INDEPENDENT CFO

At Sammut Bulow, we’ve recently seen an increase in clients receiving unofficial registry notices via the post and email relating to ASIC annual company statements and annual review fees. At first glance, these communications can look legitimate. They often use formal language, reference ASIC requirements, and may suggest they are acting on behalf of your business or can assist with lodging your annual review. In some cases, they also request payment directly. However, many of these notices are not issued by ASIC and are not associated with Sammut Bulow. Why this matters Making a payment to the wrong provider doesn’t satisfy your company’s ASIC obligations and can create unnecessary complications. We’ve seen this lead to: Duplicate payments or payments made to these providers but no work being completed Uncertainty around whether the annual review has actually been completed Missed ASIC deadlines Late fees or compliance issues where the genuine fee remains unpaid The client being removed from our registered agent portal and therefore SB being unable to complete important work For busy business owners, these emails can be easy to mistake for a genuine reminder - particularly when they arrive around the same time as your ASIC annual review. What to look out for To protect your business, it’s worth taking a moment to review any correspondence carefully. As a general rule: Only rely on communications sent directly from ASIC or Sammut Bulow If you receive an invoice or request for payment from another provider, don’t act on it straight away Be cautious of wording that suggests the sender is “acting for” your business when you didn’t actually engage them If something feels unfamiliar, unclear, or overly urgent, it’s worth pausing before taking action When in doubt, ask SB If you receive an email, letter or invoice relating to your ASIC annual review and you’re unsure whether it’s genuine, send it through to our team before making any payment. A quick check with us could save you time, money and unnecessary frustration. Our recommendation These notices are designed to look official and they can easily catch people off guard but taking a moment to verify the source before making payment is one of the simplest ways to protect your business. If you’ve received something recently and would like us to review it, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. 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.