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Our Certified Practising Accountants report on the latest accounting news, and address your most common questions relating to accounting, bookkeeping, company tax, individual tax returns, self managed super funds and more.
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Common Tax Deductions Lawyers Often Miss
Whether you’re a partner, associate, barrister or running your own practice, understanding the deductions available to legal professionals can make a meaningful difference at tax time. Here are some of the most commonly overlooked tax deductions for lawyers . 1. Professional Development and Legal Education Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is mandatory for most lawyers. Fortunately, many of these costs are tax deductible. Eligible deductions can include: CPD courses
Mar 63 min read
Should Lawyers Operate as a Sole Trader, Company or Trust?
Choosing the right business structure is one of the most important decisions when establishing or restructuring a legal practice. The structure you operate under can influence tax outcomes, asset protection, administrative complexity and long term growth opportunities. For lawyers in Australia, the most common structures are sole trader, company or trust. Each option has its own advantages and considerations depending on the size of the practice, income level and risk profil
Mar 43 min read
Employee vs Contractor for Lawyers: What the ATO Actually Looks At
For Brisbane law firms, engaging lawyers as contractors can seem like a practical solution. More flexibility. Lower fixed costs. Scalable capacity. But when it comes to the ATO, what matters isn’t what you call someone. It’s what the working relationship looks like. With increased scrutiny around contractor arrangements across professional services, Brisbane legal practices need to ensure their structure would withstand review, particularly where Queensland payroll tax may al
Mar 23 min read
What Can I Claim on my Investment Property Tax Deductions for Brisbane Investors
Owning an investment property in Brisbane comes with valuable tax opportunities. However, many property investors are unsure exactly what they can legally claim. Some take a cautious approach and miss deductions. Others rely on outdated or incorrect online advice. Understanding rental property tax deductions in Australia ensures you maximise your return while remaining compliant with the ATO. Below is a practical guide to the key investment property tax deductions Brisban
Feb 233 min read
How to Calculate Cash Flow on an Investment Property Before You Buy
If you are considering buying an investment property in Brisbane, understanding cash flow is essential, which is why our team of Brisbane accountants are here to help. Before signing a contract, you should know whether the property will comfortably support itself or require contributions from your personal income. Many investors focus on rental yield or potential capital growth. While these are important, cash flow determines how manageable the property will be month to m
Feb 233 min read
Should I Sell or Hold My Investment Property?
Should I sell or hold my property? This isn’t just about market timing. It’s about capital gains tax , cash flow , borrowing capacity and long term wealth strategy. Many investors focus on rising interest rates or recent property price growth. Fewer take the time to properly assess the tax implications of selling an investment property versus holding it. Making the wrong move can mean paying unnecessary capital gains tax (CGT) or holding a property that no longer aligns w
Feb 233 min read
Investment Property Tax Tips for Brisbane Investors
Owning an investment property in Brisbane can be a powerful way to build long term wealth. The key to strong returns is not just buying well. It is managing your accounting and tax strategy correctly from day one which is why our Brisbane accountants team are here to help. Many Brisbane property investors simply want reassurance that they are claiming the right deductions, structuring their loans properly and staying compliant with the ATO. Below are the most important tax
Feb 203 min read
Purchasing an Investment Property in your Personal Name vs Trust vs Company
Choosing the right ownership structure for your property investment is one of the most important decisions you will make. It affects how much tax you pay, how well your assets are protected, and how flexible you are as your portfolio grows. Many investors buy their first property in their personal name because it feels simple. Others are told to use a trust or company without fully understanding why. Getting this wrong can be costly and difficult to unwind later, which is w
Feb 133 min read
How to Calculate Rental Yield and What It Really Tells Property Investors
What Is Rental Yield? Rental yield measures the annual rental income of a property as a percentage of its purchase price or current market value. In Australia, rental yield is commonly used to compare: Capital city properties versus regional areas Houses versus units Established homes versus new builds It provides a quick indication of income performance, but it does not reflect the full financial outcome of owning the property. How to Calculate Rental Yield Gross R
Feb 114 min read
Depreciation Schedule Explained Simply
Why It Matters At Rise Accountants , we regularly work with property investors who are surprised by how much depreciation can reduce the tax they pay each year. Many clients come to our Brisbane accountants after years of owning an investment property, only to realise they have been missing out on thousands of dollars in legitimate deductions. Depreciation is not about spending more money. It is a non cash tax deduction that recognises the natural wear and tear of your pr
Feb 92 min read
Cash Flow vs Profit: Why Investors Get Confused
Many property investors believe they are doing well because their property shows a profit on paper. Others panic because their bank balance feels tight even though their numbers look healthy. This confusion often comes from not understanding the difference between cash flow and profit. Cash flow refers to the real money moving in and out of your bank account, while profit reflects taxable performance after accounting adjustments What is Cash-flow in Property Investing? Ca
Feb 42 min read
How do I know if my medical practice is properly staffed?
Many medical practices feel constantly busy, yet their profits do not always reflect the workload. Others worry that they are overstaffed and carrying unnecessary wage costs. Getting staffing levels right is essential in the medical profession as it helps protect cash flow , improve patient experience, and support sustainable growth. Common issues we see include: Practices hiring reactively due to workload pressure Overstaffing admin roles without reviewing efficiency U
Jan 302 min read
Should you use cash or a loan to fund medical equipment for your medical practice?
Buying new medical equipment is often a necessary step as your practice grows. Whether it is diagnostic tools, treatment equipment or technology upgrades. These purchases can significantly impact your cash flow and tax position. One of the most common questions we hear is whether it is better to pay in cash or use finance. The answer depends on your numbers, your growth plans and your risk tolerance. Common issues we see include: • Practices draining cash reserves to avoid
Jan 293 min read
What financial checks do I need to do before hiring another doctor or staff member?
Many medical practices hire because the clinic feels busy or patients are waiting longer for appointments. While the intention is good, hiring without proper financial planning can lead to higher stress, tighter cash flow and unexpected compliance issues. Doing the right financial checks helps you: Hire with confidence rather than urgency Protect cash flow and profitability Plan sustainable growth instead of short term fixes Avoid payroll and tax surprises A common misc
Jan 282 min read
The Financial Reports Every Medical Practice Owner Should Review Monthly
Many medical practice owners only review their finances at tax time. By then, it’s often too late to fix cash flow issues and rising business costs. Regularly reviewing your financial reports helps you: Identify problems early before they become costly Understand where your money is really going Plan for growth, staffing and equipment purchases Stay compliant and avoid unexpected tax or cash flow shocks A common misconception is that as long as the bank balance looks g
Jan 212 min read
Are you opening a general practitioner clinic? Here’s What You Need to Know
At Rise Accountants, we work closely with GP clinics and medical professionals across Brisbane, helping them set up business structures and build sustainable practices from the ground up. This guide below outlines the things you need to know before opening a GP clinic in Australia. 1. Choose the right business structure One of the first and most important decisions is how your GP clinic will be structured. Common structures include: Company Trust (often with a corpor
Jan 192 min read
How to Set Up Automated Payment Reminders in QuickBooks Desktop and Improve Your Cash Flow
QuickBooks Desktop allows you to automate payment reminders so your customers receive timely prompts without you needing to manually follow up every week. Why Payment Reminders Matter for Business Owners Automated reminders free up hours of admin work and create a smoother payment experience for both you and your customers. Other benefits include: More consistent cash flow Fewer overdue invoices Faster payments without awkward follow ups Better financial visibility
Jan 123 min read
How to Set Up Xero Invoice Payment Reminders and Why They Help Your Cashflow
Xero has a built in invoice reminder feature that helps you follow up on unpaid invoices automatically. Once set up, Xero sends gentle email nudges to your customers, so you get paid faster without chasing anyone manually. If you want to free up your time, improve your cashflow and keep your invoicing process organised, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know. Chasing unpaid invoices is one of the most time consuming parts of running a small business.
Dec 22, 20252 min read
How to Set Up MYOB Invoice Payment Reminders and Why Every Business Owner Should Use Them
MYOB gives you a simple tool that helps you get paid faster without awkward follow ups. Invoice reminders take care of the chasing for you, so you can focus on growing your business instead of managing overdue invoices. Let us walk through how it works and why every business owner should set this up. Why Business Owners Should Care About MYOB Invoice Reminders Late payments hurt your cash flow For many business owners, delayed payments are not just annoying. They impa
Dec 22, 20252 min read
New Year Business Reset: The First Five Things Every Business Owner Should Do
1. Reconnect with Your Purpose and Vision It is easy to get swept up in deadlines, client requests, staffing issues and day to day operations. When this happens, the deeper purpose behind your business can fade into the background. Take time to reconnect with the reason you started the business in the first place. Ask yourself: What impact do I want this business to create What makes my approach different and valuable What kind of team, client relationships and culture
Dec 17, 20253 min read
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