shavini.ashokjayaram 
Critical thinking is an important skill in both our personal and professional lives. It helps us look at information carefully, ask the right questions and make decisions based on facts rather than assumptions. At work, critical thinking helps employees analyse situations, make informed choices and find practical solutions to problems. It also encourages people to … Read more
A finance team can have talented people, reliable accounting software and well-established processes, yet still struggle to operate efficiently. One common reason is that roles and responsibilities have not been clearly defined, leaving employees uncertain about who is responsible for each task. When responsibilities are unclear, tasks can overlap, important activities can be missed and … Read more
Financial data plays a critical role in every business, supporting daily operations, decision-making and long-term planning. From bank account details and payroll records to invoices, customer information and financial reports, businesses rely on sensitive financial information every day. Yet as financial processes become increasingly digital, protecting this information has become more challenging. Accounting platforms, online … Read more
For franchise networks with a 30th June financial year-end, September is a useful time to review marketing fund contributions and expenses. Good record-keeping is more than good practice. Under the current Franchising Code of Conduct, marketing funds fall under the rules for specific purpose funds. These rules set out obligations for franchisors and fund administrators. … Read more
For registered tax and BAS agents, another important compliance deadline is approaching. If you have clients who cannot report through Single Touch Payroll (STP) and need to lodge a PAYG withholding payment summary annual report, 30th September may be an important date to keep in mind. Review your client list now, identify affected clients and … Read more
If you have been putting off your tax return, 31st October 2026 is a date to have on your radar. For individuals lodging their own 2025-26 tax return, 31st October is the standard lodgment deadline. It is also the final date for registered tax agents to add new clients to their client list for coverage … Read more
If you run a franchise system in Australia, there is an important compliance deadline to keep on your calendar each year. Under the Franchising Code of Conduct, franchisors must confirm or update their information on the Franchise Disclosure Register every year. Failing to update the register is a breach of the Code, and penalties may … Read more
If your business provides certain services and pays contractors to provide those services on your behalf, there is an important deadline coming up. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) requires eligible businesses to lodge a Taxable Payments Annual Report (TPAR) by 28th August 2026. The report covers payments made to contractors between 1st July 2025 and … Read more
If you are a registered BAS agent, there is an important date coming up for your clients. Under the ATO’s BAS agent lodgment program, the standard due date for lodging and paying eligible Quarter 4 2025-26 activity statements was 28th July 2026. However, eligible activity statements lodged electronically through Online services for agents or the … Read more
Problems are part of every business. A process may take longer than expected. Errors may keep appearing. A team may struggle with an inefficient workflow. Or a small operational issue may continue to create unnecessary work. The challenge is not simply identifying that a problem exists. It is understanding why it is happening and what … Read more