Your News
Monday 19th April 2010
Say goodbye to your local accountant
Up to two thirds of accounting firms across Australia may possibly close if the Treasury’s proposed Henry Report reforms to the tax system are introduced.
Treasury Secretary Dr Ken Henry’s report on the reform of the Australian tax system is imminent, with one of the mooted proposals likely to cost Australian accounting firms their businesses, and the sector more than $900 million in lost revenue.
“The proposed one page, simplified tax return would mean six million people won’t need to use an accountant any more.” said Rob Nixon, a leading business coach to accountancy firms in Australia.??”68 percent of accounting firms in the country employ less than five people and these are the firms most likely to be hit hard by a new tax regime,” said Nixon.
But Nixon adds that, ironically, the changes could mean a great improvement in accounting support for the Australian business community, and this could play a significant role in growing the economy.
“Accountants are in a unique position in that they service every business of any size in Australia. For too long they have limited their service to filling out tax returns, instead of using their vast business knowledge and contacts to help grow their clients’ businesses,” Nixon said.
“These reforms will reward those accountants who are organised in their own systems, who offer business advisory services, who share the knowledge they have gained with their unique insight into so many businesses, and so provide the level of service Australian businesses require and, let’s face it, generally don’t get.”
Tuesday 16th March 2010
Solar panels set to generate money for sick kids
Solar power company to donate 1% of revenue to children’s charity
Queensland-based solar power company SunPower Solar has announced that it will be donating 1% of its revenue from all solar panel installations to a Brisbane based children’s charity.
SunPower Solar’s managing director Richard Seccombe is hoping to be able to donate $120,000 to the charity this year.
“We have been doing a lot of general electrical contracting work recently at a children’s hospital and as a father I can’t help but be affected seeing young kids coming in to be treated for serious illnesses.” said Mr Seccombe.
“Teams like these at the hospital do a fantastic job and deserve all the support and funding they can get. We’d love to be able to donate $120,000 from our revenue from installing solar power systems to help sick kids this year.”
Steep electricity price hike projections and a decrease in the cost of solar power systems driven by technology improvements and the strength of the Aussie dollar (most components are manufactured overseas) has led to a recent surge in interest in solar power systems in Australia.
Friday 12th March 2010
Shock! Horror! No TV for many unit dwellers when analog signal switches off
Queensland body corporate company warns that many unit dwellers are unaware that their TV signal distribution system will need to be upgraded before the analog system is switched off.
Between 2010 and 2013 analog TV transmission will be switched off around Australia and replaced with digital transmission only. If you live in a detached single dwelling, all you have to do is either buy a digital set top box for your TV or buy a new digital ready TV. But if you live in a multi-unit complex this won’t be enough – your building may need to upgrade its TV signal distribution system – and responsibility for this will fall squarely on the body corporate.
“Although switch off is not scheduled in Queensland until 2011, digital transmission is already in place and – if your building upgrades ahead of the deadline, you’ll almost certainly pay less than if you leave it to the last minute. And as soon as you have upgraded, all residents in your building will be able to access the much better picture quality of digital TV if they want to”, Capitol Body Corporate Director Ashley Fox explained.
The good news is that upgrading to a new building signal distribution system does not mean that all residents have to get a set top box or digital ready TV – the upgrade can be performed so residents can use the old analog technology right up until the time the actual signal is switched off by the Government.
As a guide, if your building was wired after 2004 it is probably already digital ready and no work will need to be done – but it’s worth getting this checked. If your building was wired before this date it will almost certainly need to be upgraded.
Wednesday 3rd March 2010
Many householders may lose their $8,000 solar rebate if they don’t get their systems installed soon warns solar panel installer
Solar panel installation company SunPower Solar’s managing director Richard Seccombe has spoken to quite a few people recently who ordered their solar power system before June 9th last year to qualify for the then $8,000 government rebate, and they still haven’t had their systems installed nearly nine months later. He says they may run out of time and lose the rebate altogether, as the letter that confirmed their eligibility for the rebate will also have an ‘install by’ date on it, which is probably coming up soon.
“A lot of people signed up to get solar panel power systems just before the rebate was cancelled and many are still waiting for their system to be installed. Even the Federal Government said that there was a backlog of around 63,000 orders nationally under the old rebate system. The problem is if the original installers simply cannot install by the install date, householders will lose that rebate.”
Seccombe explains that householders can sign their rebate over to another installer just to get the system installed in time and he has had several people do this with him to avoid losing the rebate.
“Since prices have come down a little bit since June last year, we can even install slightly bigger systems for the same price people would have been quoted back then.”
Wednesday 24th February 2010
Fast growth Brisbane consulting firm appoints three new executives
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Leading consulting and coaching firm for the accounting sector, robnixon, has recently appointed three new executives. Sandra (Sandy) Hollows has joined as Marketing Manager, Perry Stahmer as Performance Advice Manager and Clayton Myers as Client Success Manager at the firm.
Sandra (Sandy) Hollows
Sandy comes to robnixon with thirty years experience in sales, marketing and public relations under her belt, across a range of sectors such as IT, construction, manufacturing, recruitment and health. She holds a Master of Business degree as well as two undergraduate degrees in Public Relations and Journalism, and Management and Marketing.
Perry Stahmer
Perry has joined the robnixon team after careers in the telecoms, security and building industries. In his role as Performance Advice Manager he will work with the firm’s accounting practice clients to help them make the most of their membership of the firm’s coaching service, coachingclub.
Clayton Myers
Clayton has joined robnixon as Client Success Manager, having held senior positions at a number of leading multinational financial service providers. In his new role at robnixon, Clayton helps the firm’s clients ensure that they achieve real results from the coaching they receive by working closely with the firm’s coaches to roll out innovative and leading edge training programs.
“Sandy, Perry and Clayton all come to us with a wealth of experience and talent, which will be invaluable as we take the firm to a new level. We have set ourselves some ambitious growth targets for 2010, which I am confident we have every chance of hitting with them on board.” said CEO and founder Rob Nixon.
Monday 21st December 2009
Up to two-thirds of accounting firms may close, sector stands to lose $900 million revenue if Henry report implemented
Up to two thirds of accounting firms across Australia may likely close if the Treasury’s proposed Henry Report reforms to the tax system are introduced.
Treasury Secretary Dr Ken Henry’s report on the reform of the Australian tax system is imminent, with one of the mooted proposals likely to cost Australian accounting firms more than $900 million in lost revenue.
robnixon pty ltd founder and chair Rob Nixon says these potential reforms could require changes to the size of accountancy firms, the services they offer and the way universities teach accountancy. They could also wipe out the need to attract accountants from overseas. However, this could be a good thing for many Australian accountants, as well as small and medium-sized businesses, and the national economy. Rob Nixon, Australasia’s leading business coach to accountancy firms, says many small accounting firms will fold unless they make major changes to the way they go about their business, placing more emphasis on advice to grow businesses rather than filling out tax forms.
Those accountancy firms most affected will be the smaller firms currently earning most of their income from the preparation of tax returns for individuals.
“In Australia, 68 percent of accounting firms employ less than five people and these are the firms most likely to be hit hard by a new tax regime,” said Rob Nixon.
“The proposed one page, simplified tax return would mean six million people won’t need to use an accountant any more. These are the people these small accounting firms service,” Rob Nixon said.
“It might even see the removal of accountants from the ‘Occupations in Demand’ category of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship,”
But Rob Nixon said the changes could mean a great improvement in the accounting support for the Australian business community, and play a significant role in growing the economy.
“Accountants are in a unique position in that they service every business of any size in Australia. For too long they have limited their service to filling out tax returns, instead of using their vast business knowledge and contacts to help grow their clients’ businesses,” Rob Nixon said.
“These reforms will reward those who are organised in their own systems, who develop business advisory services, who share the knowledge they have gained with their unique insight into so many businesses, and so provide the level of service Australian businesses require and generally don’t get.”
“We will see a smaller overall number of accountancy firms providing business advice that will help their clients’ businesses grow, rather than just doing the tax compliance work.”
Nixon acknowledges it will tough on most small practices, but it should put an end to accounting firms’ concerns about the difficulty of finding accounting staff.
“We will see accountants working for smaller firms moving to medium and larger sized firms, where they will be paid more, have more support and have a broader range of services to offer clients.
The changes will be an opportunity for universities offering accountancy degrees to update their course content. At present universities are failing accountants and therefore Australian businesses. They are not providing accountants with the knowledge that they need to grow their clients’ business. The proof of that is the success of my business and in turn the success of our accountancy clients’ businesses. Our accountancy clients increased their profitability by on average 28 percent this year alone.”
Thursday 3rd December 2009
The stars are coming, but these children are the real stars
This year the Darwin Palmerston Shopping Centre Variety Special Children’s Christmas Party will be held from 10am until 1.30pm this Sunday 6th December at the Foskey Pavilion, Darwin Showgrounds and Neighbours star Alan Fletcher will be there.
The party is for these special children – the most vulnerable in our society – who have been nominated by their doctors, hospitals and other professional carers and welfare agencies as children that need and deserve to have fun in an environment where they can relax and be themselves, whatever their physical or mental condition, where nobody is judging the children’s behaviour.
The organisers are expecting around 1,000 children with special needs and their families to come along, thanks to the generosity of the sponsors and the local business community and volunteers. It is an opportunity for Territorians, who time and time again show that they want to help those less fortunate, to help these most vulnerable children have fun – for a few hours.
It is also a help for the parents of these vulnerable children. They can go to a party and nobody looks at them or their child because that child appears different. They can let go a bit and chat with other parents, not worrying about their kids being stared at or made fun of. They can share tips and contacts and simply relax and celebrate Christmas with their kids.
For many parents the cost of parties and presents are prohibitive, because of the extraordinary costs of having a child with special needs – wheelchairs, hydraulic lifts, special beds, special high chairs, special bathing equipment, transport and so forth.
Everything is provided free of charge for the children and their families and it will be a party in every sense with food, drinks, ice creams and all the treats little hearts could desire. To help burn up the energy and adrenalin, there will be amusement rides, jumping castles, face painters and a rockclimbing wall. The non-stop stage show will feature great local and national entertainers.
On the bill this year are Neighbours star Alan Fletcher (Dr Karl Kennedy), Ronald McDonald and the inimitable Natty Satty.
Major sponsor Mrs Nica La Pira of Palmerston Shopping Centre, said
“The Palmerston Shopping Centre Variety Special Children’s Christmas Party brings joy to the lives of many of the Territory’s special children and their families. We are very proud to support such a worthwhile cause that helps put big smiles on little faces at Christmas time.”
Organiser Annemarie Hodson says “We have had fantastic support from the Northern Territory business community, which is great. Over the years I’ve heard many heart rending stories about these kids and it’s just great to see them really enjoying themselves on the day.”
Thursday 19th November 2009
Local business trainer happy to be paid in baked beans for a good cause
Logan businesses’ “Food for Thought” project takes off by the truckload. Business trainer aims to fill a truck full of food for those doing it tough – by asking his clients to pay him in food! Food for Thought leadership seminar tomorrow 8.29am-12pm Fri 20 November – Ellaways Music, corner Compton/Ewing Roads, Underwood.
Local business/leadership trainer, James McNamara, had an idea. What if he could hold a charity gig that would not only help those people doing it tough, but would also give strong support to Logan businesses? He knew his singing skills were unlikely to pull in a charity crowd, but he did know how to help local businesses prosper. Instead of charging money for his business advice, he would ask the businesses to pay in food.
So, on Friday 20 November James McNamara will address ~100 local business people at the “Food for Thought”’ leadership seminar at Ellaways Music auditorium in Logan, and ask every participant to donate food and goods, including Christmas gifts, which will be distributed to those who need it most in Logan City over the Christmas period. He has been strongly supported by the Logan Chamber of Commerce and a range of business sponsors.
“Charity fundraisers in the entertainment industry happen all the time. It’s time the business community got together and did the same – to help the least fortunate in our community,” Mr McNamara said.
This event has put James McNamara’s skills to a public test: could he ‘sell’ the concept to the Logan business community? The proof is in the pudding – or at least in the Food truck with sponsors including: Westpac, Richies IGA, Inside Special, the Coffee Club, Impact Factory, Eightball Media, Print Alliance, Bennett Carroll Solicitors, NewsBusiness PR, Ellaways Music and the Logan Chamber of Commerce… even the local Army Reserve Regiment has agreed to pass the hat around and buy as much food as they can for the event.
Other musicians are offering their services, so James McNamara promises not to sing, so as not to scare the business community away – unless of course the price is right – perhaps another truck load of food?
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