internal controls

Is Your Business a Sitting Duck for Fraud and Loss?

Quick Exercise: Take a moment to jot down your answers to these questions:Who has access to your business bank accounts?When was the last time you reviewed your employee expense reports?Do you have a clear process for handling customer refunds?Have you thoroughly examined your workflow for exploitable weaknesses?How confident are you that your financial data is … Continued

2021 federal budget review

The 2021-22 Federal Budget: Highlights and Key Measures

Our expert analysis and review of the latest Federal Budget. If you missed our recent Federal Budget 2021-22 Review Webinar, please click here to access it. We recently teamed up with Clarity Wealth to discuss the key measures recently announced in the 2021-22 Federal Budget. In this article, we will cover off on the following … Continued

June 2019 Reserve Bank of Australia Decision

Sydney 4th June 2019 2.30pm, Reserve Bank of Australia announcement. At its meeting today in Sydney, the RBA Board decided to lower the cash rate by 25 basis points to 1.25 per cent. The RBA Board took this decision to support employment growth and provide greater confidence that inflation will be consistent with the medium-term target. The outlook … Continued

Rental property deduction restrictions: 2017 Budget

As part of the Government’s agenda to facilitate affordable housing, the Budget will be implemented starting on 1 July 2017.  It proposes removal of a number of deductions in relation to investment properties. The Housing Tax Integrity Bill amends the ITAA 1997 to implement 2 measures announced in the 2017-18 Federal Budget. Firstly, denying deductions for … Continued

Treasury Laws Amendment Bill impact property investors

Treasury Laws Amendment Bill 2017 On the 7th of September 2017, Treasury Laws Amendment (Housing Tax Integrity) Bill 2017 was introduced into parliament. It included legislation changes which will negatively affect residential property investors across Australia. Announced in the 2017 Federal Budget, the amendment denies tax deductions for the decline in value of‘previously used’ depreciating … Continued

Planning on buying that dream house?

So, you’re looking to purchase a house, this could be your largest purchase to date for either a place to call home or an investment property. The pathway ahead can be very tiring and confusing for you as the journey to home ownership begins. Good thing there are local Financial Advisers who can alleviate some … Continued

Protect Yourself From Illegal Activity

Illegal phoenix activity is a serious crime and may result in company officers (directors and secretaries) being imprisoned. It affects hundreds of Australian workers every year.  Employees are usually left with unpaid wages and entitlements and creditors are left with nothing but debt. This activity is becoming alarming now because it’s been reported that phoenixing … Continued

Crackdown On Employer Non-Compliance

The Turnbull Government announced that they will provide the ATO with additional funding for a Superannuation Guarantee Taskforce. The taskforce will crackdown on employer non-compliance. The ATO released a media statement on 29 August that the super guarantee gap for the 2014-15 year is estimated to be $2.85 billion, which represents 5.2% of the total … Continued

Federal Budget Update 2017

2017 Federal Budget Analysis

First home savers, downsizers and small business are the winners in Treasurer Scott Morrison’s second Budget – while taxpayers face an increase in the Medicare levy. Note: These changes are proposals only and may or may not be made law Superannuation Contributions from downsizing the home Date of effect: 1 July 2018 Individuals aged 65 … Continued

Debt Management Tips

Managing debt: What’s your plan?

Debt is one of the fixtures of modern life for most people but if you feel it’s getting out of your control, it’s time to act. The Australian Psychological Society(1) says 35 per cent of Australians have significant levels of distress in their lives; 26 per cent have above-normal levels of anxiety; and 26 per … Continued

Estate Planning Advice

Estate Planning – from my own experience

Matthew McCabe, Financial Adviser, Judge Financial Planning Over 4 years ago, I lost one of my closest friends. Scott was a diesel mechanic in the mines, on good money and with the world at his feet. He supported his fiancé and her three kids, like they were his own. He was an extraordinary man. They had planned to wed … Continued

aged-care

Understanding Aged Care

Matthew McCabe, Financial Planner and Retirement Specialist at Judge Financial Planning The emotional and financial upheaval of moving a family member into residential aged care is a daunting experience. If the complexities involved seem overwhelming, then perhaps our professional advice can help. There is a maze of legislation, entitlements and Centrelink assessments to contend with, … Continued

Property Updates in NSW

Property Update – September 2016

When it comes to markets, the basics are supply and demand, however these all-encompassing terms are nuanced. Depending on your location or property type, the factors that drive demand can be wide and varied. The team at ‘Herron Todd White’ provide an insight on what drives demand in their particular patches. Sydney The factors that … Continued

Business Benchmarking and Performance Review

Benchmarking

What is Business Benchmarking? Benchmarking your business will give you insight into how your business is performing relative to your competitors. Through benchmarking you will gain an understanding of your competitive position, your business strengths and weaknesses, and develop a process for making changes to your business which improve profits. The benefits of benchmarking are that … Continued