Running a farm is one of the most demanding businesses in Australia. As a farm accountant in South Australia, we understand that whether you’re managing grain crops, running livestock, or diversifying into aquaculture, you face challenges that most business owners never encounter. You’re dealing with unpredictable weather, fluctuating commodity prices, complex tax obligations, and the constant pressure to maintain cash flow during lean seasons. On top of that, you’re worried about protecting the wealth you’ve built and ensuring your farm can be passed on to the next generation without being eroded by tax.
You didn’t get into farming to become an expert in tax law or financial planning. You got into it because you love the land, the work, and the independence. But the reality is that without proper financial guidance, you could be paying far more tax than necessary, missing out on valuable concessions, or making decisions that put your assets at risk.
We understand the unique pressures facing farmers and primary producers across South Australia. At Eyre Accounting Services, we specialise in agribusiness. We’re a combination of CPA Accountant, Business & Financial Advisor, and SMSF Specialist, and we’ve spent extensive time helping farmers save tax, smooth cash flow, increase profits, and build wealth.
We know that farming isn’t a nine-to-five job. It’s a lifestyle, a legacy, and often a multi-generational commitment. That’s why we’ve dedicated ourselves to understanding the specific challenges of primary producer accounting. We are familiar with income averaging, Farm Management Deposits, primary producer tax concessions, and succession planning for family farms. We’ve worked with grain growers, livestock producers, and diversified operations.
When you work with us as your accountant for farmers, you’re getting a trusted advisor who understands your industry and is committed to helping you keep more of what you earn. Our farm bookkeeping services extend beyond basic compliance to strategic financial management.
Getting started with Eyre Accounting Services is straightforward. We’ve designed a simple process to
make sure you get the expert advice you need without unnecessary complexity.
Reach out to us by phone, email, or through our website. Let us know about your farming operation and we’ll arrange a time to talk that suits your schedule.
We’ll invite you to our office for a comprehensive consultation. We’ll review your financial situation, identify opportunities to save tax, and discuss strategies to improve cash flow and protect your wealth.
Once we’ve developed a tailored plan for your farm, we’ll work with you to implement it. This might include restructuring your business, setting up Farm Management Deposits, optimising your tax position, or creating a succession plan. We’ll handle the paperwork and liaise with the ATO so you can focus on running your farm.
The Eyre Peninsula is one of South Australia’s most diverse agricultural regions, and we’re proud to serve farmers and primary producers across this unique landscape. Each area has its own characteristics, industries, and challenges, and we’ve developed deep expertise in the specific needs of farmers in Port Lincoln, Cummins, Tumby Bay, and Cowell.
Port Lincoln is one of Australia’s major seafood centres, known for tuna farming and aquaculture, and is also a major hub for grain exports. Many local primary producers diversify across land and sea industries, combining cropping or livestock with fishing or aquaculture.. This creates unique accounting challenges, including managing quota systems, aquaculture licensing, export compliance, and multiple income streams from tourism ventures. If you need an accountant in Port Lincoln, we’re here to help with both your farming and aquaculture needs.
Cummins is a key agricultural hub on the Lower Eyre Peninsula, which in strong seasons, can contribute a substantial share of South Australia’s wheat harvest. As a central service town for grain growers, Cummins is home to multi-generational farming families. We work with grain growers to manage seasonal cash flow, plan for capital investments, and navigate succession planning. The area’s focus on cereal crops and oilseeds means clients often deal with significant harvest income followed by leaner periods. Our grain grower tax advice is specifically tailored to the rhythms of cropping operations.
Tumby Bay combines coastal influences with traditional grain and sheep farming. The district produces high-quality Merino wool, with many farmers running mixed operations. Our clients benefit from our expertise in livestock bookkeeping, income management, and strategies for dealing with variable seasonal conditions. We help farmers plan for income fluctuations and take advantage of primary producer tax concessions.
Cowell represents a fascinating evolution in primary production, where traditional agriculture has been complemented by a thriving oyster farming industry. Many farmers have diversified into aquaculture, creating operations that span both land and water. This transition requires specialised accounting advice for restructuring businesses and managing the different regulatory and tax frameworks that apply to aquaculture versus traditional farming.
Across all these locations, we see common threads: the need for sophisticated cash flow management, succession planning for multi-generational farms, and the value of having an agribusiness accountant who truly understands farming life. Whether you’re in Port Lincoln, Cummins, Tumby Bay, Cowell, or anywhere else on the Eyre Peninsula, we’re here to help.
Our specialist farm accountant services work hand-in-hand with our bookkeeping and small business accounting expertise. We also offer cloud accounting solutions for real-time financial insights.
The difference between working with a specialist farm accountant and trying to manage your finances on your own—or with a generalist accountant—can be substantial.
Success: When you have the right financial guidance, you keep more money in your pocket. You’re not paying more tax than you need to. You’re taking full advantage of primary producer concessions, income averaging, and Farm Management Deposits. Your cash flow is managed strategically, so you’re not scrambling during lean periods. Your business structure is optimised to protect your assets and minimise tax. You have a clear succession plan that ensures your farm can be passed on to the next generation without being decimated by tax or family disputes. You have peace of mind knowing your wealth is protected and your farm’s future is secure.
Failure: Without proper guidance, you could be leaving substantial amounts on the table in unnecessary tax. You might miss out on concessions you’re entitled to, or make costly mistakes in how you structure your business. Poor cash flow management can lead to stress, missed opportunities, or even financial hardship during tough seasons. Without a proper succession plan, your life’s work could be eroded by tax or torn apart by family conflict. The stakes are high—your farm, your legacy, and your family’s future are all on the line.
Don’t let another year go by paying more tax than you need to or worrying about your farm’s financial future. Contact Eyre Accounting Services today and discover how specialist farm accounting can help you save tax, improve cash flow, and protect your wealth. We’re here to help farmers across the Eyre Peninsula build stronger, more profitable operations and secure their legacy for the next generation.
A farm accountant is a financial professional who understands the unique challenges of managing agricultural businesses. They apply standard accounting principles while focusing on issues specific to farming, such as seasonal income, asset depreciation, and equipment amortization. A farm accountant also manages day-to-day bookkeeping and ensures all financial records are accurate and up to date. You need a farm accountant because farming often involves financial complexities—such as seasonal income, commodity price fluctuations, succession planning, and asset protection—that benefit from sector-specific expertise. A specialist can help you save tax, improve cash flow, and plan for the future in ways a generalist simply can’t.
Primary producers in South Australia have access to several valuable tax concessions. Income averaging allows you to smooth out your tax obligations over multiple years, which is crucial when your income fluctuates due to seasonal conditions or commodity prices. Farm Management Deposits let you set aside pre-tax income in good years and draw it down in lean years, providing both tax benefits and cash flow management. There are also concessions for capital gains tax, accelerated depreciation for certain farm assets, and specific deductions for things like water infrastructure and land care. A specialist farm accountant can help you identify and maximise all the concessions you’re entitled to.
Cash flow management is one of the biggest challenges for farmers, especially when you’re dealing with seasonal income and ongoing expenses. Strategies include using Farm Management Deposits to set aside funds in good years, negotiating payment terms with suppliers, planning capital purchases strategically, and ensuring you’re claiming all available tax deductions to reduce your tax burden. It’s also important to have accurate forecasting so you can anticipate lean periods and plan accordingly. A good farm accountant will work with you to develop a cash flow strategy tailored to your operation’s specific rhythms and challenges.
The best business structure depends on your specific circumstances, but common options include sole trader, partnership, family trust, or company. Each has different tax implications, asset protection benefits, and succession planning advantages. For example, a family trust might provide flexibility in distributing income and can be useful for succession planning, while a company structure might offer better asset protection. Some farming operations use combinations of entities (e.g., trusts and companies) to address tax efficiency and asset protection, depending on advice and circumstances. It’s beneficial to get specialist advice because the wrong structure can cost you significantly in tax and put your assets at risk.
Succession planning is critical for family farms, but it’s often put off because it’s complex and emotionally challenging. The key is to start early and get professional advice. You’ll need to consider tax implications, business structures, family dynamics, and legal issues. Strategies might include gradually transferring ownership, using trusts, taking advantage of small business CGT concessions, and ensuring your will and estate plan are properly structured. The goal is to ensure the farm can continue operating while minimising tax and avoiding family conflict. A specialist farm accountant working with your solicitor can help you develop a comprehensive succession plan that protects your legacy.
