Advice

How do I find a good accountant for my business?

8:01PM | Monday, 30 August 2010 | By Oliver Milman In the early stages of a business formation, extra costs need to be considered carefully but it’s safe to say that you’ll need an accountant at some point.

What are the tax pitfalls I should avoid?

8:58PM | Monday, 30 August 2010 | By Oliver Milman Being mindful of the deadlines that are imposed upon you by the Australian Tax Office (ATO) is a simple but effective way of reducing your risk of falling foul of the tax man.

What are the main taxes I have to consider?

8:53PM | Monday, 30 August 2010 | By Oliver Milman The rate of tax you will have to pay as a business will fluctuate from year to year, but there are some basics you will need to be aware of in terms of your liability.

What can I do about late payments?

8:51PM | Monday, 30 August 2010 | By Oliver Milman Late payments are an irritating but inevitable factor of running a start-up business. You can never completely prevent sluggish payments from customers, but there are some steps you can take to minimise your exposure to them.

How do I accept different types of payment?

8:48PM | Monday, 30 August 2010 | By Oliver Milman Gone are the days when people carried around wads of cash to pay for their goods and services. Today, gangsters and the Queen appear to be the only people who rely on notes rather than plastic for large bills.

What do I do if I’m hit by a downturn?

8:44PM | Monday, 30 August 2010 | By Oliver Milman Several factors can disrupt your cashflow, some within your control and some not. While there is little you can do to stop recessions, tax hikes and tardy customers, you can react in a proactive way in order to safeguard your business.

How do I manage day-to-day cashflow?

8:35PM | Monday, 30 August 2010 | By Oliver Milman Many aspiring entrepreneurs dream of huge profits when they start up a business. The reality is, however, that without an effective cashflow system, your business won’t survive long enough to pull in a dollar surplus.

Should I turn to family and friends?

8:32PM | Monday, 30 August 2010 | By Oliver Milman

What grants are available to me?

8:25PM | Monday, 30 August 2010 | By Kate Sallai There is a range of grants available to start-up businesses at federal, state and even council level, but be aware that you may have to go through a difficult and complex procedure to secure one.

How do I work with investors?

8:21PM | Monday, 30 August 2010 | By Oliver Milman Like any kind of business relationship, you will have to balance professional diligence with good communication skills if you are to get the most out of your link-up with an investor.