AU2021205138A1

AU2021205138A1 - System and method of arranging engagement between consultants and consumers and facilitating transactions

Info

Publication number: AU2021205138A1
Application number: AU2021205138A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Angela GRIFFITHS
Original assignee: Tax Core Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Tax Core Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2020-01-08
Filing date: 2021-01-08
Publication date: 2022-06-30
Also published as: WO2021138722A1

Abstract

An on-line system for consumers to engage consultants, including databases containing details of consultants available to engage, a matching module to receive details regarding a consumer's requirements and conduct a matching process with respect to the databases to determine a suitable consultant for the consumer's requirements, a communication module operable to transmit identification details to a consumer regarding the consultant located by the matching module, the identification details including a hyper-link to each consultant identified by the matching module, receive a selection from a consumer regarding the consultant they prefer to engage, establish a direct communication facility between the consumer and consultant, the direct communication facility operable to process messages between the consumer and selected consultants, process documents shared between the consumer and consultant, and process outstanding obligations and deadlines associated with each obligation, and a payment module to receive funds from consumers and direct selected funds to the consultant.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ARRANGING ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN CONSULTANTS AND CONSUMERS AND FACILITATING

TRANSACTIONS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the on-line engagement between consultants and consumers requiring the services of a consultant. More particularly, the present invention provides a system and method enabling consumers to engage consultants according to the skills and experience of the consultant as compared with the requirements of the consumer and to subsequently facilitate transactions therebetween.

[0002] The present invention is particularly useful in relation to consumers seeking the services of a consultant to assist the consumer with the preparation and submission of documents to a statutory or regulatory authority.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Increasingly, consumers seek goods and services by use of the data communications network known as the internet. The wide coverage of this data communications network enables consumers to seek goods and services from entities whom they would otherwise have no knowledge without the facility of the internet and the World Wide Web.

[0004] In particular, whilst ordering goods from another entity by use of the internet has been known for many years, consumers increasingly seek services from entities by use of the same data communications network which enables them to locate service providers outside the traditional geographic area in which they would alternately seek the assistance of a service provider.

[0005] Traditionally, consumers have been restricted regarding their chosen service providers to those whom are located within a reasonably close geographical location such that the consumer may visit the service provider to engage with that service provider and obtain the service required. However, in more recent times, consumers are becoming increasingly comfortable engaging service providers located a substantial geographic distance from the consumer and subsequently rely upon communication facilities such as electronic mail, video conferencing and telephone calls to facilitate communications between themselves and the service provider.

[0006] For example, a consumer seeking a professional service provider may conduct a search for a provider with the skills and expertise required and will generally locate that service provider by conducting a search of web pages to identify their preferred choice of provider. Subsequently, the consumer will generally communicate with the service provider through their electronic mail address and/or telephone calls to engage the service provider and obtain the services required.

[0007] Flowever, whilst the advent of a wide coverage data communications network provides consumers with greater choice regarding service providers, the facilities available for engaging and communication/transacting with service providers generally increases the complexity of the engagement and complicates the transactions between the consumer and the service provider.

[0008] In this regard, when communications between a consumer and a service provider are effected predominantly by electronic mail messaging, consumers can find the task becomes complicated since they generally use their email address for a range of purposes and the correspondence between themselves and their service provider becomes mixed with general correspondence. Further, when the consumer and consultant are preparing documents for submission to a statutory or regulatory authority, the transaction task can become more complicated since it is important that the consumer and consultant are consistently reviewing and discussing the same document irrespective of the number of revisions.

[0009] Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method for arranging engagement between service providers and consumers which addresses, or at least ameliorates, the problems currently experienced by consumers when seeking to obtain the services of a service provider located outside the immediate geographic location of the consumer. There is also a need for a system and method to facilitate transactions between consumers and their chosen service provider that addresses, or at least ameliorates, the problems currently experienced by consumers and service providers in this regard. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In one aspect, the present invention provides an on-line system for consumers to engage consultants, the system including: one or more databases containing previously received details of consultants available for consumers to engage; a consultant matching module operable to receive details regarding a consumer’s requirements and conduct a matching process with respect to the one or more databases to determine the most appropriate consultant, or consultants, for the consumers requirements; a communication module operable to: transmit identification details to a consumer regarding the consultant, or consultants, located by the matching module, the identification details including a hyper-link to each consultant identified by the matching module; receive a selection from a consumer regarding the consultant they prefer to engage; establish a direct communication facility between the consumer and selected consultant, the direct communication facility operable to receive, store and transmit messages between the consumer and selected consultants; receive, store, and transmit documents shared between the consumer and consultant; and receive, store and transmit a listing of outstanding obligations and any deadline associated with each obligation; and a payment module operable to receive funds from consumers and direct selected funds to settle financial obligations of the consumer.

[0011] In one embodiment of the invention, the consultant is a taxation consultant and the consumer seeks assistance regarding the preparation and submission of taxation documents to their relevant statutory and/or regulatory authority. In other embodiments, the consultant may have expertise in relation to litigation or the preparation of legal documents generally and the consumer may seek the services of such a consultant for the preparation and submission of court documents. In yet another embodiment, the consultant may have expertise in relation to building construction and/or renovation and the services required by a consumer may include the preparation and submission of documents to a local government authority for the purpose of obtaining relevant approval regarding a proposed building construction and/or renovation.

[0012] In an embodiment in which the consultant engaged by a consumer is a taxation consultant, the details provided by the taxation consultant to the one or more databases includes the skills, experience and hourly rate of the taxation consultant and any other details in relation to the experience of the taxation consultant with respect to preparation and submission of taxation documents. In this regard, it is expected that the system would record information provided by taxation consultants regarding the complexity of the taxation matters which they have previously undertaken for clients. Further, in this embodiment, the consultant matching module may receive details regarding a consumer’s requirements with respect to their taxation matters including the existence of all entities for which taxation advice is required including the type of entity for which the consumer requires taxation advice and the operations of the entity such that a taxation consultant may consider the complexity of the taxation advice required.

[0013] In one embodiment, the consultant matching module receives details regarding a consumer’s requirements and conducts a matching process with respect to the details of the taxation consultants stored in the one or more databases. In an embodiment, the consumer is provided with a listing of consultants representing the most appropriate match with their requirements, ordered from most appropriate to least appropriate in the listing presented to the consumer.

[0014] In another embodiment, the matching module is operable to receive plain language text entries from a consumer regarding the characteristics of the consultant whom they would prefer to engage and with the consultant matching module applying natural language processing techniques to determine the intent of the consumer regarding the preferred characteristics and/or qualities of the consultant as an inherent part of the matching process with respect to matching a consumer with the most appropriate consultant, or consultants. Similarly, in this embodiment, the details received from consultants who are available for consumers to engage may include plain language text responses to queries such that the matching module may use those plain language responses provided by consultants for matching in addition to attributes that are more easily quantifiable, such as years of experience, hourly rate, etc. [0015] In an embodiment, consultants and users register with the on-line system and record their details for billing purposes.

[0016] In an embodiment in which the consultant is a taxation consultant and the consumer requires taxation advice, the on-line system facilitates submission of documents including taxation returns to the consumer’s local taxation office. In a preferred embodiment, the on-line system facilitates document access in relation to previously filed documents at the statutory and/or regulatory authority such that consumers may independently verify the submission of documents and the submission date of same. In this regard, the system and method of the present invention provides consumers with significant confidence that statutory and/or regulatory obligations have been met by providing them with a convenient mechanism by which to access documents filed or stored at the statutory and/or regulatory authority such that they may inspect the contents of same.

[0017] In an embodiment, the communication module, in addition to receiving, storing and transmitting a listing of outstanding obligations and any deadline associated with each obligation, is operable to enable consultants to provide consumers with checklists identifying tasks in respect of which the consultant requires the consumer to complete and provide relevant input to the consultant to enable the consultant to provide the advice required.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, consultants are provided with a standard checklist that may be customised and provided to individual consumers according to the requirements for that particular consumer. Further, consumers may access the customised checklist and identify when they have completed the task. As a result, the checklist forms a document by which both the consumer and the consultant may communicate regarding the status of the tasks requiring completion by the consumer and/or consultant. In another embodiment, the checklist includes deadlines by which time the consumer and/or consultant should complete a specific task and automated notifications are generated and transmitted by the communication module to the consumer and/or consultant regarding the tasks that remain outstanding for which there is an approaching, or expired, deadline.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, both the consultant and the consumer are provided with automated notifications that apply to either the consumer and/or the consultant such that the consumer may receive notifications regarding tasks that are yet to be completed by the consultant when the task has an approaching, or expired, deadline.

[0020] In an embodiment, consumers are provided with a facility to automatically feed documents to their selected consultant and in this regard, the on-line system may receive documents provided by the consumer and automatically characterise and classify the documents prior to bringing those documents to the attention of the consultant.

[0021] In another embodiment, the on-line system provides a facility for documents to be submitted electronically in the form of images. In this embodiment, consumers may obtain an invoice or receipt and capture an image of that document and automatically upload that document to the on-line system for receipt and processing. Consistent with the objective of reducing the task required of consumers with respect to obtaining and uploading information relevant to a taxation return, in a preferred embodiment, the on line system includes a logbook document that is automatically completed as a result of receiving data provided by the consumer’s vehicle to which a GPS (Global Positioning System) location device is fitted wherein the GPS location device is operable to provide geographic location details to a transmitting device which transmits data regarding the location of the vehicle via mobile phone communication channels to the on-line system for entry into the consumer’s vehicle logbook. The details automatically uploaded from a consumer’s vehicle to the on-line system logbook may include GPS location at the commencement of a journey and completion of a journey, time and date of the journey.

[0022] In the instance of the consultant providing taxation advice, and the consumer seeking advice with respect to the preparation and submission of taxation documents to their local taxation office, the on-line system may conduct a comparison of the consumer’s documents submitted to the taxation office with benchmarking data provided by their local taxation office such that consumers may receive notifications and/or suggestions regarding their submissions. In this regard, taxation offices generally provide benchmark data such that entities submitting taxation documents may receive a notification and/or suggestion in the event their submission significantly differs from benchmark data expected by the taxation office. In some instances, this enables consumers and/or entities submitting taxation documents to identify errors in their submissions prior to the taxation document undergoing assessment by the taxation office. In a preferred embodiment, any notification and/or suggestion issued by the local taxation office is provided to both the consultant and the consumer who has retained the consultant to provide taxation advice. [0023] In a preferred embodiment, the on-line system enables consumers to engage multiple consultants who may coordinate for the purpose of providing the services required by a consumer. For example, a consumer may require the services of a bookkeeper and a taxation consultant and may engage both types of consultant who may work as a team with respect to providing the services required by the consumer. In this embodiment, the multiple agents engaged by the consumer receive the same information and/or notifications regarding task completion requirements according to a checklist and notifications and/or suggestions from a local statutory/regulatory authority regarding the submission of documents for and on behalf of the consumer.

[0024] Whilst the present invention provides numerous benefits with respect to the engagement between consultants and consumers, in an embodiment of the invention, the on-line system provides additional benefits to consultants with respect to the management of their workload. In this regard, whilst the on-line system may include checklists with details regarding outstanding tasks and the deadlines applicable to same, the on-line system effectively contains information that may provide consultants with an indication of their likely workload requirements in the future. Accordingly, in an embodiment, the on-line system includes a workflow management module enabling consultants to determine their future workload according to action checklists that are recorded in the system and in respect of which the consultant is required to perform work within various deadlines.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the on-line system includes interfaces enabling the receipt of data from existing bookkeeping software systems such that the account data from a business may be uploaded directly to the on-line system for analysis by the consultant. Further, the on-line system preferably includes a facility enabling consumers and/or consultants to execute documents electronically such that an entire document preparation and submission process may be completed electronically and without requiring any paper documents.

[0026] In one particular embodiment, the on-line system provides an indication for consumers regarding their financial obligations and the dates applicable to same with respect to payments required by a statutory and/or regulatory authority. In the example of a taxation submission to a taxation office, the on-line system provides details that are accessible by the consumer with respect to the obligations recorded by the tax office with respect to payments and the deadlines associated with same. [0027] In one form of the invention, the on-line system is accessible by consumers and/or consultants by use of mobile and/or fixed computing devices such as smartphones, tablets, computer devices and/or desktop computing devices. The on-line system preferably provides support for video and audio conferencing such that consumers and consultants may arrange and attend video and/or audio conferences to discuss any aspect of the advice that consumers require from a consultant.

[0028] In another aspect, the present invention provides a computer-implemented method for consumers to engage consultants on-line, the method including: transmitting, by a communications module, identification details to a consumer regarding a consultant, or consultants, located by a matching module operable to receive details regarding the consumer’s requirements and conduct a matching process with respect to one or more databases containing previously received data of consultants available for consumers to engage, the identification details including a hyper-link to each consultant identified by the matching module; receiving, by the communication module, a selection from a consumer regarding the consultant they prefer to engage; establishing, by the communication module, a direct communication facility between the consumer and selected consultant, the direct communication facility operable to receive, store and transmit messages between the consumer and selected consultants; receiving, storing, and transmitting, by the communication module, documents shared between the consumer and consultant; receiving, storing and transmitting, by the communication module, a listing of outstanding obligations and any deadline associated with each obligation; and receiving, by a payment module, funds from consumers and directing, by the payment module, selected funds to settle financial obligations of the consumer.

[0029] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions, the instructions including: one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: transmit, by a communications module, identification details to a consumer regarding a consultant, or consultants, located by a matching module operable to receive details regarding the consumer’s requirements and conduct a matching process with respect to one or more databases containing previously received data of consultants available for consumers to engage, the identification details including a hyper-link to each consultant identified by the matching module; receive, by the communication module, a selection from a consumer regarding the consultant they prefer to engage; establish, by the communication module, a direct communication facility between the consumer and selected consultant, the direct communication facility operable to receive, store and transmit messages between the consumer and selected consultants; receive, store, and transmit, by the communication module, documents shared between the consumer and consultant; receive, store and transmit, by the communication module, a listing of outstanding obligations and any deadline associated with each obligation; and receive, by a payment module, funds from consumers and direct, by the payment module, selected funds to settle financial obligations of the consumer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary on-line system for consumers to engage consultants.

[0031] Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary central server that forms part of the system illustrated in segment 200 in Figure 1 .

[0032] Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram depicted in segments 200 and 300 of Figure 1 that involve the central server of Figures 1 and 2 and illustrating an exemplary interaction and data exchange between the central server and the business systems associated with a statutory or regulatory authority.

[0033] Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a process depicted in segments 400 and 200 of Figure 1 that enables a user to download and install an application, and login or register and create a new user account for interacting with the system illustrated in Figure 1 .

[0034] Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a consumer depicted in segments 500 and 200 of Figure 1 where the consumer interacts with the system illustrated in Figure 1 .

[0035] Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a process depicted in segments 600 and 800 of Figure 1 that enables both the consumer of Figure 5 and a consultant, or consultants, to interact using the system illustrated in Figure 1 .

[0036] Figure 7 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a process depicted in segments 700 and 200 in Figure 1 that enables the user to view and action outstanding obligations including providing information, documentation and payment to the consultant.

[0037] Figure 8 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a process depicted in segments 800 and 200 in Figure 1 that enables the consultant, or consultants, to perform actions including viewing outstanding obligations of the user, editing profile information, uploading new tasks that need to be actioned, and engaging with the user via messaging. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION

[0038] The present invention relates to a system and method of arranging engagement between consultants (210) and consumers (150) and facilitating transactions therebetween. According to an aspect, the system and method involves one or more computer processors configured to receive details (35) regarding the requirements of a consumer (150) and conducting a matching process with respect to one or more databases (40) containing previously received data regarding consultants available for consumers (150) to engage. Identification of a consultant, or consultants (210), involves matching the consumer requirements with the consultant data according to matching rules such as a threshold level of similarity. Once the consultant(s) (210) are located, the identification details (230) regarding the consultant(s) (210), are transmitted to the consumer (150), and the details include a hyper-link to the consultant(s) identified.

[0039] According to the same aspect, the system and method further involves selection, by the consumer (150), regarding the consultant (210) they prefer to engage, and establishing a direct communication facility (240) between the consumer (150) and the selected consultant (210) operable to receive, store and transmit messages (61) between the consumer (150) and the selected consultant(s) (210). The system and method further enables the receiving, storing, and transmitting of documents (63) shared between the consumer (150) and consultant (210), the receiving, storing and transmitting of a listing (252) of outstanding obligations and any deadline associated with each obligation, the receipt (258) of funds from consumers (150) and the directing of selected funds to settle financial obligations of the consumer (150).

[0040] With reference to Figure 1 , which provides an overview of the system and method of the present invention, it will be appreciated by skilled readers how the system and method enables engagement and facilitates transactions between consultants (210) and consumers (150). An electronic gateway enables users (150) to locate and communicate with consultants (210) (e.g. tax agents) who can subsequently assist the users to complete forms and documents that require submission to another entity, such as a statutory or regulatory authority (e.g. taxation department) in order to fulfil their obligations (e.g. tax obligations). It is to be understood that whilst the present invention is particularly useful in relation to consumers seeking the services of a tax consultant to assist the consumer with the preparation and submission of documents to the taxation office, the present invention is not intended to be limited to tax-related applications and could be equally useful to consumers seeking the services of other consultants. However, for the purpose of demonstrating a practical application of the present invention, various embodiments described herein relate to interactions between consumers seeking to meet their obligations to their local taxation department with the assistance of a tax consultant.

[0041] Figure 1 is separated into segments which are further expanded in the subsequent Figures 2 to 8. In Figure 1 , segment 200 shows a central server (20) with which an application (170) operating on a user device (160) with which data is exchanged (or interfaced) with the tax consultant (210) and/or the taxation department (130), which is expanded in Figure 2. Segment 300 of Figure 1 shows the interaction and data exchange between the central server (20) and business systems (e.g. servers) (140) associated with the taxation department (130), which is expanded in Figure 3. Segment 400 shows a user (150) downloading and installing the application (170) and logging into the application (190), which is expanded in Figure 4. Segment 500 of Figure 1 shows the user (150) entering their taxation requirements and subsequently receiving a list (230) of tax consultants that match their requirements, which is expanded in Figure 5. Segment 600, which is expanded in Figure 6, shows the user (150) and tax consultant (210) engaging in on-line messaging with one another to discuss the user’s tax affairs and preparation of statements and submissions and any additional obligations applicable to the user (150). Segment 700, which is expanded in Figure 7, shows various functions available to the user (150) when accessing the application (170), and finally segment 800, which is expanded in Figure 8, shows the various functions available to the tax consultant (210) whilst operating the application (170) on their device (160).

[0042] As mentioned above, Figure 2 shows in further detail segment 200 from Figure 1. In particular, Figure 2 shows the server component (200) which includes the infrastructure (10) on which the solution of the present invention operates, whereby the infrastructure (10) may be local or cloud-based. The central server (20) may include one or more computer applications that provide functions as described in the paragraphs that follow.

[0043] For example, the central server (20) may include one or more computer applications and/or databases that provide a register (30) of user accounts (i.e., accounts associated with each registered consumer (150)). Users can register with the on-line system, as described in greater detail below, and record their requirements (35) regarding the consultant services (e.g. taxation services), and assistance they require. The user (150) may enter their taxation requirements, such as the complexity of their taxation affairs and the assistance they require, which data may be used to match the user (150) with an appropriate tax consultant (210) (as also explained in greater detail below).

[0044] The central server (20) may further include one or more computer applications and/or databases that provide a register (40) of tax consultants (210) who have registered to use the application (170). Consultants (210) (e.g. tax consultants), can register with the on-line system in a similar manner as users (150) and may provide details (45) such as, for example, a list of their skills, experience, and hourly rate for providing services (e.g. taxation advice services), as well as the type of work they will undertake. In the embodiment described this data is used to match the user with appropriate tax consultants (210).

[0045] The central server (20) may also include a consultant matching engine (50) that utilises appropriate algorithms that match a user (150) with appropriate tax consultants (210) based on the user’s taxation requirements (35) and the tax consultant’s details (45) including their profile, skills and experience. Rules may be utilised to provide matching thresholds, e.g. rules which define a minimum threshold that needs to be satisfied in order to confirm a match between the user’s requirements (35) and the tax consultant’s details (45).

[0046] The central server (20) may further include one or more computer applications and/or databases that enable the recording of an engagement (60) between a user (150) and a taxation consultant (210) who will assist the user in meeting the obligations owe have to the taxation department, which recordal may occur after a user (150) has selected a taxation consultant (210) from a listing, as described in greater detail below.

[0047] The central server (20) may further provide one or more of the following functions:

• messages (61 ) between a user (150) and a consultant (210);

• tasks (62), i.e., tasks that need to be actioned by the user (150) or taxation consultant (210), including for example a request for the user (150) to provide documents and/or information (63) required by the consultant (210); • documents and information (63), i.e. , upload/download and storage of documents and/or information provided by the user (150) to assist in the preparation of a submission to an authority (e.g., taxation office);

• submissions (64), i.e., forms and/or documents uploaded/downloaded on behalf of the user (150), e.g. to the user (150) for their approval, or to the consultant (219) for review, or to the relevant authority (e.g., taxation department (130));

• authority information (65), e.g. taxation department information including details and information provided by the taxation department (130) to assist the user (150) in meeting their obligations. This may include upcoming and/or overdue obligations, correspondence and taxation client account balances (e.g., current debts and/or refunds); and

• payments (66) - details of payments made through the application (170) from and/or to the user (150), the taxation consultant (210) and the taxation department (130).

[0048] Also shown as part of the central server (20) in Figure 2 is additional functionality in the form of a tax department interface (70). The interface (70) provides functionality to securely exchange information between the central server (20) and the taxation department (130), including but not limited to the following:

• obligations interface (71) to enable the exchange of information relating to upcoming and overdue obligations of users (150);

• correspondence interface (72) enabling the exchange of information in the form of correspondence such as letters and notices from the taxation department (130) to users (150);

• benchmarking interface (73) to enable the exchange of benchmarking information to assist with the preparation of submissions (64) to the taxation department (130);

• submission interface (74) to enable the electronic submission of forms and documents prepared by the taxation consultant(s) (210) on behalf of the users (150); and • payments (75) to enable secure payments to the taxation department (130) by users (150) and/or consultants (210) to settle outstanding payments to the taxation department (130).

[0049] The skilled person will appreciate that consultants such as tax consultants (210) operate standardised practice management software (270) as part of performing services on behalf of clients. The central server (20) may further include a practice management interface (80) to provide for the secure exchange of information (81) between the central server (20) and the consultant’s practice management software (270). In this regard, information and/or submissions (81) may be downloaded and uploaded between the central server (20) and the practice management software (270), and such download/upload may occur by manual and/or automatic data synchronisation.

[0050] Figure 2 also shows various communications to and from the server (20), including payments (90) to the consultants (210) for their services, communication (100) between the application (170) and the server (20) (e.g., communications (100) to and from a user’s device (160) or any other browser application upon which the application (170) is operating) wherein such communications may occur via the internet or similar network, communications (110) between the practice management software (270) and the central server (20) which provides for a secure data exchange, and communications (120) between the business systems (140) associated with the taxation department (130) and the central server (20), again by secure data exchange.

[0051] Figure 3 depicts in greater detail segment 300 of Figure 1 . In particular, Figure 3 shows an example of the interaction and data exchange possible between the central server (20) and the business systems (140) of the taxation department (130). The user (150) has obligations to the taxation or revenue department, such as submitting annual returns or regular statements. Figure 3 shows, by way of example, how the various interfaces described above, including obligations interface (71), correspondence interface (72), benchmarking interface (73), submission interface (74), and the payments interface (75), may be used to exchange data with the taxation department (130). This may include, for example, receiving information regarding forthcoming and overdue user obligations, correspondence, notices, and data that provides benchmarking to assist with the preparation of tax returns. The interface may also allow for the submission of returns and the payment of tax debts or the receipt of tax refunds. [0052] As mentioned previously, the business systems (140) associated with the taxation department (130) may include computer servers, but may also include any additional computing components used and maintained by the department to conduct their business.

[0053] Figure 4 shows in greater detail segment 400 of Figure 1 and illustrates, by way of example, how a user (150) may download and install the application (170) from an Application store. A user (150) may create an account on the application (170), and the account may capture information sufficient to enable the user (150) to be correctly identified. The process of installing the application (170) is indicated by arrow (180), and interface (190) shows an example interface enabling a user to login using their login details or to register as a new user. The registration process will create a new user account within the application (170) and as part of this process, users will typically need to provide credentials such as name, address and date of birth. The user may also be requested to pay a fee or agree to a subscription to use the application (170). As mentioned previously, consultants (210) may also access the application (170) and be required to register and login according to a similar process. Further, users may be assigned different levels of subscription, such as basic, professional, etc., with different functions available to users based upon their subscription type.

[0054] Figure 5 shows in greater detail segment 500 of Figure 1 and in particular, an exemplary process illustrating the user (150) entering their taxation requirements (35) and subsequently receiving a list (230) of tax consultants that match their requirements. Shown in Figure 5 is an exemplary interface (220) which allows a user (150) to define their requirements (35), such as the complexity of their taxation affairs and the assistance they require. Such data may be used, including in combination with other data, to match the user (150) with appropriate tax consultants (210). Also shown in Figure 5 is an example interface (230) which displays to the user a list of matched consultants (210A, 210B, 210C) that match their requirements (35). This interface (230) may enable users (150) to further filter and/or sort the list, if required, to assist the user to select a suitable consultant. Each consultant listing may further include a hyper-link (not shown) which, if selected, may cause a particular consultant’s contact details to be displayed and may also provide details sufficient to enable the user to contact the consultant (210) in the event the user (150) decides to engage the consultant to assist with their taxation affairs. [0055] The user (150) may subsequently engage the taxation consultant (210) to assist them to meet their obligations to their taxation department (130), and the consultant may be paid by the user for their services using the application (170). The user (150) and consultant (210) may also engage in on-line messaging to enable discussion regarding the user’s tax affairs and preparation of statements and submissions. In this regard, Figure 6, which shows segment 600 of Figure 1 in greater detail, illustrates an exemplary interface (240) in which the user (150) and tax consultant (210) can message (61) each other to discuss the user’s tax affairs and preparation of statements and submissions, including transmission of documents requiring completion by the user (150) and receipt of documents prepared by users (150) for the consultant’s (210) review. Figure 6 illustrates how the same interface (240) may be viewable on a user’s (150) device (160) as well as on the consultant’s (210) device (160), where, if both are logged in at the same time the user (150) and consultant (210) may engage in a real-time chat.

[0056] Figure 7 shows in greater detail segment 700 of Figure 1 and, in particular, the various functions available to the user (150) using application (170). The application (170) may provide a range of functions for the user (150) to interact with the consultant (210), including providing the user with the ability to review information required by the consultant (210), to provide information to the consultant (210), to review and approve submissions to the taxation department (130), and to make payments to the consultant (210) or directly to the taxation department (130). Figure 7 shows an example interface (250) which displays a collection of functions available to the user (150) for selection, which may include the abovementioned functions. The list of functions may be limited by the user’s subscription type (e.g., basic, professional, etc.), by the type of engagement (60) entered into with the tax consultant (210), or for other reasons.

[0057] The interface (252) in Figure 7 is an example interface presented to the user (150) based upon selection of a particular function using interface (250) that causes the application (170) to list tasks (62) that need to be actioned and/or completed by either the user (150) or the consultant (210). An example of a task that needs to be actioned/completed by the user is a request for the user (150) to provide information (63) required by the consultant (210). Such obligations yet to be fulfilled may be accompanied by deadlines, and the deadlines may be based upon the requirements of the particular consultant, e.g. based on workload of the consultant (210), or the particular authority, e.g., tax return deadline imposed by the taxation office. [0058] The consultant (210) may require additional information including documents to be uploaded (63), and interface (254) of Figure 7 is an exemplary interface that enables the user (150) to provide such documents and information (63) to the tax consultant (210). Once a draft submission (64) has been prepared by the consultant (210), the same can be presented to the user (150) for review and approval, and interface (256) of Figure 7 is an exemplary interface that provides this functionality. For example, the draft submission (64) may include forms and documents that have been prepared by the tax consultant (210) on behalf of the user (150) for their approval prior to submission to the taxation department (130). Such an interface may also provide the user (150) with access to previously submitted documents, including previous submissions to the relevant statutory or regulatory authority, e.g. tax returns previously submitted by the consultant(s), and correspondence to/from the taxation department (130).

[0059] Payments may be required from the user (150) to the taxation consultant (210) and/or directly to the taxation department (130), and the user (150) may also be entitled to refunds and hence the system may be configured to enable transfer of funds in both directions. An exemplary interface (258) that enables the user (150) to make payments (66) is illustrated in Figure 7. Typically, such payments would be made by credit card and in this regard, the interface allows the user (150) to enter their credit card details, but other electronic payment options may be presented.

[0060] In the same way that the user is provided various functions through the application (170), the consultant (210) may also have access to various functionality using application (170). Figure 8 shows in greater detail segment 800 of Figure 1 and, in particular, various tax consultant functions. For example, the application (170) may provide a range of functionality for tax consultants (210) to maintain their profile (skills and experience) to attract new clients, then once engaged by the client, to interact with them. Such functionality may include the ability to message the client (as previously described), request information from the client, view documents and information provided by the client, and upload forms and documents for approval and submission to the relevant authority, e.g. taxation department. As also mentioned previously, the application (170) may integrate with standardized practice management software used by the consultant(s) (210), which will allow the consultant(s) (210) to prepare necessary documentation using software that is already known to them. For example, tax consultants may prepare returns and statements using their own practice management software, and may subsequently upload the returns and statements directly onto the server (20) using application (170) for approval by the user (150) and submission to the taxation department.

[0061] Figure 8 illustrates an example of a practice management system (270), i.e. software or computer systems used by a consulting practice (260) for whom the consultant (210) works, where the consulting practice (260) could be a sole practice or a larger organisation. The practice management system (270) enables the consultant (210) to manage their clients, maintain records, and prepare submissions as previously described.

[0062] Examples of functionality provided to a consultant (210) through use of the application (170) are shown in Figure 8 in the various interfaces (282, 284, 286, 288, 290 and 240) shown. Interface (282) enables the consultant (210) to maintain their profile (45) including uploading and editing details relating to skills, experience and the type of work they will undertake. Such data will be used to match the user (150) with the appropriate consultant (210) as previously described.

[0063] Interface (284) shows a list of tasks (62) that need to be actioned by the user (150) or the consultant (210). Examples may include a request for the user (150) to provide information (63) required by the consultant (210), or the task may include a request for the consultant (210) to review certain information or documentation uploaded by the user (150). Interface (286) is an example interface that enables the consultant (210) to manage the clients (150) who have engaged (60) the consultant (210). For example, a listing of all engaged clients may be presented to the consultant (210) and may include functionality that enables the consultant (210) to sort through and filter the clients in order to facilitate location of a particular client amongst all listed clients, and for ease of access to particular client records. Such an interface may also enable the consultant (210) to access communication facility (240) which enables the consultant (210) to message the user (150), including to engage in a real-time chat with the user (150).

[0064] Interface (288) is an example interface that allows the consultant (210) to review and download information and documents provided by the user (150), and interface (290) is another example interface that allows the consultant (210) to provide submissions (64) such as forms and documents for the user to review and approve, for subsequent submission to the taxation department (130).

[0065] The user and consultant devices (160) could be a tablet computer, a smartphone, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, or another type of computing device. The user/consultant device (160) may include a display that provides an interface for the user to input and/or view information. For example, a user could interact with the device using a program run on a laptop computer, such as a text-based chat program, a voice-based communication program, and/or a video-based communication program. Alternatively, in some cases, the user/consultant device (160) could be a telephone (e.g., a landline, cell phone, etc.).

[0066] The central server (20) may be a single computer, the partial computing resources of a single computer, a plurality of computers communicating with one another, or a network of remote servers (e.g., cloud). The one or more servers can house local databases and/or communicate with one or more external databases.

[0067] The user and consultant devices (160) may communicate with the server (20) over a network. In some embodiments, the network may be a wide segment network ("WAN"), e.g., the Internet. In other embodiments, the network may be a local segment network ("LAN"). For example, in a remote location far from a metropolitan segment, the Internet may not be available. In yet other embodiments, the network may be a combination of a WAN and a LAN. In embodiments where the user/consultant device (160) is a phone (e.g., a landline or a cell phone), the communication may pass through a telecommunications network and/or a wide segment network.

[0068] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant field of technology that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as detailed in the embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive.

[0069] Throughout this specification and claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated feature or step, or group of features or steps, but not the exclusion of any other feature or step or group of features or steps.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1 . An on-line system for consumers to engage consultants, the system including: one or more databases containing previously received details of consultants available for consumers to engage; a consultant matching module operable to receive details regarding a consumer’s requirements and conduct a matching process with respect to the one or more databases to determine the most appropriate consultant, or consultants, for the consumers requirements; a communication module operable to: transmit identification details to a consumer regarding the consultant, or consultants, located by the matching module, the identification details including a hyper-link to each consultant identified by the matching module; receive a selection from a consumer regarding the consultant they prefer to engage; establish a direct communication facility between the consumer and selected consultant, the direct communication facility operable to receive, store and transmit messages between the consumer and selected consultants; receive, store, and transmit documents shared between the consumer and consultant; and receive, store and transmit a listing of outstanding obligations and any deadline associated with each obligation; and a payment module operable to receive funds from consumers and direct selected funds to settle financial obligations of the consumer.

2. An on-line system according to claim 1 wherein the matching module is operable to receive details regarding a consumers requirements in a textual format and apply natural language processing (NLP) techniques to the details received to determine key words from words in the received text that represent key words for matching a consumer with a consultant.

3. An on-line system according to either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the communication module includes a calendar utility enabling the recordal of deadlines associated with any obligation relevant to a task for which the consumer has sought the assistance of a consultant and graphically represents the calendar to the consumer such that the consumer receives a graphical representation of a calendar of deadlines associated with the obligations pertaining to the consumer.

4. An on-line system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the communication module includes a checklist utility identifying any outstanding obligations pertaining to the consumer, the deadline associated with the achievement of any outstanding obligations and further, identifying any sub-tasks for which completion is required to complete the obligation pertaining to the consumer, the checklist utility further identifying deadlines agreed between the consumer and the consultant regarding the completion of any sub-tasks and/or tasks.

5. An on-line system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the communication module monitors any deadlines associated with outstanding obligations pertaining to the consumer and issues advance notifications to the consumer and/or consultant regarding the forthcoming deadline, the notifications receivable by the consumer and/or consultant within the direct communication facility between the consumer and consultant as maintained by the communication module.

6. An on-line system according to claim 5 wherein the notifications are transmitted to the consumer and/or consultant and receivable by the consumer and/or consultant external to the direct communication facility established between the consumer and the consultant as managed by the communication module.

7. An on-line system according to claim 4 or either of claims 5 or 6 when dependent upon claim 4, wherein the checklist utility is customisable such that the consumer and/or consultant are enabled by the checklist utility to customise the checklist with tasks and sub-tasks with associated deadlines mutually agreed between the consumer and the consultant.

8. An on-line system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the communication module is operable to receive and store documents provided by a consumer where the documents are tagged to be automatically uploaded to the communication module by the consumer.

9. An on-line system according to claim 8 wherein the tagging of documents to automatically upload same to the communication module includes identifying a source of documents and configuring any document issuing from the source identified by the consumer as tagged for automatic upload to the communication module thereby communicating the documents automatically from the consumer to the consultant.

10. An on-line system according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein a draft submission prepared by a consultant for submission to a statutory or regulatory entity to satisfy a consumers obligation is compared with benchmark data of the statutory and/or regulatory entity thereby causing the generation of a report regarding the comparison of the submission with the benchmark data that alerts the consumer and/or consultant to any significant discrepancies between the prepared draft submission and the benchmark data published by the statutory and/or regulatory entity, the report stored in the direct communication facility for review by the consumer and/or consultant.

11. An on-line system according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the system further includes a workflow management module enabling consultants to obtain a report of all of the instances of communication modules established for individual consumers, the report including at least a listing of the deadlines applicable to all consumers across the instances of communication modules identified in the report thereby enabling the consultant to determine resourcing requirements to achieve all of the necessary tasks that enable consumers to timely achieve their obligations.

12. A computer-implemented method for consumers to engage consultants on-line, the method including: transmitting, by a communications module, identification details to a consumer regarding a consultant, or consultants, located by a matching module operable to receive details regarding the consumer’s requirements and conduct a matching process with respect to one or more databases containing previously received data of consultants available for consumers to engage, the identification details including a hyper-link to each consultant identified by the matching module; receiving, by the communication module, a selection from a consumer regarding the consultant they prefer to engage; establishing, by the communication module, a direct communication facility between the consumer and selected consultant, the direct communication facility operable to receive, store and transmit messages between the consumer and selected consultants; receiving, storing, and transmitting, by the communication module, documents shared between the consumer and consultant; receiving, storing and transmitting, by the communication module, a listing of outstanding obligations and any deadline associated with each obligation; and receiving, by a payment module, funds from consumers and directing, by the payment module, selected funds to settle financial obligations of the consumer.

13. A computer-implemented method according to claim 12 wherein the matching module operable to receive details regarding the consumers requirements receives those requirements in a textual format and applies natural language processing (NLP) techniques to the received test to determine key words from the text representing key words for matching a consumer with a consultant.

14. A computer-implemented method according to either claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the communication module includes a calendar utility enabling the recordal of deadlines associated with any obligation relevant to a task which the consumer has sought the assistance of a consultant with the contents of the calendar graphically represented to the consumer such that the consumer receives a graphical image of a calendar including deadlines associated with obligations pertaining to the consumer.

15. A computer-implemented method according to any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein the communication module includes a checklist utility enabling a consultant and/or consumer to record any outstanding obligations pertaining to the consumer, and record a deadline associated with the achievement of any outstanding obligations and further, enabling the identification of any sub-tasks which completion is required to complete the obligation pertaining to the consumer, the checklist utility further enabling the consumer and/or consultant to identify deadlines agreed between the consumer and consultant regarding the completion of any sub-tasks and/or tasks.

16. A computer-implemented method according to any of claims 12 to 15 wherein the communication module is operable to monitor deadlines associated with outstanding obligations that pertaining to the consumer and wherein the consumer and/or consultant receives advanced notifications issued by the communication module regarding forthcoming deadlines.

17. A computer-implemented method according to claim 16 wherein notifications are transmitted to the consumer and/or consultant and receivable by the consumer and/or consultant external to the direct communication facility established between the consumer and the consultant as managed by the communication module.

18. A computer-implemented method according to any one of claims 12 to 17 wherein the checklist utility enables the consumer and/or consultant to customise the checklist with tasks and sub-tasks and recording deadlines mutually agreed between the consumer and the consultant in respect of any tasks and/or sub-tasks included in a checklist.

19. A computer-implemented method according to any one of claims 12 to 18 wherein the communication module is operable to receive and store tagged documents provided by a consumer where the consumer tags documents for automatic uploading to the communication module.

20. A computer-implemented method according to claim 19 wherein the tagging of documents for automatic uploading to the communication module includes the consumer identifying a source of documents and configuring any document issuing from that source to be automatically tagged for automatic uploading to the communication module thereby communicating documents automatically from the consumer to the consultant.

21. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions, the instructions including: one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: transmit, by a communications module, identification details to a consumer regarding a consultant, or consultants, located by a matching module operable to receive details regarding the consumer’s requirements and conduct a matching process with respect to one or more databases containing previously received data of consultants available for consumers to engage, the identification details including a hyper-link to each consultant identified by the matching module; receive, by the communication module, a selection from a consumer regarding the consultant they prefer to engage; establish, by the communication module, a direct communication facility between the consumer and selected consultant, the direct communication facility operable to receive, store and transmit messages between the consumer and selected consultants; receive, store, and transmit, by the communication module, documents shared between the consumer and consultant; receive, store and transmit, by the communication module, a listing of outstanding obligations and any deadline associated with each obligation; and receive, by a payment module, funds from consumers and direct, by the payment module, selected funds to settle financial obligations of the consumer.

22. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 21 wherein the one or more instructions when executed by one or more processors further cause the one or more processors to operate the matching module to receive details regarding a consumers requirements in a textual format and apply natural language processing (NLP) techniques to the details received to determine key words from the received text representing key words for matching a consumer with a consultant.

23. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to either claim 21 or claim

22 wherein the one or more instructions, that, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to operate a calendar utility enabling the recordal of deadlines associated with any obligation relevant to a task in respect of which the consumer has sought the assistance of a consultant and further causing graphical representation of the calendar such that the consumer re-receives a graphical image of a calendar of deadlines associated with obligations pertaining to the consumer.

24. A non-transitory computer-readable medium according to any one of claims 21 to

23 wherein the one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processes, further cause the one or more processes to search and collate any outstanding obligations pertaining to a consumer and identify, in a checklist utility, the deadline associated with any outstanding obligations and further, identify sub-tasks for which completion is required to achieve the obligation pertaining to the consumer, the one or more instructions, when executed by the one or more processes, further causing the checklist utility to identify deadlines agreed between the consumer and the consultant regarding the completion of any sub-tasks and/or tasks.