We provide simple, effective services that leave our clients with more time to do what they do best.
1.1 These terms of engagement will apply to our relationship with you.
1.2 By engaging us to complete taxation and accounting work, you accept the terms of engagement detailed below.
1.3 We will keep all client information confidential and will not disclose any information to third parties, without your express consent, except as required by law.
1.4 We are a registered tax agent under the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 (Cth) and operate under the Code of Professional Conduct administered by the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB). Our TPB registration number is [TPB REGO PENDING]; you can verify our registration on the TPB Public Register at [TPB REGISTER URL PENDING].
1.5 Most work undertaken by us is subject to the confidentiality and disclosure obligations imposed on registered tax agents by the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 (Cth) and the TPB Code of Professional Conduct.
2.1 We will use our professional skills to perform the taxation and accounting work required by you. We will perform this work based on information provided by you.
2.1 We will inform you if we notice any omissions or irregularities in the information provided.
2.3 We will provide a written report documenting any tax advice given and the application of any exemptions.
2.4 We will retain legal ownership of working papers and documentation prepared by us.
2.5 We will use our judgment in providing advice based on Australian Taxation Office (ATO) rulings and determinations, the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cth), the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (Cth), the Taxation Administration Act 1953 (Cth), the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (Cth), and any other applicable professional information source.
2.6 All tax positions are subject to review by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Any proposed adjustments by the ATO are subject to objection and appeal under Part IVC of the Taxation Administration Act 1953 (Cth). In the event of a review, we will be available upon request to represent you and reserve the right to charge on a time recovered basis to represent you.
2.7 Where applicable, you agree to us adding you to our registered tax agent client list with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). This will allow us to discuss your tax affairs with the ATO on your behalf.
2.8 Lighthouse Financial Australia Pty Ltd provides tax agent and accounting services only. We do not provide financial product advice; an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) is not held by this entity. Where relevant, we may share your information with carefully selected service providers (such as cloud accounting, document management, and ATO-approved e-filing infrastructure) strictly for the purpose of delivering the accounting services you have engaged us for.
3.1 We will not audit or independently verify the information supplied.
3.2 We will not express any kind of opinion on the accuracy of the material we compile or its suitability for any purpose.
3.3 We will not accept liability in negligence for any reason, to anyone but you. A disclaimer to this effect will be included in our written tax advice.
3.4 Our maximum liability for services rendered under these Terms of Engagement will be limited to the fees paid to us for the work provided.
4.1 You will provide accurate, complete information required to provide the service that you have engaged us for. If applicable, we will provide a checklist to assist you in identifying the information we require.
4.2 You remain responsible for the reliability, accuracy and completeness of any information provided.
4.3 You should retain all documentation that forms the basis of our tax advice for a period of at least 5 years as required by section 262A of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (Cth) and section 25-5 of the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (Cth).
4.4 You will let us know if the tax advice that we provide is intended to be disclosed to a third party, with the exception of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
4.5 You will allow us to communicate with and obtain relevant information from any third party as required to complete the work you have engaged us for.
5.1 Where possible, we will provide a fixed fee quotation up front to complete the work required. If additional work is required, we will provide a quote prior to undertaking any additional work.
5.2 If we do not provide a fixed fee quotation, our charge out rate for taxation work completed is AUD $185.00 + GST (10%) per hour.
5.3 You may ask for an estimate of fees at any time and we will provide one to you based on our assessment of the time required to complete any work.
5.4 We reserve the right to progress bill any work carried out on a fortnightly basis. If we progress bill, the balance of any total amount payable will be reduced by the amount of the progress bill.
5.5 You will pay our fees on time. Invoices for work done are payable within 14 days.
5.6 Client money held in Lighthouse Financial Australia’s client trust account may be used to directly satisfy any payment obligations of that client to Lighthouse Financial Australia, in accordance with the trust account obligations imposed on registered tax agents by the Tax Agent Services Regulations 2022 (Cth).
5.7 Late payments will incur a 10% administration charge.
5.8 All costs incurred by us as a result of a default by you, including but not limited to administration charges, debt collection costs, and legal costs between solicitor and client will be payable by you.
5.9 You are required to maintain the confidentiality of our fees and charges
5.10 In the event that you do not proceed with onboarding after engagement has commenced, or if you should terminate your engagement with Lighthouse Financial Australia within 12 months of onboarding, an administration fee of AUD $250 plus GST will be payable. This fee is to cover administrative costs incurred during the onboarding and disengagement process.
6.1 Except as otherwise provided for, we will not be liable for any loss or damage of any kind whatsoever, arising from the supply of the Services rendered by us to you, including:
6.2 You will indemnify us against all claims and loss of any kind whatsoever, however caused, or arising and without limiting the generality of the foregoing of this clause, whether caused or arising as a result of our negligence or otherwise, brought by any person in connection with any matter, act, omission, or error by us, our agents or our employees in connection with the Services rendered.
6.3 These Terms of Engagement are governed by the laws of the State of New South Wales, Australia, and any dispute arising under them will be subject to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New South Wales. Any dispute will in the first instance be referred to mediation for resolution. In the event that resolution by mediation is not achieved to the satisfaction of both parties within 30 days of referral to mediation, either party may then take legal action to resolve the dispute. Nothing in this clause prevents us from taking legal action to enforce payment of any debt due, nor where required to seek interlocutory or injunctive relief.
6.5 Nothing in these terms is intended to exclude, restrict or modify any consumer guarantee, right or remedy conferred on you by the Australian Consumer Law (Schedule 2 to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)) where such exclusion would be void or unlawful.
6.4 If any provision of these terms is invalid, void or illegal or unenforceable the validity existence, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not be affected, prejudiced or impaired. Failure by us to enforce any of these terms will not be deemed to be a waiver of any of our rights or obligations under these terms.
7.1 You will let us know if any of these terms are unclear or you would like to alter the terms in any way. If your request is reasonable we will redraft them to ensure you are happy.
8.1 We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist with research, analysis, and drafting in the delivery of our services.
8.2 All AI-assisted work is reviewed and approved by qualified professionals before being provided to you.
8.3 We have disabled all model training settings on our AI platforms. Your information is not used to train or improve AI models.
8.4 AI tools may process data on servers located outside Australia.
8.5 Our use of AI tools does not alter the confidentiality obligations in clause 1.3 of these terms.
