Safe harbour for directors of struggling companies

Australia’s insolvent trading laws impose harsh penalties on directors of companies that trade where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the company is insolvent. Criminal and civil penalties can apply personally including…
Invite a user into Xero
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Adding a user into your Xero file

With all new clients we ask to add us as a user into your Xero file. To help navigate this process we've created some screenshots to help explain how to do this:   1. Click on your Organisation name in the top left hand side of…
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Christmas is coming – avoid being stung by FBT

Don’t want to pay tax on Christmas? Here are our top tips to avoid giving the Australian Tax Office a bonus this festive season.
data security for your business

Data security: protecting your business

The recent Facebook scandal demonstrates how serious data security breaches can be, but they aren’t limited to large organisations. Is your business data secure? Simply sending a file to the wrong person or leaving your phone in a taxi…
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Productivity: Stop being so busy.

A smartphone buzzes in your pocket. Ten tabs sit stagnant in your browser. Unopened emails, newsfeeds and gifs all claw for your attention. This is the plague of distraction. And in our efforts to always be ‘on’ our actual productivity…
xero expenses
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Xero expenses

If you have a Xero account for your business and you have staff that are constantly purchasing business related things without a company credit card, the app Xero Expenses is fantastic. Instead of asking staff to keep their receipts, giving…
business for sale

Selling a business? Don’t forget about tax

It can take many years and a lot of hard work to build a successful small business. When you finally decide it’s time to sell, tax is often the last thing on your mind. Yet it can have a big impact on how much of the sale price you get to…

5 signs of a well run business

Every small business owner wants their business to thrive, but it can be tough to keep the money coming in the door while staying on top of all the necessary paperwork. One way to ensure success is to understand the behaviours that separate…
spring clean your business

Spring clean your business

This time of year we all tend to do some spring cleaning, and not just at home. Now that we are in the new financial year, you may have some numbers on how things are going and can clear out some unnecessary expenses. The secret to a…
small business tax gap
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The small biz tax gap

Last month, the ATO released statistics showing small business is responsible for 12.5% ($11.1 billion) of the total estimated ‘tax gap’. These new figures give visibility to tax compliance issues within the small business sector…

Important due dates

We have recently created a poster for our business clients to remember some very important Australian business due dates. We created this for our business clients, but they have been so well received that we've decided all business owners…

Business structuring: which one is right for me?

Wondering how your business should be structured? In this article we are going to focus on the four main business structures: sole traders, partnerships, companies, and trusts. Get it right from the start and your business will be set up for…
Single Touch Payroll
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Have you heard of STP?

Single Touch Payroll or STP is a new system whereby all employers are required to submit payroll data to the ATO on the same day that they pay their employees.

Four business hurdles that trip up first timers

Whether you’re keen to start monetizing a passion project, or want to finally escape office politics and run your own show, here are four issues that regularly trip up new business owners. Starting your own business is an exciting time.…

Shaun talks about Trusts: Podcast

Shaun Farrugia (Optimised's founder), recently sat down with Paul Benson from Financial Autonomy (who is also our trusted Financial Planner). They talked about all things Trusts, including: The dummies guide to what exactly a Trust is …

Create a business budget in seven simple steps

You’ve got clients, you’re making money and you’re paying the bills. But if you don’t have a budget, how do you know your business is on track? Many businesses make the mistake of not creating a budget, either because they don’t know…
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Blockchain, Bitcoin & other Cryptocurrencies: What you need to know

Blockchain. Bitcoin. Cryptocurrencies. You’ve probably heard these words popping up more and more often around your office water-cooler, but what do they mean? Let us explain. Blockchain, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are some…

Why a cashflow forecast might just save your business

Seizing an opportunity for growth, responding to threats quick-smart and keeping stakeholders happy – these are all hallmarks of good business. And they all require good cash flow management. In fact, cash flow management can make or break…
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2017 Budget wrap-up

We have put together a summary of the key tax and financial changes that were announced in last night’s federal budget. This was Scott Morrison's 2nd budget and is focused on increased transport infrastructure spending which will support…
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Your 2 minute guide to the tax and super changes that affect you and your business.

Below is a summary of the key tax and superannuation changes that were announced in this years federal budget. There are some wins for business – aimed to stimulate ‘Jobs & Growth’ which was this year's slogan. There are plenty…