RBizz Corporate Accountants - Resources #Business Growth

Sustainability Reporting: New ASIC Training

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:58:02 +1000

Sustainability Reporting: New ASIC Training

“We recognise many smaller companies may be concerned about what the sustainability reporting requirements mean for them. ASIC is committed to helping industry build the capability required to meet these important obligations.”

ASIC Commissioner Kate O’Rourke

ASIC has partnered with the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) to release a set of educational materials aimed at providing training on sustainability reporting.

These training modules will help your smaller company understand and apply the foundational concepts underpinning Australia's new sustainability reporting requirements.

What modules are available through ASIC?

If you’re new to mandatory sustainability reporting, the requirements can seem daunting. The goal of ASIC’s training is to give you, or your report preparer, a good foundational understanding of the basics of reporting and meeting your ESG compliance requirements.

Here’s what the modules include:

Module 1 sets out how stakeholders should engage with the materials and introduces the basics of the new sustainability reporting requirements in the Corporations Act.
Module 2 covers the basics of climate change.
Module 3 covers climate-related physical risks and how they may affect an entity.
Module 4 focuses on explaining climate-related transition risks and how they may affect an entity.
Module 5 introduces climate-related opportunities and shows how they may apply to an entity through practical examples.
Module 6 introduces emissions accounting and provides foundational knowledge on Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions.
Module 7 focuses on the process of climate-related scenario analysis.
Module 8 provides an overview of how entities might integrate climate risks and opportunities into governance and risk-management processes.

Supporting your sustainability reporting requirements

You can find out more about the available training modules on ASIC’s sustainability reporting website. If you’re unsure about the sustainability reporting rules for your business, please come and have a chat with our team – we can run you through the compliance requirements.

Keeping your cashflow strong in tough times

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 02:21:08 +1000

Keeping your cashflow strong in tough times

Small businesses are particularly vulnerable in tough economic times.

When sales are slow, there are still overheads and salaries that need to be sorted. Pre-planning and being proactive can help you weather tighter economic periods and allow you to continue to thrive.

Make sure you have a clear picture of your payroll, and any other planned expenses that will need to be accounted for.

If there’s even a possibility that there could be a shortfall, it’s essential to meet this head-on. Whether this means talking to your supplier or creditors to figure out an arrangement, or compromising on other business outgoings, you must make a plan to ensure that the business, or your staff, won’t suffer.

Minimise the stress of cash-flow

Invoice early - Send any invoices that you can, and in advance if possible. Perhaps consider whether you have any regular clients or customers that you could offer a retainer or similar deal to if they book services or make a purchase from you in advance.

Chase payment - Use this opportunity to chase up any outstanding payments. Strong communication and relationships matter - talk to clients and chase invoices.

Talk to suppliers - A little honesty can go a long way. Perhaps they can extend a line of credit for your payments to them. In most cases, a good supplier would rather offer a little flexibility to keep an ongoing business relationship.

Review Inventory - Can you find a cheaper supplier locally to avoid the shipping costs or discuss alternative products that allow you to reduce expenses?

Review your costs - It’s also a good idea to do a general review of expenses. Business costs can creep up, and it’s a great idea to make a time to check on your expenses regularly, no matter what your financial situation. Review all of your regular payments and subscriptions as well as upcoming costs. There may be travel, functions or purchases which you can decide on an alternative approach to.

Talk to the bank or tax department - If cashflow is tight, make sure you have conversations early so you have everything in place to see you through.

We can help you implement strategies to protect your business for the long term and help you alleviate cashflow worries.

5 ways logistics companies can cope with rising fuel prices

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 02:20:12 +1000

5 ways logistics companies can cope with rising fuel prices

If you’re running a logistics company, small delivery business, or a company fleet of trucks, the rising costs of fuel will no doubt be a major concern.

Prices of oil have been rising since the conflict in the Middle East escalated in February 2026, with the current price of crude oil reaching record levels. With fuel prices still rising, you’ll see your profit margins slide as the cost of running your vehicles becomes ever-more expensive.

Fuel prices are not something you can directly influence. But there are ways for you to mitigate the impact of these skyrocketing petrol and diesel prices.

Five tactics and strategies for mitigating the impact of rising fuel prices

1. Consider introducing fuel surcharge clauses

You can protect your own cashflow by adding index-linked fuel surcharge clauses to your contracts with customers. This allows you to pass fluctuating costs on to your customers when prices exceed a specific, pre-defined baseline figure.

2. Optimise your route-planning with AI

Think about moving from manual planning to using AI route-planning software that calculates the most fuel-efficient paths in real-time. This reduces wasted miles and avoids idling in traffic, helping you to cut your fuel consumption across frequently used routes.

3. Consolidate loads to reduce the fuel costs

You can maximise the efficiency of deliveries by grouping smaller shipments into less-than-truckload (LTL) deliveries. You can also use digital freight exchanges to find backhaul loads for return journeys, so your trucks never burn fuel while travelling empty.

4. Enforce strict ‘eco-driving’ policies for drivers

Use telematics and in-vehicle tech to monitor and coach your drivers against heavy acceleration, speeding and excessive idling. Reducing speeds on highways and motorways can improve a vehicle's fuel economy significantly, reducing the cost of each journey.

5. Transition to electric vehicles (EVs)

This is more of a long-term strategy, but switching your fleet over to EVs may be a sound move.

Replacing your internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles with electric alternatives removes your reliance on volatile oil markets. EVs offer significantly lower ‘fuel’ costs per kilometre/mile and the long-term maintenance requirements can also be lower than for ICE vehicles.

Helping track and reduce your fuel costs

As a logistics business, effective management of your fuel costs is key to keeping your profit margins in check. If you’re concerned about the impact of rising fuel costs, book some time with our team. We’ll help you put tactics in place to keep fuel usage down and profits up.

5 Benefits of Working with a Business Adviser

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:09:17 +1100

5 Benefits of Working with a Business Adviser

You know that an accountant can look after the books and keep your numbers in good order.

But have you ever thought about the additional services and advice that an accountant can bring to you as a fully fledged business adviser, coach and mentor?

Let’s explore what other business-critical services your adviser could offer:

1. Providing an outsourced finance function

Managing your everyday finances can eat into your available business time.

By outsourcing your finance function, your accountant can manage the day-to-day bookkeeping, payroll, accounts payable (AP) and accounts receivable (AR). This not only eases your financial workload, it also gives you improved, real-time oversight of your finances.

2. Cashflow forecasting and scenario-planning

Cash is king, but managing and forecasting cashflow can be a complex task.

Your accountant can provide in-depth cashflow forecasts and help you create best-case, worst-case and business-as-usual scenarios for your cash position. With this future view of cashflow, you can make better decisions about hiring, inventory and debt management.

3. Strategic planning and goal-setting

Every business needs a strategy to drive it forward. But who’s writing your strategy?

Working with an experienced business adviser brings an objective viewpoint to your strategic thinking. Your adviser helps you align the financial targets of the business with your own personal and professional milestones. And your strategy can be tracked and regularly reviewed to see how you’re tracking against these key goals.

4. Reporting KPIs and dashboards

Your business is generating all kinds of different data – but are you reporting on this data?

An adviser can help you visualise your financial and non-financial data by setting up custom dashboards and key performance indicators (KPIs). This turns these dry numbers into real, actionable insights – insights that can inform your business decision-making.

5. Business coaching and mentoring

Working with a business coach gives you the support you need as an entrepreneur.

Your adviser can be a confidential sounding board – someone you can go to when you need advice, an independent viewpoint or just a shoulder to lean on. We’re there to guide you through the big leadership challenges and operational challenges you may face along the way.

Book a Strategy Session with Our Team

Ready to see where your business could go with the right guidance? Our team is here to offer deeper insights, strategic advice, and 1-2-1 coaching tailored to your unique goals—book some time with us today to start your transformation.

Mastering Your Business Break-Even Point

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:09:03 +1100

Mastering Your Business Break-Even Point

Understanding your break-even point is one of the most fundamental requirements for running a sustainable business. Many owners focus solely on total sales, but without knowing exactly how many units or services you need to sell just to cover your costs, you are navigating without a map. In 2026’s fluctuating economy, knowing your "zero-profit" number is the first step toward true profitability.

What is a Break-Even Analysis?

A break-even analysis identifies the specific point where your total revenue equals your total expenses. At this stage, you aren't making a profit, but you aren't losing money either. Everything sold beyond this point contributes directly to your bottom line.

The Two Pillars of Your Costs

Fixed Costs: These are the expenses that stay the same regardless of how much you sell, such as rent, insurance, and administrative salaries.
Variable Costs: These costs fluctuate based on your sales volume, such as raw materials, packaging, and shipping fees.

Why This Number Changes Your Strategy

Knowing your break-even point allows you to price your products with confidence. If your analysis shows your break-even point is too high, you have three clear strategic levers: you can raise your prices, find ways to lower your variable costs (like negotiating with suppliers), or reduce your fixed overheads.

Testing "What-If" Scenarios

A break-even point isn't static. By running a "what-if" analysis, you can see how a 10% increase in rent or a 5% discount on your products will impact your survival line. This data-driven approach removes the emotion from pricing decisions and helps you set realistic sales targets for your team.

Talk to Us About Finding Your Break-Even Point

Ready to get clear on your numbers? Our team can help you categorize your costs and calculate your precise break-even point. We’ll provide the insights you need to ensure every sale moves you closer to your profit goals—get in touch today to start the analysis.

Building a Bulletproof Business Budget for 2026

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:08:46 +1100

Building a Bulletproof Business Budget for 2026

A budget is far more than just a list of expenses—it is your business’s financial conscience. In a year defined by shifting consumer behavior and evolving tech, a static budget from last year simply won't cut it. A well-constructed budget acts as a roadmap, helping you allocate resources to growth while ensuring your "must-pay" obligations are always covered.

The Foundation of a Strong Budget

Effective budgeting starts with a deep dive into your historical data, but it must be tempered with future realism. It requires a clear distinction between "discretionary spending" (things that would be nice to have) and "non-discretionary spending" (rent, utilities, and tax). By categorizing your costs this way, you gain the flexibility to pivot when market conditions change.

Three Methods of Budgeting to Consider

Incremental Budgeting: Taking last year’s actual figures and adjusting them by a percentage for the new year. This is the simplest method but can sometimes overlook hidden inefficiencies.
Zero-Based Budgeting: Starting from zero every period and justifying every single expense. This is more time-consuming but excellent for cutting waste and maximizing ROI.
Rolling Forecasts: Updating your budget monthly or quarterly based on actual performance. this allows you to stay agile and adjust your strategy in real-time.

Why Your Budget is a Growth Tool

A budget isn’t just about saying "no" to spending; it’s about saying "yes" to the right opportunities. When you have a clear view of your margins, you can confidently invest in a new marketing campaign or upgrade your equipment because you know exactly how it affects your bottom line. It transforms "spending" into "investing."

Talk to Us About Building Your 2026 Budget

Ready to move beyond spreadsheets and into strategic planning? Our team can help you build a robust, flexible budget that aligns with your 2026 goals. We’ll help you find the leaks in your cash flow and identify the best places to reinvest for growth—reach out today to schedule a budget review.

Taking Steps to Stay Compliant with ATO Rules

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 20:03:15 +1100

Taking Steps to Stay Compliant with ATO Rules

“Every year we see small businesses run into avoidable issues because they haven’t kept accurate records, reported all their income or managed their cashflow effectively”

Angela Allen, ATO Assistant Commissioner

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is encouraging Aussie small businesses to stay compliant. By doing so, you avoid the problems, penalties and fines that can occur when your business fails to follow the rules and compliance duties set out by the ATO.

What can you do to improve your overall tax compliance position?

ere are 5 key ways you can ensure your business stays in the ATO’s good books.

1. Stay on top of your ATO debts

The ATO wants you to proactively manage your tax debts. If you can engage early with the ATO, whether that’s to set up a payment plan or even make a prepayment, this makes the debt easier to manage and removes the need for stronger enforcement.

2. Separate accounts for separate obligations

Make sure you have dedicated bank accounts for GST and PAYG withholding. This protects your essential cashflow and stops cash from being used for operational expenses, so you always have funds available for BAS lodgements and other contributions.

3. Good records, good business

Keeping accurate records is a legal requirement for a small business. The ATO is keen for businesses to transition from manual ‘shoebox’ methods to digital systems and ATO online services. This minimises errors and helps you provide all your tax information in a digital format.

4. Prepare for Payday Super

Starting 1 July 2026, Payday Super will come into force, making it mandatory for employers to pay Superannuation Guarantee contributions on each payday. Review your payroll systems now to make sure they can manage more frequent reporting and payment requirements.

5. Closing or winding down a business

If you’re closing down your business and exiting the market, you must meet your final obligations, including cancelling ABNs and lodging your final tax returns. This prevents future compliance issues and ensures all employee entitlements are settled.

ATO Advice

The ATO advises businesses to work with registered tax practitioners. Working with a qualified tax adviser from the Tax Practitioners Board keeps you in line with all current tax laws.

Talk to our tax team and let’s make sure you’re 100% compliant with ATO rules.

Five Ways to Keep Your Business Cash on Track

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 20:02:54 +1100

Five Ways to Keep Your Business Cash on Track

There’s a common saying in business: cash is king.

Having a strong cash position gives a business a critical buffer when it comes to covering day-to-day operational expenses, paying suppliers and making capital purchases. However, cashflow can be notoriously difficult to manage in practice, even for profitable businesses.

Five ways that can help keep your business’s cashflow on track

Prepare a cashflow budget

One of the best ways to keep track of cashflow in your business is to budget. A budget or cashflow projection can help you monitor your cashflow position, while also identifying the times of year where cash might be a bit tighter and help you plan accordingly.

You can choose how often to prepare a budget – monthly, quarterly, or even annually – but make sure to compare your cashflow budget to your actual performance to make sure you’re on track (or to fix things if not).

Know your funding options

Ideally, a business should have enough cash to cover its operational and compliance costs. However, this is not always feasible. To keep your business afloat, identify any additional funding sources your business might need. This includes traditional options such as loan financing or organising an overdraft, but funding can come from other sources too, such as from an angel investor or (depending on what the cash will be used for) a government grant.

Shorten payment times

Another way to boost cashflow is to look at the payment terms your business currently offers customers, whether that’s one week, 30 days, or more.

If your payment terms are on the longer side, consider shortening them to bring cash into the business a little quicker. Ways to encourage prompter payment include sending payment reminders to customers, introducing a modest early payment discount, or including a policy on your invoices that you may charge customers a fee or interest on any late paid amounts.

Extend payments to suppliers

Just as it’s a good idea to bring cash from customers into the business as quickly as possible, it’s also a good move to review your current payment arrangements with your suppliers. Some suppliers can offer generous payment terms, so if you need cash to sit in your business account a little longer, consider negotiating longer payment windows, or ask a supplier if they would be willing to offer an early payment discount if not.

Inventory review

If your business needs to free up extra cash, consider conducting an inventory review.While some level of inventory is necessary for almost all businesses, excess stock can be a quick way to suck up cash that could be better deployed elsewhere. An inventory review can tell you whether you hold enough stock to meet customer demand and can help prevent over-ordering going forward.

Keep on top of cash

Need help preparing a cashflow budget, or have other questions about how to better manage your business’s cashflow position? Come and talk to a member of our team for a tailored discussion on your business.

How Going Green Can Be Good for Business

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 14:28:42 +1100

How Going Green Can Be Good for Business

It’s no secret that climate change is here. Year on year, heat records are being broken, alongside more extreme weather events.

While there’s no easy solution to fix climate change, and certainly no magic formula that would reduce its effects overnight, there are still plenty of ways that businesses can help the environment, while also benefitting their bottom line.

Below are five ways that a business may profit from more environmentally friendly working practices.

1. Cost savings

It’s common knowledge that implementing energy-saving measures can reduce costs for your business. Changing to energy-efficient LED lighting, for example, as well as focusing on reducing water usage, can do wonders for utility bills. Similarly, a focus on recycling and reducing waste around the office can help save money on waste removal services.

2. Stand out from competitors

In addition to helping reduce costs internally, going green can really boost a business’ reputation in the wider community. Increasingly, consumers are looking for more sustainable, eco-friendly products, with many even willing to pay a premium for such products.

For example, PwC’s Consumer Survey found that more than 80% of consumers said they were willing to pay more for sustainable produced or sourced goods, with some willing to pay on average 9.7% more for goods that met specific environmental criteria, including locally-sourced, made from recycled or eco-friendly materials, produced in a supply chain with a lower carbon footprint, etc.

While consumers’ preferences for eco-friendlier products will not necessarily guarantee an increase in revenue streams (given the current cost-of-living crunch), a green business is still likely to stand out to consumers, especially if your competitors have neglected their own green credentials.

3. Attract talent

By appealing to employees who value sustainable practices, going green can also give your business a great platform to both attract and retain top talent in your industry. A green agenda can also be appealing to new and established employees where it complements the wider company culture, while helping to foster a more positive work environment between employees who share similar values.

4. Keep up with regulations

As many countries move towards net zero, more regulations are being introduced to help manage businesses’ environmental impact. Green businesses are much more likely to stay ahead of this regulatory curve, while also demonstrating to consumers, staff, and wider stakeholders their commitment to sustainability.

5. Access financial support

While there are plenty of benefits associated with going green, it is not without cost. Adopting sustainable practices will likely involve some form of upfront investment, whether that’s adjusting your supply chain, upgrading to more energy-efficient equipment, or introducing electric vehicles to your car fleet.

If cost is what’s holding your business back, there may be grants or other financial incentives on offer to help in the transition to a more sustainable business. Check what’s available locally – the results might surprise you!

Need a hand identifying cost savings?

If you’d like to make steps towards becoming a more sustainable business, come and have a chat with us.

We can help identify potential areas for cost savings, including whether you may be eligible for any financial assistance.

Setting Goals for the New Financial Year

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 17:31:44 +1100

Setting Goals for the New Financial Year

The new financial year is a new beginning. As a business owner this a great time for you to reflect on where you are at and think about your business goals for the financial year ahead.

Setting goals is an essential part of personal and professional growth. These could be lofty goals, or even setting out a plan to achieve some more mundane (but equally important) projects. Whether that is getting paid faster, reassessing expenses or bigger things like automation of processes and new markets. You may be looking to expand your business or create more time for yourself.

Having a clear vision and actionable goals can help you achieve your long-term plans. Here are some tips to get you started:

Envision your future: Reflect on what you truly want from your life and how your business can help you achieve those aspirations. Consider where you want your business to be in the next five or ten years. Having a clear endpoint in mind will make it easier to set goals that align with your vision.
Set measurable goals: Vague goals can be challenging to track and evaluate. Instead, focus on setting goals that are measurable. Think about the key metrics you already monitor in your business and how you would like to see them improve. For example, aim for a 3% increase in net profit year-on-year, a 2% reduction in expenses, or acquiring two new customers per month or grow your prospect database by 50%. If you set specific targets, you can easily track your progress and make adjustments as needed.
Develop a plan for each goal: Once you have identified your goals, it's crucial to create a plan of action to achieve them. This can be as simple as jotting down your ideas or engaging in a brainstorming session with your team or advisors. Having a well-defined plan in place will help you stay focused and motivated to follow through.
Monitor your progress regularly: It's essential to regularly check in on your progress towards your goals. Set reminders on your calendar or align your monitoring process with your invoicing cycle. By consistently evaluating your progress, you can identify any areas that need improvement or come up with fresh ideas to help you reach your targets.
Celebrate your achievements: Celebrating milestones along the way is crucial for maintaining motivation and momentum. Plan a reward for yourself when you achieve a significant goal. It could be treating the team to a morning tea, having a day out of the office together or planning an event for the end of the year. Choose something that brings you joy without breaking the bank.

Not sure how to get started?

We can help you with the strategy and identifying the information you’ll need to track, so you can monitor your progress.

Setting goals is just the first step. By implementing these tips and staying committed to your vision, you can turn your long-term plans into reality.