About Geoff Gartly

This author has not yet filled in any details.
So far Geoff Gartly has created 140 blog entries.

Why Managing Your Profit Margin is Crucial for Business Success

By |2024-02-21T11:59:23+11:0021/02/2024|Categories: Blog, Business growth|Tags: , |

Profit Margin vs Markup can be calculated and result in different outcomes  Profit margin and markup are separate accounting terms that use the same inputs and analyze the same transaction yet show different information.  Both profit margin and markup use Revenue and costs as part of their calculations. The main difference between the two is that a profit margin refers to sales minus the fee of goods sold, while markup is the amount by which the cost of good increases to get to the final selling price. Profit Margin needs to be healthy Understanding these two terms can help ensure that price setting is [...] READ MORE

SMSF for Property development ventures and your SMSF

By |2025-09-23T20:06:41+10:0030/01/2024|Categories: Blog, Estate Planning, SMSF|Tags: , |

An SMSF can undertake property development. We, however, strongly recommend seeking advice from an SMSF accountant Melbourne. The ATO has issued a warning about the use of SMSFs to invest in property development in a manner that inflates the profits earned by the SMSFs when compared to the capital the SMSF commits to the venture. Can my SMSF invest in a property development? An SMSF can, as part of its investment strategy, invest in property ventures. This is provided the investments are entered into on a genuine arm’s-length basis. As trustees, you should document your strategy, including a risk analysis [...] READ MORE

Gifting assets to a family trust

By |2025-09-30T19:06:04+10:0030/01/2024|Categories: Blog, Estate Planning, Taxation|Tags: , , , , , |

Gifting Assets to a Trust or transferring property to a trust helps protect your investments and assets. Many families like to gift assets directly to members. There is no tax on gifting. We are often asked how much can you gift to a family member ? That's an entirely personal decision based on how much you have to give . Many gifting cash to family before death is a thoughtful way to assist and distribute assets based on your decisions. Beware that a pensioner and gifting money to family may find their pension is reduced, so be careful.  Another [...] READ MORE

Selling my commercial business property!

By |2024-02-12T16:09:36+11:0010/01/2024|Categories: Blog, Exit Planning, Services accounting for small business, SMSF|Tags: , , |

How do I sell my commercial business property? When selling your business, your business operations and HQ are an essential and strategic part of your business. Most businesses operate from a premise of some sort, so when it comes to exit planning, your decisions on what to do with your business premises is equally important as one of the essential items that require serious discussion and planning. When it comes to planning, the first thing to do is to review how and what you use your office, factory shop, etc., as part of the business on a day-to-day basis. For [...] READ MORE

Where is your Christmas spirit ChatGPT ?

By |2024-02-12T16:47:48+11:0015/12/2023|Categories: Blog|

Without a doubt, I would consider that Santa is one of the hardest-working people this time of the year. As an accountant, this time of the year we deal with the ATO and clients, but Santa has to deal with so much more. From employing elves to dealing with pesky kids not getting their presents, replying to letters and then spending half the night on Christmas Eve delivering presents. So even if you don’t celebrate or are a non-believer, you must agree that the Jolly Man does a good job. To verify how much of a great job he does [...] READ MORE

Cashflow planning for small business during the holiday season

By |2024-02-12T16:50:35+11:0010/12/2023|Categories: Blog, Business growth|Tags: , |

The holiday season brings joy and celebration, but for small businesses, it can also bring challenges when it comes to cashflow planning Cashflow, the lifeblood of any business. Cashflow is even more crucial during this period. Small businesses are starting to experience delayed payments, reduced sales, and increased expenses due to safety measures and additional costs associated with remote work or implementing safety protocols. The holiday season brings slow down and couple with higher interest rates the economy is changingTo address these challenges, small business owners must adopt proactive cash flow management strategies. Between now and the 15th of January [...] READ MORE

Are you being forced out of your business by an aggressive business partner?

By |2024-02-12T16:57:29+11:0022/11/2023|Categories: Blog, Dispute management, Exit Planning|

Are you feeling trapped and forced out of your business by an aggressive business partner making your life hell?This situation can be incredibly stressful, leaving you powerless and questioning your dreams, motivation and aspirations. But fear not because help is here.Let’s explore the common signs and tactics that aggressive business partners use to push their partners out and strategies to regain control and protect your interests.Being forced out of your business is a nightmare and unacceptable. The good thing is you don't have to face it alone. The first step is to recognise that your partner is becoming aggressive and [...] READ MORE

Understanding Superannuation Death Benefits

By |2024-02-19T13:02:41+11:0012/11/2023|Categories: Estate Planning, SMSF, Taxation|Tags: , , |

Superannuation Death benefits are an estate planning matter that is a crucial aspect of financial planning.It is essential to consider what happens to superannuation upon death.Understanding the intricate system of superannuation death benefits is essential for effective financial planning and ensuring that your loved ones are taken care of. When a superannuation member dies, the remaining balance in their super fund and any associated insurance payouts are generally paid out as a superannuation death benefit. This benefit is intended to provide financial support to the deceased member's beneficiaries, including their spouse or partner, children, or other dependents. However, the distribution [...] READ MORE

Customer Retention Engagement Strategies

By |2024-02-19T13:06:35+11:0010/11/2023|Categories: Blog, Business growth|Tags: , |

???? Customer Retention Engagement Strategies . Lets explore Unlocking the Secret to Keeping Your Customers Engaged in a competitive market ???????? Small businesses are facing unprecedented challenges in today's competitive market. With rising interest rates and soaring fuel costs, it's more important than ever to focus on customer retention strategies that will keep your business thriving. With another interest rate just hitting small businesses we need to start to put strategies in place as we progress into 2024. Ideas to start customer engagement ???? But how do you keep your customers engaged in times of uncertainty and into 2024? Let's [...] READ MORE

Startup mindset shifts for small business!

By |2023-10-27T08:40:29+11:0027/10/2023|Categories: Blog, Business growth, News for you|Tags: |

5 Startup Mindset Shifts You Must Make as you launch your New Business.Starting out. Grab that winning mindset from day one to conquer challenges and thrive in the competitive business world. Starting a new business is an exhilarating experience requiring a unique mindset. Business owners are like modern-day supermen/women, equipped with the determination and courage to face any challenge head-on. The excitement of embarking on a new small business venture is unparalleled, as the possibilities are endless, and the potential for success is immense. Get the right startup mindset from day one! With the right startup mindset, you as a [...] READ MORE

Can I Live in SMSF Residential Property upon Retirement?

By |2023-11-20T16:46:31+11:0008/10/2023|Categories: Blog|Tags: , |

Can you live in SMSF residential property held by your Fund?" No not directly, but follow the rules at retirement, and it may be possible. As you retire, retirement planning opens up opportunities for living and the next stage for your SMSF, your lifestyle and your needs. An SMSF is established for the sole purpose of meeting your retirement objectives. And this is the overal objective of holding any assets in the Fund! Retirement planning involves planning and managing your assets into the senior years of your life. Opportunities arise as clients look at the strategies such as the downsized [...] READ MORE

Passion and increase business profit

By |2024-09-27T15:42:47+10:0027/09/2023|Categories: Blog|Tags: , , |

Increase your business profits by building a Business You Love, and a Business With Purpose: 7 Steps To Help You Find Your Passion and Increase Business Profits Creating a business you love is not something that can be done overnight. It requires a lot of introspection, creativity and planning. You can do many small things to ensure your business has a purpose and aligns with your values. The key lies in breaking the cycle of doing things just for the sake of it. Instead, create an atmosphere where you’re building a business for its pure joy. The rewards will follow [...] READ MORE

SMSF property rules

By |2023-09-17T15:40:08+10:0017/09/2023|Categories: Blog|

Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs) allow individuals to take control of their retirement savings and invest in assets they have confidence will be right for their retirement strategy. Property investment is a popular choice for many SMSF trustees. However, it's crucial to understand the rules and regulations surrounding this investment strategy. Understanding the rules Let’s explore the golden SMSF property rules of holding property by your SMSF! The Importance of your role as a Trustee of your SMSF Before delving into the specifics of property investment, it's essential to emphasise the importance of responsible SMSF management. As an SMSF trustee of [...] READ MORE

How to detect about your cheating in business by your business partner

By |2024-02-19T13:43:37+11:0027/08/2023|Categories: Blog, Dispute management, Services accounting for small business|Tags: |

Cheating in business happens more than we like to realise.Trust in business is the foundation upon which successful partnerships are built. Without trust, a business partnership is like a house of cards that is vulnerable to collapse at any moment. As a business owner, it is crucial to understand the significance of trust. Cheating in business has detrimental consequences when your business partner isn’t on doing the right thing!In business, we see Trust in business as believing that your partner will act in your best interest with integrity and honesty. It means relying on their actions and knowing that they [...] READ MORE

Dumb ways to get a tax audit !

By |2024-02-19T13:52:37+11:0017/07/2023|Categories: Blog, Taxation|Tags: , , , |

A tax audit is often a result of business owners not doing something that's the norm. Doing dumb things that alert the ATO that some things are not quite right. It is becoming imperative that you prepare your GST records appropriately to avoid unnecessary scrutiny by the Taxation Office which may lead to a tax audit for your Bas. These include:  Failure to allow for car expenses for vehicles that are used partly for business purposes.  Claiming all the GST paid on the following expenses: (similar to last year )o car operating expenses, a log book must be [...] READ MORE

Capital Gains Valuation – often done retrospectively.

By |2025-07-10T16:33:02+10:0012/07/2023|Categories: Blog, CGT, Estate Planning, Taxation|Tags: , , |

When do you need a Capital Gains Valuation? There are several reasons why you would obtain a valuation, such as: We suggest that when selling your home or acquired property through inheritance, demolishing a home or rental for property development GST matters. You may need to obtain a retrospective valuation capital gains property report. Getting a backdated valuation! Your capital gains report is often referred to as a backdated property valuation or a capital gains valuation.Whereas a property valuation will outline the property's market value at a specific time by a certified valuer. This report will help you work [...] READ MORE

Recording obsolete stock in your accounting system

By |2025-11-12T16:05:21+11:0003/07/2023|Categories: Blog, Business growth|Tags: , , , |

Identifying and recording obsolete trading stock write-offs for a small business involves several steps. Its that time of year, when you should undertake you annual stock take. We suggest to be practical in your approach. Use scales and estimates for small items such as screws , widgets and small items. A practical approach - obsolete items. Here's a general guide on how to approach this process: Identify the stock items: Review your inventory records to identify any obsolete trading stock that needs to be written off. Look for items that are damaged, expired, obsolete, or otherwise unsellable. When doing a [...] READ MORE

2024 small business planning

By |2023-07-03T08:13:40+10:0003/07/2023|Categories: Blog, Growth tools|

Planning ahead for your 2024 small business journey is an important step toward success. “Your pathway review – never lost but on a journey – Geoff Gartly your small business Exit Navigator This week you should do yourself a favour and plan and review. Take a minute to look at: Revisiting your short-term and long-term goals for your business. Financial management: Non-negotiable - Review your financial statements, budget, and cash flow Market analysis: Stay updated on industry trends, customer preferences, and emerging technologies. Continuously assess your business processes to identify areas for improvement. Streamline workflows, and invest in technology solutions. [...] READ MORE

Are you inadvertently sabotaging your small business?

By |2023-06-19T15:49:23+10:0019/06/2023|Categories: Blog, Business growth|Tags: , |

Sabotaging your business can happen in several ways. It's a silent killer of businesses for growth and success. It's like wood termites that infiltrates behind the framework of your home as a result when finally uncovered it results disastrously. Where on the surface, a business can look amazing. Sillly things people do can turn a business into a disaster. So are you quietly sabotaging your business? The other day I visited a modern-looking café. At the cafe the staff allocated me a table. However they failed to clean it resulting in us having to move the dirty dishes of ourselves. [...] READ MORE

Saying goodbye to my business is so sad

By |2023-06-14T02:07:49+10:0014/06/2023|Categories: Exit plan, Uncategorized|Tags: , |

Saying goodbye to a small business can be a challenging and tear-jerking time. Letting go of a dream is a huge thing to do. Am I doing the right thing or should I continue?. Unfortunately, self-doubt can overcome your decision-making. Starting a small business often involves a significant amount of passion and dedication. Saying goodbye to my business means acknowledging that the dream you once had for my business is ending. It can be challenging to accept that the goals you worked towards may not be achieved or life will be different on the flip side. Emotional attachment of saying [...] READ MORE

Gst at property settlement is a cashflow trap for those mum and dad developers.

By |2023-06-12T18:39:09+10:0012/06/2023|Categories: Blog, Taxation|Tags: , , |

GST at property settlement is a tax that needs to be deducted at settlement. It continues to catch out Mum and Dad developers walking the cashflow-type rope. Many are not aware that they will only have effectively 90% of the sale at settlement to play with. This can cause pain as interest rates bite and property prices decline in some areas. Since July 2018, you may need to pay GST at settlement if you are selling or buying new residential premises or potential residential land. How GST is paid for certain property transactions affects purchasers, suppliers, and their financiers. For [...] READ MORE

SMSF 2023 Client Webinar

By |2024-02-19T15:09:53+11:0011/05/2023|Categories: Blog|

Regulatory Changes: The Australian government frequently reviews and updates regulations related to SMSFs. SMSF trustees must stay informed about changes to compliance requirements, reporting obligations, investment restrictions, or contribution caps. What we will cover• New Labour Government – whats changing after the May 2023 Budget • Investment Strategy Compliance: SMSFs must have an investment strategy that aligns with the retirement goals and risk profile of the fund's members • Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangements (LRBAs): LRBAs allow SMSFs to borrow funds to invest in property or other assets. However, there are specific rules and restrictions around LRBAs, and trustees must ensure [...] READ MORE

Estate Planning and SMSF : Leveraging the Power of SMSF

By |2024-02-19T15:17:18+11:0029/04/2023|Categories: Blog, Estate Planning|Tags: , |

Estate planning and SMSF can play a large role when it comes to Estate planning, which is an often-overlooked aspect of financial planning when executing your Will, superannuation, and wishes. Estate planning determines how your assets will be distributed once you pass away. However, estate planning can be complicated and overwhelming, which is why Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs) have become popular. SMSFs are a powerful tool for estate planning and managing your retirement savings.Whether you're new to estate planning or simply looking for a more efficient way to manage your assets, leveraging the power of SMSF can help you achieve [...] READ MORE

What a buyer looks for when buying a small business

By |2023-04-10T01:26:21+10:0010/04/2023|Categories: Blog, Exit plan|Tags: , |

When buying a small business, a buyer typically looks for several key factors to ensure the purchase is a good investment. Here are ten things that a buyer might look for in the decision process: Financial performance: The buyer will want to see the business's financial statements to get an idea of its profitability. A smart buyer will analyze the Balance Sheet for cash flow. They may also want to see the tax returns for the past few years. Talk to us at Gartly Advisory! Growth potential: A buyer will be interested in the business's growth potential. They will want [...] READ MORE

How can I make my small business successfull?

By |2024-09-23T22:00:07+10:0008/04/2023|Categories: Blog, Business growth|Tags: , |

How can I make my small business successful is something all business owners strive to do. The road to success is not always smooth, and there are obstacles to overcome. However, with the right strategies and mindset, you can achieve your goals and thrive in today's competitive marketplace. In this article, we'll explore some key tips and tactics that can help you take your small business to the next level. From defining your niche and target audience to creating a strong brand and building a solid online presence, we'll cover everything you need to know to make your small business [...] READ MORE

Go to Top