Australian businesses at $5 million revenue face a critical inflection point in financial management. Basic bookkeeping no longer provides sufficient oversight, but full finance teams may exceed actual needs and budgets. Understanding the true cost of adequate finance support at this scale enables informed decisions balancing capability requirements against cost constraints.
Finance support for $5 million revenue Australian businesses costs $12,000 to $20,000 annually for basic bookkeeper plus tax accountant, $35,000 to $65,000 annually for comprehensive outsourced finance services, $90,000 to $115,000 annually for in-house bookkeeper plus outsourced CFO support, or $145,000 to $210,000 annually for in-house finance manager. The optimal choice depends on business complexity, growth trajectory, and whether strategic financial guidance is required beyond compliance.
This guide analyzes finance support options specifically for $5 million revenue businesses, breaking down costs and capabilities at each level to inform decision-making.
Businesses at $5 million revenue typically have 15 to 40 employees, process 400 to 1,000 transactions monthly, operate through company structures often with trusts, manage moderate complexity including payroll, inventory, or multi-location operations, and require monthly management reporting beyond basic compliance.
Specific finance needs include daily transaction processing and bank reconciliation, weekly or bi-weekly payroll for 15 to 40 employees, monthly BAS preparation and lodgement, monthly profit and loss and balance sheet statements, quarterly or annual budget planning and variance analysis, cash flow management and forecasting, annual tax return preparation and tax planning, and strategic financial input on growth decisions, pricing, and major investments.
At this scale, businesses have outgrown basic bookkeeping but may not yet justify full finance managers or controllers. The challenge is securing adequate capability without excessive cost.
Melbourne Technology Company at $5.2 million revenue with 28 employees requires daily Xero transaction processing, bi-weekly payroll, monthly management reporting, quarterly investor updates, annual budgeting, and ongoing cash flow visibility. Their previous bookkeeper-only arrangement at $14,400 annually provided compliance but insufficient strategic support, while hiring a $145,000 finance manager exceeded their current needs.
This entry-level model combines monthly bookkeeping services with annual tax compliance, suitable for simple $5 million businesses without complex reporting or strategic requirements.
Monthly bookkeeping services for $5 million revenue businesses cost $1,000 to $1,600 monthly or $12,000 to $19,200 annually, covering transaction processing, bank reconciliation, accounts payable and receivable, payroll processing, monthly BAS preparation, and basic profit and loss reporting. Annual tax accountant fees cost $4,000 to $7,000 for company tax return preparation, tax planning advice, and coordination with bookkeeper.
Total annual cost is $16,000 to $26,200, representing 0.3 to 0.5 percent of revenue, the most affordable option for $5 million businesses.
Brisbane Wholesale Business at $4.8 million revenue pays bookkeeper $1,250 monthly totalling $15,000 annually for transaction processing, payroll for 18 staff, and monthly BAS, plus tax accountant $5,200 annually for company tax return and planning. Total $20,200 annual finance cost provides solid compliance but limited strategic capability.
Bookkeeper services typically include daily or weekly transaction processing in Xero, weekly bank reconciliation, accounts payable processing and payment runs, accounts receivable monitoring and collection support, bi-weekly or monthly payroll processing, monthly BAS preparation and lodgement through registered BAS agent, monthly profit and loss statement, and email support for day-to-day finance queries.
Tax accountant services include annual company tax return preparation, dividend and distribution planning, basic tax minimization strategies, and coordination with bookkeeper on annual accounts.
This model typically lacks monthly variance analysis and performance commentary, strategic financial planning and forecasting, cash flow forecasting and working capital management, detailed budgeting and scenario planning, growth initiative financial modeling, CFO-level strategic input on business decisions, and management reporting beyond basic profit and loss statements.
Businesses choosing this model must either develop these capabilities internally through owner time or accept operating without strategic financial guidance.
Perth Services Business discovers their bookkeeper plus accountant model at $18,600 annually provides reliable compliance but cannot support their planned expansion requiring detailed cash flow forecasts, growth scenario modeling, and strategic financial planning. They either accept this limitation or upgrade to higher-service models.
Integrated finance service providers like Scale Suite combine bookkeeping, management accounting, and CFO advisory in comprehensive packages, delivering broader capability than bookkeeper-only arrangements at lower cost than in-house teams.
Comprehensive outsourced finance services for $5 million revenue businesses cost $2,500 to $5,000 monthly or $30,000 to $60,000 annually depending on complexity and service scope. Basic packages at $2,500 to $3,500 monthly suit simple operations with single locations and straightforward business models. Comprehensive packages at $3,500 to $5,000 monthly suit complex operations with multiple locations, inventory management, or sophisticated reporting requirements.
These services typically include all bookkeeping functions, BAS and tax coordination, monthly management reporting with variance analysis, quarterly budgeting and forecasting, cash flow management, strategic CFO advisory, and daily Slack or email communication providing integrated finance team experience.
Sydney Retail Chain at $5.1 million revenue across 2 stores engages comprehensive finance service at $3,800 monthly or $45,600 annually, receiving daily bookkeeping, multi-location reporting, inventory management oversight, weekly cash position updates, monthly management reporting, quarterly forecasts, and strategic advisory on expansion decisions. This delivers significantly more capability than their previous bookkeeper-accountant model at $19,200 annually while costing less than hiring a finance manager at $145,000 plus.
Comprehensive packages typically include complete transaction processing and Xero management, payroll processing and compliance, monthly BAS preparation and lodgement, monthly management reporting with variance analysis, quarterly budget updates and cash flow forecasts, strategic CFO advisory on growth, pricing, and investment decisions, system optimization and automation recommendations, unlimited email and Slack support, and tax return coordination with external tax advisors or included tax services.
Higher-tier packages may include detailed departmental or product line reporting, weekly management reporting and KPI tracking, sophisticated scenario planning and financial modeling, board presentation preparation, and dedicated CFO relationship for strategic planning.
Comprehensive services cost 80 to 140 percent more than basic bookkeeper-accountant models but deliver 3 to 4 times the capability through integrated teams, senior expertise across multiple disciplines, proactive strategic input, and daily communication. They cost 60 to 75 percent less than in-house finance managers while often providing superior outcomes through broader team expertise.
Adelaide Manufacturing Company at $5.3 million revenue compares options. Basic bookkeeper plus accountant at $21,000 annually provides compliance only. Comprehensive finance service at $48,000 annually adds management reporting, cash flow forecasting, strategic advisory, and daily integration. Finance manager at $173,000 annually provides dedicated resource but single-person capability. They choose comprehensive service, valuing the $125,000 saving versus finance manager while gaining broader team expertise unavailable from single hires.
This hybrid model combines dedicated internal bookkeeper with part-time external CFO providing strategic oversight, suitable for businesses requiring daily bookkeeper access with periodic CFO-level guidance.
In-house bookkeeper salaries for businesses handling $5 million revenue workload are $68,000 to $78,000 annually depending on location. Including 11.5 percent superannuation, leave entitlements at 17.4 percent, recruitment amortized over 4 years, software, and overhead, total employment cost is $88,000 to $105,000 annually.
Fractional CFO services cost $3,000 to $6,000 monthly for 1 to 1.5 days weekly, or $36,000 to $72,000 annually, providing strategic planning, management reporting oversight, cash flow forecasting, and board or investor communication support.
Combined cost is $124,000 to $177,000 annually, positioning between comprehensive outsourced services at $30,000 to $60,000 and full in-house finance managers at $145,000 to $210,000.
Canberra Technology Startup at $4.9 million revenue employs in-house bookkeeper at $72,000 salary costing $97,000 annually all-inclusive for daily transaction processing and payroll, plus engages fractional CFO at $4,500 monthly or $54,000 annually for strategic planning, investor reporting, cash flow forecasting, and growth advisory. Total $151,000 annual cost provides dedicated bookkeeping with CFO expertise.
In-house bookkeeper provides daily transaction processing, immediate responsiveness to queries, deep business knowledge from full-time immersion, team integration and cultural alignment, and overflow capacity for special projects.
Fractional CFO provides strategic financial planning and forecasting, management reporting and variance analysis, cash flow and working capital management, growth scenario modeling and decision support, investor or board communication, and periodic strategic guidance without full-time cost.
This model suits businesses requiring immediate daily bookkeeper access, preferring cultural fit and team integration benefits of employees, needing strategic CFO guidance periodically but not daily, or operating in industries where dedicated bookkeeper knowledge provides competitive advantage.
It costs more than comprehensive outsourced services but less than full finance managers, making sense when employee benefits justify the premium over fully outsourced alternatives.
Hiring a finance manager provides dedicated full-time finance leadership, suitable for complex $5 million businesses or those planning rapid growth requiring constant financial oversight.
Finance manager salaries for $5 million revenue businesses range from $110,000 to $135,000 annually depending on location and experience. Sydney and Melbourne finance managers earn $120,000 to $135,000. Brisbane and Perth earn $110,000 to $125,000. Regional areas earn $100,000 to $115,000.
Including 11.5 percent superannuation, leave entitlements at 17.4 percent, workers compensation at 2 percent, recruitment amortized over 4 years at $6,000 to $9,000 annually, software and technology at $10,000 to $15,000 annually, office space at $6,000 to $12,000 annually, professional development at $3,000 to $6,000 annually, and management overhead at $10,000 to $15,000 annually, total employment cost is $165,000 to $210,000 annually.
This represents 3.3 to 4.2 percent of $5 million revenue, the most expensive option but providing full-time dedicated capability.
Melbourne Services Business at $5.4 million revenue hires finance manager at $128,000 salary costing $189,000 annually all-inclusive. The finance manager oversees their bookkeeper, produces monthly management reports, manages budgeting and forecasting, optimizes working capital, and supports strategic decisions. The company justifies the cost through improved cash management saving $35,000 annually in reduced overdraft usage and better supplier payment timing.
Finance manager employment provides full 40-hour weekly availability, deep business integration and knowledge, team management capability if additional finance staff exist, immediate issue resolution and responsiveness, strategic project capacity beyond routine reporting, and employee loyalty and long-term development.
Finance managers justify their higher cost when business complexity demands full-time oversight including multi-entity consolidation or complex inventory management, rapid growth requires constant financial planning and monitoring, finance manager will manage growing finance teams, or when finance drives competitive advantage through sophisticated pricing, working capital optimization, or margin management.
For many $5 million businesses, this represents over-investment in finance capability, with significant cost savings available through outsourced alternatives delivering equivalent outcomes.
Some $5 million business owners choose to handle finance internally using basic bookkeeping support and their own time for management reporting and planning.
Basic transaction-only bookkeeping costs $600 to $1,000 monthly or $7,200 to $12,000 annually. Owner time for management reporting, budgeting, and financial planning at 5 to 15 hours monthly represents $12,000 to $72,000 annually in opportunity cost at $200 to $400 hourly owner value. Total effective cost is $19,200 to $84,000 annually.
This appears affordable but typically delivers poor outcomes through owner distraction from revenue-generating activities and lack of financial expertise producing suboptimal decisions.
Perth Consulting Firm owner spends 12 hours monthly on financial reporting, budgeting, and planning, worth $48,000 annually at $333 hourly opportunity cost, plus pays bookkeeper $9,600 annually. Total effective cost of $57,600 exceeds comprehensive outsourced service at $42,000 annually while producing lower-quality financial outputs and diverting owner from business development activities generating $200,000 annually.
DIY approaches rarely suit $5 million businesses except when owner has strong financial background and enjoys finance work, business model is extremely simple with minimal complexity, growth plans are limited requiring minimal financial planning, or cash constraints temporarily prevent professional service investment.
Most $5 million businesses benefit from redirecting owner time to revenue generation and strategic leadership while delegating finance to professionals.
Direct comparison illuminates cost-value trade-offs across finance support options.
Basic bookkeeper plus tax accountant at $16,000 to $26,000 annually provides compliance and basic reporting but limited strategic capability, suitable for simple stable businesses not pursuing growth.
Comprehensive outsourced finance services at $30,000 to $60,000 annually provide integrated bookkeeping, management accounting, and CFO advisory, suitable for most $5 million businesses seeking professional financial management at moderate cost.
In-house bookkeeper plus fractional CFO at $124,000 to $177,000 annually combines dedicated bookkeeping with periodic strategic guidance, suitable for businesses valuing employee benefits and requiring immediate bookkeeper access.
In-house finance manager at $165,000 to $210,000 annually provides full-time dedicated leadership, suitable for complex businesses or rapid growth requiring constant oversight.
For typical $5 million businesses with moderate complexity and growth ambitions, comprehensive outsourced services at $30,000 to $60,000 annually deliver optimal cost-value balance, providing strategic capability at 20 to 35 percent of finance manager costs.
Certain industries have unique finance requirements affecting optimal support models at $5 million revenue.
Multi-location retail or hospitality businesses require daily sales reconciliation, inventory management, and location-level reporting. These businesses typically need comprehensive finance services at $3,500 to $5,000 monthly or $42,000 to $60,000 annually providing daily transaction processing, inventory oversight, and multi-location reporting beyond basic bookkeeper-accountant capabilities.
Consulting, legal, or accounting firms require project-based accounting, work-in-progress tracking, and revenue recognition management. These businesses often succeed with in-house bookkeeper plus fractional CFO at $120,000 to $160,000 annually, valuing dedicated bookkeeper for daily project tracking with periodic CFO input on profitability analysis and partner reporting.
Manufacturers require job costing, inventory valuation, and complex cost accounting. These businesses typically need comprehensive finance services at $3,800 to $5,500 monthly or $45,600 to $66,000 annually or in-house finance managers at $165,000 to $195,000 annually depending on production complexity and margin management sophistication required.
Software and technology businesses require subscription metrics, deferred revenue accounting, and investor reporting. These businesses benefit from comprehensive finance services at $3,500 to $5,000 monthly or $42,000 to $60,000 annually providing expertise in SaaS financial management unavailable from generalist bookkeepers, or fractional CFOs at $5,000 to $8,000 monthly when investor board reporting demands senior-level presentation.
$5 million revenue businesses typically spend $30,000 to $60,000 annually for comprehensive finance support, representing 0.6 to 1.2 percent of revenue. Basic bookkeeper plus accountant costs $16,000 to $26,000 annually providing compliance only. In-house finance manager costs $165,000 to $210,000 annually providing dedicated leadership, typically justified only for complex operations or rapid growth. Optimal spending balances capability needs against cost constraints.
$5 million businesses need daily transaction processing and bank reconciliation, bi-weekly or monthly payroll for 15 to 40 employees, monthly BAS and financial statements, management reporting with variance analysis, quarterly budgeting and cash flow forecasting, annual tax planning, and strategic financial input on growth decisions. This exceeds basic bookkeeper capability but may not require full-time finance manager dedication.
Most $5 million revenue businesses do not yet justify finance manager costs of $165,000 to $210,000 annually unless operations are highly complex with multi-entity structures or sophisticated margin management, rapid growth demands constant financial oversight, or finance manager will manage additional team members. Comprehensive outsourced services at $30,000 to $60,000 annually typically deliver better value for standard $5 million businesses.
For most $5 million businesses, comprehensive outsourced finance services at $30,000 to $60,000 annually provide optimal balance, delivering bookkeeping, management accounting, and CFO advisory at 20 to 35 percent of finance manager costs. Simple stable businesses may suffice with bookkeeper plus accountant at $16,000 to $26,000 annually. Complex or rapidly growing businesses may justify finance manager at $165,000 to $210,000 annually.
Basic bookkeepers cost $12,000 to $19,000 annually but provide only compliance and basic reporting without strategic financial guidance, budgeting, forecasting, or management analysis. This suits very simple businesses accepting limited financial sophistication. Most $5 million businesses outgrow bookkeeper-only arrangements, requiring management accounting and strategic input unavailable from transaction processors.
Fractional CFOs for $5 million businesses cost $3,000 to $6,000 monthly or $36,000 to $72,000 annually for 1 to 1.5 days weekly, providing strategic planning, forecasting, and advisory without full-time cost. When combined with in-house bookkeeper at $88,000 to $105,000 annually, total cost is $124,000 to $177,000 annually. Comprehensive finance services including both bookkeeping and CFO functions cost $30,000 to $60,000 annually, delivering better value for most situations.
$5 million businesses typically spend 0.6 to 1.2 percent of revenue on comprehensive finance support, or $30,000 to $60,000 annually. Basic compliance-only services cost 0.3 to 0.5 percent or $16,000 to $26,000 annually. Finance managers cost 3.3 to 4.2 percent or $165,000 to $210,000 annually, justified only for complex businesses or rapid growth. Industry benchmarks suggest 0.8 to 1.5 percent for professional finance capability.
Upgrade from bookkeeper to finance manager or comprehensive services when revenue approaches $5 million and complexity exceeds bookkeeper capability, growth plans require sophisticated forecasting and planning, strategic financial decisions demand CFO-level input, or existing finance arrangements provide inadequate management visibility. Consider comprehensive outsourced services before committing to expensive finance manager hires.
Embedded finance services effectively replace finance managers for most $5 million businesses, providing equivalent or superior scope including bookkeeping, management accounting, and CFO advisory through integrated teams at $30,000 to $60,000 annually, 70 to 85 percent less than finance manager costs. They deliver broader expertise across multiple team members, faster implementation without recruitment delays, and flexibility to scale services with business evolution.
Underinvesting in finance through bookkeeper-only arrangements at $5 million revenue typically results in inadequate management reporting limiting informed decision-making, missed cash flow problems causing preventable overdrafts or missed opportunities, poor budgeting and planning inhibiting growth, compliance risks from inadequate oversight, and owner distraction from revenue generation to handle financial tasks. Adequate finance investment of $30,000 to $60,000 annually typically returns multiples through better decisions, cash optimization, and freed owner capacity.
Scale Suite provides comprehensive finance support optimized for $5 million revenue Australian businesses. Our embedded finance packages starting at $2,000 monthly and deliver integrated bookkeeping, management accounting, and strategic CFO advisory replacing the need for separate bookkeepers, accountants, and fractional CFOs.
Our services for $5 million businesses include complete daily transaction processing and Xero management, bi-weekly or monthly payroll processing for 15 to 40 employees, monthly BAS preparation and lodgement through registered agents, monthly management reporting with variance analysis and commentary, quarterly budget updates and 12-month rolling forecasts, weekly or monthly cash flow monitoring and working capital optimization, strategic CFO advisory on growth, pricing, investment, and financing decisions, system optimization and automation recommendations, and unlimited Slack and email support for daily queries.
We deliver equivalent or superior outcomes to in-house finance managers at $165,000 to $210,000 annually while costing $33,600 to $54,000 annually, saving $111,000 to $156,000 annually. Our integrated team provides broader expertise across bookkeeping, compliance, management accounting, and CFO strategy than single finance manager hires offer.
Businesses at $5 million revenue choose Scale Suite when seeking professional financial management beyond basic bookkeeper-accountant arrangements, requiring strategic guidance without finance manager costs, valuing daily integrated communication through Slack, or planning growth requiring sophisticated financial planning and forecasting support.
For $5 million businesses comparing finance support costs, Scale Suite typically delivers the optimal balance of capability and cost, providing comprehensive professional finance management at moderate investment.
Visit www.scalesuite.com.au/services/finance to explore whether Scale Suite suits your $5 million revenue business requirements.
Scale Suite delivers embedded finance and human resource services for ambitious Australian businesses. Our Sydney-based team integrates with your daily operations through a shared platform, working like part of your internal staff but with senior-level expertise. From complete bookkeeping to strategic CFO insights, we deliver better outcomes than a single hire without the recruitment risk, training time, or full-time salary commitment.
Scale Suite delivers embedded finance and human resource services for ambitious Australian businesses.Our Sydney-based team integrates with your daily operations through a shared platform, working like part of your internal staff but with senior-level expertise. From complete bookkeeping to strategic CFO insights, we deliver better outcomes than a single hire - without the recruitment risk, training time, or full-time salary commitment.
Considering building an internal finance team?
We'll show you exactly what our three-tier model covers, how it compares to internal hires, and what it would cost for your business.
We'll reply within 24 hours to book your free 30-minute call.
No lock-in contracts and 30-day money-back guarantee.
