BOOKKEEPING

Five conversations worth having in FY2027 A new financial year brings fresh opportunities, new challenges and important decisions for business owners and individuals alike. Rather than telling you what we think is important, we asked each of our Partners to share the one conversation they believe is worth having as we begin FY2027. Adam O’Sullivan | How has your business adapted to Payday Super? This financial year brings several important changes that businesses should plan for now rather than react to later. One of the biggest is the move towards Payday Super. Paying superannuation closer to each payroll cycle will change how many businesses manage their cash flow, so now is the time to review your processes and consider whether you may need additional working capital or funding solutions. I'd also remind business owners that interest charged by the ATO is no longer tax deductible. If you're carrying ATO debt or reviewing your finance arrangements, it's worth taking the opportunity to ensure your lending structure is as tax effective as possible. Planning ahead today can help avoid unnecessary costs tomorrow and give you greater confidence throughout the year. Brad Bulow | Is Your Business Structure Still Right for You? One question I encourage clients to ask at the start of every financial year is whether they're still operating under the right business structure. As your business grows, the entity that suited you when you first started may no longer be the best option. A review could uncover opportunities around tax planning, asset protection or succession planning, but it's important to understand the potential tax and stamp duty implications before making any changes. I'm also seeing business owners under more pressure than ever before. With changes like Payday Super, increasing compliance obligations and the rapid growth of AI and automation, it's becoming almost impossible to do everything yourself. Build the right team around you. Bring in specialist skills where you need them, outsource where it makes sense and keep your focus on the areas where you add the most value. You'll be in a much stronger position to grow while staying compliant in an increasingly complex business environment. Martin Sammut | Stay Informed on the Federal Budget Every Federal Budget introduces changes that have the potential to affect individuals, families and businesses. While some measures take effect immediately, others roll out throughout the financial year, so it's important to stay informed. Whether it's changes to tax legislation, superannuation, business incentives or cost of living measures, understanding how these announcements apply to your circumstances can make a significant difference to the decisions you make. Rather than waiting until the changes impact you, take the opportunity to have a conversation with your adviser. Together we can review what the Budget means for you, identify any opportunities available and ensure you're well prepared for the months ahead. Being proactive, not reactive, is one of the best investments you can make in your financial future. Andrew Manners | Lean on Your Trusted Advisers If there's one thing I'm expecting this financial year, it's change. Whether it's interest rates, Government policy, economic conditions or new legislation, businesses will need to be ready to adapt. During periods of uncertainty, it's more important than ever to lean on your trusted advisers. Your accountant, banker, financial adviser and legal team all play an important role in helping you make informed decisions. When your advisers work together, you're in a much stronger position to build the right processes, strengthen your business structure and identify opportunities as they arise. Don't wait until a challenge presents itself. Schedule the conversations early, review your plans regularly and make sure your business is prepared for whatever the year ahead may bring. A proactive approach will always put you in a stronger position than a reactive one. Danny Riggs | Set Financial Goals That Drive Success The start of a new financial year is the perfect time to set yourself some meaningful financial goals. Whether it's reducing your mortgage below a certain balance, achieving a target turnover, improving profitability or building stronger cash reserves, having a clear target gives you something to work towards. I've always believed that what gets measured gets done. When you create a financial goal, it naturally changes your behaviour. You make better decisions, stay accountable and keep moving in the right direction. Even if you don't quite reach the target, you'll almost certainly be better off than if you hadn't set one at all. My advice is simple: don't let another financial year pass without deciding what success looks like for you. Write your goals down, review them regularly and make them part of your decision-making throughout the year.

From 1 July 2026 , new Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) requirements will apply to accounting firms across Australia. These changes are being introduced by AUSTRAC (the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre) to help protect Australia's financial system, improve transparency, and reduce the risk of criminal activity. While the legislation is new for accounting firms, the process may already be familiar to many clients. Similar identity and verification checks have long been required by banks and other financial institutions. As a result, we may need to request additional information from some clients, including: Identification documents Updated business or entity information Details about beneficial ownership and control We understand these requests may feel like extra administration. Our goal is to make the process as simple and straightforward as possible while meeting our obligations under the new regulations. Our team is already preparing for these changes through training, process reviews, and system updates to ensure a smooth experience for our clients. Protecting your privacy remains a priority. Any personal information or identification documents provided to us will be handled securely and only through providers that meet strict data protection standards. What does this mean for you? If we ask for additional information from 1 July 2026 onwards, it will likely be because we are required to do so under these new AML/CTF obligations. If you have any questions about the upcoming changes, please don't hesitate to contact our team. Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only. While we strive to ensure that the content is accurate and up to date, the advice and information provided on this site should not be construed as a substitute for consulting with a qualified accounting or tax professional. The authors and contributors to this blog do not accept any responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content, or for any losses or damages arising from the use of the information provided.