Financial Services

OAMPS Insurance Brokers will complete its fifth acquisition in Western Australia in three years when it absorbs local firm AD Irvine Insurance Brokers.

In the final instalment on equity raising, Mark Beyer looks at the impact of the weak stock market.

CONVERTIBLE notes are gaining popularity as a fund raising option for Western Australian companies, with Skywest Airlines and Xanadu Wines among local companies

A NUMBER of floats planned to hit the Australian Stock Ex-change later this month have been put on hold. Oilex NL was due to float on July 25.

THE Australian Stock Exchange’s listing rules are hindering capital raisings by smaller companies, according to West Perth investment banker John Kenny.

FOR companies wanting to list on the Australian Stock Exchange, the traditional path is via an initial public offering. An alternative route that is comparatively attractive in the current depressed market is a ‘backdoor’ listing.

THE Federal Privacy Commissioner has effectively set a new standard for the debt collection industry as a result of a settlement with Alliance Factoring.

THERE is only a handful of venture capital firms with a permanent on-the-ground presence in Perth.

VENTURE capital has played a critical role in the growth of some of Western Australia’s best-known companies.

A NATIONAL survey designed to find the employers of choice in the accounting industry has failed to deliver any good news for local firms.

THE Federal Government has announced long-awaited provisions relating to distributions from trusts to companies.

COMPANY directors and shareholders have been advised to watch for five classic red flags that warn of management fraud.

In the first of a series on raising equity finance, Mark Beyer assesses the various alternatives.

In the fourth and final part of the tax planning series, Mark Beyer looks at some of the tax issues that repeatedly trip up business operators.

THE Western Australian Government has developed a risk management and public safety awareness campaign for small businesses and community groups.

In the third of a four-part series on business tax planning, Mark Beyer looks at the new consolidation regime.

TAX Commissioner Michael Carmody has signalled a crackdown on the use of service trusts by professional firms such as accountants and lawyers.

In the second of a four-part series on business tax planning, Mark Beyer looks at the Simplified Tax System.

LARGE proprietary companies have been advised to check whether they need to have their accounts audited.

In the first of a four-part series on business tax planning, Mark Beyer passes on some end-of-financial-year tips. EVERY good accountant will explain that tax planning should commence at the start of the financial year.

A TAX ruling designed to clarify the GST treatment of vouchers has left some uncertainty about the treatment of certain types of vouchers.

In the final part of a six part series on corporate superannuation, Mark Beyer looks at organisations that have resisted the outsourcing trend.

AUSTRALIAN companies are among the fastest payers of sales invoices, an international survey has found. The average payment period by Australian firms was 36 days, according to accounting firm Grant Thornton’s International Business Owners Survey.

THE Australian Tax Office has reported a big increase in compulsory Superannuation Guarantee payments following new measures to boost compliance.

NOT-FOR-PROFIT organisations have been told they should improve reporting standards to meet the needs of donors and funding providers.

AUSTRALIA’S major accounting bodies have questioned Federal Government moves that limit the ability of accountants to provide advice on superannuation.

MASTER trusts have been one of the fastest growing segments of the funds management industry over the past decade. For many employers they provide an easy and effective solution to all of their superannuation needs.

WHILE many companies have completely outsourced their superannuation to master trusts and industry funds, others have chosen to keep their funds in-house.

A SURVEY of small and mid-sized tax practices has found a sharp increase in average working hours over the past three years, from 47.4 hours a week to 54.6 hours.

SUPERANNUATION administration and consulting firm NSP Buck officially launched its new office and new name in Perth last week.

In the third of a six-part series on corporate superannuation, Mark Beyer looks at industry funds.

In the second of a six-part series on corporate superannuation, Mark Beyer looks at some of the issues employers need to address when reviewing their fund.