Using business money and assets for personal use or benefit?
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) regularly publishes focus areas for small businesses. One of the top areas where the ATO regularly sees errors is where a private company shareholder uses business money and assets for personal use or benefit, which can lead to Division 7A issues. What is Division 7A? Division 7A is an anti-avoidance […]
Fringe Benefits Tax: Here is what you need to know as a Small Business
As the FBT year ends on 31 March, now is a timely reminder for business owners to pause and check whether any fringe benefits have been provided to employees during the year — even unintentionally. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has flagged that FBT, particularly motor vehicle use, remains a key focus area this year, […]
Successor Directors: A simple step to protect business continuity
For many long‑standing business owners, the business has been built over years, often decades, of hands‑on involvement. Decisions are made quickly, relationships are personal, and much of the knowledge that keeps things running smoothly sits with a small number of key people. Because of this, planning for succession – particularly appointing a successor director – […]
Protecting you and your business: taking out insurance
We all hope that our pathway along the business journey will be smooth and uncomplicated. But the reality is that accidents can happen, along with unplanned injuries, damaging weather events and legal suits from disgruntled clients. So, what can you do to protect your business from these potential negative consequences? The answer is to take […]
How to find government grants and support
Bringing capital into your business gives you the funding to bring your strategic and growth plans to life. But finding that funding isn’t always plain-sailing. One important way to boost your capital is to search for government grants and loans. The Federal Government’s grant finder tool currently lists 537 different grants and programs for businesses. And […]
How can we support your business profitability?
Turning a profit will be high on your list of goals as a business owner. And if you want to generate the best margins, that means keeping an eye on the money that’s going out of the business, as well as what’s coming in. So, how can your accountant help with this? The days where […]
Interest rates go up: how could this affect your finances?
On 3 February 2026, the Reserve Bank of Australia announced an increase in the cash target rate. This announcement takes the cash rate from 3.6% up to 3.85%. With inflation on the rise, greater capacity pressure and the labour market position looking tight, the RBA felt that action was needed to nip these economic trends […]
10 predictions for small businesses in 2026 (and what to do about them)
2026 will reward small businesses that run lean, protect their customers, and adopt practical tech. Here are ten predictions – and simple steps – you can take to set your business up for a stronger, safer year. 1) AI moves from buzzword to everyday helper AI will be embedded in the tools you already use […]
Holiday cashflow for your small business
Are you heading away for a break from the business this year? This time of year can be hard on small business. Your expenses continue and your cashflow can suffer when your debtors go on holiday. Leading up to the holiday period, is your business cash flow in good health to carry you through? With […]
ATO gets serious on penalties: Why this is a wake up call
The ATO has recently signaled it’s taking a much firmer stance on compliance—no more leniency, fewer remissions, and tougher consequences for what it deems non-compliance. A well-publicised case involving a $9,000 penalty for a dormant business reinforces this message loud and clear to small-business owners and tax professionals alike. The Case in Point: Dormant Doesn’t […]