CGW Lawyers partner Fletch Heinemann shares some of the critical considerations for businesses engaging contractors with audit activity in this area on this rise.

In this episode, Heinemann discusses two major High Court decisions, Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union v Personnel Contracting Pty Ltd and ZG Operations Pty Ltd v Jamsek, and the implications they've had on contractor arrangements.

He also explores how the introduction of the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill 2023 affects how businesses determine whether workers are employees or contractors.

Heinemann warns businesses on some of the key issues to watch out for when contracting sole traders, including potential payroll tax concerns.

With audit activity from both the ATO and revenue offices in this area on the rise, he also provides insight into how businesses should prepare for a potential audit.

Tax debt specialist Olga Koskie explains why it's not all doom and gloom in relation to payment plans and tax debts despite a shift in the ATO's approach.

In this latest episode, Tax Assure director and principal Olga Koskie shares what she's currently seeing in practice in terms of the ATO's approach to tax debts and the types of terms it is willing to agree to with payment plans.

While the ATO is now firmly back in active collection mode, Koskie says it is still possible for businesses with tax debts to obtain affordable and sustainable payment plans.

She sheds light on the factors the ATO is looking at when considering when to grant payment plans and what is likely to lead to a more favourable outcome.

Koskie also explains what initial steps businesses with these debts should be taking and how they may need to structure their arrangements based on their specific circumstances, such as projected cash flow.

Heather Smith and Tyler Caskey delve into the latest features, integrations and developments across QuickBooks, MYOB and Xero over April and May.

Accounting app specialist Heather Smith and technology enthusiast and partner at The Bean Counters, Tyler Caskey, share their thoughts on some of the recent updates across accounting apps in the past two months.

They chat about the release of several new features by QuickBooks including the spreadsheets sync feature and the release of the fixed asset register and some recent integrations on the platform.

They also touch on some of the big announcements in the space including Xero's decision to retire Planday and changes with its pricing plans.

Smith and Caskey also highlight some of the other useful features launched across practice management and business management software platforms recently.

Cooper Grace Ward Lawyers partner Sarah Lancaster provides an update on the payroll tax issues continuing to plague medical practices and the critical planning needed in this area.

In this episode, Lancaster shares some of the highlights from her upcoming presentation at the ACE Accounting Conference & Expo next month.

She discusses the potential audit risks facing medical and allied health practices following the rulings that were issued by various revenue offices last year and what firms need to be doing now to manage these risks.

Lancaster also sheds light on other payroll tax issues being audited by state revenue offices and where businesses need to improve their record keeping.

A bids and tender specialist has seen a dramatic increase in small to medium accounting firms bidding for government contracts in the past year.

In this episode, Jason Cooney, director at The Tender Team, explains why smaller accounting firms have become more courageous with bids for government contracts more recently and some of the reasons for their success.

Cooney discusses the types of contracts that smaller accounting firms are winning and how they can stand out from other competing firms.

He also offers tips and considerations for the tender process and how firms can prepare to make the process smoother.

Michael Fingland explains the vital role that stress testing can play for businesses in an economy "teetering on the edge of recession".

In this latest episode, Vantage Performance chief executive Michael Fingland gives a rundown on the concept of stress testing and how businesses can utilise this strategy to prepare for further headwinds in the year ahead.

Fingland explains that with consumer spending pulling back and the economy softening, businesses should be analysing what outcomes might arise with a dip in cash flow, a drop in revenue or with other, more specific, challenges.

Businesses can then put in a place a “rapid-fire turnaround plan” that can be implemented if any of these scenarios happen, he says.

He also provides his predictions on business conditions for the remainder of 2024 and what the main challenges will be.

Heather Smith and Tyler Caskey delve into the latest technology transformations and feature and functionality updates for the start of the year.

In this episode, accounting apps specialist Heather Smith and Tyler Caskey, partners at TheBeanCounters, discuss recent developments in real-time banking transactions, direct digital receipting and multi-currency transactions.

They also explore updates and new features in the reporting space across cash flow forecasting, automatic workflows, intercompany loan reconciliations and ESG.

Heather and Tyler also chat about some of the big announcements in the accounting tech space including the launch of WorkflowMax by BlueRock and Xero ending classic invoicing later this year.

There are so many amazingly successful women in the finance industry, but only a small number have a strong brand and online presence in this traditionally male-dominated industry.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we want to help more women raise their profile and showcase the incredible professionals in this space.

In this episode, partnered by Mortgage Choice (part of the REA Group), we’re picking the brain of its executive manager, corporate communications, events & franchise marketing, Sally Chadwick, to find out:

• How to build a brand presence.
• The benefits of having a strong brand presence.
• Top tips to help you get started today.

And much more!