Facts vs Fiction: Don't Get Caught by Fake Advice  

We hear a lot of stories in this line of work.

Like the one where someone’s mate reckoned repainting the loungeroom counted as a home office deduction. Unless your office is in there (and we mean only in there), probably not.

So, let’s chat about how to avoid the traps and why checking your sources matters more than ever.

“My Mate Said...”

We hear this one a lot. A well-meaning friend tells you about a “hack” they’ve used in their business for years. Maybe they got lucky, or maybe no one’s ever looked too closely. But what works for one business might not be appropriate, or even legal, for another.

Unless that mate is a qualified professional who knows your specific situation, it’s worth pausing before you put their advice into action.

Our rule of thumb? If something doesn’t feel quite right (or sounds too good to be true), it’s worth a second opinion

Looks Official. Isn’t.

It’s easier than ever to land on a website that looks like it belongs to a government agency. Some even have logos and language that feel trustworthy until you’re asked to pay for advice, sign up to something ongoing, or hand over personal info.

Here’s how to stay safe:

• Check the URL — if it doesn’t end in .gov.au, it’s not the official source.
• Accessing reliable info shouldn't cost you anything
• If you’re unsure, send it our way and we’re happy to sanity check it with you.

“It’s on the Bank Statement, Isn’t That Enough?”

This one’s common. A business expense shows up on the statement, so that should be fine, right?

Not always.

We’re big believers in keeping things accurate and audit ready. That means collecting proper records, not just relying on a bank feed. It’s not about making life harder; it’s about protecting you from confusion, incorrect coding, or issues down the track if someone else (like the ATO or your accountant) is reviewing the file.

And yes, we’ve seen situations where asking a few extra questions saved clients thousands. That’s a win in our books.

So, What’s the Takeaway?

Running a business is full of decisions and sometimes, advice is flying at you from all angles.

Our job? To help make sure your systems are clean, your records are solid, and you’re not walking into something that might cause issues later. If you’re ever unsure about something you’ve heard, seen online, or picked up in a group chat, ask us. We’ll tell you whether it’s something we can help with or whether it’s one for your Accountant or Tax Agent.

We’re all about the team approach and if that means flagging something before it becomes a problem? Even better.

Need a Second Set of Eyes?

If something isn’t sitting right, or you’ve been leaning on advice that hasn’t been checked by someone who actually understands your business, it’s worth pressing pause. We’re here to help you cut through the noise, sense-check what you’ve been told, and make sure the right eyes are on the right parts of your systems and processes. And because we live and breathe business technology, we can also guide you toward the tools that genuinely support your workflow, not complicate it.

Contact us for a practical, no-nonsense chat. We’ll help make sure you’ve got the right people looking at the right things and that your systems are working for you, not against you. And remember, getting professional advice early is an investment and a quick conversation now can save you thousands later, and save you from the stress of trying to fix avoidable mistakes down the track.