The Importance of Regular Financial Reviews: Setting Your Business Up for Success in 2026
January 1, 2026
Article by Danny Riggs
Look, I’ll be honest with you - I’m an accountant, but I’m also a simple bloke. I like a quiet beer, a cheeky punt on the weekend with mates, and plenty of time with the family.
But if there’s one thing I know for sure, in business (and in horse racing), you don’t get ahead by hoping for the best.
You get ahead by knowing your numbers.
As we head toward 2026, the businesses that will come out on top will be the ones that put a bit of structure around how they monitor performance. So, here’s my two cents:
1. Set a Regular Rhythm for Reviewing Your Numbers
Whether it’s monthly or quarterly, make time to sit down and look at your profit and loss and balance sheet properly. Set aside time in your calendar, to understand what’s actually going on.
2. Speak to Your Accountant or Advisor if You Need Support
If something doesn’t make sense - call us. That’s what we’re here for. You don’t get extra points for trying to decode the finance reports alone. We’d much prefer you pick up the phone early, before something small becomes something ugly.
3. Compare Your Numbers to Your History and Your Budget
Looking at a single set of numbers in isolation won’t tell you the whole story. Check how you’re tracking versus last year and compare it against your budget or forecast.
4. Make the Necessary Changes (Even the Annoying Ones)
Once you’ve invested the time to understand your numbers, you need to actually do something with what you’ve found. If an area is underperforming, dig into it. If margins are slipping, find out why. This is where real growth happens - not from looking at reports but by responding to them.
5. Use These Insights to Reward Your Key People
When you understand where the wins are coming from, you can reward the people who helped get you there. A good team is worth more than a good race tip any day (and a lot more reliable).
6. And Lastly… Invest Excess Cash Wisely
Your business comes first - reinvest in what’s working, set aside buffers, and keep strengthening the foundations. But, if after all that, you’ve got a little bit of surplus invest this on yourself. Ultimately, the better your mental and physical health, the better you will be as a business owner and a leader, and the better your business will perform.
Heading Into 2026 With Confidence
Regular reviews aren’t meant to bog you down, they’re meant to give you clarity. With the right rhythm, the right support, and a willingness to adjust course, you can set yourself up not just for success in 2026, but every year after.
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.
SHARE POST:
RECENT POST:
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.
Better Conversations. Better Business. Recently, we had the pleasure of welcoming business owners and leaders from across the Ipswich region to our Business Growth Workshop featuring Ryan Tuckwood. The room was filled with people from a wide range of industries, all investing time away from their businesses to learn and connect with others who share a commitment to growth. While Ryan is widely recognised as one of Australia's leading sales strategists and the founder of SWISH (Selling With Integrity & Selling Honestly), the day quickly became about something much bigger than sales. It became a conversation about people. Because whether you're leading a team, growing a business, managing clients or developing partnerships, the quality of your conversations often determines the quality of your outcomes. One of Ryan's core philosophies is simply "Study people, not sales. When you do, success follows.
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.
You may have recently noticed a message from the Australian Tax Office (ATO) about a “Fuel Response” when logging into your ATO portal. We’ve had a number of clients ask what this means and importantly, how it may support their business. The ATO has introduced this initiative to support eligible businesses experiencing increased cost pressures, particularly around fuel, freight, and general operating expenses. While this is not a cash payment or rebate, it is designed to provide greater flexibility and support where it’s needed most. This may include More flexible payment plans for ATO debts Remission of interest and penalties where appropriate A more practical and supportive approach where businesses are genuinely impacted This approach is all about giving businesses breathing room and time, while still keeping things on track. What this means for you If your business has been impacted by rising fuel or operating costs, the ATO may be more flexible in how and when you meet your tax obligations. However, it’s important to understand: Tax obligations still need to be met Lodgements still need to be completed on time Why you’re seeing this message? The ATO is proactively communicating this initiative to individuals and businesses through their online portals to raise awareness of available support options. This does not mean any action is required — it’s simply letting you know support may be available if needed. Our advice to clients If your business is being impacted by rising costs, we’re here to help you navigate your options; Reviewing your current position Communicating with the ATO on your behalf Setting up payment arrangements where appropriate Making sure you stay compliant while managing cash flow The ATO Fuel Response is a support tool - it’s there to assist businesses who need flexibility, but it doesn’t replace the need for strong financial management and ongoing compliance. If you have any questions about the ATO Fuel Response or your ATO obligations contact us today - we are here to help. 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.