For some Sunshine Coast business owners, the idea of working with a virtual accounting office can raise immediate concerns.
Will the service feel impersonal? Who do you call when something goes wrong? And can someone who isn’t physically down the road really understand the pressures of running a local business?
According to David Gava, co-founder of Omnia Business Solutions, those objections quickly disappear once clients experience how the firm operates.
Through regular video meetings, phone access, cloud-based systems and scheduled visits to the Coast, Omnia partners closely with small to medium-sized businesses, providing hands-on support that goes far beyond compliance.
Founded in 2013 by David and his wife Rachel Gava, Omnia was built with a clear objective: to reshape what an accountant does for businesses.
Drawing on Ms Gava’s lifelong experience running small businesses and Mr Gava’s background as a senior corporate executive, the couple set out to move beyond the traditional end-of-year tax model and instead deliver proactive, value-added advisory services.
Omnia’s virtual office on the Sunshine Coast opened three years ago and complements a national and international client base spanning Australia, Singapore, China, Italy and the UK.
Mr Gava says technology made physical distance largely irrelevant, with cloud accounting platforms enabling real-time collaboration. For clients who prefer face-to-face contact, the Gavas regularly travel to the Coast to meet in person.
The firm provides a full suite of services including bookkeeping, payroll, compliance and tax. As a platinum partner of Xero, MYOB and QuickBooks, Omnia specialises in cloud accounting and integrated software systems, ensuring clients have accurate, up-to-date financial information at its fingertips.
However, it is Omnia’s advisory focus that sets it apart. Both Mr and Ms Gava are qualified accountants, and their work often centres on identifying inefficiencies, improving systems and helping owners make informed strategic decisions.
On the Sunshine Coast, two pain points consistently rise to the surface: time poverty and compliance pressure.
“Eighty per cent of the challenges we see come down to those two issues,” Mr Gava said.
“Many small business owners start out doing everything themselves. They manage client relationships, oversee staff, deliver services and then, after hours, attempt to reconcile accounts, run payroll or lodge BAS statements. The bookkeeping gets pushed to evenings and weekends, often when energy levels are already depleted. They’re forced to firstly choosing between working on the business or working in it and in many times forgoing family time to try and keep compliant.
“And too often, the admin wins because it’s urgent – even though it doesn’t generate revenue.”
The second major pressure point is compliance. Falling behind on superannuation, BAS lodgements or tax obligations can result in ATO penalties and mounting stress.
By taking ownership of bookkeeping, payroll and compliance obligations, Omnia frees business owners to concentrate on growth, customer service and profitability. At the same time, its proactive approach means issues are identified early, before they escalate.
Being proactive is more than a buzzword. It means regular check-ins, reviewing financial data in real time, suggesting process improvements and ensuring clients understand their numbers.
“We don’t want to be the accountant you hear from once a year,” Mr Gava said.
That partnership mindset is reinforced by lived experience. Ms Gava has spent years running small businesses herself, while Mr Gava brings senior corporate leadership expertise. Together, they combine technical accounting knowledge with practical insight.
Much of Omnia’s growth has come organically through referrals – something Mr Gava sees as proof that the relationship-driven approach resonates.
The firm is also keen to strengthen its presence within the Sunshine Coast community, particularly among not-for-profit organisations, which often face even greater compliance demands despite limited resources.
“Not-for-profits are tight on funds, but their compliance obligations don’t go away,” Mr Gava said.
“If there are charities or community groups on the Coast that need help, we’d love to hear from them. We’re passionate about helping great causes where we can, because supporting the community is just as important as supporting business growth.”
For more information, visit Omnia Business Solutions.
