The Holistic Accountant
A holistic accountant goes beyond tax returns, aiming to offer proactive advice to maximise clients' wealth after all taxes. Stuart Wemyss and Mena Abraham explore multifaceted considerations weekly, highlighting the need for a holistic approach. Each episode is succinct and to the point with no fluff or sales pitches.
Episodes
Ep 189 : Does anyone actually want what you sell?
Send us Fan MailBefore you fix your product, your marketing, or your team, Stuart and Mena argue you have to pressure-test something more fundamental: demand. Get it wrong, and everything else simply compounds a weak foundation. The uncomfortable question most owners skip is deceptively simple: what problem are you solving, for whom, stated specifically rather than in flattering generalities? Plen
Ep 188: Most failing businesses are failing at one thing, not twenty
Send us Fan MailWhen a business underperforms, owners tend to assume the cause is complex and set about fixing everything at once. It feels productive, and it almost always fails. Stuart and Mena open with a contrarian claim: struggling businesses are far simpler to diagnose than their owners think. The trouble usually traces to a weakness in just one of three fundamentals.They lay out the three &
Ep 187: Why We Retired "The Holistic Accountant"
Send us Fan MailAfter five years, Stuart and Mena are deliberately retiring a brand that was working, and the reasoning matters more than the rename. Through an accounting lens, they argue, you can tell what already happened to profit and cash, but never why a business produces those numbers or whether they'll repeat. A clean tax structure sitting on top of a fragile business is still a fragi
Ep 186: The Holiday Test: Can your business run without you?
Send us Fan MailThe holiday test is deceptively simple. If you took four weeks off with no phone, would your business hold its standard, or would it quietly degrade without you? For most business owners, the honest answer points not to a workload problem but to a design problem, and this episode tackles it directly.Stuart opens by reframing the issue: a business that depends on the founder for mos
Ep 185: Warning- Asking for feedback and ignoring it is a liability
Send us Fan MailAsking for customer feedback and then ignoring it is not a neutral act; it tells the customer more about the business than any service failure could on its own. This episode opens with a real example of a high-profile restaurant that solicited specific criticism, replied with a templated response, and confirmed the original concern in the process. It is a pattern more common than m
Ep 184: Stop hiring on gut feel: a scorecard process that works
Send us Fan MailMost business owners have at least one hiring regret, and most can trace it back to a decision that felt right at the time. The problem is rarely a lack of effort in the interview. It is a lack of structure before and during it. Gut feel tends to reward confidence, charm, and the ability to perform well in a conversation, none of which reliably predict how someone will actually per
Ep 183: How business owners can navigate the proposed tax changes
Send us Fan MailThe proposed 2026 budget tax changes have generated significant concern among business owners, but most of the commentary has focused on politics rather than practical strategy. This episode cuts through the noise and addresses what small business owners should actually be thinking about before any of these changes become law.Stuart and Mena work through three areas where the propo
Ep 182: EOFY tax planning for business owners
Send us Fan MailEOFY Planning for Business Owners: What to Do Before 30 JuneWith the end of the financial year fast approaching, business owners still have time to make decisions that can legitimately reduce tax, improve cash flow, and strengthen their financial position before 30 June.In this episode, Stuart and Mena cut through the noise surrounding EOFY planning and focus on the practical strat
Ep 181: Buy your premises or trap your cash? The OpCo-PropCo test
Send us Fan MailOwning your business premises feels like progress, security, control, and the satisfaction of paying rent to yourself rather than a landlord. But for many founders, it is a decision that quietly traps capital, reduces flexibility, and concentrates risk in ways that only become apparent years later.This episode introduces the OpCo-PropCo framework as a structured way to think throug
Ep 180: Expansion math: when a new site actually makes you poorer
Send us Fan MailA second location, a new service line, a broader geographic footprint, expansion feels like the logical next step for a business that has found its footing. But for many founders, it is precisely where profitability begins to quietly unwind.This episode confronts the expansion illusion directly: the belief that more locations automatically mean more profit. Stuart and Mena explain
Ep 179: From lumpy projects to predictable annual recurring revenue
Send us Fan MailProject-based businesses face a fundamental structural problem: every quarter begins at zero. Revenue can look strong on the surface while cash flow remains volatile, pipeline uncertainty delays hiring decisions, and the founder stays personally essential to winning and scoping every engagement. Effort scales linearly. Value does not.This episode challenges the treadmill dynamic he
Ep 178: Lifestyle creep is a capital allocation problem
Send us Fan MailSurplus cash flow is not the same as freedom; it is a decision point. And what a founder does with it reveals whether they are building income, lifestyle, or enterprise value. This episode frames lifestyle creep not as a personal failing but as a capital allocation problem with real commercial consequences.Stuart and Mena explore why founders blur the line between personal reward a
Ep 177: Controls without bureaucracy- how to scale safely
Send us Fan MailMost businesses only take controls seriously after something goes wrong—and by then, the cost is already high.In this episode, Stuart and Mena explain why controls become essential as a business grows. In the early stages, trust and visibility can be enough. But as complexity increases with more people, more transactions, and less direct oversight, that approach starts to break dow
Ep 176: Div 7A liquidity without the tax blow-up
Send us Fan MailMost Division 7A problems don’t begin with strategy; they begin with behaviour.Money is taken out of the business without a clear plan, documentation falls behind, and by the time advice is sought, the structure is already under pressure.In this episode, Stuart and Mena unpack why Division 7A issues are rarely technical at the start. They are usually the result of poor systems, unc
Ep 175: Buy lease or finance: how to make the right call
Send us Fan Mail“The tax deduction makes it worth it” is one of the most common and costly mistakes business owners make.In this episode, Stuart and Mena break down why taxes should never be the primary reason for acquiring an asset. A deduction can improve the outcome of a good decision, but it cannot turn a poor investment into a good one.The real question is far more commercial: will the asset
Ep 174: The delegation tax- saving money is costing you millions
Send us Fan MailMost business owners focus on hiring costs while completely missing what their own time costs the business.In this episode, Stuart and Mena unpack “The Delegation Tax,” the hidden cost of founders staying too involved in low-value work. It’s not salaries that hold businesses back; it’s bottlenecks. When decision-making, approvals, and execution all run through one person, growth sl
Ep 173: Most team problems are actually clarity problems
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Stuart and Mena challenge one of the most common assumptions in business: that underperformance is a people problem. Instead, he makes the case that most issues inside a team stem from a lack of clarity, unclear expectations, mixed signals, and poorly defined standards.They explain why most employees genuinely want to do good work, and how vague instructions like “
Ep 172: Capital allocation policy: owner wage, buffers, reinvestment, investing, lifestyle
Send us Fan MailRandom distributions create random wealth outcomes.In this episode, Stuart and Mena introduce the concept most business owners don’t have, but desperately need: a written capital allocation policy.They break down how surplus cash should be intentionally directed across six competing uses: owner wage, tax, buffers, reinvestment, external investing, and lifestyle. Because if it’s not
Ep 171: The gross margin lie: your mark-up math is wrong
Send us Fan MailYou think you’re making 40%. In reality, you might be making 15%.In this episode, Stuart and Mena expose the “mark-up illusion”, the common mistake of calculating margin on materials alone while ignoring direct labour, superannuation, payroll tax, leave entitlements, contractor equivalents, and production-related costs.When gross margin is miscalculated, everything downstream break
Ep 170: Data room first: exit readiness starts 24 months early
Send us Fan MailYou cannot scramble your way to a premium exit in 90 days.In this episode, Stuart and Mena explain why serious exit preparation begins at least two years before you plan to sell, and why buyers immediately discount businesses that look messy, unclear, or founder-dependent.They walk through what buyers are actually purchasing: predictable cashflow, transferable systems, and low risk
Ep 169: Shadow Equity: Incentives without giving away shares
Send us Fan MailAt some point, every growing business owner faces the same dilemma: how do you get owner-level thinking from key staff without handing over real equity?In this episode, Stuart and Mena unpack the concept of shadow equity incentive structures designed to drive performance and long-term thinking without introducing governance risk. Because real equity isn’t just upside participation.
Ep 168: The key person discount & the sabbatical stress test: why your business is devaluing you
Send us Fan MailHere’s a confronting question: If you disappeared for 30 days, what actually breaks?In this episode, Stuart and Mena unpack the Key Person Discount, the invisible valuation penalty applied when a business is overly dependent on its founder. Buyers, banks, and investors assume the worst when continuity relies on one individual, and they price that risk in quietly but aggressively.Th
Ep 167: The Finance Function Evolution: bookkeeper → controller → virtual CFO
Send us Fan MailMany business owners feel stuck in the uncomfortable middle: too big for basic bookkeeping, but not ready or willing to pay for a full-time CFO. The result? Numbers that exist, but don’t drive decisions.In this episode, Stuart and Mena break down the three distinct layers of the finance function and why skipping or compressing them causes so many businesses to stall. They explain w
Ep 166: Philanthropy at Scale: Private Ancillary Funds & Giving With Governance
Send us Fan MailPhilanthropy changes when wealth reaches a certain scale. It stops being about one-off generosity and starts becoming a question of structure, intent, and legacy.In this episode, Stuart and Mena explore Private Ancillary Funds (PAFs) and why they are increasingly used by high-net-worth families who want to give back in a deliberate, governed, and sustainable way. They unpack what a
Ep 165: When choosing an accountant on price may quietly cost you more
Send us Fan MailMost business owners believe accounting is a commodity. The tax return gets lodged, the ATO is paid, and everything looks fine, so why pay more?In this episode, Stuart and Mena unpack why choosing an accountant purely on price can quietly cost you far more over time, even when nothing appears “wrong”. They explain why tax and accounting stop being mechanical once a business grows,
Ep 164: Financial Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make in Their First Three Years
Send us Fan MailIn the early years of running a business, most financial mistakes aren’t dramatic; they’re subtle, common, and quietly destructive. And by the time many entrepreneurs realise something is wrong, the damage is already done.In this episode, Stuart and Mena break down the most common financial mistakes entrepreneurs make in their first three years and, more importantly, how a CFO woul
Ep 163 : Best of 2025 - How to read financial statements like a CFO
Send us Fan MailMost business owners glance at their financial statements and move on. CFOs do the opposite; they use them as a decision-making tool to spot risks early, improve performance, and protect cash flow. In this episode, Stuart and Mena break down how CFOs actually read financial statements, in plain English, without jargon or accounting theory. They walk through the three core questions
Ep 162: Best of 2025- How to tax effectively get money out of a company
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Stuart and Mena explore one of the most common and misunderstood questions business owners face: how to tax-effectively get money into and out of a company. Whether you’re starting a business, investing in one, or managing retained profits, understanding the right structure from the outset can save you from costly mistakes later on.They walk through the key ways to
Ep 161: Best of 2025- Navigating the main residence 6-year rule CGT exemption
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Mena and Stuart unpack the ins and outs of Australia’s often misunderstood 6-year CGT exemption rule for main residences. They explore how this powerful tax concession can help homeowners maximise profits when selling a property they no longer live in, particularly those who rent it out after moving. Listeners will learn the exact eligibility criteria, including ho
Ep 160: Best of 2025- Strategies to minimise CGT
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Stuart and Mena take a deep dive into one of the biggest and often most misunderstood taxes investors face, Capital Gains Tax (CGT). Whether you're dealing with property, shares, or business assets, they explain why the smartest CGT strategies begin not at the point of sale, but before you even buy the asset.They start by breaking down how CGT works, who gets
Ep 159: Best of 2025- Tax changes for 2025-26 financial year
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Mena and Stuart unpack the latest tax updates for the 2025–26 financial year, helping listeners navigate changes that could impact their personal finances and business planning. They kick off with the Super Guarantee (SG) increase to 12%, highlighting what this means for employers and employees alike. Next, they discuss the end of deductions for ATO interest charge
Ep 158 : 500+ of interviews, top 5 lessons: what every successful business owner must know
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Stuart and Mena unpack the five lessons that kept surfacing across 500+ founder interviews from The School of Hard Knocks, and translate them into actions for ambitious owners. First: persistence beats genius. Treat growth like a “game of doubles,” stacking small wins and showing up long after motivation fades. Second: reframe failure and take calculated risks; eac
Ep 157: The strategic shortcut- 5 questions that transform business growth
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Stuart and Mena unveil a strategic shortcut for time-poor founders: five questions that cut through noise and pinpoint the few moves that truly move the needle. They start with “Why frameworks matter,” showing how focusing on choosing one or two high-value projects beats juggling 27 “priorities.” Then they work the 5-Question framework: (1) Where will we play? Defi
Ep 156: 10 important business tips from Verne Harnish
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Stuart and Mena unpack ten punchy lessons from Verne Harnish’s Scaling Up, plus a sharp LinkedIn distillation by Jennifer Berkowitz, and translate them for Australian SMEs. They start with the big two: why speed wins (compress decision-to-execution with short cycles, guardrails, and rapid prototypes) and why simplicity scales (a one-page strategy everyone can expla
Ep 155: When to Rethink Your Advisors- Red Flags With Your Accountant or Advisor
Send us Fan MailIn this candid episode, Stuart and Mena unpack the red flags that signal it’s time to rethink your accountant or business advisor, and what “great” should look like instead. They start with the biggest warning sign: a reactive advisor who only appears at tax time. From there, they cover a checklist of concerns, including advisors who don’t understand your industry or goals, cling t
Ep 154: Redefining success: What does it really mean in business?
Send us Fan MailIn this thought-provoking episode of The Holistic Accountant, Stuart and Mena challenge the traditional metrics of success in business. While financial milestones like profit, revenue, and market share have long been the gold standard, the question is: Is that really enough? They explore how modern entrepreneurs are redefining success to include personal well-being, work-life balan
Ep 153: When Partnerships Fall Apart: Why Some Business Collaborations Just Don’t Work
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Holistic Accountant, Stuart and Mena dive into the complexities of business partnerships, why they’re formed, where they go wrong, and how to prevent them from falling apart. While many partnerships start with good intentions, complementary skills, and a shared vision, they can quickly unravel due to misaligned values, poor communication, unequal contribution
Ep 152: The Synergy Effect – How Smart Integration drives business growth
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Stuart and Mena explore the powerful concept of synergy and how strategic integration can fuel sustainable business growth. They start by demystifying what synergy really means: intentional alignment, not accidental collaboration, and why it’s essential for small businesses, even those without large teams. From aligning goals between departments to reducing frictio
Ep 151: Don’t trust your accountant
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Stuart and Mena unpack the provocative, but crucial message behind the title “Don’t Trust Your Accountant.” It’s not about questioning your accountant’s integrity, but recognising the limits of what they can (and should) do for your business. Stuart explains why business owners must take full ownership of their financial understanding, because while accountants rep
Ep 150: Conducting a health check of your business
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Stuart and Mena explore why every business owner should conduct regular health checks, not just when things go wrong, but as a proactive strategy for long-term success. They break the health check process into six core areas, starting with financial health, where Mena explains how to assess profitability, cash flow strength, and balance sheet resilience. Stuart the
Ep 149: 1%ers in business that can benefit your personal lifestyle
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Stuart and Mena explore the lesser-known “1%ers” in business—small, smart strategies that can make a big difference to your personal lifestyle when implemented correctly. While most business owners focus solely on income, employees, and long-term value, Stuart challenges listeners to also think about how their business can improve everyday life, without crossing an
Ep 148: Young entrepreneurs and building wealth outside their core business
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Stuart and Mena shift the focus to young entrepreneurs, those building businesses but wondering how to build wealth beyond them. It’s easy to pour everything into your business when it feels like your best asset. But what happens if growth slows down or plans change? The biggest risk for entrepreneurs is having all their wealth tied to a single venture. That’s why
Ep 147: Maximising your EV FBT Benefits as a business owner
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Stuart and Mena break down one of the most generous tax perks currently available to employees and employers alike: the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption for electric vehicles. With so few genuine “free kicks” in the tax system, understanding how to maximise this benefit is essential for anyone considering a new car or looking to enhance employee compensation pac
Ep 146: Common accounting errors to avoid
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Stuart and Mena uncover the most common accounting errors that can quietly cost business owners thousands in tax, compliance issues, or poor financial decisions. They begin by highlighting why your accountant plays a critical role as your de facto CFO, and how to spot red flags if things aren’t quite right. One of the biggest warning signs? A bank reconciliation th
Ep 145: Making money with small-scale property development: Risks and opportunities
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Stuart and Mena take a deep dive into the world of small-scale property development, highlighting both the potential rewards and the very real risks involved. Off the back of recent episodes about property spruikers selling uneconomical "development sites," they clarify what genuine small-scale development looks like, who it's suited to, and where it
Ep 144: Sale Succession Strategy – Selling to an External Buyer
Send us Fan MailIn this follow-up episode on succession planning, Stuart and Mena explore the second path: selling your business to an external buyer. Unlike a transition strategy, this approach involves a clean break, often preferred by owners seeking speed, lifestyle change, risk reduction, or when no internal successors are available. Mena begins by outlining the different types of buyers: stra
Ep 143: Transition Succession Strategy – Selling to Key Staff
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Stuart and Mena kick off their new series on succession planning by exploring the transition pathway, where ownership and leadership of a business are progressively handed over to internal staff or family members. Stuart begins by defining what a transition strategy is and why it matters, highlighting how it can preserve a business’s legacy, protect its culture, an
Ep 142: 3 Pillars of Business: Profit margin, Distribution, and Demand
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Stuart and Mena unpack the three essential pillars of building a successful, scalable, and sustainable business: profit margin, distribution, and demand. They begin by breaking down profit margins, exploring what makes them sustainable, and how they impact your ability to attract talent and quality inputs. Additionally, they explain why every business owner must un
Ep 141: Business Activity Statements 101
Send us Fan MailIn this practical and info-packed episode, Stuart and Mena demystify Business Activity Statements (BAS) for business owners, sole traders, and anyone new to GST and tax reporting. They begin by explaining what a BAS is, who needs to lodge one, and how often, depending on business turnover. You’ll learn when you’re legally required to register for GST (hint: it’s not just at EOFY),
Ep 140: How to tax effectively get money out of a company
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Stuart and Mena explore one of the most common and misunderstood questions business owners face: how to tax-effectively get money into and out of a company. Whether you’re starting a business, investing in one, or managing retained profits, understanding the right structure from the outset can save you from costly mistakes later on.They walk through the key ways to
Ep 139: Strategies to minimise CGT
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Stuart and Mena take a deep dive into one of the biggest and often most misunderstood taxes investors face, Capital Gains Tax (CGT). Whether you're dealing with property, shares, or business assets, they explain why the smartest CGT strategies begin not at the point of sale, but before you even buy the asset.They start by breaking down how CGT works, who gets
Ep 138: All you need to know about purchasing a franchise
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Mena and Stuart take a close look at the pros and cons of purchasing a franchise and whether it’s truly the right path for aspiring business owners. They break down why buying into an established brand can fast-track revenue, provide a proven business model, and offer ongoing support in areas like training, marketing, and supply chain management. Stuart explains ho
Ep 137: Navigating the main residence 6-year rule CGT exemption.
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Mena and Stuart unpack the ins and outs of Australia’s often misunderstood 6-year CGT exemption rule for main residences. They explore how this powerful tax concession can help homeowners maximise profits when selling a property they no longer live in, particularly those who rent it out after moving. Listeners will learn the exact eligibility criteria, including ho
Ep 136: Treasurer, Jim Chalmers calls for tax reform.
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Mena and Stuart dive into Australia’s complex tax system, using insights from a thought-provoking discussion paper by Matt Grudnoff of The Australia Institute. He examines how, when welfare and superannuation are factored in, Australia’s reliance on income tax may not be as unbalanced as critics claim. Still, Stuart raises the question: What could a more common-sen
Ep 135: Digitising, streamlining and automating your tax affairs
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Mena and Stuart share practical strategies to streamline tax administration and reduce headaches for individuals and investors. They begin by discussing the value of using Xero, even for non-trading entities, as a powerful tool to centralise and simplify record-keeping. Next, they explore the benefits of wrap platforms for managing shares and investments, including
Ep 134: Tax changes for 2025-26 financial year
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Mena and Stuart unpack the latest tax updates for the 2025–26 financial year, helping listeners navigate changes that could impact their personal finances and business planning. They kick off with the Super Guarantee (SG) increase to 12%, highlighting what this means for employers and employees alike. Next, they discuss the end of deductions for ATO interest charge
Ep 133: Should you be considering a super contribution strategy as a tax planning measure in your 30s and 40s?
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Mena and Stuart explore whether making additional super contributions in your 30s and 40s is a smart tax planning move or a potential limitation on your financial flexibility. They break down the compelling benefits of contributing extra to your superannuation, including tax savings of up to 30% for high earners, the power of compounding over decades, and the abili
Ep 132: Considerations for your business when creating your Will
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Mena and Stuart delve into the critical considerations for Australian business owners when creating a will. They unpack how your business structure, whether sole trader, partnership, company, or trust, determines what can be passed on and how. The duo explores the importance of aligning your business succession plan with your personal estate plan, from identifying
Ep 131: What to consider when establishing a corporate beneficiary?
Send us Fan MailUsing a corporate beneficiary, commonly called a bucket company, is a smart move for many trust structures, particularly when tax efficiency and asset protection are key goals. But as Stuart and Mena explain in this episode, setting one up requires more than just ticking a box.They dive into the purpose behind corporate beneficiaries, including how they help defer tax, protect asse
Ep 130: Lessons from a quarter of a century in business
Send us Fan MailThis week, the mic flips! Mena takes the lead and interviews Stuart about the biggest lessons he’s learned in nearly 25 years of running a business. From the importance of focusing on internal resilience rather than external noise, to the three critical pillars—people, systems, and product—Stuart shares the wins, mistakes, and mindset shifts that have shaped his entrepreneurial jou
Ep 129: Non-Financial Considerations When Purchasing or Partnering With a Business
Send us Fan MailBuying or partnering with a business isn’t just a numbers game. In this comprehensive episode, Stuart and Mena unpack the often-overlooked non-financial considerations that can make or break a deal.From strategic alignment and cultural fit to customer base stability, employee morale, operational systems, and intellectual property—this episode guides you through the full landscape o
Ep 128: Profit Distribution Strategy to Minimise Income Tax
Send us Fan MailGetting profit out of your trading entity isn’t as simple as it seems—and doing it wrong could cost you. In this strategy-focused episode, Stuart and Mena dive into how to distribute profits in a way that aligns with your financial goals and keeps your tax bill as low as legally possible.They explore thresholds for personal income when to use corporate beneficiaries or trusts, navi
Ep 127: What Does a Holistic Accountant Financial Health Check Include?
Send us Fan MailAn accountant’s job is more than ticking boxes—it’s about taking a 360° view of your finances. In this episode, Stuart and Mena outline what a true financial health check should include when your accountant prepares your year-end tax work.They cover business health ratios, structural reviews, profit distribution planning, personal asset and liability audits, and key insurance and i
Ep 126: What Does a Labor Party Victory Mean for Small Business?
Send us Fan MailA Labor Party win brings a wave of policy changes—some offering opportunities, others increasing complexity for small businesses. In this timely episode, Stuart and Mena unpack the key reforms and proposals affecting entrepreneurs and business owners.From tighter labour market conditions and ATO crackdowns on trusts to the $3 million super tax and incentives like the extended insta
Ep 125: What is the Biggest Profit Multiplier?
Send us Fan MailWant to dramatically grow your business profits? Stuart and Mena reveal that instead of focusing on dozens of small changes, most businesses should laser in on one to three profit multipliers.They break it down into four critical areas: People, Pricing, Product, and Process—and show how mastering just one can transform your business. Learn how to build a culture that retains top ta
Ep 124: Navigating Decision Paralysis
Send us Fan MailSudden wealth sounds like a dream—until it isn’t. In this deeply insightful episode, Stuart and Mena unpack financial decision paralysis, a common yet overlooked phenomenon that hits when wealth arrives through inheritance, a business exit, or property windfall.They go beyond the typical “overwhelm” narrative to explore identity shifts, fear of mistakes, conflicting advice, and how
Ep 123: Small Business Tax Planning
Send us Fan MailEffective tax planning isn’t just for big corporations — it’s an essential lever for small business success. In this power-packed episode, Stuart and Mena walk through the ultimate small business tax planning checklist to help you preserve capital, reduce liabilities, and build long-term wealth.They explore forecasting profit and tax positions, optimising superannuation strategies,
Ep 122: PAYG/Individual Tax Planning
Send us Fan MailAs 30 June approaches, Stuart and Mena shift focus to PAYG employees and individual taxpayers, sharing key tax planning strategies that can help you save money and avoid surprises at tax time.From super contributions (including carry-forward and spousal strategies) to income protection insurance, salary packaging, home office expenses, and even timing of income, this episode offers
Ep 121: Beware! The ATO is on the Audit Warpath
Send us Fan MailAudit activity is ramping up fast. In this crucial episode, Stuart and Mena reveal the sharp rise in ATO audits they've seen in the past few months, with more cases than in their combined careers to date. If you're a business owner, investor, or employee with deductions, this is a must-listen.They break down the key audit hotspots the ATO is zeroing in on right now: • Ren
Ep 120: Tax strategies to optimise your borrowing capacity
Send us Fan MailWant to boost your borrowing power without compromising your long-term tax strategy? In this episode, Stuart and Mena unpack the critical tax strategies that can enhance your ability to secure loans while maintaining wealth-building goals.They dive into key tactics such as strategically increasing taxable income, delaying deductible expenses, and optimizing distributions from trust
Ep 119: Considerations When Making a Living Inheritance
Send us Fan MailTraditional estate planning can be complicated, with legal disputes and tax burdens creating hurdles for beneficiaries. In this episode, Stuart and Mena explore an alternative—giving a living inheritance—and the financial strategies that make it a powerful tool for wealth transfer.They discuss how a living inheritance allows beneficiaries to receive financial support when they need
Ep 118: What Value Can Accountants Add?
Send us Fan MailWhat makes a great accountant invaluable to your business and finances? In this episode, Stuart and Mena go beyond compliance work to explore how a proactive accountant can save you money, reduce risks, and provide financial insights that fuel long-term success.They discuss key accounting functions, from keeping your financials up to date and ensuring legal compliance to optimizing
Ep 117: How to make your business cash work for you
Send us Fan MailManaging business profits effectively is crucial to minimising tax risks and optimising cash flow. In this episode, Stuart and Mena break down the complexities of withdrawing business income for personal use and the potential tax consequences if not done correctly. Many business owners assume they can freely access business profits, but the ATO closely monitors such transactions.Th
Ep 116: Becoming a self-employed medical specialist - here’s what you need to know.
Send us Fan MailThinking of making the transition from an employed medical practitioner to running your own private practice? In this insightful episode, Stuart and Mena break down everything you need to know about structuring your business, protecting your assets, and optimising your tax position as a self-employed medical specialist.The duo dives into the ongoing debate around sole trader vs. co
Ep 115: The art of business structuring
Send us Fan MailPodcast Episode: S05 – E03 – The Art of Business StructuringGetting your business structure right from day one can make or break your long-term success. In this episode, Stuart and Mena unpack the often-overlooked art of business structuring and why it’s essential to align your entity type with your business goals, industry risks, and future plans.Whether you're building a lif
Ep 114: What will accountants be doing in 2040?
Send us Fan MailIn this thought-provoking episode, Stuart and Mena dive into the future of accounting and how it’s set to transform by 2040. Gone are the days of paper-driven processes and purely compliance-focused roles. Over the past two decades, the industry has undergone a radical shift, with automation, AI, and prefilled data revolutionising how businesses manage their finances. But what’s ne
Ep 113: What are things that business owners should be thinking about and working on at the beginning of the year?
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Stuart and Mena kick off Season 5 of the HA podcast by highlighting the importance of business goal-setting at the start of the year. While personal New Year’s resolutions often take the spotlight, many business owners neglect to set clear targets—something Stuart and Mena argue can significantly impact success.They discuss key areas to focus on, starting with a re
Ep 112: When You Should Consider Outsourcing Your Finance Function
Send us Fan MailOutsourcing your finance function might sound risky, but as Stuart and Mena explain, it can be a strategic game-changer for businesses at the right stage. This episode outlines scenarios where outsourcing makes sense—like scaling, cost efficiency, accessing advanced tools, or meeting compliance demands. The duo explores how outsourcing can free up resources, enabling you to focus o
Ep 111: Understanding Employee Share Schemes for Your Small Business
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Stuart and Mena delve into the ins and outs of Employee Share Schemes (ESS) for small and medium businesses. They discuss how ESS can attract and retain top talent, particularly when capital is limited. By offering employees an ownership stake, businesses can foster loyalty, align employee interests with company goals, and create a motivated, long-term workforce. T
Ep 110: How Payroll Tax Works and What You Need to Know
Send us Fan MailStuart and Mena break down payroll tax, a significant revenue source for state governments, explaining how it’s calculated and why it’s often a point of concern for growing businesses. They review current payroll tax thresholds and rates across states, detailing what counts toward the threshold, from salaries and bonuses to fringe benefits and termination payments. Importantly, the
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