September 2014 Issue 97

Regular readers of this column would be aware that the Australian Institute of Company Directors' role is to improve the quality of governance for the betterment of the economy and society. While much of our focus is seen as being at the 'top end of town', we are just as involved in assisting small family businesses or not-for-profit organisations and...

Since the global financial crisis the business and lending climate has been tighter than in previous years. Countries have experienced double dip recessions and businesses locally have been holding on to their cash for longer due to the changes. The flow-through effect of big business holding cash has put a squeeze on smaller entities' working capital. As a result there...

One of the most polarising federal bud gets in decades, talk of double dissolutions and a unpredictable Senate - with an early election not out of the question, now is a good time to ensure that both you and your business are up to speed on your disclosure obligations when it comes to making financial or other donations to political...

It's a much-vexed question in modern commercial practice; "can I trade out of a debt laden entity through a new structure?" Those at the regulatory end of the business spectrum are often quick to quip "No! That's a phoenix." - as though the mere mention of the name 'phoenix' invokes an evil connotation equivalent only to being diagnosed with the...

In my last two columns, I introduced you to two of my favourite mobile applications - Xero and Receipt Bank. I use them on a daily basis and consider them to be part and parcel of my business. The growth in use of mobile devices has led to an explosion in the development of mobile applications. Small-to-medium businesses are using...

Redraw has become a standard feature of home loans, with many home owners taking advantage of accessing extra money at their home loan interest rate. 1 Simply put, redraw gives you access to additional payments you have made to your loan, allowing you to withdraw that 'extra money' if needed. 2,3 Many people choose to contribute additional funds to their...

Research has consistently shown that most Australians are underinsured and do not possess a level of cover sufficient to protect themselves and their family's way of life. In Australia, over 5 million families have dependent children but only 4 per cent of these families possess insurance which will allow them to maintain their current lifestyle for 10 years or more....