Apex Group - Accounting & Wealth Services

20/06/2026

Great way to kick off the new financial year!

End of financial year reset: start fresh and set your business up for a stronger year ahead.

Close the chapter:
✔️ Finalise invoices and chase up what’s owed.
✔️ Make sure bills, wages and super are up to date.
✔️ Review subscriptions and cut anything unnecessary.

Clean and organise:
✔️ Get your records in order (receipts, expenses, payroll).
✔️ Check your numbers for the year.
✔️ Spot what’s costing more than it should.

Reflect:
✔️ What worked this year?
✔️ What didn’t?
✔️ Where could you improve or free up cash?

Step into the new financial year:
✨ Set a simple cash flow plan.
✨ Adjust budgets based on what you’ve learned.
✨ Go in with clarity - not guesswork!

Check out our end of financial year checklist: http://spklr.io/6185E3aQS

19/06/2026

Another EOFY, Another Year of Helping Australians Build Better Financial Futures 🎉

As we approach the end of the financial year, we're proud to reflect on what has been our biggest year yet.

Over the past 12 months, our Accounting and Financial Planning team has had the privilege of helping clients make smarter financial decisions and move closer to their goals. Whether it was helping families prepare for retirement, business owners reduce tax, or individuals build long-term wealth, every strategy started with understanding what matters most to our clients.

This year we've helped clients with:
✅ Helping clients minimise tax and keep more of what they earn through proactive EOFY planning.
✅ Creating investment strategies designed to build long-term wealth and provide greater financial confidence.
✅ Assisting individuals and families transition into retirement with clarity, structure and peace of mind.
✅ Helping clients protect their legacy by considering estate planning needs and coordinating with their estate lawyers.
✅ Supporting business owners to improve cash flow, structure finances effectively and make informed decisions for growth.
✅ Providing strategies to reduce debt and strengthen overall financial wellbeing.
✅ Helping families protect what matters most through risk management and insurance planning.
✅ Guiding clients through major life events and financial decisions with personalised advice and ongoing support.
✅ Working with clients to create clear pathways towards financial independence and achieving their long-term goals.

Our role extends beyond preparing tax returns or managing investments. We work closely with our clients and their professional advisers to create strategies that help them build, protect and transfer wealth across generations.

A sincere thank you to our clients, referral partners and dedicated team for making this our most successful year to date. Your trust allows us to continue doing what we love—helping people achieve financial confidence and clarity.

As EOFY approaches, now is the perfect time to review your position and ensure you're making the most of the opportunities available before 30 June.

Here's to another successful year and an even bigger one ahead. We’re also celebrating a birthday in this photo, marking a special personal milestone for one of our team members. A few of the team are missing from the day, but the sentiment remains the same — the way we value and celebrate our people is the same way we show up for our clients: with care, attention, and a genuine commitment to their success.

05/06/2026

Apex Group provides Bookkeeping, Accounting, Taxation services and holistic Financial Advice.

05/06/2026

💡 Transition to Retirement (TTR) - have you considered the right structures as you travel to retirement?

One strategy that is often overlooked as you approach retirement is a Transition to Retirement (TTR) pension.

A TTR pension is a non-commutable pension that can generally be established once you reach your preservation age (for many Australians this is age 60). It allows you to access up to 10% of your super balance each financial year tax free while continuing to work.

The real value of a TTR strategy isn't simply accessing your super early—it's understanding how it can be used strategically to improve your financial position as you move towards retirement and achieve your ideal retirement.

📈 1. Tax Optimisation & Super Growth

For many people approaching retirement, cash flow can become a barrier to making additional super contributions and attaining true tax savings that can help bolster their super for retirement.

A TTR strategy can help provide supplementary income, allowing you to:

✅ Increase salary sacrifice contributions
✅ Make personal tax-deductible super contributions
✅ Utilise unused carry-forward concessional contribution caps where eligible
✅ Potentially reduce taxable income
✅ Accelerate retirement savings in a tax-effective environment

The result can be a powerful combination of improved tax outcomes today while building greater wealth for tomorrow.
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🏖️ 2. Creating a Genuine Transition into Retirement
Retirement does not have to be an overnight event.

Many Australians would prefer to gradually reduce working hours, move into part-time employment, or simply create greater flexibility in their lifestyle before fully retiring.

A TTR strategy can help:

✅ Supplement income as work hours reduce
✅ Provide greater financial flexibility
✅ Support lifestyle goals without compromising retirement plans
✅ Allow a smoother transition from employment to retirement

Rather than moving from full-time work to no work at all, a TTR pension can help create a structured and sustainable pathway into retirement.
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💳 3. Debt Reduction & Cash Flow Improvement
One of the most practical uses of a TTR strategy is improving cash flow and eliminating expensive debt before retirement.

Additional cash flow may assist with:

✅ Paying down high-interest credit cards
✅ Reducing personal loans and other costly liabilities
✅ Improving household cash flow
✅ Entering retirement with fewer financial commitments

For many Australians, earning a guaranteed return equivalent to eliminating a 15–20% interest debt can be one of the most effective financial decisions available and clearing their path to focus and build effectively for their retirement.

Retiring with a stronger balance sheet often creates as much value as increasing investment returns.
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The Key Takeaway
The years leading up to retirement are often when the most effective planning opportunities arise.
A well-structured Transition to Retirement strategy can help you:
✔ Improve tax efficiency
✔ Boost retirement savings
✔ Reduce costly debt
✔ Improve cash flow
✔ Create flexibility as you transition into retirement

Apex Group provides Bookkeeping, Accounting, Taxation services and holistic Financial Advice.

31/05/2026

🚨 Division 296 Tax – What High-Balance Super Members Need to Know

From 1 July 2026, new Division 296 tax rules will apply to Australians with large superannuation balances.

Division 296 tax is calculated using a member's reported superannuation earnings, and only realised capital gains accruing from 1 July 2026 are included. The final legislation differs significantly from the earlier proposal that was widely criticised for taxing unrealised gains.

Key changes include:
✔️ Individuals with a Total Super Balance (TSB) above $3 million may pay an additional 15% tax on a portion of their super earnings.
✔️ Individuals with a TSB above $10 million may pay a further 10% tax (up to 25% additional tax in total on the relevant portion of earnings).
✔️ The tax is assessed to the individual, not the super fund, and can be paid personally or from super.
✔️ Existing super fund tax rules remain in place.

These changes may significantly impact retirement planning, wealth accumulation strategies, estate planning and the way high-balance superannuation members structure their investments.

If your super balance is approaching or exceeds $3 million, now is the time to understand how these changes may affect your long-term financial strategy and what you can do to better position yourself as this change approaches.

Who are we?
Apex — accounting & financial professionals helping you make smarter financial decisions.
contact us : [email protected]
General advice only. Not personal financial advice.

18/05/2026

💭 “Will My Super Last?” — Why Longevity Modelling Matters

One of the most common assumptions in retirement planning is:
➡️ “I’ll just keep adding to super and start drawing an income in retirement.”
However, retirement planning is far more complex than simply building a balance and withdrawing funds.

The real question is:
❓ Will your super continue to support your lifestyle throughout retirement?
This is where longevity modelling and retirement testing become critical.

📊 A well-structured retirement strategy should model your financial position through life expectancy — and often even to age 100 — to help ensure your retirement savings remain sustainable over the long term.

Key factors that need to be considered include:
✅ Structure
Using the right structures such as superannuation income streams can help minimise tax leakage and improve retirement efficiency.
✅ Investment Strategy
What rate of return is required to sustain your retirement goals?
How much risk is appropriate within your retirement framework?
✅ Income Requirements
How much income is enough for your lifestyle?
Will your current super balance and investments sustain this over 20–30+ years of retirement?
✅ Longevity & Scenario Testing
How does your retirement plan perform under inflation, market downturns, changing expenses, or increased life expectancy?

Retirement planning is not just about accumulating wealth — it’s about creating confidence that your money will continue working for you throughout retirement.

The key is obtaining quality advice, comprehensive modelling, and regularly reviewing your strategy as circumstances change.

Who are we?
Apex — accounting & financial professionals helping you make smarter financial decisions.
contact us : [email protected]
General advice only. Not personal financial advice.

15/05/2026

⏳ When should you retire — before or after 1 July?

The timing of retirement can make a significant difference to your final payout and tax position.

Many people assume retirement is simply about choosing a date, but in reality, when you retire can impact:

💰 How much tax you pay on your final employment income
🏖️ The way your leave entitlements are paid (lump sum vs ongoing pay)
📈 Whether you receive additional superannuation contributions
📊 Your overall retirement cash flow position

Three critical considerations are:
1️⃣ Timing – Retiring before or after the end of the financial year can significantly affect your tax position and overall income for that year.
2️⃣ Payout – Deciding whether to take entitlements such as annual leave and long service leave as a lump sum, or exhausting them prior to retirement, can change both your tax outcome and superannuation benefits received.
3️⃣ Strategy – Speaking with your adviser ensures all available strategies are considered to help minimise tax and maximise your retirement entitlements.

For example, retiring just before the end of the financial year may mean your final salary, leave payouts and bonuses are taxed at your highest marginal rate.

Whereas waiting until after 1 July could potentially reset your tax position for the new financial year, resulting in a lower tax impact on those same benefits.

Another key point is how your entitlements are paid. Taking leave as ongoing salary may allow continued super contributions, whereas lump sum payouts typically do not.

Every situation is different, and the right timing depends on your entitlements, income level, and retirement goals.

📌 Bottom line: retirement timing isn’t just a lifestyle decision — it’s a financial strategy.
If you’re approaching retirement, it’s worth getting advice before setting a date.

Who are we?
Apex — accounting & financial professionals helping you make smarter financial decisions.
contact us : [email protected]
General advice only. Not personal financial advice.

13/05/2026

📢 Federal Budget 2026 – Key Changes to Be Aware Of

The 2026 Federal Budget introduced several proposed changes that may impact taxpayers, business owners, investors and families. Here are some of the major updates broken down by category:

💰 Tax
✅ $1,000 instant tax deduction for work-related expenses from 2026/27
✅ Additional tax cuts for individuals from 1 July 2026
✅ New Working Australians Tax Offset of up to $250 annually
✅ Medicare levy threshold increases for low-income earners
✅ Proposed changes to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) from 2027 and indexation method to apply for all investments other then new builds. More importantly a flat 30% minimum tax to be applied to CGT.

🏠 Investors & Trusts
✅ Proposed negative gearing changes for established residential investment properties from 2027
✅ 30% minimum tax proposed for discretionary trusts from 2028
✅ Changes may reduce flexibility in distributing trust income to lower-income family members
✅ Existing structures and investments may require review to understand future impacts

🏢 Small Business
✅ Instant asset write-off permanently increased to $20,000
✅ Continued support for eligible small businesses with turnover under $10 million
✅ Potential opportunities to review business structures and future investment plans

👴 Super & Retirement
✅ Expanded LISTO benefits for low-income earners contributing to super
✅ Additional aged care and Support at Home funding announced
✅ No major superannuation changes announced in this Budget

Key take away –
 the CGT changes are across all assets from 2027 and the 50% discount method can be retained until 2027 and following this only for new builds that qualify and add to new housing supply. It would also be important to ensure that valuations of property are considered at 1 July 2027 to allow you accounting team to determine gains for assets sold after this period that are impacted by the change. Further a flat minimum of 30% tax is applicable to CGT which means timing this for lower income years such as retirement (unless in receipt of a means tested pension) may no longer provide a big tax saving.
 Negative gearing changes mean that holding costs on some assets may far outweigh that of others which means that the overall return of this asset will be diluted and coupled with CGT changes the exit costs may be higher removing the overall benefit and growth attained from your investments. Property investing will need careful consideration and sound financial advice.
 Trusts no longer benefit from wielding income to low-income beneficiaries from July 2028 we now need to consider the minimum tax application of 30% and non-refundable tax credits that will apply.
 Some tax relief from tax offset proposed WATO and instant deduction.

Many of these measures are still proposals and subject to legislation, however, now is a great time to review your financial strategy and ensure you are prepared for upcoming changes.

Who are we?
Apex — accounting & financial professionals helping you make smarter financial decisions.
contact us : [email protected]
General advice only. Not personal financial advice.

11/05/2026

📊 STRUCTURE MATTERS 📊

Two clients.
Similar assets.
Completely different retirement outcomes.

This whiteboard session highlights how the right structure and strategy can make a significant difference to retirement income and Centrelink outcomes.

✅ Scenario 1
 Both Bob and Sally retire.
 Move to a pension structure to meet income needs.
 Have not considered Centrelink.
Combined retirement income: approx. $55,000 p.a. in total return outcome.
✅ Scenario 2
 Both Bob and Sally retire.
 Move to a pension structure to meet income needs.
 Utilise strategies to exempt assets and maximise government age pension.

With the right planning and structure: approx. $77,000 p.a. in total return outcome.

The key here is to understand and know the retirement landscape. Centrelink for most self-funded retirees is not considered, however with the right strategy this can be a powerful outcome and preserve your benefits adding to longevity of your money.

💡 That’s an additional $22,000 per year — for the SAME clients.
Retirement planning isn’t just about investments.

It’s about:
✔️ Superannuation structure
✔️ Pension strategies
✔️ Centrelink considerations
✔️ Tax-effective planning

The right advice and structure can create a meaningful difference in long-term financial security and lifestyle outcomes.

Who are we?
Apex — accounting & financial professionals helping you make smarter financial decisions.
contact us : [email protected]
General advice only. Not personal financial advice.

08/05/2026

📢 The SMSF landscape is complex and heavily regulated. Three Tips when considering the appropriatness of a SMSF.

While an SMSF can provide greater control and flexibility, there are also significant responsibilities that come with being a trustee. Without the right guidance, it’s easy to unknowingly breach the rules and face penalties.

Here are 3 important tips when managing an SMSF 👇

✅ 1. Get the setup and ex*****on right
This includes ensuring your SMSF deed, investment strategy, binding nominations, and compliance documents are all properly prepared, executed and maintained.

If you’re entering into more advanced strategies such as property investing through a bare trust structure, the documentation and setup become even more critical.

✅ 2. Understand your trustee obligations
As a trustee, you are responsible for ensuring your SMSF remains compliant and operates in line with superannuation legislation.

Understanding your ongoing responsibilities is key to avoiding issues down the track.

✅ 3. Work with the right financial professionals
Having the right accountant, financial adviser, and legal professionals around you is extremely important — especially when entering complex arrangements such as an LRBA (Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement).

Not understanding the rules around these strategies can lead to breaches, compliance issues, and costly penalties. The key here is that you have also worked out the appropriateness of this structure and this hits your long term retirement objectives.

💡 The right advice and structure from the beginning can save significant stress, time, and money in the future.

Who are we?
Apex — accounting & financial professionals helping you make smarter financial decisions.
contact us : [email protected]
General advice only. Not personal financial advice.