship has ended; and
• 13.1.6 Take reasonable steps to ensure that personnel under our control and individuals from whom advice and assistance are obtained respect our duty of confidentiality.
13.2 We may disclose your personal and confidential information details of the services provided to you, to CPA Australia Ltd (if requested), as part of our working papers, for the purposes of conducting a CPA Australia Best Practice Program assessment aimed at maintaining high industry professional standards. Any such disclosure of confidential information does not change any of our commitments to safeguard your information, and the information remains subject to any existing confidentiality obligations. We advise you by signing this CSA you acknowledge, our engagement files relating to this assessment will be made available under this program.
[Section:14. Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII)]
We hold professional indemnity insurance of at least the minimum amount prescribed in the CPA Australia Ltd By-Laws or as required by law. Our PII cover at the time of this CSA is equal to that minimum.
[Section:15. Professional Standards Scheme & Limitation of Liability]
Pursuant to s33 of the Professional Standards Act 1994, our liability is limited by a scheme approved under professional standards legislation.
[Section:16. Disclosures]
16.1 In relation to the taxation services we will provide, we advise that:
• 16.1.1 The Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) maintains a register of tax agents and BAS agents, which can be accessed and searched tpb.gov.au/public-register. The register contains details of registered, suspended, and deregistered tax and BAS agents.
• 16.1.2 If you have a complaint about a tax agent service that we provide, we encourage you to seek to resolve it with us by contacting (03) 5456 4626 or info@jfaccounting.com.au . You can also make a complaint to the TPB in accordance with their complaints process.
• 16.1.3 Our registration as a tax agent is not subject to any conditions.
• 16.1.4 In the last 5 years, we have not been subject to any of the events described in subsection 45(1)(d) of the Tax Agent Services (Code of Professional Conduct) Determination 2024 (the Determination), or other matters required to be disclosed under other laws.
• 16.1.5 For further information in relation to these obligations, please see the TPB’s “Information for clients – Taxpayers” factsheet (a link is available on our website or with the TPB directly)
TPB - Client Information Sheet https://www.tpb.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-03/Information%20for%20clients%20factsheet%202025_0.pdf
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Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation