In 2022, a fire tore through Renee Roumanos’ home office. Renee lost everything: client files, original documents, as well as her own notebooks that formed the backbone of her small business Renee Roumanos Legal.

“All my files were turned into ash, and that was one of the biggest challenges that I’ve had to go through,” Renee says.

But four years later, Renee has turned that setback into a small business success story. She has moved her work into a dedicated office, rebuilt her Sydney home and now employs a team of 10 in her legal practice, which focuses on estate planning, conveyancing and family law. Unsurprisingly, she has also adopted strong office procedures and protocols around digital storage.

“I really learned the hard lesson of [the importance of] relying on the cloud and technology and not paper,” she says.

Originals are now placed in a fireproof safe within fireproof envelopes, and “everything that comes into the office must be scanned”. “It’s all about good systems, and good systems make good lawyering.”

SEE ALSO: Can I Claim It? Your Tax Return Questions, Answered

‍Renee’s Small Business Tax Tips: Getting Organised for EOFY

Renee sitting with two colleagues around a meeting table in a modern office, taking notes with an open laptop and pastel folders.

1. Start Early

Good systems are vital when preparing for EOFY. Renee doesn’t wait until June to get her tax files in order, but starts making notes throughout the year. “Everyone should have an ongoing notepad that lists the things that you need to do or buy,” she says. “You don’t want to wait until the end of the financial year to figure out what you need.”

A person flipping through documents in a pink ring binder on a meeting table, with a laptop, pen and a teal folder nearby.

2. Use Officeworks for Business for Faster Turnaround

As an Officeworks for Business customer, Renee uses the account to order products online and typically have them delivered within 24 hours^ . “As a growing business, it’s not just about us giving legal advice – it’s also about being able to streamline things so we can focus on the clients,” she says. Plus, at tax time, Renee can access her purchases in the one account tab, which means no more collating multiple receipts

3. Reset and Assess the Office

The end of the financial year is also a great time to look around and assess your space: what is working and what isn’t? What office supplies do you need more or less of? “Organisation isn’t about being glamorous; it’s about being powerful and knowing we’ve got all the things we need,” she says. “I’m very big on having more than enough of everything that I need. I like to over-order.”

‍SEE ALSO: Stylists’ Guide to Transform Your Home Office

‍4. Look for Five-Minute Miracles and Time-Savers

Renee is a big fan of looking for what she calls “five-minute miracles”: devices or hacks that save small businesses hours of laborious work at EOFY. Enter her digital notebook, which has replaced her volumes of notepads. “It’s got all I need organised in separate notebooks, but contained in the one device,” she says.

‍Renee’s Favourite Office Products

Renee leaning against a table with chairs in a kitchen within a modern office setting.

Tech to Get It Done

A series of images showing an assortment of small business tech devices on different coloured backgrounds. Products include a HP laptop, an ergonomic keyboard and a wireless lapel mic.

“I need a device that has a very fast processor, because slow systems slow us down,” says Renee. “When you operate a business and you move quickly, you need to be able to have a laptop that can manage what you're trying to do. It’s easy for people not to realise the difference between an 8GB RAM or a 16GB RAM computer, but I think it’s important to take the time to understand what you need and then go buy the product.”

Renee also uses a separate ergonomic keyboard and a webcam and microphone for court matters. “As technology is becoming more advanced, a lot of court matters are now doing virtual hearings. At the moment, I'm just using my laptop’s webcam, but I am planning on buying a fancy webcam that makes me shine and that has fancy features. In a virtual world, clarity is credibility.”

‍What to Try

‍Office Essentials

A series of images showing an assortment of small business stationery supplies on different coloured backgrounds. Products include sticky notes, permanent markers and binders.

Renee and her team keep the office running by bulk ordering stationery and organisation items for a streamlined approach to doing business.

What to Try

Tea Room Favourites

A series of images showing an assortment of small business catering supplies and snacks on different coloured backgrounds. Products include tea bags, almond milk, coffee beans and biscuits.

‍Renee often buys office kitchen essentials such as long-life milk, tea, coffee, biscuits and snacks from Officeworks because of the ease and fast delivery, plus it seamlessly fits in with her regular office supplies order. Officeworks for Business customers can also receive a 5%* discount on thousands of business essentials, including items to restock their kitchens.

“I am all about creating efficiencies wherever possible and using the systems available for that purpose. This allows me to spend more time being a lawyer and less time worrying about whether I have skim milk in the pantry.”

What to Try

‍SEE ALSO: Your Laptop Questions, Answered

It’s free to sign up for Officeworks for Business – all you need is an ABN. You’ll save 5%* on thousands of business essentials, get access to exclusive deals and unlock tailored support for your team. 

This is general information only and does not constitute taxation or legal advice. Other requirements under the tax law apply. Seek professional tax and/or legal advice.
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*Available to Officeworks for Business customers with a valid ABN only. Excludes account holders with negotiated pricing.

^Same day print. Available in metro areas except for SA, ACT and NT. Fees and exclusions apply.