RBizz Corporate Accountants - Resources #Small Businesses

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.

3 Ways to Make Your Business Attractive to Lenders

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:50:19 +1000

3 Ways to Make Your Business Attractive to Lenders

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) make up over 90% of all firms and, on average, account for 70% of total employment and 50% of GDP worldwide.

But MSMES are finding it increasingly difficult to access funding. According to recent figures from the International Finance Corporation, (part of World Bank Group) the MSME finance gap in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) now stands at $5.7 trillion.

The key routes to funding

For your micro, small or medium-sized business to thrive, it’s important to have easy access to funding. But what are the usual routes to take when looking for additional funding?

For many business owners, the starting point has traditionally been their bank. Overdrafts, business loans and access to credit cards open up a route to extra capital. But with the major banks currently reluctant to lend to MSMEs, the lending market has diversified.

Private finance specialists and fintech platforms offer ways to borrow. But despite the proliferation of alternative lenders, it’s still vital to be an attractive proposition for lenders.

How to make your business more attractive to lenders

Lenders don’t want to lend to a risky prospect. As a business, it’s critical that you have a positive credit profile, good sales revenues and the available cashflow to repay the loan.

To present your business as a more attractive prospect, try these three key approaches to good recordkeeping, cashflow administration and debt management.

Keep accurate, real-time financials: Using cloud accounting software, like Xero, QuickBooks or MYOB, helps you provide potential lenders with the financial data they need. Having up-to-date balance sheets and cashflow statements gives the lender a clear overview of your financial performance and reduces the perceived risk of lending.

Demonstrate consistent cashflow coverage: Focus on achieving a strong debt service coverage ratio (DSCR). If you can show consistent, recurring revenue that comfortably covers the company’s existing and proposed debt obligations, this reassures lenders of your ability to repay.

Strengthen your business credit scores: Regularly monitor and improve your business credit score by paying suppliers early and correcting reporting errors. A high score signals you’re a low risk to lenders and eases the path to lender approvals.

Opening up the best routes to small business lending

If you’re eager to scale but are facing resistance from traditional lenders, come and talk to us. Our team can help you build a workable funding strategy and recommended approach to best lenders.

Alternatives to the Small Business Superannuation Clearing House

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:42:39 +1000

Alternatives to the Small Business Superannuation Clearing House

On 1 July 2026, the Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (SBSCH) will close permanently as part of the Payday Super reforms. With only a few months left, employers still using the SBSCH need to find an alternative option, and soon.

Don’t wait until the last minute

If you currently pay your superannuation quarterly, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) recommends that the super payment for the January-March 2026 quarter (due 28 April 2026) be the last payment you make through the SBSCH. That way, you give yourself time to find and adjust to a new provider before you need to pay super for the April-June 2026 quarter.

Remember, the April –June quarter payment (due 28 July 2026) cannot be made using the SBSCH after 30 June 2026.

Choosing a new provider

There are a lot of different options out there to replace the SBSCH:Check your existing payroll software, as it may well already have super functions that you can use to pay your employees’ super guarantee contributions.

Check other payroll software or providers that meet all SuperStream requirements.

Find a commercial clearing house or super fund that provides payment options—that might include your default super fund.

Once you’ve picked your new provider, make sure to trial it out well before 1 July 2026. That way, you can get comfortable with the new platform while also having the chance to troubleshoot any potential errors before Payday Super comes into effect.

As a reminder, Payday Super requires that employers pay their employees’ super at the same time as their salary and wages, with funds to be received into employees’ nominated funds within seven business days of payday.

Closing up your SBSCH account

After 11:59 pm AEST on 30 June 2026, you won’t be able to log in to the SBSCH to submit instructions or view records, so make sure that you’ve finalised any payments and downloaded any reports from the SBSCH before it closes for good.

Make sure you’re Payday Super ready

Need help picking an alternative to the Small Business Superannuation Clearing House, or looking for further advice about Payday Super? Get in touch with a member of our team – we’d be happy to walk you through your options, and put a plan in place to get your business ready ahead of 1 July.

Cash flow and cost control

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 12:31:22 +1000

Cash flow and cost control

Don’t wait until the last minute

Remember, the April –June quarter payment (due 28 July 2026) cannot be made using the SBSCH after 30 June 2026.

Choosing a new provider

Check other payroll software or providers that meet all SuperStream requirements.

Find a commercial clearing house or super fund that provides payment options—that might include your default super fund.

Closing up your SBSCH account

Make sure you’re Payday Super ready

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.

Is Your Business "Cyber-Fit" for 2026?

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 02:20:29 +1000

Is Your Business "Cyber-Fit" for 2026?

As we move further into 2026, cybersecurity is no longer just a technical checkbox for IT departments; it has become a critical pillar of customer trust. With the Australian government tightening data privacy regulations and the ATO increasing its digital monitoring, small businesses are now prime targets for sophisticated deepfake fraud and ransomware. Being "cyber-fit" means moving beyond simple passwords to a proactive culture of digital resilience.

The Rising Threat of Deepfake Fraud

One of the most significant shifts this year is the accessibility of AI-driven fraud. Scammers can now convincingly mimic the voice or face of a business owner or supplier to authorize fraudulent payments. To counter this, "gut feeling" is no longer enough. Businesses must implement multi-person verification steps for any unusual financial requests, especially those involving changes to banking details or urgent wire transfers.

Data Residency: Where Does Your Info Live?

In 2026, where your data is stored matters as much as how it’s protected. Australian consumers and regulators are increasingly wary of "bargain" offshore cloud tools. Choosing vendors with Australian-based data centers ensures compliance with local privacy laws and builds a "sovereign" layer of security that protects your intellectual property and client list from international data breaches.

Simple Habits for Maximum Protection

You don’t need a massive budget to be secure. Most breaches occur through human error, not technical failure. Implementing "cyber hygiene" habits—such as mandatory Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on all accounts, using a team-wide password manager, and conducting regular "spot checks" on system backups—can block over 90% of common attacks.

Cybersecurity as a Competitive Edge

When you can prove to your clients that their data is handled with the highest level of integrity, it becomes a powerful marketing tool. In an era of "digital skepticism," being a privacy-first business helps you win bigger contracts and retain loyal customers who value their security as much as your service.

Talk to Us About Your Digital Safety

Not sure if your current systems are up to 2026 standards? Our team can help you conduct a lightweight "Cyber Health Check" to identify your biggest risks. We’ll help you implement simple, cost-effective protections that keep your data safe and your reputation intact—get in touch today to get started.

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.

How to improve your customer experience as a retail business

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:30:45 +1100

How to improve your customer experience as a retail business

“Q: My online retail customers are disappearing thick and fast. What could be causing this drop in sales conversions?”

As a small retail business, you spend a significant amount on customer acquisition. But recent research from Inside Retail reveals that we have a major commitment problem.

Last year, 76% of shoppers walked away after one bad experience. This year, that number has climbed to 84%. Customers are no longer taking the traditional routes of complaining or filing tickets; they are simply disappearing and abandoning their carts.

“A: The real ‘breaking points’ are no longer happening at the checkout – they are happening after the buy button is hit.”

With online shopping such a central part of any retail strategy, customers abandoning baskets, or cancelling their purchases is a major headache.

But there are plenty of ways to improve your retail customer experience (CX) to mitigate these abandoned carts and the associated loss of sales:

Remove the barrier of shoppers needing a mandatory account:

Make it easy for shoppers to check out using a ‘guest account’. 34% of respondents say they abandoned a cart because of forced registration. Allow customers to create an account after the payment is complete, transforming a hurdle into post-purchase convenience.

Be totally transparent about the final price:

Show all shipping costs, taxes and fees up front when the customer first views the cart, rather than at the final payment step. Hidden costs are a major reason for abandonment, so providing a real-time shipping calculator prevents the potential price shock that can kill conversions.

Offer multiple payment options:

69% of shoppers may abandon carts that don’t offer their preferred payment methods. It’s sensible to include payment gateways such as PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay alongside the more traditional credit/debit card option. This increases the chance of your customer clicking through and paying.

Give the customer a good reason to trust you:

Place security badges, clear return policy links and live-chat icons directly within the checkout footer. Anxiety about data security or ‘what if it doesn't fit?’ worries peak at the moment of payment; these signals provide the final reassurance needed to click 'Confirm'.

Removing the barriers to cart abandonment and lost sales

With 14.3% of all Australian retail sales now being made online, removing these e-commerce customer experience barriers is a must for any small retail businesses.

Talk to our team about your e-commerce strategy and the key ways you can enhance your customer experience to reduce cart abandonment and unsatisfied customers.

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.

Using business money and assets for personal use or benefit?

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 20:02:35 +1100

Using business money and assets for personal use or benefit?

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) regularly publishes focus areas for small businesses. One of the top areas where the ATO regularly sees errors is where a private company shareholder uses business money and assets for personal use or benefit, which can lead to Division 7A issues.

What is Division 7A?

Division 7A is an anti-avoidance rule designed to stop the profits or assets of a private company from being provided to its shareholders or their associates tax free. Think of a small business shareholder using a company credit card to pay for their child’s school fees, or using company money to pay for a holiday.

If a shareholder uses company money for private purposes and doesn’t do anything to resolve the situation, then Division 7A can step in to treat those amounts as unfranked dividends, which are taxed in the shareholder’s personal tax return at their own marginal rate.

Common misunderstanding can lead to errors

One of the most common Division 7A errors the ATO sees is caused by shareholders and their associates not understanding that a company is a separate legal entity. This legal separation means that a company’s money and assets are its own, and should not be ‘dipped into’ by shareholders (and if they are, such amounts should be paid back within the relevant time).For this reason, it’s a good idea to have separate bank accounts or credit cards for private and company expenses, to make it easier to distinguish between private and business expenditure.

How to avoid Division 7A issues

Besides paying back the amount in full, another common way to avoid a Division 7A issue is to borrow the amount as part of a complying loan agreement.

There’s no set format to a complying loan agreement, but it should be in writing and contain at least:

Identitiy of the borrower and lender,
Loan amount,
The requirement to repay the loan,
Interest rate payable (no less than the Division 7A benchmark rate), and
Term of the loan (generally up to 7 years, unless the loan is secured by a registered mortgage over real property)
A complying loan agreement must be signed and dated before a company’s relevant lodgment day for the income year in which the loan was paid.

Don’t get caught out by Division 7A

Have questions about Division 7A? Come and speak to a member of our team. We can make sure that you’re meeting all Division 7A obligations, including meeting complying loan requirements.