When is the right time for a growing business to hire a commercial lawyer?

The right time is before something goes wrong, not after. Most businesses first engage a commercial lawyer when a problem has already surfaced: a contract dispute, a co-founder falling out, or a regulatory issue. Engaging early, before you sign major agreements, bring on investors, or hire staff, costs significantly less than unpicking a poorly structured deal later. As a general rule, if the decision involves money, ownership, or a long-term commitment, it warrants a legal review.

How do I choose which lawyer to work with?

Look for a lawyer with direct experience in commercial matters relevant to your business, not just a general practice background. Check whether they have acted for businesses at a similar size and stage to yours. Communication is also worth testing early; your lawyer should be able to explain your position and your options in plain language. At Lazarus Legal, matters are handled by solicitors with hands-on commercial experience, including work across Australian and international jurisdictions.

What industries do Lazarus Legal commercial lawyers typically serve?

Lazarus Legal works with businesses across technology, retail, construction, hospitality, professional services, and financial services. The firm also advises startups and growth-stage companies on shareholder agreements, equity structuring, and intellectual property. Much of the work is transactional and advisory, though Lazarus Legal also handles commercial disputes when they arise.

How much does Lazarus Legal charge for commercial legal services?

It depends on the nature of the work. Defined tasks, such as contract reviews, business formations, and document drafting, are typically quoted at a fixed fee so you know the cost upfront. More complex or ongoing matters may be billed at an hourly rate. Lazarus Legal discusses fees at the outset so there are no surprises mid-matter. The firm also offers retainer arrangements for businesses that prefer predictable, ongoing access to legal support.

How does having a commercial lawyer on retainer benefit my business?

A retainer gives you legal advice when you need it, without the delay of briefing someone new each time a question comes up. For growing businesses, that means faster decisions on contracts, negotiations, and compliance issues. It also means your lawyer builds working knowledge of your business over time, which produces more targeted advice. Lazarus Legal offers retainer arrangements for businesses that want proactive legal support built into how they operate, rather than reactive help after problems emerge.

ACCOUNTANTS NSW & ACT

Accountants for business, tax & SMSF

DKM Audit is a CPA, CA and IPA-qualified accounting firm with offices in Bella Vista, Sydney and Deakin, Canberra. We provide tax returns, bookkeeping, payroll and SMSF accounting to over 2,000 businesses and individuals with year-round advice, not just a once-a-year lodgement.

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DKM Accounting is accredited with the following institutions

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CPA
Australia

Chartered Accountants
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When Your Business Needs More Than a Tax Return

If you’re hiring, buying property or running an SMSF, your finances move faster than a yearly tax return.

That’s why DKM Accounting works ahead of the deadlines rather than after them: tax planned across the year, fixed monthly costs, super funds kept in order, and the ATO handled as our conversation instead of yours.

Quarterly Tax Planning for Small Business

DKM Accounting prepares quarterly tax estimates so businesses know what they owe months before it falls due. Deductions are claimed in the year they happen and payments are timed around cash flow, so the final tax bill is never a surprise.

Fixed Fee Bookkeeping

BAS and Payroll Monthly fixed-fee packages from DKM Accounting cover bookkeeping, BAS preparation and lodgement, payroll and super in one known cost. The fee is set before the month starts, so a quick question costs nothing extra and the invoice stays the same.

SMSF Accountants and Audit-Ready Compliance

SMSF administration at DKM Accounting is led by an ASIC-registered SMSF auditor, so fund accounts, member statements and annual returns are kept to the standard auditors expect. Property, crypto and other non-standard assets are handled correctly, and the fund stays compliant all year instead of being patched up before audit.

ATO Audits, Debt and Payment Plans Handled for You

When the ATO raises an audit, a review or a debt, DKM Accounting manages the response, the correspondence and the negotiation, including payment plans and overdue lodgements. DKM tracks every deadline and brings you in only when a decision needs to be made.

Accountants Who Speak Xero, MYOB and APIs

DKM Accounting works inside the systems you already run, connecting Xero, MYOB and QuickBooks to your POS, e-commerce and payroll apps so data flows automatically instead of being rekeyed. Clean integrations mean fewer errors, live numbers, and a tech stack that scales without an admin hire.

An Accountant Who Actually Answers the Phone

Reaching your accountant at DKM Accounting takes one call, not a week of voicemails. An active hotline connects you to a person during business hours, questions go straight to the accountant who knows your file, and answers come back while the decision is still in front of you

David Maj

CPA, IPA, SMSF Auditor, Trust Account Auditor

David Maj is a CPA-qualified accountant with over twenty years of experience advising businesses and individuals on tax, SMSF compliance and auditing, property, bookkeeping and business structuring.

Mory Bahrami

CA, Principal

Morteza (Mory) Bahrami is a Chartered Accountant with twenty years of experience advising businesses and individuals on tax, business structuring, alternative investments, cryptocurrency and complex financial structures.

Karen Lee

CPA, Senior Financial Accountant,

Karen Lee is a CPA-qualified senior financial accountant with Fortune 500 experience, advising businesses on financial accounting, cost analysis, payroll, reporting and process improvement.

Accounting Services Built for NSW and ACT Businesses

Elizabeth Chun.

Solicitor, Lazarus Legal

I was stressed about the ATO, foreign tax, and sales settlements. After weeks of searching, Jimmy listened, found the best solution, and went the extra mile. Grateful for his help—I’ll definitely use him again, even for basic tax returns. Excellent service!

Joy Quinones

Principal, Universal Lawyers

DKM Accounting has been sorting out my taxes after I received poor advice elsewhere. Jimmy is very sharp and always comes up with practical solutions to difficult tax problems. I’ve been restructuring my company and his advice throughout the process has been excellent. He’s calm, measured and easy to deal with. I’d highly recommend Jimmy and his firm to anyone needing tax advice and support.

Jon Wood

CEO, Master Voice Technology

When we started the business, we had limited accounting knowledge and relied heavily on Karen and DKM to guide us through our accounting, tax requirements, business structure and financial obligations. Karen has always provided clear, practical and professional advice, helping us make informed decisions as our business has grown.

Questions NSW and ACT Businesses Ask Our Accountants

What is the difference between a tax agent and an accountant?

A tax agent is registered with the Tax Practitioners Board and legally authorised to lodge returns and deal with the ATO on your behalf. An accountant provides the broader work: reporting, structure, planning and advice. Many accountants are not registered agents, which limits what they can lodge for you. DKM Accounting holds full registration, so the strategic advice and the lodgements happen in one place rather than across two providers.

What is the difference between bookkeeping and accounting?

Bookkeeping records what happened in the business: transactions reconciled, invoices entered, payroll processed. Accounting interprets those records to produce tax positions, reports and advice. Problems usually start when the two are done by separate providers who never compare notes. DKM Accounting runs bookkeeping and accounting as one connected service, so the records and the advice built on them always match.

How much does an accountant cost for a small business?

Most Australian businesses pay between $3,000 and $5,000 a year for accounting, depending on what’s included. DKM Accounting’s retainer starts at $330 per month and covers the company tax return, BAS, quarterly bookkeeping and tax planning, so the essentials are handled for one known monthly cost. Anything beyond that scope is quoted before the work starts. The full fee breakdown is on our services page.

How long does a tax return take through an accountant?

With complete records, DKM Accounting typically prepares a tax return within days, and once lodged the ATO usually processes it inside two weeks. The bigger difference is the deadline: do it yourself and the cut-off is 31 October, while going through DKM extends that date, often well into the following year. Overdue returns from past years can usually be brought up to date in the same engagement.

What is the best accounting software for a small business?

For most small Australian businesses, QuickBooks is the platform we recommend: it covers invoicing, payroll and BAS at a lower cost than its rivals, and it’s where DKM Accounting holds its deepest certification. We also work across Xero and MYOB daily, so nothing breaks if you’re already set up elsewhere. If you’re choosing or switching, we’ll compare the options against how your business runs and handle the migration.

Can DKM Accounting deal with the ATO for me?

Yes. We’re authorised to represent you with the ATO, which covers lodging overdue returns, responding to audits and reviews, requesting penalty remission and negotiating payment plans for tax debt. Once we’re appointed, the ATO contacts us first, and most matters are resolved without you ever having to speak to them.

Who does DKM Accounting work with?

DKM Accounting works with over 2,000 businesses and individuals across NSW and the ACT, from offices in Bella Vista, Sydney and Deakin, Canberra. Clients range from sole traders and family companies to property investors, SMSF trustees and real estate agencies. The common thread is wanting an accountant involved through the year, not just in June.

Accountants for business, tax & SMSF

Connect with a proactive accountant instantly

Send us a few details and we’ll be in touch.

DKM Accounting is accredited with the following institutions

When Your Business Needs More Than a Tax Return

David Maj

Mory Bahrami

Karen Lee

Accounting Services Built for NSW and ACT Businesses

Tax Accountant

Small Business Accountant

Bookkeeper Sydney

Bookkeeping and Payroll Services

Accounting Packages for Small Business

SMSF Accountant

SMSF Auditor

Property Tax Accountant

Construction Bookkeeping Services

Real Estate Trust Account Audits

ATO Debt and Payment Plans

Accounting Software Advice