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With the media flooding us with COVID-19 information and governments around the world using vocabulary that is normally reserved for war time we know we are living in unprecedented times. Historically, business start-ups tend to surge when there are high levels of unemployment and middle management lose their jobs. Amongst all the uncertainty, is it the right time to start a business? …


As businesses reopen, we are being confronted with a new ‘normal’. More people are now working from home and increasingly, staff and customer meetings are being conducted online rather than face to face.  In the second edition we explore the 4 Ways to Grow a Business with a focus on the second way - How to Get Your Customers to Buy More Often. In other articles we look at how to turn your ‘electronic brochure’ style website into a lead generation machine and how to convert those leads into sales. Finally, we look at the importance of giving your customers a guarantee... …


The COVID-19 pandemic not only triggered a global health crisis, it also plunged Australia into recession for the first time in three decades. As such, a lot of business owners are in unfamiliar territory and we are here to help you navigate your way through this extraordinary and challenging period... …


Treasurer Josh Frydenberg presented his second budget on October 6 in what was described as the, "most important budget since World War II". As expected, there is massive expenditure to reboot and stimulate the economy after the economic devastation brought on by the coronavirus pandemic... …


As business owners, we need to learn from experience because history has a habit of repeating itself. Going forward we need to have a contingency plan in the event there is another virus outbreak or some other catastrophe … …


The Government’s Stimulus Packages have given thousands of businesses a lifeline during the Coronavirus crisis. Unfortunately, with many businesses still in lockdown in Melbourne, some businesses just won’t survive this time around. As accountants, our mission is to ensure you survive but if all avenues have been exhausted and it’s the end of the road, there are a number of things that need to happen to wind a business up    …


The ATO has announced a rise in the cents per kilometre deduction rate for motor vehicle expenses for the 2020/21 financial year. Effective from July 1, 2020 it will be 72 cents per kilometre. The tax office is expecting to see a drop in work-related car expenses claims due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions in the last quarter of the 2019/20 financial year ...  …


Our highest priority during these challenging times is the safety of our employees and clients.
As such effective Thursday 13th August we have implemented the following practices to help reduce traffic in the office... …


Businesses have been forced back into lockdown, for some maybe for the first time under the current stage 3 restrictions in Victoria (Stage 4 in Melbourne) and one thing has become clear, it’s no longer ‘business as usual’. The world as we know it has changed and we have been forced to rethink our daily routines, spending habits, exercise regimes and social interactions. Many businesses will be in dire circumstances, but is this the time to be trimming your marketing, or just the opposite? …


The coronavirus has been labelled the biggest global crisis for three generations. The economy came down 50 floors in the ‘elevator’ and it will be much slower and harder going back up via the staircase. To help your business survive and prepare for the period of regrowth we have put together this list of items to consider …


As part of the Government’s response to the coronavirus and its financial impact on individuals, there is still a temporary opportunity for individuals to withdraw up to $10,000 from their superannuation funds before September 24th   …


If you are one of the thousands currently working from home during the COVID-19 ‘shut down’, you may be able to claim a deduction for some of the expenses for your ‘office’ area. There are two parts to this, those employees working from home and businesses where their principal place of business is their home – effectively running their business from home. …


Are you swimming naked? Warren Buffet said, “Only when the tide goes out do you discover who’s been swimming naked.” The tide is out for many Australian businesses right now so it’s time to develop a clear strategy and action plan... …


The 2019/20 financial year has been extraordinary and the number one priority for most business owners right now is cash flow, so tax planning has never been more important. With June 30 fast approaching you need to act quickly to ensure that we help you minimise your tax liability   …


Pivoting is something business owners normally do when they sense the business needs a change of direction. The COVID-19 pandemic's arrival with little or no warning has caused most Australian businesses, both big and small, to effectively go into hibernation. The question is, could your business benefit from pivoting in the current environment?     …


The coronavirus has been labelled the biggest global crisis for three generations and has stopped the economy in its tracks. Thousands of businesses have gone into hibernation and self-isolation rules have changed the way we live. Business owners face never seen before challenges and to help navigate your way we provide a checklist and other resources to help our clients   …


The Government have announced a ‘Job Keeper’ Program that provides wage subsidy payments to Australian businesses who have seen their turnover reduce significantly as a result of the coronavirus. Registered employers will receive a flat $1,500 each fortnight for each eligible employee, including those that have been stood down or recently rehired. …


Our clients are looking for help as the COVID-19 pandemic tracks towards being the greatest social upheaval the world has seen since World War II. The updates and announcements are coming at a breakneck speed. With some industries more severely impacted than others the question is 'What to do next?' In response, we have put together this action plan checklist   …


Business owners are facing unprecedented challenges with uncertainty surrounding the COVID 19 (coronavirus) outbreak. The pandemic will eventually pass but the big question is, when and what can you do to minimise the damage? …


The Federal and State Governments have announced a range of relief benefits for small businesses impacted by the recent catastrophic bushfires. Ranging from grant funding, concessional loans, financial support and other measures such as Land Tax relief in effected areas   …


Happy New Year. Not just the start of a new year, it’s the start of a whole new decade. Is this the time for you to finally make that big change and buy that business you’ve been thinking about? Let’s examine the Five Phases of Buying a Business    …


Christmas time can be a make or break period for some types of businesses, retailers, accommodation, wholesalers & the information and communication sectors for example experience their peak sales at this time. For other industries this can be an especially tough time of the year with many business owners experiencing low demand, staff absences and supply disruptions... …


Have you fallen behind on your Superannation Guarantee obligations? Legislation enabling the Superannuation Guarantee amnesty that was proposed back in May 2018 is before Parliament right now and if enacted, will apply from the original amnesty announcement ... …


There have been some much publicised, high-profile cases in the media recently regarding the underpayment of staff. How can this happen and how can you make sure your business doesn't join this “Rogue’s Gallery”?    …


Businesses fail for a multitude of reasons. Lack of sales and cash flow, inadequate capital and failing to adapt to change can all contribute to the collapse of a business. Let's explore some of the major reasons why business start-ups fail.    …


Consumer behaviour has changed and your website is now your marketing hub. In this article we look at three key website issues that confront most business owners - not enough website traffic, poor conversion of leads to sales and a lack of strategy… …


We know we can’t please all of the people all of the time but with 72% of consumers reporting trusting online reviews as much as personal recommendations it can feel really damaging to receive a poor online review. Despite your instinct to try and get it deleted there are other courses of action open to you.   …


With the end of financial year now behind us let’s look at a couple of things to address to tidy up last financial year and plan for 2019/20.  Namely - Single Touch Payroll and the Immediate Asset Write-Off Changes.   …


The Tax Office has introduced a Whistle Blower Hotline encouraging people to 'dob in' business owners they suspect are operating in the black economy. The Hot Line went live on the 1st July 2019.    …


Creating wealth through an investment property is a well-established practice in Australia. Of the approximate 9 million residential dwellings in this country, almost 25% are rental properties. Read on for our renovation tax tips   …


Happy New Financial Year!

Don’t miss our latest newsletter which is stuffed full of articles on:-

Tax Planning & Tax Return Checklists
The Federal Budget Round Up
Buyer Beware! – Before You Buy a Business
Thinking of Renovating Your Investment Property?
The Importance of Local Search for Small Business Owners
ATO to visit 1,800 Businesses in a Black Economy Blitz

And don’t forget, Single Touch Payroll becomes mandatory for all Australian employers from today – watch our short webinar in a previous blog to bring you up to speed…. …


Welcome to our Webinar on Single Touch Payroll.

In this recorded webinar we outline what every employer needs to know about the introduction of Single Touch Payroll in Australia. …


As the end of another financial year approaches we have created a Tax Planning Guide for 2019 which highlights some end of year tax planning opportunities to help you minimise tax and take action on any items required pre June 30. …


Starting a new business seems a daunting task. But take our advice, don’t be scared – be prepared. Here’s some guidelines in what you need to do when it comes time to let people know your new business exists.   …


In ‘the biggest compliance issue since GST’ small employers (less than 20 employees) need to get on board with the ATO’s Single Touch Payroll system from 1st July 2019 to report employee’s superannuation and tax withholding on a pay by pay basis. Find out what you need to do now…. …


Bookkeeping may not be everybody’s idea of fun, but it is an essential and unavoidable task in the success of your business. We look at 6 common bookkeeping mistakes and how to avoid them…. …


Happy New Year! From all of us here at O'Bryan & O'Donnell, we wish you every success for 2019 and we'll all be back on deck and full steam ahead from Monday 7th January.

In the meantime, wherever the road takes you financially this year we’ll be there to support you. Dream big.  And if those dreams include Starting or Buying a Business this year, we’ll help you every step of the way.... …


Running your own business can be rewarding. You get to follow your passion, choose who you work with and potentially make more money. It sounds irresistible with the flexibility, independence and freedom, however, there is a catch. There are risks but there are also strategies to help reduce those risks… …


Ho, Ho, Ho! It’s coming up to the Holiday Season and you might be thinking of throwing an office break up party or providing your staff with Christmas presents. Without being The Grinch, there are Fringe Benefits Tax implications for both of these scenarios that you need to be aware of.  …


With Christmas and the holiday season fast approaching, businesses may find their cash flow suffering particularly if current invoices don't get paid until February next year. This can be catastrophic for seasonal businesses so let’s look at some ways to help improve your cash flow. …


The Tax Office has deployed what they refer to as "mobile strike teams" to uncover business owners attempting to avoid tax, especially to target the cash economy. With plans to visit some 10,000 small businesses in the 2019 financial year nationwide, this follows on from their earlier successful blitz of cash-centric suburbs around Australia. To this end we outline some of the common mistakes the ATO has recently observed.    …


The rate for work-related car expenses has increased for the income year starting 1 July 2018. It is now 68 cents per kilometre.

This applies if you have chosen to use the cents per kilometre method for calculating work-related car expenses and will remain in place until the Commissioner decides it should be varied.

If you are paying your employees a car allowance in excess of 68 cents per kilometre, you need to withhold tax on the amount you pay over 68 cents. …


One of the most challenging aspects of starting a new business is sourcing finance. Once you know how much funding you require it’s time to explore your finance options and there are 6 sources of funding available.   …


Facebook remains every marketer's dream, with access to around 15 million users Australia wide. Advertising on Facebook may provide your business with the opportunity to expand your customer base without costing an arm and a leg.   …


Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, recently passed intestate (no Will) leaving a purported estate worth US$80 million. A number of claims from interested parties have already been lodged against the estate, which highlights the importance of having a Will. Let’s look at the administrative taxation process involved when you’re left to deal with a loved one’s estate. …


The ATO has indicated they are casting a wider net when it comes to claims for home office expenses, work-related expenses and ride-sharing income. Find out what’s under the microscope this financial year. …


As a business owner and employer there are a number of legislative changes that came into effect on July 1, 2018 which you need to be aware of including Single Touch Payroll, the continuation of the Superannuation Guarantee Charge Amnesty, increased Minimum Wage Rates as well as changes to Penalty Rates and the Unfair Dismissal Threshold.   …


It’s exciting when you have that light bulb moment and you’re hit with an idea for your new business. Before you can open your doors, there are numerous issues to consider and you must navigate your way through a maze of rules, registrations and regulations. One of those importance issues is making sure you carry out the right business registrations.     …


Profit is the way we keep score in business. It is achieved through making the right management decisions and it impacts on your business valuation. You simply can't afford to leave any profit on the table.   …


The Federal Treasurer, Scott Morrison, handed down his third Budget on the evening of Tuesday May 8th. We provide a round-up of the changes that may impact you or your business.      …


The end of another financial year is fast approaching. Our 2018 Tax Planning Guide for the end of  the 2017/18 financial year highlights some end of year tax planning opportunities which you may wish to consider before June 30, 2018.  …


It’s exciting when you have that light bulb moment and you’re hit with an idea for your new business. Before you can open your doors, there are numerous issues to consider and you must navigate your way through a maze of rules, registrations and regulations. One of those issues is the right business structure.    

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All employers need to perform a headcount as at 1 April 2018 to determine when they need to implement the latest ATO digital initiative - Single Touch Payroll. Employers with 20 or more employees will need to start reporting through Single Touch Payroll from 1 July 2018. Let’s look at what employers need to be doing right NOW.    …


Can’t I use my superannuation? This is a very common question we get asked and in this post we look at what the government restrictions are on accessing your super and the impact of preservation age.   …


The ATO recently conducted a blitz in specific towns & suburbs around the country where it identified a suburb as having 'high cash economy risk behaviours'. Due to its success, the Tax Office will maintain its audit focus on cash-based businesses. Could yours be next?    …


According to a recent Telstra survey, only 50% of Australian small businesses have a website. Surely this can't be true! With the same report finding that 62% of customers will stop considering a small business if they can't find information about it online - there can be no doubt that having a website is a fundamental weapon in your marketing arsenal.    …


Franchising is big business in this country and while buying into a franchise can often be promoted as a ‘gold mine’, the reality is, franchises can also fail. Let’s examine some of the most important things you need in place when buying a franchise.  …


Cash is King, make no mistake, but managing cash flow remains a constant challenge for today's small business owners. In this article we examine the differences between cash flow and profit and the importance of understanding your numbers to maintain a positive cash flow.    …


Cash flow is the life blood of any business. In fact, it can be the difference between success and failure with a lot of business owners walking a tightrope. Let’s briefly examine some of the most common causes of a cash flow crisis. …


There has been a fundamental shift in the way consumers make their purchasing decisions. The availability of free, high-quality information online has changed the way consumers buy and Inbound marketing has replaced traditional Outbound marketing methods.    …


As a savvy business owner, it’s important to use email marketing. The benefits of Email Marketing almost sound too good to be true – a 4300% ROI for starters! This article will guide you through the first step – how to build your email marketing subscriber list. …


Video is no longer an option for businesses looking to grow, it’s essential. These are the video marketing trends that you need to be aware of in 2017 to stay ahead of your competitors. …


Over the past five years, claims for uniform and laundry tax deductions have increased. The ATO had sat up and take notice. The ATO AC, Kath Anderson has stated that too many taxpayers’ beliefs around how to claim clothing deductions are wrong. Here, we provide helpful advice and tactics to ensure you're getting your tax deductions right. …


You might be surprised to know the range of assets you can actually finance. While cars, trucks and equipment are items commonly financed, it is possible to finance boats, buses, planes, computers, dental chairs and office fit outs. …


Australians claimed about $23 billion of work-related expense deductions in 2015/16, however, the ATO believe a significant proportion of this amount is the result of over claiming of expenses.
As a result, the ATO have stated that they will be monitoring higher than expected claims. These are the areas you should brush up on to keep your work related expenses clear. …


Your website looks good, but it’s not getting visitors, generating leads and converting to sales.
The primary difference is that the brochure style websites are all about the company, while lead generation websites are all about the customer.
Let’s examine the seven must-have online marketing tools that can help you turn your old website into a lead generation machine. …


Airbnb is big and getting bigger. We answer the most common questions on the taxation implications, deductions and declarations around renting out all or part of your property on this very popular service. …


When building a new website or investing in a website makeover or upgrade, it’s important to understand that not all website expenses are immediately fully tax deductible. …


Uber is looking for more drivers and Airbnb is seeking more hosts, but what are the implications of becoming part of this new 'sharing economy'? …


There is clear evidence that business owners continue to struggle to complete their Business Activity Statements (BAS). To help you we have identified three common errors... …


Starting a business can be a maze of research, registrations and red tape. No amount of passion can guarantee your business success but the proverb, ‘failing to plan is planning to fail’ serves as both great advice and a warning for new entrepreneurs. …


Your website should effectively be your home base on the internet but how does it actually work and what is hosting and domain names? …


Creating wealth through purchasing a negatively geared investment property is a well established practice in this country.  We have identified some common areas where property investors often trip up including claiming interest on loans. …


Starting a business can be a mine field and the risks are high which explains why so many budding entrepreneurs look to buy an existing business or franchise operation rather than start from ‘scratch’. …


As accountants, the number one thing our business clients want is advice to help them grow their business. In the digital age we believe the secret to growth is marketing and it could be the difference between boom and gloom for any business. …


Every entrepreneur wants to grow their business but there's no simple formula that guarantees success. In this series of posts we are up to the third way to grow your business, how to increase the value of each sale. …


Clearly, everyone wants to grow their business. Unfortunately there is no magic potion or silver bullet but we do know there are only four ways to grow a business. In this blog we examine the second method, how to increase the number of times a customer comes back and buys from you. …


Everyone wants to grow their business, however, there is no 'magic marketing bullet'. Fundamentally there are only four ways to grow a business including, increase the number of customers of the type you want. …


Will your employees end up with a tax bill due to a potential extra pay period in the 2015/16 financial year?  How to determine if you are affected and how to work around this issue to avoid confrontations from your employees at year end... …


I must admit I don’t watch a lot of television but I did enjoy the latest Australian season of Shark Tank where budding entrepreneurs seek funding from a panel of wealthy investors (the sharks). While it’s another form of reality TV the show does provide business owners with some valuable business lessons. In this edition we ask the question, should you swim with sharks? …


I must admit I don’t watch a lot of television but I did enjoy the latest Australian season of Shark Tank where budding entrepreneurs seek funding from a panel of wealthy investors (the sharks). While it’s another form of reality TV the show does provide business owners with some valuable business lessons including the importance of knowing your numbers. …


I must admit I don’t watch a lot of television but I did enjoy the latest Australian season of Shark Tank where budding entrepreneurs seek funding from a panel of wealthy investors (the sharks). While it’s another form of reality TV the show does provide business owners with some valuable business lessons including the importance of business planning. …


We have been inundated with queries regarding the accelerated depreciation write-off for assets up to $20,000 acquired by small businesses since it was announced in the May budget. …


At the start of 2013 we noticed about 10% of our website traffic was coming from hand held mobile devices. By late 2013 this figure had jumped to about 15% but in 2015 we find close to 25% of our website visitors are using mobile devices. Why is this important you might ask? …


In this blog we are going to look at what you need to know before you select an accounting software program to use in your business. We will then look at specific software programs on the market including MYOB, Xero, Reckon, Saasu and Cashflow Manager. …


The types of business registrations you will require will depend on a number of issues including your type of business structure, your anticipated turnover and whether you also intend to employ staff. …


In this blog we are going to examine some of the most popular business structures used in Australia. Let me say upfront, it’s almost impossible to recommend a particular type of business structure without an understanding of your business, your industry, your family structure and your personal financial situation. …


Marketing and consumer behaviour has changed. You can now buy almost anything online and for most businesses, your website is your silent sales person working 24/7 to generate leads and sales. …


O'Bryan & O'Donnell are excited to secure David Gollop, senior manager at Xero to present a free 1 hour seminar on Xero cloud accounting.  The advantages of cloud accounting are huge. No having to send your data file back and forth, no backups, no adjusting journals, no entering bank statement lines... No worries! Join us for a free 1 hour seminar... …


The advantages of having your accounting software in the cloud are huge. If you run a Caravan Park we have identified the top 5 reasons why you should consider using this technology ... …


Negative Gearing by definition is where you borrow to acquire an investment or asset and the interest and other tax deductible costs you incur exceed the income you receive from the investment. In this blog post we discuss Negative Gearing and some important points you need to understand. …


Just as evolution in animals dictates that only the fittest survive, in a recession it is generally survival of the smartest.

In this country we seem to have a recession-like economy happening every seven to nine years and almost 75,000 Australian businesses were wiped out in the last downturn. To survive business owners must find a way to plan their way past potential threats including rising interest rates and fuel prices plus declining consumer confidence.

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  • Is it the Right Time to Start a Business?
    8 Dec '20 Is it the Right Time to Start a Business? With the media flooding us with COVID-19 information and governments around the world using vocabulary that is normally reserved for war time we know we are living in unprecedented times. Historically, business start-ups tend to surge when there are high levels of unemployment and middle management lose their jobs. Amongst all the uncertainty, is it the right time to start a business? More >
  • Recession Buster Newsletter #2
    16 Nov '20 Recession Buster Newsletter #2 As businesses reopen, we are being confronted with a new ‘normal’. More people are now working from home and increasingly, staff and customer meetings are being conducted online rather than face to face.  In the second edition we explore the 4 Ways to Grow a Business with a focus on the second way - How to Get Your Customers to Buy More Often. In other articles we look at how to turn your ‘electronic brochure’ style website into a lead generation machine and how to convert those leads into sales. Finally, we look at the importance of giving your customers a guarantee... More >

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