Category: Newsletter

The café game is hard. It’s a business with as many hard luck stories as culinary pioneers – but there are things you can do to improve your odds. Opening a café is something people dream about when they’re stuck in their cubicle at work, but often the reality of running a café doesn’t match…
Read more

The world of car finance can be just as tricky as navigating home loans. There is often a multitude of options to compare, especially when it comes to low or no-interest car loans. While they might sound like a fantastic deal, these loans often come with a catch. As the old saying goes, if something’s…
Read more

The Commonwealth Bank has revealed its economic forecasts for 2020, delving into what will move Australia and the world this year. Chief economist Michael Blythe has identified domestic factors that will affect the country’s fortunes including consumer spending, business investment and construction rates. Blythe also says mini-booms – including LNG exports, infrastructure, and a growing…
Read more

Download a copy of our January Newsletter

SMSF trustees hoping to make donations to charitable causes associated with bushfire relief out of their super may run into problems unless they have triggered a condition of release, according to SMSF Alliance. The SMSF administrator’s principal, David Busoli, said in an email update that the issue of funding large-scale donations to bushfire relief charities…
Read more

Small businesses are being urged to keep abreast of some key tax changes coming in 2020, with an accounting body warning they “can have a big impact on the way you run your business”. According to Susan Franks, senior tax advocate at Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), some of the core changes…
Read more

If you were born between 1977 and 1985, you’re officially a member of the microgeneration known as xennials. The term was coined by Sarah Stankorb in a 2014 Good magazine article to describe a group that straddles Gen X, born between 1965 and 1980, and millennials, born between 1981 and 1996, according to the Pew Research Center. Xennials, according to Stankorb and…
Read more

It’s the start of a new year — and there’s never been a better time to get your money sorted. This is the year to get on top of your budget (or start one), clear that debt, sort out your super and maybe even put a deposit down on a home. I’m sure that’s all…
Read more

Whether you want to learn a new skill or build on existing skills and knowledge – ongoing and self-motivated learning has become the need of the hour. “In this new age of disruption, change is almost constant, says Dr Mathew Donald FCPA, a leadership, management and organisational change specialist. “This means that the workers of…
Read more

Retailers aren’t the only ones who want your money this holiday season. Finance expert Noel Whittaker shares some of the sophisticated cyber scams you need to be on the lookout for. Judgingby the emails I am receiving, internet scams and computer attacks are on the increase. In early December I was talking to an 82-year-old…
Read more

ME surveyed 1,000 Australian adults who had travelled overseas in the past 10 years to find out how important travel is to us.  When asked to choose between being well travelled or owning a home, 1 in 3 Australians value travel over home ownership. When drilled down some of the findings are quite surprising: The…
Read more

Finance Friday – Buy Now Pay Later Welcome back to another edition of Finance Friday, this week Mick talks about the buy now pay later scheme. Posted by Accountplan on Thursday, 12 December 2019

Stress can seem like an inevitable consequence of a fast-paced work environment. However, when it reaches chronic levels, it can result in what the World Health Organization (WHO) describes as an “occupational hazard” known as burnout. In its latest International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), the WHO defines burnout as a “syndrome conceptualised as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has…
Read more

A bill proposing to grant a one-off superannuation guarantee amnesty has now been passed by the House of Representatives, as the ATO urges employers not to wait before the measure becomes law. Treasury Laws Amendment (Recovering Unpaid Superannuation) Bill 2019 has now been passed by the lower house without any amendments, and will now be…
Read more

With over $2.1 million paid to scammers impersonating the ATO this year, the Tax Office is warning of yet another spike as tax payments deadlines draw near. The latest ATO scam reports show that 622 taxpayers had paid over $2.1 million to scammers pretending to be from the Tax Office this year alone. That amount…
Read more

Download a copy of our December Newsletter

Understanding the reasons for failure is crucial for real progress, and there has to be a readiness to engage in a process of tests and experiments to eventually reach the goal. In the method they have developed, there is a series of loops – iterations – forming a cyclical process of conceptualising, prototyping, testing and…
Read more

The federal government’s planned Business Growth Fund has received a boost, with the big four banks each committing $100 million the fund to boost long-term funding for SMEs. In addition to the $100 million contributions from ANZ, CBA, NAB and Westpac, HSBC has promised to contribute a further $20 million to the Business Growth Fund. The…
Read more

Theoretically, how much money you need in retirement depends on how long you live. Although there’s no crystal ball for this, we know that improved healthcare and economy mean that people are living longer than their parents’ generation. When budgeting for retirement, try to go for the maximum life expectancy. Men can expect to live…
Read more

With the RBA setting the official cash rate at all-time lows, it’s a good time to work out how this impacts the interest rate on your home loan and whether you are getting a good deal or not. When the interest rate on your home loan fluctuates, it can feel as though you don’t have…
Read more

Property market sentiment has rebounded, with a greater percentage of Australians reporting they are feeling positive towards the current market. That was the standout finding from research conducted by ME Bank in October 2019. Other findings show: 42% of Australians in the property market feel positive about the market (up 9 percentage points) and 24%…
Read more

Turn your idea into a business by following these steps. You’re excited and confident about your idea for a business, and want to take it to market successfully. That’s great. Our checklist will help you cover off the things that you should do, and must do to start a business in Australia. FIRST, KNOW YOUR…
Read more

Effective negotiating can lead to both parties benefitting from the outcome. Here’s how planning and focus can help. Every day, we act as negotiators. However, we seldom think about the skills required or the processes we must follow to negotiate successfully, according to Chas Savage, CEO of Ethos CRS, a company that specialises in customised capability training…
Read more

Comprehensive Credit Reporting (CCR) is now in full swing, giving lenders a closer look into your financial character and highlights facilities that you may not have disclosed in your application.  The CCR shows the lender if a credit facility is open or closed, the credit limit and repayment history information on a monthly basis.   So,…
Read more

Another month, another rate cut. Finance can be so tedious. That is until you realise it could mean more money in your pocket. But how? For many, matters of personal finance are so dull and/or difficult, they are immediately filed in the too-hard basket. And for their trouble, or lack thereof, these people are often…
Read more

Experts offer tips on how to leave work stress at the door when you clock off. Overwork in the Asia-Pacific region is endemic. A report by Kisi, Cities for the Best Work–Life Balance 2019, found that Tokyo and Singapore were the top two most overworked cities in the world, while Kuala Lumpur came in at number four. In…
Read more

We all experience frustrating times in our careers, but if you find yourself asking the question, “Should I quit my job,” then you’ll want to review these five signs that it’s time to move on from your current role. You hit snooze when the alarm goes off, drag yourself through the day’s meetings and you…
Read more

Download a copy of our November Newsletter

The argument over raising compulsory employer superannuation contributions often misses the impact on the wider economy and ignores alternatives to boosting retirement incomes. There is a sustained campaign for the Australian Government to increase employer superannuation contributions to 12 per cent of a worker’s wage (from 9.5 per cent under the superannuation guarantee), and an…
Read more

Loyalty and engagement aren’t necessarily easy to foster in millennial employees. But with the right approach, any manager can make the workplace a better environment for their staff. Many things affect how successful your business is and how quickly it grows. There are your marketing and sales strategies, the clientele you target, your choice of…
Read more

Almost one in five Australian SMEs entered into payment plans with the ATO last financial year, as they struggle to pay a collective tax bill of over $16 billion. Sail Finance recently revealed the findings of a sample poll of finance brokers it had conducted, many of whom said the Tax Office’s payment plans are “too…
Read more

Australians who are hoping to get a mortgage have been given a warning as pressure on Afterpay and other providers ramps up. Finance experts have warned house hunters to “stay away” from buy now, pay later platforms such as Afterpay, with spending habits viewed as a hurdle for home loan applications. “Definitely try and avoid…
Read more

Finance Friday – Can I Borrow Through a Self Managed Super Fund Posted by Accountplan on Thursday, 24 October 2019

One of the final things that need to be done before pressing go on a new business idea is structuring the company properly. Getting business structures right is crucial to any new starter, and here are some things to keep in mind when setting it all up. Starting up a new business comes along with…
Read more

Small business owners often waste time. Even though a study conducted by TSheets found that nearly 60% of self-employed workers in the U.S. said they either worked every weekend or every other weekend, if you’re truly honest with yourself, you’ll probably admit that there’s a difference between spending time on work-like activities and actually working.…
Read more

A growing number of today’s older workers will face challenging times when they retire, if recent figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) are any guide. The ABS claim that just 56 per cent of people aged 55-64 are mortgage-free, and there are fears that more and more Australians will find their retirement plans…
Read more

The federal government’s resolve to push compulsory superannuation to 12 per cent is certain to be tested in its coming review of the retirement income system. Scheduled super guarantee increases, already enacted by legislation, would see the current rate of 9.5 per cent grow to 10 per cent from July 2021, then a further 0.5…
Read more

When you’re deciding which property is right for you, the price is one of the many factors you need to consider. The list price – the price tag the real estate agency places on the property – is just that: a price tag. The list price can be influenced by many factors, including the vendor’s…
Read more

With interest rates the lowest they have ever been, it’s time to talk about how you can take advantage of this opportunity and secure financial freedom earlier than anticipated. Whilst reducing rates, and repayments,  is going to give you more money in your pocket, why not consider a different approach and request your lender to…
Read more

Download a copy of our October Newsletter

We are thrilled to introduce Kylie Stewart who recently joined Accountplan as our Bookkeeper and Process Improvement Specialist. Kylie is incredibly experienced across a multitude of bookkeeping software options and is fully qualified to guide clients with the new Single Touch Payroll requirements introduced by the ATO. Please join us in welcoming Kylie to the…
Read more

How you get your end of financial year information from your employer showing your earnings for the year (also known as a payment summary or income statement) depends on how your employer reports your income, tax and super information to us. You will be provided with either: An income statement – if your employer reports…
Read more

We are thrilled to introduce Jane Bevan who recently joined Accountplan as Customer Service Associate in our Financial Planning team. Jane has over 10 years experience in the Financial Planning industry and will be working closely alongside our Senior Financial Planner Dion Richardson. Please join us in welcoming Jane to the team next time you…
Read more

Finance Friday #11 – Extra Payments to your Home Loan Welcome back to another edition of Finance Friday, this week Mick talks about extra payments to your home loan. Posted by Accountplan on Thursday, 19 September 2019

From an income tax standpoint, it’s in your interests to keep good records of your transactions and activities. Keeping good records is not only required by law, but it makes your accountant’s job easier – this can result in both decreased fees (an accountant will take less time in preparing returns etc.) and increased deductions…
Read more

Industry Super Australia (ISA), the umbrella group representing not-for-profit industry super funds, is calling on the Federal government to change the law, so that employers would be required to pay super entitlements of their employees at the same time they receive their salary or wages. The Australian Tax Office (ATO) is now doing more to chase…
Read more

One of the largest claims made by business and by employees for that matter is the use of a vehicle for business or work related purposes.  Much of the claim relates to depreciation on the cost of the vehicle.  As technology continues to advance and with data sharing amongst authorities becoming more prevalent, the ATO…
Read more

When you run your own business a good retirement plan can bring real peace of mind. Read more about your options – and why it’s never too early to start. PLANNING YOUR RETIREMENT When you’re busy running your own business retiring could be the last thing on your mind. But planning your retirement well in…
Read more

$10 billion dollars has been refunded to Australian taxpayers so far this tax time, an increase of over $2 billion from this time last year, with most returns being processed in under two weeks. Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Assistant Commissioner Karen Foat highlighted that the ATO seeks to process returns as soon as possible, announcing that over…
Read more

Around 5,000 businesses will potentially be impacted by the government’s proposal to allow the disclosure of business tax debts to credit reporting bureaus. Responding to a question on notice during a Senate committee inquiry, the ATO has revealed that under the proposed $100,000 tax debt threshold, around 5,000 businesses could potentially be reported. The previous proposed…
Read more

Download a copy of our September Newsletter

Whatever the size of your business, it’s never too early to start building your retirement income, ensuring a healthy financial future. We help you make the most of the opportunities at every stage of your life with our go-to guide. THE BEST RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN FOR YOUR AGE It’s not just how hard you work…
Read more

The founder of Foundr Magazine, Nathan Chan has experienced his fair share of ups and downs in business. Here are his six steps to success. When Nathan Chan had difficulties getting work in his field of choice, he decided to create his own business rather than throw in the towel. The end result is Foundr Magazine,…
Read more

Are you looking to dive into the wonderful world of entrepreneurship? It’s not easy to start a small business but there are plenty that have gone before you. Before you get your business up and running, it might pay to do a little research, so you can avoid common startup mistakes. Here are five mistakes…
Read more

Choosing smarter ways to finance the equipment you need can benefit the rest of your business in ways you hadn’t expected. Here’s how to get started. CHOOSING THE RIGHT FINANCING SOLUTIONS Arranging car finance or small business loans to purchase equipment for your business can sometimes seem complicated. However, you’ll find a range of flexible Equipment…
Read more

Even if you don’t run a big multi-faceted business or employ an army of staff, there are still plenty of tax deductions that you could be eligible for. The most important thing to remember is that you will need to have a record to prove your expenses, so make sure you keep a handle on…
Read more

From preparing financial records for tax returns to wading through mounds of receipts and invoices to figure out what you can claim, it’s safe to say that the End of the Financial Year is not a good time for many Australian small business owners. But, with July 31st having come and gone and the 2019…
Read more

As interest rates approach zero, the Reserve Bank of Australia is considering “extreme measures” to try to avert an “emergency”. What happens if the RBA cuts rates to near zero, and the economy still doesn’t respond? The Reserve Bank of Australia has cut interest rates to 1 per cent, and, despite what you might hope,…
Read more

Budgeting can be the difference between success and failure for a small business. Here, we speak with local business owners and advisors for their tips and tricks. Setting a budget has been an important part of the success for Parcelpoint. In fact, budgeting has allowed the small business to pick key projects that will have the…
Read more

Gross profit is your total sales, less the direct expenses required to achieve those sales. Gross profit allows you to evaluate your business at any given moment, and track its growth and efficiency over time.  Gross profit differs from net profit. When business owners talk about their bottom line, they refer to their net profit. Net…
Read more

Download a copy of our August Newsletter

Accountplan will be open both EKKA showdays, 12th & 14th of August, and for tax season our hours right through till end of August will be:                                         Mondays         8:30am to 5pm    …
Read more

In small business you need to wear many hats, particularly in the startup phase. But trying to be all things to all people is a recipe for disaster, not success. Hiring a bookkeeper will take the pressure down. Once you reach the point of physical and mental exhaustion, you simply aren’t able to be anything…
Read more

Only 13% of employees worldwide are really engaged at work. That leaves plenty of room for improvement. As a business leader, it’s up to you to re-inspire your troops for a successful year in business. Here are five leadership strategies you can use to energise your employees in 2019. 1. Express a clear vision Do your…
Read more

In 2018, Inside Small Business reported that 10% of small business owners were working between 50-59 hours per week, with a further 16% saying they worked over 60 hours a week. 24% also said they work seven days a week.. Much of that is a labor of love. And yet, you started your business to gain more flexibility and…
Read more

Does the thought of a ropes course tie you in knots? Maybe karaoke makes you cringe? Don’t worry—team-building activities don’t have to be anxiety-producing. In fact, the best games and events reduce workplace stress rather than add to it. If you’re a small business owner eager to create strong teams, we have you covered with…
Read more

Parting ways with clients is a normal and pretty common part of doing business, but that doesn’t make it any easier. In this article, Kellie Byrnes acts as your client relationship counsellor to help ease the pain of separation. As someone working in the professional services field, you place high value on each of your…
Read more

Burnout is typically accompanied by emotional exhaustion, cynicism and reduced productivity. Employers and employees can take steps to recognise and manage burnout at work. Burnout is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion, says organisational psychologist Sarah Cotton, director of Transitioning Well. Its debilitating symptoms can include fatigue, insomnia, irritability, and inability to concentrate. “The…
Read more

Not sure whether to hire in-house staff or work with freelancers? This article should help make the decision much simpler for you. Once you’ve decided to expand your business by investing in talent, the next step is to figure out whether you tap into the outsource or freelance workforce, or whether you hire staff in…
Read more

Finance Friday #10 – What will happen with Interest Rates? Welcome back to another edition of Finance Friday, this week Mick talks about what will happen with interest rates. Posted by Accountplan on Thursday, 11 July 2019

Download a copy of our July Newsletter

Tax Season is almost upon us and Accountplan is taking appointments now.   Our opening hours up until Friday 12th July will remain as:                 Monday to Friday             830am to 5pm From Saturday 13th July we will operate as follows:                 Mondays                             830am to 5pm                Tuesdays                             830am to 7pm                Wednesdays                      830am to 7pm               …
Read more

Urgent maintenance is an unavoidable aspect of being a landlord, so having a cash buffer set aside will help you deal with any unexpected problems. When renting out an investment property, having access to extra cash is vital for two reasons: ● to cover the costs of maintaining the property, giving it the best chance…
Read more

Over $7.2 billion in work-related car expenses claimed last year have placed the popular deduction firmly in the headlights of the ATO this tax time. According to ATO assistant commissioner Karen Foat, over 3.6 million people made a work-related car expense claim in 2017–18, totalling more than $7.2 billion. The deduction will be a key focus area…
Read more

Certain super fund members who have ‘inactive’ super accounts with insurance have until 1st July to respond to trustees to “opt in” to retain their insurance. Affected clients will have recently received letters or emails from trustees outlining the opt-in process. What is an ‘inactive’ account and potential consequences of extended ‘inactivity’? An account is…
Read more

Managing your business can be overwhelming. It requires a huge commitment of time, money, and effort. All those responsibilities often short change the other areas of your life. None more than personal finances. In fact, most business owners believe they can’t save and invest for retirement because their business requires all of their mental and…
Read more

Having a solid business idea is a far cry from having a successful business. In this article, Benjamin Kluwgant discusses the best ways to approach turning your concept into a reality. Have you ever been working your day job and all of a sudden experienced a light bulb moment with a genius business idea? Well,…
Read more

Earlier this year The Federal Government announced it would extend the instant asset write-off for another year, and in the Budget announcement the Treasurer has added another sweetener for small business – extending the threshold to $30,000*. When it comes to small business cash-flow is king, and being able to invest in your business is…
Read more

End of financial year (EOFY) is a stressful time for small business owners and their tax agents alike. Make things easier for you and your accountant by taking up the following four habits. Recently there have been considerable studies on the habits of small business owners and, without fail, those who follow the best practices…
Read more

If you apply for a home loan, particularly if the loan is for more than 80 per cent of a property’s value, you’ll more than likely have to prove to lenders that you have a satisfactory amount of savings. This is to demonstrate your ability to funnel a portion of your income into repayments. Although…
Read more

Download a copy of our June Newsletter

The tax debt collections powers granted to the ATO may put taxpayers on the back foot, says one tax barrister but advisers should not shy away from negotiating with the tax office to minimise the damage. The ATO’s use of tax debt recovery action has been thrust into the spotlight in recent times, with its…
Read more

Finance Friday #9 – Is a Family Guarantee right for you? Welcome back to another edition of Finance Friday, this week Mick talks about if a family guarantee is right for you. Posted by Accountplan on Thursday, 30 May 2019

Putting a price on a business can be challenging – whether you’re the buyer or the owner who’s looking to sell. Here, we reveal some essential tips and methods for assessing business value. HOW TO VALUE A BUSINESS Thinking of buying a business – or selling your own? Pricing a business for sale can be tricky. What…
Read more

Leasing commercial real estate can be one of the biggest investments a business owner can make, so it’s important to go above and beyond when doing your due diligence. As a nimble business owner, you can usually navigate around the little bumps, but it’s the unexpected impacts on big investments that represent the largest risks.…
Read more

The Buy Now Pay Later sector is winning-over the youth demographic with the promise of instant gratification, but the mortgage professionals and banks warn that with every sugar-high comes the risk of a corresponding low. ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ providers such as AfterPay and Zip Pay have experienced massive growth in popularity, with the number…
Read more

If you apply for a home loan, particularly if the loan is for more than 80 per cent of a property’s value, you’ll more than likely have to prove to lenders that you have a satisfactory amount of savings. This is to demonstrate your ability to funnel a portion of your income into repayments. Although…
Read more

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has signalled that getting his tax changes through parliament will be a top priority for his re-elected government. As per Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s announcement in the April federal budget, the Liberal Party plans on introducing the biggest round of income tax cuts since the era of John Howard and Peter Costello. Headline…
Read more

You have a special set of skills, so your business should offer a clearly defined set of services. As a tradesperson, carving out your niche is a simple way to make business life easier. As a tradie, you want to spend most of your time on the tools rather than chasing jobs, right? While you…
Read more

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a low-deposit scheme for first home buyers in the lead-up to this Saturday’s federal election. Over the weekend, Mr Morrison announced that his party plans to allow first home buyers to access 95 per cent loan-to-value ratio mortgages. The First Home Loan Deposit Scheme, which will partner with private lenders,…
Read more

Download a copy of our May Newsletter

A massive congratulations to our very own Jodie Fletcher who today celebrates 19yrs with the Accountplan group. These days Jodie is one of our most experienced accountants, doubling as our resident specialist in Self-Managed Super Funds. She has certainly come a long way since joining Accountplan as our receptionist straight out of uni. With a…
Read more

Refinancing can be a great way to save money if you believe you are paying too much for your loan, but there is more to it than just finding a loan with a lower interest rate and making the change. Before making the switch, ensure the savings you could make outweigh the fees involved. Here…
Read more

Single Touch Payroll (STP) has been on the radar for small business owners for some time now. First mentioned back in 2014 it wasn’t however until 1 July 2018 that STP was rolled out for employers with 20 or more employees. The rollout now extends to those with 19 or fewer employees as at 1st…
Read more

We are thrilled to introduce Katrina Simkin who recently joined the Accountplan team.  Katrina, a Redcliffe local, has 20 years accounting industry experience in both customer facing and management roles.  We are looking forward to Katrina’s experience providing much greater capacity in both our Administration and Bookkeeping teams.   So please don’t be shy and join…
Read more

Asking how long it takes to get a loan approved is like asking how long a piece of string is. Every application is unique, so the time between your first contact with your bank or broker and approval can never be predetermined exactly. There are, however, some things you can do to help hurry your…
Read more

The Tax Office is set to up its focus on popular car-related claims this tax time, which is set to capture the activity of businesses and their employees. Fringe benefits tax (FBT) is paid by employers on certain benefits they provide to their staff, and often includes allowing the use of a car for private purposes. For…
Read more