Bookkeeping and payroll for cafes, restaurants, and hospitality businesses.
Hospitality has some of the most complex payroll in small business. Casual staff, changing rosters, penalty rates, and thin margins leave little room for error.
East Coast Bookkeeping & Business Solutions works with cafes, restaurants, and food businesses on the South Coast and beyond. We know what it takes to keep the books clean when every dollar counts and every roster is different.
What we do
Payroll under hospitality awards
Hospitality businesses can fall under different awards, including the Restaurant Industry Award, the Fast Food Industry Award, and the Hospitality Industry (General) Award. We check which award covers your team, then manage payroll in full. That includes casual and part-time entitlements, penalty rates, overtime, and shift allowances. See our payroll and HR services.
Casual staff, STP, and Payday Super
We report every pay event to the ATO through Single Touch Payroll, including for casual staff. Super is now due every payday under Payday Super, so we make sure it’s paid on time for everyone on your roster.
GST on food and drinks
GST on food and drinks isn’t simple. Basic food is usually GST-free, but hot food, food eaten on the premises, and most drinks are taxable. We make sure your BAS reflects the right GST treatment across your menu.
BAS preparation and lodgement
As registered BAS agents, we prepare and lodge your BAS. Lodging through us usually gives you about four extra weeks to lodge and pay most quarterly BAS.
Daily and weekly sales reconciliation
We reconcile your point-of-sale records against your bank, so your books stay current and you can see how the business is really performing.
Supplier payments
We manage supplier invoices and pay them on time. That keeps your suppliers happy and your cost-of-goods records accurate.
Cash flow management for seasonal businesses
Many South Coast hospitality businesses are busy in summer and quiet in winter. We help you plan for both, so you’re not caught short when the season turns. See our cash flow forecasts and budgeting services.
Who this is for
- Cafes and coffee shops
- Restaurants and takeaway businesses
- Bars and licensed venues
- Accommodation and tourism operators
- Food trucks and event catering businesses
Why choose East Coast Bookkeeping & Business Solutions
- Experience with hospitality awards and their regular updates
- We flag award rate changes before they affect your payroll
- Registered BAS agents who get GST on food and drinks right
- Seasonal cash flow planning for businesses with busy and quiet periods
- We understand thin margins and work efficiently, so bookkeeping costs stay manageable
- A local office in South Nowra, with support available online Australia-wide
Talk to a bookkeeper who knows hospitality
Book a free 30-minute consultation by phone, online, or in person. We’ll look at how your business runs now and what support would help. Obligation free.
Contact us to book a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you handle payroll under hospitality awards?
Yes. Depending on your business, your staff may be covered by the Restaurant Industry Award, the Fast Food Industry Award, or the Hospitality Industry (General) Award. We work out which applies, then manage the full payroll process. That includes casual and part-time entitlements, penalty rates for evenings, weekends, and public holidays, and any applicable allowances. When an award changes, we update your payroll.
Can you reconcile our point-of-sale system with our accounts?
Yes. We work with a range of POS systems, including Square, Lightspeed, and others, and reconcile your daily sales against your bank records. Done consistently, it gives you a reliable picture of where your business stands.
Our business is seasonal. How can you help us plan for that?
Seasonal cash flow is one of the most common challenges for South Coast hospitality, especially for businesses that rely on summer tourism. We build a forecast that maps your income and expenses through the year and shows where the pressure will hit. That helps you make decisions about staffing, stock, and spending based on what’s coming, not what you hope will arrive.
Can you help us work out the GST on food?
Yes. GST on food depends on what the item is and how it’s sold. Basic food like bread and fresh produce is usually GST-free, while hot food, meals eaten on the premises, and most drinks include GST. We make sure your BAS gets this right across your menu, so you don’t overpay or underpay.
How hard is it to switch bookkeepers?
We handle the changeover from start to finish. We review your current records and systems, then take over in a clean, organised way. When needed, we work directly with your previous bookkeeper and make sure nothing is missed during the handover. Most clients find it much simpler than they expected.
