The festive season is fast approaching, and for many Australian businesses, that means a mix of excitement — and chaos. Whether you’re wrapping up projects before the holidays, managing extra staff for the busy season, or planning your team’s Christmas celebration, now’s the time to get your business ready so you can enjoy a smoother end to the year. At T3 Partners, we help businesses across Australia stay organised, compliant, and stress-free during the Christmas period. Here are a few key areas to focus on as the year draws to a close.
Managing Staffing and Rosters
For many industries — especially hospitality, retail, and tourism — the Christmas period means extra demand and longer hours. That often requires additional staff, temporary hires, or changes to rosters. Make sure all employment contracts are up to date and clearly outline hours, rates, and entitlements. If you’re hiring casuals, ensure they’ve completed the correct paperwork before starting. Clear communication around rosters and expectations will help avoid misunderstandings and ensure everyone knows when they’re working — and when they can relax.
Payroll and Public Holiday Entitlements
Payroll can get tricky at this time of year with public holidays, annual leave, bonuses, and different pay rates coming into play. Double-check your payroll system is set up correctly to handle these variations. Pay special attention to:
- Public holiday rates and entitlements — ensure staff working on Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day are paid correctly.
- Leave loading and accruals — make sure any leave taken over the break is processed accurately.
- Payroll cut-off dates — plan ahead to ensure staff are paid before your office or accounts team goes on break.
If payroll is the last thing you want to be worrying about while you’re winding down, this is a great time to outsource it to a professional bookkeeping team (like us!).
Planning Christmas Parties and Client Gifts
Christmas is also a time to show appreciation — both to your team and to your clients. But it’s important to understand the tax and compliance side of festive celebrations. Make sure you are aware of what you can and cannot claim. Keeping clear records of your spending will make it easier for your bookkeeper or accountant to classify expenses correctly at tax time.
Tidying Up Your Books Before the Break
Before you clock off for Christmas, it’s worth giving your accounts a quick check-up. Reconcile your bank accounts, update your accounts payable and receivable, and make sure your BAS and super obligations are up to date. Getting your books in order now means you can start the new year fresh — and avoid any January surprises when it’s time to get back into the swing of things.
Take Time to Reflect and Recharge
Finally, take a moment to celebrate your business achievements and thank your team for their hard work this year. A well-earned break helps everyone come back recharged and ready to tackle the year ahead.
At T3 Partners, we’re here to help businesses stay organised and compliant all year round — including during the busy festive season. From payroll and bookkeeping to BAS and reporting, we make sure the financial side of your business runs smoothly so you can focus on celebrating the wins.
If you’d like help getting your books and payroll ready for Christmas, get in touch with the team today.