Stephen Bates

Stephen Bates is a locally owned firm of Certified Practising Accountants operated by Stephen Bates in Bendigo since 1993. The team consists of Stephen, two university-qualified full-time accountants, and two administrative staff. The firm has over 40 years of experience. It is a CPA Australia Registered Tax Agent and NTAA Member.

The firm assists with the administration of Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSF) and has experience with capital gains, GST, FBT, BAS forms, Work Cover, and Single Touch Payroll (STP). It works with financial planners, lawyers, and bookkeepers. The firm offers friendly service to individuals and small business clients, assisting with a wide range of taxation and accountancy needs covering individuals, sole traders, partnerships, trusts, and companies.

Stephen Bates Accountants in Bendigo has built its reputation on annual tax return preparation, with feedback consistently highlighting the approachability and knowledge of the staff who handle the work. Stephen, named across multiple comments, is praised for his helpful manner and the ease with which he deals with tax matters, a task clients describe as something they generally dislike but find straightforward here. Several customers describe a welcoming experience from the first point of contact, and the friendliness of the team is a point that comes up often.

Heather also draws regular mention, with reviewers noting that they have passed her details on to friends and family who now have their own returns completed through the practice. Long-standing relationships are a recurring theme, with some clients reporting that they have relied on the same accountant for years, while the consistency of service across different staff members indicates a practice where client comfort and technical competence go hand in hand. The ability to make a routine but unwelcome obligation feel manageable, supported by clear communication and a personable approach, is what reviewers return to most frequently in their accounts of dealing with the firm.