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Are you a business owner looking to sell your business and embark on a new chapter? The process of selling a business can be complex and overwhelming, but with the right guidance, you can set yourself up for a successful sale.
Below, we'll explore the essential steps to prepare for selling your business, including where and when to sell, how to navigate joint ownership, the key steps in the business sale process, and how your accountant can support you throughout the journey.
Before putting your business on the market, it's crucial to determine its value. However, valuing a business and this can be a challenge for many. To arrive at a fair valuation, it's recommended to employ forecasting models informed by external economic data, conduct due diligence, and emphasise current cash flow. Working with the Attune team’s specialists can ensure that you reach an accurate and realistic valuation that attracts potential buyers.
When it comes to selling your business, you have options.One approach is to engage a business broker who will act on your behalf, working to secure the best price, ensure legal compliance, and make the selling process as smooth as possible. While brokers typically charge an upfront fee and take a commission, their expertise and industry-specific knowledge can be invaluable.
Alternatively, you can choose to sell your business independently, leveraging technology and doing the legwork yourself. This option requires organising your financials, advertising online, handling enquiries, and arranging a contract of sale with the assistance of a lawyer and your accountant (that’s us!).
Timing plays a crucial role in maximising the sale of your business. Just as winter is the prime season to sell coats, every industry has its peaks and troughs. Consider variables such as seasonal trends, the local economy (including cash rate status), industry-specific events, competitor movement, and your cash flow and financial history. Understanding these factors will help you determine the optimal time to put your business on the market and attract potential buyers.
As part of our work with your business sale, we can provide some insights and guidance on timing the sale of your business.
If you co-own your business with someone else, selling adds an additional layer of complexity. Ideally, you will have a shareholder or partnership agreement in place that outlines the respective shares of each owner, processes for exiting the business, and dispute resolution mechanisms.However, if such an agreement doesn't exist, it's crucial to address questions like what happens if you want to sell but your partner doesn't. Working with a solicitor and the Attune team can help you navigate these complexities and ensure a fair and smooth sale.
Once you've defined your sales strategy, including the desired price and the approach you'll take, it's time to proceed with the business sale process. This involves advertising your business through appropriate channels, organising your paperwork (financial, loan, and tax statements), negotiating the sale price and terms, obtaining a professional contract of sale, communicating with your employees about the impact of the sale, exchanging funds on the settlement date, transferring lease agreements and assets, signing over directorship, and notifying relevant parties about the sale.
Even if you choose to handle the sale on your own, partnering with the Attune team is crucial for a smooth and successful transaction. Here's how we can support you:
Selling your business is a significant undertaking that requires careful planning, expert advice, and meticulous execution. By partnering with Attune Advisory, you can ensure that your sale is optimised for success. Our experienced team will work closely with you to guide you through the entire process. Set yourself up for a smooth and rewarding business sale by contacting Attune Advisory on 1300 866 113 – you won’t regret it.
As the end of the financial year approaches, it's crucial for individuals with a Self Managed Superannuation Fund (SMSF) to be prepared and proactive. This is true not only for the end of this financial year but also, planning for moving into the next.
With proper planning and guidance from trusted experts like the Attune Advisory team, you can optimise your SMSF's performance and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. In this article, we'll explore key considerations and actions to take before EOFY to make the most of your SMSF.
It's important to note, even if you’ve left the following until now, it’s not too late, but a call to the Attune team (1300 866113) immediately is crucial if you find yourself staring at June 30 approaching with things left to do.
1. Addressing Prior Year Management Points:
To start off, it's essential to address any management points raised by your SMSF auditor from previous years. These points could include issues related to documentation, compliance, or internal controls. By resolving these matters, you can ensure a clean slate for your SMSF and avoid potential penalties or complications down the line.
2. Validating Unlisted Investments:
If your SMSF holds unlisted investments, such as properties, it's crucial to obtain sufficient and appropriate evidence to support the annual trustee assessment of their market value. The AustralianTaxation Office (ATO) emphasises the importance of multiple forms of evidence, rather than relying solely on one source like a real estate kerbside valuation.Consider seeking additional evidence such as comparable sales to strengthen the valuation process and ensure compliance.
3. Reviewing the SMSF's Investment Strategy:
Regularly reviewing and aligning your SMSF's investment strategy is vital to ensure it remains in line with your financial objectives. It is recommended to document this review in writing (minuted)annually, serving as evidence of the trustees' diligent oversight. AttuneAdvisory can assist you in conducting a comprehensive review of your SMSF's investment strategy to optimise its performance and mitigate potential risks.
4. Settling Property Trust Profit Distributions:
For SMSFs that have pending property trust profit distributions from the 2022 financial year, it's essential to ensure these distributions are paid before the end of the current financial year. Failing to settle these distributions can result in compliance issues and potential taxation implications. Engage with Attune Advisory to navigate this process smoothly and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements.
5. Complying with Event Based Reporting:
Event Based Reporting requirements by the ATO come into play in various instances, including commencing or stopping a pension and withdrawing specific lump sums. It's crucial to ensure your SMSF has been diligently adhering to these reporting obligations. By staying on top of event-based reporting, you can avoid penalties and maintain a transparent and compliant SMSF.
6. Updating Electronic Service Address (ESA):
Individuals receiving employer contributions into their SMSF need to be aware of changes regarding the Electronic Service Address(ESA). With the discontinuation of the Australia Post ESA, a new provider will need to be selected from 1 July 2023. Attune Advisory can provide the necessary assistance in updating your ESA to ensure uninterrupted communication and seamless employer contributions.
As the financial year comes to a close, taking proactive steps to maximise the potential of your Self Managed SuperannuationFund is vital – especially at this late stage. Attune Advisory is here to guide you through the process, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and optimising your SMSF's performance now and into the future.
If you’d like to discuss any part of your SMSF strategy, don’t hesitate to call us today on 1300 866 113 so we can ensure you’re all set for next financial year!
As the financial year draws to a close, business owners have a unique opportunity to set themselves up for success for the year(s) to come by engaging in proactive tax planning. For entrepreneurs and business owners, it is crucial to recognise the significance of early tax planning in optimising financial outcomes and ensuring compliance with tax obligations. Here, we’ll delve into the reasons why starting your business tax planning for the next financial year is one of the keys to your future business and financial success.
By initiating tax planning early, business owners can identify potential tax deductions and implement strategies to reduce their tax liabilities both immediately and moving forward. It allows you to evaluate expenses, assets, and investments, and assess how they can be optimised to minimise taxable income or create opportunities based on your goals. By actively and strategically managing deductions, you can ensure your is taking advantage of all available tax incentives, ultimately enhancing your bottom line.
Effective tax planning enables you to develop strategic budgets and better manage your business cash flow. By forecasting future tax liabilities, you can allocate funds accordingly, avoiding any unnecessary or unforeseen financial strain.Early planning allows for adjustments in expenditures and investments, ensuring that adequate funds are available to meet tax obligations when they arise. This approach provides you with greater financial stability and minimises the risk of unexpected tax burdens.
Tax regulations can be subject to change, and businesses must stay abreast of these updates to avoid potential penalties or legal repercussions. Engaging in tax planning early ensures that you are aware of any new compliance obligations and can make the necessary adjustments in your operations to stay compliant with tax laws.Our team is on the front line, understanding and staying on top of changes in the tax landscape so you can safeguard your financial situation and of course maintain a good standing with the ATO.
Starting tax planning early in the financial year also allows you to establish robust record keeping systems – even if you already have systems in place, there’s always opportunities to improve to ensure that all relevant financial information is accurately recorded and easily accessible. Implementing efficient accounting practices and digital tools lets you streamline your tax preparation process, saving time and effort when the end of the financial year does roll around again. All this can simplify reporting, minimise errors, and enhance your overall financial management.
Tax planning can be complex, especially when considering the unique circumstances and requirements of each business. Collaborating with a the Attune team can provide invaluable guidance throughout the tax planning process. We’re here to help identify tax-saving opportunities, optimise business structures, and ensure compliance with regulations. Working with the Attune team for your tax planning offers peace of mind and enables you to focus on your core operations while leave your taxation matters in our capable hands.
By taking action early, you can position your business for success in the upcoming financial year and take a proactive approach to securing financial stability and growth.
Start your tax planning journey today, and set your business up for a prosperous future – give the Attune team a call on 1300 866 113 or send us an email to start the conversation.
As June 30 looms, we all seem to acknowledge it as a turning point of some kind. The End Of Financial Year, EOFY, whatever you call it has a reason for being both on the date it is in our country and for being there at all.
While much of the rest of the world wraps up their financial affairs on December 31st (see the exceptions below), Australians go through the annual fiscal wrap-up on June 30th (as you’re no doubt well aware …). This curious practice has its roots in Australia's history and the peculiarities of its parliamentary system.
To understand the origins of Australia's financial year, we must delve into the nation's federation. In 1901, the Commonwealth of Australia was formed through the Federation of six separate colonies, which eventually became the states and territories of Australia as we know them today. It is worth noting that Australia's federation was achieved by an Act of the BritishParliament, as each colony was under British rule at the time. This Act also included the Australian Constitution, which interestingly left the door open for New Zealand to join the Commonwealth of Australia. However, New Zealand declined the offer, cementing its status as a separate nation (but for now at least, we’ll leave that alone alongside other un-friendly repercussions of this whole process).
Before Federation, each colony had its own parliament, and these parliaments were responsible for overseeing the treasury offices.However, parliamentarians were reluctant to work during the summer andChristmas period, which coincided with the end of the calendar year. Since most of them were on holiday during that time, the treasury offices had no reason to present their reports to Parliament on December 31st. Instead, they chose a time when they knew Parliament would be in session – right in the middle of the calendar year when the weather was cold and the days were short.
Because the colonies were accustomed to reporting on June30th, the Commonwealth of Australia adopted this practice when it was formed.
Interestingly, Australia is not the only country with a different financial year. The United States, for instance, concludes its financial year on September 30th. However, this date would be impractical forAustralia due to potential conflicts with various football grand finals(thankfully for we as accountants). In the United Kingdom, the financial year ends in April, likely to ensure that parliamentary work is completed before the summer holidays. Most continental European countries use the calendar year as their financial year. Meanwhile, Canada takes a dual approach, with the government's financial year ending on March 31st while individual tax payers adhere to the calendar year.
Even New Zealand has a different financial year for the government (matching Australia's) and individual taxpayers, who wrap up their financial affairs on March 31st.
So there you have it! Australia's financial year ending onJune 30th is a product of the country's history and the desire to align with parliamentary schedules… aren’t those pollies lucky? So, the next time you find yourself crunching numbers in preparation for the end of the financial year inAustralia, remember that it's not just a matter of dates but a reflection of the nation's unique historical circumstances.
History aside, if you’re looking for help preparing for our unique EOFY, the Attune team are perfectly equipped to help you navigate your obligations with our complete tax advisory and accounting services. Give the team a call on 1300 866 113 or send us an email to start the conversation.
