Staying close to clients while social distancing
In these tough times, while we maintain our social distance, clients need to know their practitioner is right by them.

Supporting clients through COVID-19
Never has good advice been more valuable. Take care when guiding businesses through these challenging circumstances. 

How accountants are coping with lockdown and slowdown
Finding a bright side to look on in the current economic environment may not be easy but, if you look hard enough, there just might be some upsides. 

Key dates and reminders

Tuesday 21 April
Lodge and pay March 2020 monthly business activity statement. 

Tuesday 28 April
Make super guarantee contributions for quarter 3, 2019-20 by this date. 

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Are you ready to fly solo?
Think you're ready to run your own practice? Here's what to do before taking the plunge.

ATO modifies its stance on access to deceased’s taxes
Why the ATO is amending a change it initiated with regards to the disclosure of a deceased person’s pre-death tax affairs.

NZ determined to stamp out rogue insolvency practitioners
Fed up with so-called “debtor-friendly” liquidators failing to protect the interests of creditors and undermining public trust, New Zealand has taken considered but far-reaching legislative action to eradicate the problem.

Quality reviews: Don’t fear them, embrace them
The prospect of a formal quality review can seem intimidating, but the process is specifically designed to improve the health of a practice and to better protect clients. Here's what you can do to prepare for one.

Time ticks towards myGovID
What practitioners need to know about an imminent change to logging into the Australian Taxation Office.

CPA Australia weighs in on aged care abuse
In wake of what has been branded a “shocking tale of neglect” of the elderly, CPA Australia has thrown its weight behind finding a solution to Australia’s increasingly maligned aged care sector.

Audit guide sets context for inquiry
Auditors are under the microscope, but is a wholesale overhaul of the profession necessary?

Key dates and reminders

Saturday 21 March
Lodge and pay February 2020 monthly business activity statement.

Saturday 28 March
GST returns and payments due.

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How to create shortcuts in your accounting practice using technology
Embedding effective technology systems may take time and investment, but the decision to do so is a no-brainer for practitioners wanting to grow their firms and improve customer satisfaction.

Professional Standards Scheme offers benefits to CPAs and clients
Abiding by and promoting CPA Australia’s new Professional Standards Scheme not only strengthens your relations with clients, it’s also a vital risk management tool.

FASEA Code of Ethics sets a new bar
Financial advisers, supported by their AFS licensees, need to review their current processes, client documentation and any existing referral arrangements to ensure they comply with the FASEA Code of Ethics.

New Public Practice Program features learning on-demand
A key strength of the new program is that it has been developed with insights from CPA Australia public practitioners themselves.

Key dates and reminders

Friday 21 February
Lodge and pay January 2020 monthly business activity statements.

Friday 28 February
Quarter 2, 2019-20 activity statement for all lodgment methods.

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Take the superannuation guarantee contributions test
It pays for all employers to be reminded of their super guarantee contributions obligations. Think you’re up to speed with the most recent changes and when they come into effect? Take the quiz to find out.

Is it time to bring contractors in from the cold?
Although contractors may be able to hit the ground running and provide businesses with on-demand flexibility, employees often possess a greater sense of commitment. Discover the pros and cons of hiring a contractor, and the role accounting practitioners play in determining an employer’s obligations.

The perils of giving credit assessments for banks
Accountants providing written assurances about whether their clients have the financial capacity to service loan applications are placing themselves at serious risk. Here's what you should watch out for.

10 inspiring accountants who volunteer
Accountancy skills are often sought out by people and organisations who know they need help but can’t afford a professional or find one locally. Many accountants step up as volunteers to help fill these needs, joining organisations at home and abroad. These 10 volunteer stories showcase how CPAs have lent their accounting skills in surprisingly varied ways.

Key dates and reminders

Wednesday 15 January
Provisional tax instalments, student loan interim payments, GST and employers’ returns and payments due.

Tuesday 21 January
Lodge and pay December 2019 monthly business activity statements.

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Technology for accountants: Practices focus on the future
Three public practitioners talk about the forward planning they are doing, their plans to utilise accounting technology and how clients will benefit.

Tax Commissioner Chris Jordan flags ATO systems challenge
The ATO is embarking on a round of IT upgrades that it hopes will let it deal with new torrents of data – and make its often-criticised public systems easier to use.

Teaching verbal communication to millennial staff
How can you encourage Generation Y to pick up the phone? Walking the talk may be the best way to do it.

Labour Hire Licensing Scheme: What you need to know
The new Labour Hire Licensing Scheme means stiff penalties for businesses dealing with unlicensed suppliers. Here's who it affects.

How to sell your business without losing business: Assembling your A-team
From internal staff to external advisers, find out who may be involved in the sale of a client's business – and when to bring them in.

Key dates and reminders

Saturday 21 December
Lodge and pay November 2019 monthly BAS.

Wednesday 15 January
Provisional tax instalments, student loan interim payments, GST and employers’ returns and payments due.

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Clients under pressure: How to help their mental wellbeing
Asking your clients “are you okay?” could be more beneficial than cost savings. This new online resource from Beyond Blue will help guide conversations on mental wellbeing.

Your practical guide to behaviours that improve audit quality
This new guide aims to address shortcomings in audit quality from within audit firms. 

Regulatory Burden Report: Impact of complex regulatory frameworks
Listen to a podcast on the five key recommendations from the research and key insights on how they will impact you.

TPB roots out bad behaviour with tax compliance
According to the TPB's 2018-2019 annual report, sanctions against tax agents soared this year. Here's an update on what the TPB is doing about tax compliance.

FASEA: Key financial adviser requirements
Financial advisers face a series of steps to meet new education and ethical requirements. Find out what they are.

Key dates and reminders

Thursday 21 November
Lodge and pay October 2019 monthly BAS.

Friday 25 November
Lodge and pay Q1 2019-2020 activity statement if you lodge electronically.

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How to reduce the impact of regulatory burden
A new report reveals that changes to the accountants’ regulatory regime would help consumers and business. Find out how regulatory burden can be reduced.

“Don’t panic!”: ATO letter rattles SMSF trustees
The message from the profession is a very loud and clear “Stay calm!” for CPAs and their clients who have received a stern letter from the ATO about SMSF diversification. Find out why you shouldn't be panicking. 

Divorce and business ownership: What happens when spouses split?
Here are some things accountants, as advisors, should keep in mind with divorce and business ownership cases.

Capital distributions from foreign trusts: How do I prove they aren’t taxable?
An Australian tax resident who receives a distribution of capital from a foreign trust must include the amount of the capital distribution in their assessable income. Learn about the exclusions in section 99B of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and how to manage them.

New how-to guides for landing small business loans
Help your small business clients navigate the minefield of obtaining loans with these two new initiatives.

Lost in the cloud: What you need to know about changing IT systems
A cautionary tale for any business owner contemplating a move to the cloud.

What the new tax whistleblower laws mean for disclosure
New tax whistleblower laws came into effect on 1 July. Here’s what you need to know about disclosure.

7 mistakes that lead to staff underpayments
Nearly every week, news breaks of yet another employer in Australia underpaying employees. The penalties are high and the public shaming bad for business. Learn how employers can ensure they comply with the law.

New research reveals high cost of regulatory burden for public practitioners
It’s no secret that regulatory complexity is placing a hefty burden on public practitioners, but new research reveals the costs can be in the tens of thousands of dollars a year, with flow-on effects for clients and the public.

How to make your practice more attractive to job seekers
How can a small or medium-sized business be seen as a good workplace and stand out to job seekers? First, create an environment where people want to work. 

Read this before you offer an accounting internship
An accounting internship can provide a wonderful opportunity for on-the-job training, but employers need to understand their responsibilities to interns. Here are six tips to avoid the accounting internship trap.

Client engagement letters: Your questions answered
Engagement letters are a basic building block of the practitioner-client relationship and a key requirement of CPA Australia’s quality review process. Here’s what you need to know.

Best accounting practice management tips
Impress clients and enhance your business with these tips from leading CPA Australia public practitioners.

New push to stamp out illegal phoenix activity in Australia
Accountants are at the frontline as the government introduces tough new laws to stamp out illegal phoenix activity.

How to manage audit risk and improve your processes at the same time
New guidance reveals that investigating the root cause of audit anomalies is more straightforward than you think.

Selling your business: 5 common dangers to avoid
Is a client considering selling their business? These are the risks they need to consider.