Albany Accountants - Smith Thornton Accountants

02/10/2026

If we ask for updated identification or more information about your business, even if you have been a Smith Thornton client for years, it's because new anti-money laundering laws now apply to certain accounting services.

Many clients will notice little change, but depending on the work involved, we may need to confirm details such as your identity, business ownership, the purpose of a transaction or the source of funds.

Our recent article explains when these requirements may apply, what we may ask for and how you can help prevent delays.

Learn how Australia’s new AML/CTF laws may affect accounting clients, including identity checks, information requests and the services covered.

01/10/2026

Buying new equipment for the business?

Before proceeding, consider more than the potential tax deduction.

Ask yourself:
Is the equipment genuinely needed?

Will it improve productivity, capacity or safety?

What will it cost to operate and maintain?

How will the purchase be funded, and can the business comfortably manage the repayments?

A deduction may reduce the after-tax cost, but it doesn’t turn an unnecessary purchase into a good business decision.

Speak with our team before signing an agreement so you understand both the tax treatment and the wider effect on your business.

30/09/2026

Grant funding can help reduce the financial pressure of business improvement, equipment upgrades or other planned changes.

But the best starting point is not the grant. It is understanding what your business needs, what the funding could support and whether the opportunity is worth pursuing.

Our Business Services Advisor, Jenna, help clients identify relevant grant opportunities, prepare applications and manage acquittals once funding has been received.

Contact Jenna if you have a business need and would like to explore whether grant funding may be available.

30/09/2026

We celebrated three more of our fabulous team members this month! ⭐️⭐️⭐️

31/07/2026

A new business idea can be exciting, but borrowing to make it happen needs a clear view of the numbers.

Before approaching the bank, it is worth understanding what the idea could mean for your cash flow, repayments, costs and overall business position.

Cash flow forecasting and scenario analysis can help test the opportunity before you commit. It can also highlight the key risks and give the bank a clearer picture when you apply for finance.

Get in contact if you would like help putting the numbers around your next business idea.

30/07/2026

By the end of July, many business owners are already back into the usual rhythm of wages, suppliers, customers, BAS, stock, jobs and day-to-day decisions.

That can make it easy to move into the new financial year without stopping to check whether the business is actually set up for what comes next.

Are your targets clear? Have your costs changed? Is pricing still where it needs to be? Do you know what cash flow pressure may be coming over the next few months? Are there decisions around staffing, equipment, funding or growth that need to be planned properly?

The new financial year is not just about closing off what has happened. It is also a chance to get clearer about what needs attention now.

If July has already felt reactive, it may be worth taking a step back and looking at the numbers before the year gets too far underway.

29/07/2026

If customers cannot clearly see the value in your product or service, they are more likely to judge it on price alone.

Good pricing should reflect what you deliver, whether that is quality, convenience, expertise, reliability, faster turnaround or a better outcome. However, setting the right price is only part of the job. You also need to communicate what customers receive for it and why that matters to them.

When the value is clear, the conversation becomes about more than the number.

When was the last time you reviewed whether your pricing and messaging clearly communicate the value you provide?

23/07/2026

July is a good time to reset the way the business looks at its numbers.

The end of the financial year often focuses on tax, but once the new year begins, it is worth looking forward as well as back.

For many businesses, this means checking:

- Whether reports are being reviewed regularly
- Whether pricing still reflects current costs
- Whether cash flow is being monitored properly
- Whether wages, rent, stock, finance and overheads have changed
- Whether the business owner has enough visibility to make confident decisions

Good records matter for tax, but they also help business owners understand what is actually happening in the business.

If the last financial year felt reactive, July is a good opportunity to put better reporting and planning in place.

21/07/2026

The first few years in business can feel like a crash course in everything at once.

Pricing, cash flow, targets, staff, customers, tax, growth. It is a lot to hold when you are still learning what matters most.

Having someone review your numbers regularly, help set simple targets and talk through the next steps can make business ownership feel less reactive.

Jenna, our Business Services Advisor, works with new business owners who want a clearer way to understand their numbers and make better decisions.

Get in contact if you would like help finding your feet.

16/07/2026

Planning to launch a hospitality venue?

The Zeller Business Grant is offering two $5,000 grants to help aspiring Australian hospitality business owners bring their venue ideas to life.

Run in partnership with American Express, the “No Reservations” initiative also includes a free hospitality education masterclass series.

We’ve shared the key details below, including where to view the full funding guidelines.

Smith Thornton can also assist with preparing grant applications if you need support.

Planning to launch a hospitality venue? The Zeller Business Grant offers two $5,000 grants to help aspiring Australian hospitality owners get started.