Running a business in Melbourne can involve plenty of moving parts before bookkeeping even enters the picture.
There are customers to look after, staff to manage, suppliers to pay and deadlines that do not disappear just because the financial admin has fallen behind. For some businesses, bookkeeping remains relatively simple. For others, payroll, BAS, inventory, software integrations and reporting can become difficult to manage as the business grows.
That is where specialist bookkeeping support may become useful.
Two Peas is a Melbourne bookkeeping and cloud accounting consultancy with more than 25 years of experience supporting Australian businesses. Its services extend beyond routine transaction processing to areas including payroll, BAS, software training, data migration, bookkeeping clean-ups and the systems connecting a business to its accounting software.
For Melbourne Talk readers researching bookkeeping services or trying to work out what kind of support their business may need, Two Peas is a business worth knowing about.
What does Two Peas do?
Two Peas provides bookkeeping and related financial systems support for small and medium businesses across Melbourne, Victoria and wider Australia.
Its services include:
- day-to-day bookkeeping
- BAS and IAS support
- payroll
- bookkeeping clean-ups
- cloud accounting support
- software training
- accounting software migrations
- business systems reviews
- inventory and ERP support
- reporting and advisory assistance.
The team works with major accounting platforms including Xero, MYOB and QuickBooks Online, as well as Ostendo ERP and a variety of connected payroll, point-of-sale, inventory and business applications.
This broader systems knowledge may be particularly relevant for businesses where the problem is not simply keeping the books up to date.
Sometimes the accounting platform itself is poorly configured. In other cases, payroll takes too long, reporting is inconsistent, inventory systems do not match what is happening in the business, or different pieces of software are not communicating properly.
Two Peas’ work can include looking at those wider operational issues as part of getting the financial records and processes into better shape.
Two Peas has more than 25 years of bookkeeping history
Two Peas began when two experienced bookkeepers, both named Pam, combined their practices in Malvern.
Over time, the business developed experience in bookkeeping, accounting software and training, including work with small businesses, franchise networks and software platforms such as MYOB.
Today, Two Peas is owned by Anna Eydlish, Director and Senior Bookkeeping Consultant.
Anna has more than 20 years of experience across accounting, auditing and finance. Her background includes cloud accounting, ERP systems, advanced inventory management, manufacturing and job-based businesses. She is a member of ACCA and CPA (ASA) and holds a Master of Accounting from Charles Darwin University.
Two Peas has been under Anna’s ownership since 2020.
The business also shares offices with sister company EWM Accounting, which is led by Anna. According to Two Peas, this structure provides access to collaboration across bookkeeping, accounting, tax and broader commercial support while maintaining a dedicated day-to-day bookkeeping service.
Who might consider Two Peas?
One reason Two Peas may be relevant to Melbourne Talk readers is the range of businesses it supports.
Its clients include businesses across sectors such as:
- building and trades
- retail and e-commerce
- cafés, restaurants and hospitality
- franchises
- medical and dental practices
- legal firms
- engineering and professional services
- manufacturing
- startups
- multi-site businesses
- inventory-heavy operations.
The level of assistance also varies.
Some businesses may only need a few hours of bookkeeping each month. Others may need ongoing payroll, BAS assistance, software training or help cleaning up an existing accounting file.
Two Peas also works with larger or more complicated operations, including businesses with substantial payroll requirements, inventory systems, multiple locations or older processes that no longer suit the way the company operates.
That range can be useful when researching a provider because the bookkeeping needs of a new consultancy can be very different from those of a hospitality group, construction company or multi-site retailer.
When bookkeeping software is not solving the whole problem
Cloud accounting has made many bookkeeping tasks faster.
Bank feeds, automation, payroll software and digital document processing can remove a considerable amount of manual work. However, having accounting software does not necessarily mean a business’s financial processes are working well.
A file can still contain incorrect GST coding. Payroll can still be configured badly. Accounts can remain unreconciled. Reporting can be difficult to interpret. Businesses can also end up paying for several systems that do not integrate effectively.
Two Peas places considerable emphasis on the people and processes behind the software.
Its team works with Xero, MYOB and QuickBooks Online, but can also assist with platforms and applications including Ostendo ERP, Retail Express, Redcat, LEAP, Deputy, TANDA, HR Central, Fathom, Spotlight and Calxa, as well as Shopify-connected workflows and other industry-specific systems.
For a Melbourne business owner, that may be particularly relevant if the question is not simply “Who can do my bookkeeping?” but “Why is our bookkeeping taking so much time in the first place?”
Two Peas may also suit businesses that have fallen behind
Not every business starts looking for a bookkeeper while everything is running smoothly.
Sometimes reconciliations are months behind. BAS deadlines have become stressful. Payroll has become more complicated as the team has grown, or the accountant has discovered problems that need to be corrected before year-end work can continue.
Two Peas undertakes bookkeeping clean-up and catch-up work as well as ongoing support.
The business describes experience dealing with unreconciled accounts, overdue obligations, data migrations and files requiring substantial correction.
One example provided by Two Peas involved a client with four MYOB files that had not been reconciled for almost two years. The work involved three bookkeepers over approximately six months to bring the records back up to date.
That does not mean every bookkeeping problem requires a major project. It does demonstrate that Two Peas works with businesses needing more than simple monthly transaction processing.
Payroll, BAS and ongoing compliance support
Payroll and BAS are two areas where seemingly small mistakes can create larger problems.
Two Peas provides payroll assistance for businesses of different sizes, including experience with large workforces and trade businesses involving awards and site-based variations.
The business also has registered BAS agent capability within its team.
For some businesses, that support may be the main reason for engaging a bookkeeper. An owner may be comfortable managing invoices and basic accounts but want someone experienced to oversee payroll, BAS or reconciliations.
Others may prefer a broader bookkeeping arrangement so that the records remain current and are in better condition when the accountant needs them.
As with any financial or professional service, Melbourne Talk readers should discuss the exact scope of work, responsibilities and current service offering directly with Two Peas before making a decision.
Software training is another part of the service
A business does not always need someone else to take over every bookkeeping task.
Sometimes the better solution is learning to use the existing software properly.
Two Peas provides training for business owners, staff and franchisees using platforms including Xero and MYOB. This can include helping users understand workflows, improve processes and make better use of functions already available within their systems.
The business also has a history of software-focused work and franchise training.
That makes Two Peas potentially relevant for businesses that want a combination of outsourced support and greater internal capability rather than completely handing over their bookkeeping.
Experience with franchises and multi-site businesses
Franchise and multi-site businesses can face bookkeeping issues that do not apply to simpler operations.
Different locations may need consistent charts of accounts. Franchisees may require training. Reporting may need to follow a common structure, while payroll, inventory or point-of-sale systems can introduce additional complexity.
Two Peas has experience working with franchise groups and franchisees, including accounting software onboarding and training.
It also works with inventory-heavy and multi-site businesses.
For Melbourne operators with several locations, a franchise model or more complicated reporting requirements, this may make Two Peas worth including in the research process.
Recognition across bookkeeping and accounting software
Two Peas has accumulated a number of industry and software-related credentials over its history.
These include Xero partner recognition, QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor status, long-standing Ostendo ERP accreditation and LEAP accreditation within the team.
The business also reports receiving MYOB awards and recognition across several years, including MYOB Partner of the Year for 2013–2014 and national and state sales awards between 2009 and 2016.
Two Peas was also recognised as a finalist in Australian accounting industry awards in 2020.
These credentials provide some additional background for readers researching the business, particularly given its focus on accounting software and systems.
As software partnerships, accreditation levels and awards can change over time, readers should check Two Peas’ current website for the latest information.
How does Two Peas work with new clients?
According to Two Peas, the process normally begins with a discovery conversation about the business, its current systems and the type of help required.
If there appears to be a suitable fit, the next stage can involve a more detailed review of the existing accounting file or financial processes.
From there, Two Peas outlines the proposed scope, pricing and terms before moving into setup, clean-up, handover or ongoing bookkeeping work.
Clients are then matched with a suitable bookkeeper, with senior support available when required.
This initial review may be particularly useful for businesses that know something is wrong but are not yet sure whether the answer is more bookkeeping hours, better software, staff training or a broader process change.
Why Two Peas may be worth considering
Melbourne has no shortage of bookkeeping businesses, so it makes sense to compare providers rather than choose one based on a single factor.
Two Peas may be worth considering if you are looking for a Melbourne bookkeeping business with long-term experience, knowledge of several accounting platforms and the ability to work with more complicated payroll or business systems.
Its service range also means it may suit businesses at different stages, from smaller operators needing a few hours of support through to established businesses dealing with payroll, inventory, software migrations or bookkeeping clean-ups.
The right provider will still depend on your business, industry, current systems, budget and the exact work you need completed.
Melbourne Talk recommends treating this information as a starting point. Check twopeas.com.au current services and credentials directly, ask questions relevant to your circumstances and compare suitable providers before deciding who to engage.
