First, what NOT to do:
Don’t let them tell you how it’s going to work (they understand bookkeeping, not your trade business).
Don’t let them batch process your stuff because it’s convenient for them.
Don’t let them set it up the ‘traditional’ way (rather than the trade-specific way).
What you SHOULD be doing:
Accurate & timely information in your accounting system – data entered (correctly) & reconciled every week.
Your Chart of Accounts (your accounting system) set up so it reflects a trade or building business
Wages of techs/tradespeople/field operatives as costs of sale (like in your quotes)
Wages of admin people under overhead expenses
Materials, rubbish removal, home warranty insurance, estimating, referral fees, and equipment hire as costs of sale (anything that you quote for).
Your systems set up to use automation for the data entry (Dext & Hubdoc, for example + an email address for invoices to be sent to), including checking by someone who understands.
A system for reviewing what goes into your accounts (approval) and for deciding which bills get paid when (+ bulk payments).
A system for invoicing (preferably from your Job Management System).
A system for payroll (a simple one!).
A system for your tradies to get the info into the accounts when they buy materials (It can be done).
A way to track which job purchases are for.
I know that sounds like a lot, but it’s quite easy to set up.
Breaking BAS can help!
I’ve made a guide that spells it out in a bit more detail—grab it if you want it.