The Pen Accounting

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The Pen Accounting We are your non-traditional accountants helping your CREATIVE BUSINESS to grow without keeping you co

At The Pen Accounting, we offer bookkeeping and Accounting services in Surry Hills, Sydney that can be customised around the special needs of your business. Rather than split your focus between running your business and bookkeeping, you can trust us to handle the later as you focus on your operations. Expect from us a consistent financial process that will also cut down your finance and accounting costs.

“Xero access has been granted” is a useful first step. It doesn’t tell the incoming team what needs attention on Monday....
27/10/2026

“Xero access has been granted” is a useful first step. It doesn’t tell the incoming team what needs attention on Monday.

Which invoices are being followed up? What happens at month-end? Who approves payments? Where are the outstanding questions?

A proper handover gives the team that context, so they can take responsibility for the work instead of spending the first few weeks piecing it together.

Save this for your next finance handover.
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25/10/2026

When did you last update your forecast?

You might have set a budget at the start of the financial year, but a few months in, things can look different.

A new client hasn’t started when you expected. Costs have increased. A planned hire has been pushed back.

I’d want those changes reflected in your forecast so you can see where you’re now expecting to finish the year.

Keep the original budget. We still need to understand how the business is performing against what you planned.

But before you commit to more spending, I want you working with the latest picture.

This week, compare your actual results with your budget and check what needs updating in your forecast.

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23/10/2026

You made a profit. But which part of the business actually earned it?

When I review a P&L, I want to understand how we arrived at that result.

One service might bring in plenty of revenue but cost much more to deliver than you realise.

Another might have a strong margin, yet receive very little of your time or attention.

I’d want to understand that before putting more people, money or marketing into either one.

Sometimes we need to break the reporting down further to see what each part of the business is contributing.

That’s where the conversation becomes useful. We can look at pricing, how you’re delivering the work and where it makes sense to grow.

For me, knowing you made a profit is the starting point. Understanding how you made it helps you decide what to do next.

Save this for your next P&L review.
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Your bank accounts are reconciled. Great. Now, would you feel confident using this month’s reports to make a decision?A ...
21/10/2026

Your bank accounts are reconciled. Great. Now, would you feel confident using this month’s reports to make a decision?

A tidy file is a strong starting point, but a useful report also depends on what’s been entered, how consistently it’s been recorded and whether someone has checked the result.

If you’re reviewing margins, projects or your next hire, those details matter.

Swipe through the four checks we’d make before relying on the numbers. Save them for your next monthly review.
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19/10/2026

Follow for more finance tips!

19/10/2026

If your business slows down over Christmas and January, I’d be looking at your cash flow now.

It’s easy to get caught up in finishing projects and getting everything done before the break. But wages, rent and other commitments still need to be covered, even when less money is coming in.

I’d start with what’s in the bank, what you realistically expect to collect between now and January, and when your payments are due.

Pay attention to the timing, too. An invoice you send in December might not be paid before the Christmas break.

For me, it’s about knowing where things could get tight while there’s still time to do something about it.

As you update your revenue tracker this week, look beyond what you’re planning to invoice.

Check when you expect that money to reach your account.

Set aside time this week to review your cash flow through to the end of January.
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An invoice can be neatly recorded in Xero and still be weeks away from being paid.Once it’s overdue, someone needs to fo...
15/10/2026

An invoice can be neatly recorded in Xero and still be weeks away from being paid.

Once it’s overdue, someone needs to follow through. Was it received? Is there a question holding up payment? When does the client expect to pay?

Sending a reminder is one step. Someone also needs to track the response, resolve any questions and keep the expected payment date current.

Because if that payment slips, it could affect the cash available for payroll, suppliers or your next business decision.

Clear ownership connects your invoice records with what’s actually happening.

Want to see what that looks like in practice? Comment INVOICE and we’ll DM you our blog, “Who Owns Accounts Receivable in a Growing Business?”

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You built the agency together. But as the team, clients and commitments grow, the financial setup you started with may n...
13/10/2026

You built the agency together. But as the team, clients and commitments grow, the financial setup you started with may need another look.

A recent enquiry from a creative agency raised questions that many partners will recognise: Who can see the full cash-flow picture? How are decisions made? And does the current structure still support both the business and the people behind it?

There isn’t one answer that fits every agency. It starts with understanding how the partners work together now and what they want the business to become.

If you run an agency with a partner, when did you last review the setup together?
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12/10/2026

A revenue target is only useful if you’re checking how you’re tracking against it.

I’d keep this simple. What work are you expecting to invoice this month? How much? And when should those invoices go out?

You don’t need a complicated report. A clear list that you update as you bill is a good starting point.

Then, every Monday, sit down and look at it against your target.

What’s been invoiced? What still needs to go out? Is anything being held up?

That’s what helps you work out where your attention needs to go this week.

I’d much rather have that conversation during the month, while there’s time to do something about it.

🔖 Save this for your Monday planning.

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“We’re happy with our accountant. We just need more help between meetings.”It’s a conversation we’ve been having with gr...
07/10/2026

“We’re happy with our accountant. We just need more help between meetings.”

It’s a conversation we’ve been having with growing businesses.

You might have an accountant you trust, but still need someone to follow up overdue invoices, keep the cash-flow forecast current and help you understand what your reports mean for the next decision.

Who owns that work when everyone is busy?

A fractional finance team can work alongside your existing accountant, bringing bookkeeping, finance management and CFO support together around your business.

You keep the relationship you value, with more hands-on support between meetings.

Want to see how it works? Comment TEAM and we’ll send you our blog, “Can You Keep Your Accountant and Bring in a Fractional Finance Team?”

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Address

393 Crown Street
Surry Hills, NSW
2010

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+611300843736

Website

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