Newsletters, Maxwell + Cameron, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia

Secrets to a stress free Christmas

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 06:18:42 GMT

Merry Christmas!

…you know Dasher, and Dancer, and Prancer, and Vixen, Comet, and Cupid, and Donner and Blitzen, but do you recall, The most famous reindeer of all…

The weather turns hotter, the decorations start going up, you can’t escape Mariah Carey, and you wonder where the year has gone…

It’s Christmas time again! Every year it sneaks up on us and every year we wonder why we weren’t more prepared while vowing we’ll never do this to ourselves again. Christmas is a beautiful time of year but that doesn’t mean it isn’t stressful for us all.

Some ways to make the season as stress free as possible:

- Go to your work Christmas party, even if it seems boring. Embrace the season spirit and you might be surprised

- Use those rewards points that you cultivate all year on presents to help save big dollars

- See if your work or family want to do Secret Santa, a little mystery is always fun

- Track your spending and budget for everything before you start buying. This is so important; nothing is more stressful than not realising you left yourself short

- Go on a well-deserved holiday, or even a Staycation

- Buy the cheaper items first, you’ll feel better about what’s left over when you start buying the big things this way

- Use your time to help someone else, volunteer for a fundraiser, give $1 to charity, or even give blood this holiday season. Giving is the best present you can give yourself

Christmas is about spending time with those we love and reminding each other how much we care. Whether that’s by showering your loved ones with presents, making a home cooked meal, or giving a stranger a smile, Christmas is a time of joy, celebration and love.

It’s been a long couple of years and we need to remember to celebrate when we get the chance. No matter how you are spending December this year we just want to say from all of us at Maxwell & Cameron we hope everyone stays safe, happy and hopeful this holiday season.

And for those who already have your Christmas shopping done and are kicking up your feet to watch the rest of us start to panic we say ‘share your secret with the rest of us, we’re drowning over here’.

From all the team at Maxwell & Cameron,

“We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year”

Director ID's

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 03:32:13 GMT

APPLY FOR YOUR DIRECTOR ID!

Are you a Director of a company? Have you applied for your Director ID?

As a Director of a company, registered Australian body, registered foreign company or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation, you will need a Director Identification Number.

Over the last few months we have contacted all relevant clients to assist with the process.

Good news for those who haven’t yet completed the task - today’s deadline has been extended by 2 weeks.

If you are yet to apply for your Director ID and wish to avoid penalties of up to $1.1 million contact our office today.

Claiming Self-Education Expenses

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 03:52:34 GMT

Claiming Self-Education Expenses

Student expenses can quickly add up, often making studying a costly exercise, but the good news is these purchases can be claimed as a tax deduction in your Income Tax Return under “self-education expenses” if it has a sufficient connection to your current employment activities.

For example, there is a sufficient connection if your study helps you maintain or improve the specific skills or knowledge you require in your current employment activities, or it will result in or is likely to result in, an increase in your income from your current employment activities.

Like any tax deduction it is important to keep a record of all expenses relating to your study.

Y ou can claim a deduction for the following general course expenses:

accommodation and meals (if away from home overnight)
computer consumables – for example, printer cartridges
course and tuition fees (if you pay these and don’t use study and training support loans such as HELP, SFSS, VSL, SSL, ABSTUDY SSL, TSL)
decline in value for depre ciating assets (cost exceeds $300)
equipment or technical instruments (costing $300 or less)
equipment repairs
fares
fees payable on some study and training support loans, but not repayments on the loan itself
home office additional running costs
interest
internet and data usage (excluding connection fees)
parking fees (only for work-related claims)
phone calls
postage
stationery
student union fees
student services and amenities fees
textbooks
trade, professional, or academic journals
travel expenses, including car expenses
between home and your place of education
between your workplace and the place of education.

Generally, you can't claim the first $250 of expenses for your self-education expenses, however, you can use the following expenses to offset this $250 reduction:

childcare while attending self-education activities
capital expenses related to your self-education such as, the purchase of a desk
certain fares, travel, or car expenses in relation to the above activities

Some of these expenses may need to be apportioned and/or depreciated. To do so you base your claim on the percentage you use the equipment for your work-related self-education study.

To ensure that you maximise your tax refund and correctly claim for Self –Education expenses, please contact us to have one of our experienced Accountants prepare your return.

Claiming Motor Vehicle Expenses

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 03:39:05 GMT

Claiming Motor Vehicle Expense

The ATO has recently announced an increase in the rate used under the cents per kilometre method to claim business and work-related car expenses from 72c/km to 75c/km.

Depending on your car's fuel efficiency, you might start to find even the increased 75c per kilometre method does not equate to much compared to your increasing car costs.

Historically around 90% of motor vehicle expense claims by individuals use the cents per kilometre method and it is certainly easier for the taxpayer from an administrative perspective. But it has some downsides: you can only claim up to 5,000km of travel and this rate is only a portion of the amount you probably really spend, particularly with soaring fuel prices. When using this method, you also can't claim any further car-related deductions like registration, repairs and insurance.

It might be worth considering what your claim could be under the logbook method for the coming financial year would be.

If considering the switch to the logbook method remember you will need to keep all car receipts for the year. A valid logbook also has strict requirements including you have to record every trip, including odometer readings, for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks.

The ATO is cracking down on work-related expense claims. If they do ask questions, you really want to be able to show them your records. We suggest taking photos of your receipts, perhaps keeping them in an album on your phone or computer, so they don't get lost or damaged through the year.

Another important tip to remember is even though driving from home to your work puts you in a position to earn your income, the ATO technically classified as "private". You can't include kilometres from home to work when determining your logbook percentage or your work-related kilometres at tax time even if you live a long way from your regular place of work or you work outside normal business hours.

Contact us if you have any questions regarding car expense claims and work-related deductions in general.

Get back to the future

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 22:00:00 GMT

I'm guessing most of us are relieved the restrictions placed on us in response to the pandemic are lifting and we can get back to normal. We should be back to the way things were very soon, even though we may need to be a bit more careful with our health. The tax department is also back to their pre-pandemic work practices which means they will start chasing up overdue debts and overdue lodgements - all of the things they rightly put on hold during the time of so much uncertainty for all taxpayers, both in business and in employment. For anyone with overdue debts and lodgements, expect the tax office to start chasing these up and imposing penalties and interest where they can. Just be aware though, the tax department are quite good to deal with if you contact them and offer a reasonable solution to rectify your debt/overdue lodgements. Over the last few years, even before the pandemic, they were quite responsive to taxpayers who were trying to do the right thing, even if they had neglected their tax responsibilities for a little while. We are able to talk to the tax office on your behalf about any of your tax affairs and can help you to navigate any problems with lodgements/debts you may have. While the tax office don't stop chasing anything that's overdue, they are happy to give you reasonable time to get back on track. So after all we've been through over the last two years, we know we can handle anything that happens – even if it means we have to start dealing with the tax office again.

Cryptocurrency and Tax

Sun, 19 Sep 2021 23:00:00 GMT

The cryptocurrency market is becoming increasingly popular with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) recently reporting around 600,000 Australians investing or trading in cryptocurrencies.

This has certainly caught the attention of the ATO who are now closely monitoring crypto trades and data matching to the information included in income tax returns.

It is a common misconception that cryptocurrency trades are only taxable when the holdings are cashed back into Australian dollars.

This is simply not the case.

The ATO does not view cryptocurrencies as money, instead the ATO classes crypto as property, and in most cases property is taxed when disposed of.

A disposal of crypto can occur when you:

• sell or gift cryptocurrency

• trade or exchange cryptocurrency

• convert cryptocurrency to fiat currency

• use cryptocurrency to obtain goods or services.

How crypto is taxed will depend on various factors such as your intention and the repetition and regularity of trades, which will ultimately determine if you 'invest' in crypto or 'trade' in crypto.

Investors typically buy cryptocurrencies with a long term focus on building wealth over an extended period of time with profit made from long term capital gains. On disposal, gains and losses will be determined under the capital gains regime and investors may receive the 50% general discount.

Traders typically trade in a 'business like' manner with a real focus of profits in the short term. Trades are more frequent and may occur over a shorter period of time. On disposal, gains and losses will be taxed at the individual's marginal tax rates and are not eligible for the 50% general CGT discount.

Navigating the tax implications of crypto trades can be tricky and therefore it is important you keep detailed records of all cryptocurrency transactions.

If you would like more information on cryptocurrency and your tax implications, please do not hesitate to make an appointment with us today.

Record Keeping

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 23:00:00 GMT

And just like that 2021/2022 financial year is in full swing. Before you let the year get away, it might be best to start thinking about some record keeping! I know, we nag and nag but it really does make the world of difference if you keep track of your deductions as they occur rather then scrambling through your emails, or a drawer full of paperwork for 12 months' worth of expenses!

We live in the world of technology, computers, and phones. Record keeping can be as simple as taking a photo of your receipts with your phone and adding them to a photo album within your photos and naming it for tax purposes. Then come 30 June, you have all your receipts in one spot!

There are also heaps of phone apps available to keep track. The ATO have released a myDeductions app which is free and easy to use. You can even track your work kilometres travelled and export a file to send to us at the end of the year. More details on the ATO app can be found here https://www.ato.gov.au/general/online-services/ato-app/mydeductions/

Change is the only constant in life

Sun, 06 Jun 2021 23:00:00 GMT

"Change is the only constant in Life" Heraclitus (Greek Philosopher)

Sometimes we become so comfortable with the routine of our lives we forget there could be a better way, or a better routine to follow. Something which may suit us better, but how will we know if we don't make the first move to step out of our comfortable existence.

Change is sometimes scary, sometimes exciting, often unexpected, not always good, but eternally inevitable.

And so, it seems, change has arrived for us here at Maxwell & Cameron.

Our change is not at all scary, very exciting, somewhat unexpected, very good and eventually inevitable.

Jenny and I have decided, for various reasons and after much thought and consideration, to sell our ownership interest in our practice.

Jenny and Barry have two beautiful grandsons now, and her focus is very much on creating some valuable leisure time to spend with her grandsons, who are growing so quickly, as they all do.

Raymond and I are also empty nesters now, and while we don't have grandchildren (not for a little while yet) we do have the travel bug, and our focus is on freeing up some time to allow us to hit the road with our little caravan and see some more of what this beautiful big country of ours has to offer.

Therefore, Jenny and I would like to introduce you to the new owners of Maxwell & Cameron. From the afternoon of Thursday 1 July 2021, Angela Ross, and Karlie Offord, will be the new owners of our business.

Many of you will know Angela and Karlie already, as they have been with us since 2007 and 2003, respectively. Together they have over 30 years' experience in Public Practice.

We are very happy Angela and Karlie will be taking over from us as we have taught them well! They both have our work ethic, our work standards, and our overarching desire to do the very best we can for our clients.

Angela and Karlie have very high standards of professionalism and we are confident they have the ability and knowledge to continue to run the practice as Jenny and I have together since 2006.

That said, Jenny and I will still be familiar faces around Maxwell & Cameron, as we have agreed with Angela and Karlie that we will continue to work for them, although with hours reduced to four days a week.

Instead of seeing us in the front offices, we will be "down the back", but will continue to look after our clients as we have always done. We are keen to continue doing the work we enjoy, after passing the "trials and tribulations of business ownership", and perhaps a little stress, on to the new owners.

While both Jenny and I intend to continue working for Maxwell & Cameron from the MaxCam offices in High Street at least into the foreseeable future, with advances in technology, we can continue to work no matter where we are, whether in a comfortable office chair at home, or on a camp chair by the beach somewhere!

It will very much be business as usual at Maxwell & Cameron, with everything else remaining the same until Angela and Karlie begin to put their individual, fresh ideas into place to see Maxwell & Cameron continue on for the next 21 years!

We are excited about this change, as are Angela and Karlie, and we hope you will continue to support them in their endeavours as you, our wonderful clients, have supported Jenny and I over the last 17 years, some of you even since 1988 when I first joined the Maxwell Geldard & Co team!

Beef Week 2021

Mon, 17 May 2021 23:00:00 GMT

BEEF AUSTRALIA 2021

As a primary producer, Beef Week is always a highlight on our calendar and Beef Australia 2021 was certainly bigger and better than ever! Organisers have reported more than 115,000 people through the gates which is fantastic news!

There was something for everyone to see and do, from the stud cattle on show, demonstrations of the latest farming equipment and technology, not to mention the many stall holders within the pavilions and out under the market tents.

The Beef Week programme was jam packed with an array of events which varied each day. A surprise visit from the Prime Minister, industry expert discussions and forums, exceptional motivational speakers, poetry telling, live music and entertainers which even included a visit from Bluey the Dog.

Pop up restaurants, food vans and cooking demonstrations were very popular, and organisers have estimated over 63 tonnes of beef alone was consumed.

It was great to catch up so many of our local business owners, clients and community members at the event. The networking opportunities were as plentiful as the beef and beverages served up at the many luncheons. The special guest speakers were very interesting and the celebrity chefs entertaining.

Although increased traffic conditions and closed off roads were an annoyance to some, the cash injection to our local economy was very welcome.

The Beef Capital has certainly lived up to its reputation and we should all be proud to be a part of our local community.

Do you want to save tax?

Sun, 11 Apr 2021 23:00:00 GMT

With Easter behind us it is time to look forward to the next big date in everyone's lives 'End of Financial Year'!!!

OK, so maybe it is only us accountants who have this marked in big letters on our calendars!

But in truth, now is a great time to start considering if there is anything you can put in place prior to year-end to save yourself some tax. The great news for small business owners is you have more ways to save on taxes than a lot of people.

There are a numbers of simple steps you can take to minimise the tax you will pay this year. If you would like to make an appointment with our team we can help you develop a plan that might save you thousands.

Please bear in mind some of these strategies may only defer tax until the next financial year so it is important to take your current and future marginal tax rates into consideration.

It is also important to consider your cash flow position along with tax planning strategies. It is very easy to fall into the trap of spending money to save tax.

Bring forward payments

Consider bringing forward any expenditure that you will incur after 30 June by asking for and paying the invoice before 30 June (for example staff training, insurances, subscriptions, donations etc.)

Prepayment of rent can also be a useful tax planning tool.

Consider purchasing consumables (stationery, printing, office and computer supplies) or making repairs and maintenance to property owned by your business or rental properties before 30 June.

Claim before paying

Just because you haven't paid for something doesn't mean you can't claim it. Remember most business account for tax on an accruals basis meaning any creditor invoices owing but not yet paid at 30 June are deductible.

Businesses can also get an immediate deduction for certain other expenses that have been "incurred" but not paid in cash by 30 June including staff bonuses and director's fees.

Superannuation considerations

Pay the June quarter superannuation by 30 June. June quarter super is due by 28 July so why not bring it forward a month and claim the deduction rather than waiting a whole year to reduce your tax?

Maximise but make sure you don't exceed your superannuation cap. There is also the possibility of using the remainder of unused caps from prior years to make an even larger contribution. We can guide you as to how much you can contribute each year.

Scrap stock and write-off bad debts

The value of your closing stock directly affects your business profit, the higher your stock value the higher your profit and tax. Makes sure you do a complete stocktake before 30 June. If you find obsolete or out of date stock that your business simply can't sell, you can write it off before June 30 and get a tax deduction this year.

Tax is calculated based on any invoices you've issued, even if you haven't been paid. Review the list of those who owe you money and write off those 'bad debts' now. Don't pay tax on any invoice you know won't ever get paid. Remember you need to show that you've made a genuine attempt to recover the debt. Contact us if you need any clarification on these requirements.

Full expensing of asset purchases

The final option to consider is the purchase of plant and equipment for use in your business. Under the current full expensing provisions almost all business can claim an outright deduction for assets purchased this year. If you are considering any large purchase of plant and equipment ensure the transaction is finalised by 30 June to make sure your tax saving is applied to this financial year.

Please don't hesitate to contact our team if you would like any assistance preparing for the end of this financial year.

SHOULD YOU TRUST THE TAX OFFICE

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 22:00:00 GMT

SHOULD YOU TRUST THE TAX OFFICE?

Yes I guess we have to but as we all know, the scammers are out there. While a lot of the time the scams are getting more and more obvious (a recorded phone message about an Amazon account you don't have), we have to keep in mind that their aim isn't to catch everyone. They only need to catch a few to make it all worthwhile for them.

So if they send a recorded message to 100,000 random phone numbers about their Amazon account, chances are some of the people they call will have an Amazon account.

There is also then a chance that some of these people will wonder if they genuinely do have an amount owing and ring the phone number or click on the link.

Then they are at the point where they try to talk you in to something or have gained access to your computer or phone.

Unfortunately, this means we now have to suspect anyone who randomly emails, phones or text us of being a scammer.

We're quite concerned to learn that the tax office now have our clients personal phone numbers and emails addresses. We have never given them these contact details as we prefer to be the contact point with the tax office for our clients for two reasons. Firstly, so we know what's going on between our clients and the tax office and secondly, so we can save you a bit of stress by sorting out matters for you without you having to worry about them.

However, with the sharing of data between government agencies, they are finding out your personal contact details, attaching them to your tax office record and using these when they want to discuss your tax matters.

In the last few weeks, we have had a number of clients calling us to advise that the tax office has called them directly, without having contacted us first.

We don't agree that they should be using your personal details for their first contact with you. As your tax agent, part of our role involves staying informed of tax office requirements and part of our service is dealing with these things for you in the first instance.

We've brought this up with the tax office and they can't tell us why they are now using your private contact details rather than contacting us. One tax office employee advised us that their computer makes the phone call and they don't even know what number they are calling.

The main thing I think we need to take away from all of this though, is that when anyone contacts us, claiming to be from any business or agency, we should start asking them for proof of identity as well. Not their personal identify, but ours.

I'm so used to being asked my date of birth, address, mother's maiden name, that I find I just give these out without thought.

But now, I'm going to ask some questions back. What's my account number, what do you have recorded as my date of birth etc, and if they can't give any answers, I'll assume they aren't who they say they are.

And the same goes for the tax office. If they ring you, ask them some questions. Who was my employer on my last tax return? How much was the last tax payment/refund I had? Who is my tax agent?

If they can't answer you, don't answer them. If you are concerned, give them our phone number – as your tax agent we're always able to talk to them. And if you are still concerned, give us a call and let us know so we can check it out for you. That's part of our service.

Even if you know you have a tax debt, even if you know you haven't lodged a return, it's our job to liaise with the tax office for you and unfortunately, some of the earliest scams have been from people claiming to be from the tax office.

Any contact from anyone where they tell you that you owe money can be stressful but we need to be careful with everyone and remember, don't click on the link, don't call back the phone number they give you and ask for proof of who they say they are.

Anyone who is genuine will have to know something about you and the tax office have to accept the same proof of identity requirements they ask of us when they call.

So I know we can trust the tax office, but it's the way of the world now that we should be asking them to prove it!

It's that time of year, AGAIN!

Sun, 01 Dec 2019 22:00:00 GMT

I'm approaching my 7th month working with the amazing team at Maxwell and Cameron, and this is the first time I've been asked to blog about my world. I have read all of the previous blogs from the other staff members on our website going back to 2014 to get an idea on what to write (clearly, I don't have children and I have a lot of free time on my hands!).

I was thinking - should I introduce myself and tell you all a little about me? Or should I write about Christmas? Because believe it or not but Christmas is only a few weeks away!! So I decided to do both.

As most of you already know, my name is Hannah and I am the receptionist at Maxwell and Cameron. I grew up in a small town called Marlborough 100km north of Rockhampton. I went to primary school there where I was the only kid in my grade! (I won all the sports day races for my age group because I would either have no one to race, or I would race younger kids!) Fast forward a few years and I started High School at Glenmore in Rockhampton. I would have to wake up at 6am every morning to get on a school bus to Rockhampton from Marlborough. I have 4 older sisters, 1 younger sister and 2 younger brothers so while my four older sisters were all in high school and leaving at 7am for the bus, I was making school lunches for my younger siblings, doing my younger sisters hair and tying their shoelaces, while my parents worked hard to support their big loving family. When I was 14, I started working for my mum at a petrol station on weekends, after school and all school holidays. I think growing up with such a busy lifestyle even as a child helped me mature a lot faster.

I met my partner of nearly 8 years at Marlborough when we were 16, we moved in together a few months later and lived together in Marlborough for around 5 years. After Marlborough we moved to Gracemere together to further our careers and we are now both in great workplaces that we absolutely LOVE!

I love my massive family and at the age of 24 I have 4 nieces with another one on the way, and 9 nephews!!

So, I bet you can imagine what Christmas is like in my family! When I was growing up, we used to live in a smallish house where we would all share bedrooms. As the house was quite small, we would have Christmas morning in our giant shed. One of my older sisters would wake me and all my siblings up at 4am every year and we would all sneak to the shed where we would just sit and stare at the presents under the giant Christmas tree. (It had to be giant to fit everyone's presents under there!) I still remember that butterfly feeling in my stomach of excitement, and the joy of being with my family, everyone smiling and laughing. Even though we knew we were not allowed to open presents until my Dad was awake and had his morning coffee which was usually around 8am, we would still wake up at 4am every year and sit around for 4 hours laughing and guessing what was under that wrapping paper.

Things have changed a little as we grew up and got partners and children. We all have different houses to be at over Christmas and we all have to see the In-Laws for Christmas also. I know that even though we don't see each other every Christmas now, we are all together in one way or the other, and as long as we are all having a good time wherever we may be, that's all that matters!

I look forward to seeing you in the office or talking on the phone and will do my best to assist you with anything you need from us.

I'm also looking forward to Christmas again and wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope you all have a relaxing time over the Christmas break with your family.

Hannah

Carry forward Superannuation Contributions

Sun, 20 Oct 2019 22:00:00 GMT

Our work life at Maxwell & Cameron, and the assistance we provide our clients, is largely influenced by changes to legislation and taxation policies announced by the Australian Taxation Office. At times it feels as though we are always the bearers of bad news and it is not often we can bring positive opportunities to our clients attention. A positive change to superannuation implemented recently gives taxpayers the opportunity to carry forward amounts of unused concessional contribution caps from 1 July 2018. If you have a total superannuation balance of less than $500 000 and you make or receive concessional contributions of less than the concessional contributions cap (currently $25 000 pa), you may be able to accrue the unused amounts for use in subsequent years. Previous to this policy change, any unused contribution cap was lost. While not everyone has surplus cash available to make an additional contribution to superannuation over and above employer contributions this new rule will give rise to significant tax savings for taxpayers in certain circumstances. Examples of situations where a taxpayer may take advantage of increased contributions in a year include business owners or employees who have fluctuating income patterns and cash flow as well as taxpayers who sell investments or property and realise large capital gains. Unused amounts are available for a maximum of five years and will expire after this.

2019 Federal Budget

Thu, 25 Apr 2019 23:00:00 GMT

The budget was brought on early this year due to the impending Federal election set down for May 18.

Now that the dust has settled, we thought we would highlight some of the more pertinent outcomes (assuming they pass into law) from the April budget:-

Surplus

• The Government has forecast a surplus of $7.1 billion

• Instant asset write off for small and medium business entities has been lifted to $30,000 for assets purchased from 2 April, 2019 (post budget) to 30 June, 2020. This is an increase from the $25,000 from 28 January 2019 and the existing $20,000 current from 1 July 2018 to 27 January 2019.

• Lower tax rates for low income earners. The tax offset available to taxpayers earning less than $37,000 will increase from the base amount from $200 to $255 per annum.

• Middle income earners will see an increase in the tax offset from $530 to $1,080.

• The 32.5% tax rate will be extended from $87,000 to $90,000.

• Disaster relief payments – payments and grants made as a result of the flooding in North Queensland are exempt from taxation

ABN Details

• ABN holders will be required to confirm their details annually from 1 July 2022

Superannuation

• The work test is being removed for contributions made by 65 and 66 year olds

• Spouse contributions will be able to be made for 70 to 74 year olds

Luxury Car Tax

Energy Assistance Payment

• There will be a one-off Energy Assistance Payment of $75 for singles and $62.50 for each member of a couple who receive a qualifying pension, disability payment or Family Tax Benefit.

HELP Debt for Teachers in Remote Communities

• To encourage teachers to work in remote centres, the HELP debt of those who take a four-year placement will be extinguished

As previously mentioned, quite a bit of this is not yet law and will be dependent on the current Government retaining power by winning the upcoming election.

Cloud Based Accounting

Thu, 31 Jan 2019 22:00:00 GMT

Cloud based accounting is becoming more and more popular for small business entities. Most traditional accounting platforms now offer a cloud based option and new entrants such as Xero are becoming increasingly popular.

There are many advantages to transferring your business record keeping to a cloud based platform. Accessibility is a key advantage. Cloud based platforms can be accessed from any computer, tablet or mobile phone meaning your records never need to be far from your fingertips. There is also limited risk of data loss or interruption due to fire, theft, flood or hardware failure and there is no need to install regular upgrades etc.

But cloud based accounting also comes with some risks. What do you do if the internet goes down? How secure is the access? Do I need to keep a physical backup?

There is not a lot to be done if the internet is down. Other applications such as emails and point of sale also rely on internet connections so unfortunately this is just one of those things the modern business has to deal with.

Security and accessibility is actually better for cloud based platforms than traditional IT set ups particularly if business owners were using other forms of remote access. Most cloud platforms now offer 2 factor authentication which greatly enhances data security. It is vital that you have secure and memorable passwords and accept that those passwords will be long.

Surprisingly, it is important to backup your cloud software on a regular basis. Cloud platforms maintain very good backups and have multiple server locations so physical loss of data is very unlikely but there are a couple of instances where maintaining your own backup may be vital.

If your subscription to a cloud based platform expires or you stop payments for any reason you will most likely be unable to access your data.

If you need to rollback data to the previous day or month for example some cloud platforms will not provide backup data. Cloud platforms will restore your data if their servers are affected in some way but do not make backup available to individual account holders on demand.

If you would like more information on cloud based accounting platforms or backing up files from your current cloud based system, please contact us and we will be happy to help.

Budget Tips

Mon, 05 Nov 2018 22:00:00 GMT

It's getting closer to that time again "Christmas".

This time can be stressful for many of us, especially if you're on a tight budget.

Here are some tips which might help:

If it's too late this year, start your budget for next year now, as we all know it comes around quickly.

ATO Debt Set to Affect Business Credit Rating

Tue, 02 Oct 2018 23:00:00 GMT

In the past the ATO have not been permitted to disclose debt information to credit agencies……but that may all change.

If the proposed legislation is passed, the ATO will start reporting outstanding debts, subject to certain conditions, to credit agencies. What does this mean? Fail to pay your ATO debts on time and your credit rating will suffer.

The proposed legislation is aimed at businesses that meet the following conditions:

If legislation passes, businesses that meet the above criteria may find it difficult to obtain supplier credit accounts, approval for chattel mortgages, leases and hire purchases, apply for overdraft facilities, refinancing and even more scrutiny by your bank come time for your annual review.

Once the ATO notifies the credit agencies of a default, it stays on your credit report for 5 years – even if you pay the debt off within that time.

So, if you have been having trouble paying your tax debt, or perhaps you just put the ATO at the bottom of your ever increasing pile of bills, it is time to take action and avoid that dreaded strike against your credit score.

The good news is we can help you.

Here at Maxwell & Cameron we work closely with businesses to offer strategic business planning and advice with an aim to improve profit and cash flow. Now is the time to start managing your business. Speak with us today before it is too late.New Post

Happy (Belated) Father’s Day

Thu, 06 Sep 2018 23:00:00 GMT

Happy (Belated) Father's Day Father's day has come and gone for another year. I spent a lovely weekend with my family at the beach. My 3 yr old was so excited when he caught 4 little fish on his little fishing rod. He is growing up so fast! As we get older, time seems to move faster, seems like yesterday my kids were babies and now we are looking down the barrel of Kindy for next year. We are nearing the end of the first quarter of the 2019 financial year. How crazy is that! Then it's only 3 months until the dreaded Christmas time rush. So if you have been putting off doing your tax return, perhaps now is the time to contact us to get it done. We can help you get your tax refund back in time to help fund Santa's Little Workshop!

How to drive your car and claim it too!

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 23:00:00 GMT

It's tax time again and the ATO has recently announced higher scrutinising of work related car expenses. This doesn't mean the end of your work car claim. It just means you should make sure that you have your documentation in order to substantiate your claim and the best way to do this is to start keeping your records from the beginning of the financial year.
There are two ways in which the ATO allows deductions for work related car expenses and they are the logbook method and the cents per kilometre method.
In order to claim work related car expenses you must first prove that you use your own car in the course of performing your job. Examples of this include attending conferences and meetings, delivering items, travelling to and from multiple work sites, and carrying bulky tools or equipment in your own car (if your employer does not offer secure storage at work). You cannot claim travel from home to work and vice versa.
The logbook method involves keeping a logbook to track the work related percentage of actual car expenses incurred. Expenses able to be claimed by the logbook method include running costs, decline in value, interest on loan repayments, and improvement costs. There are various ways in which to keep a logbook such as a paper logbook kept in the car, a GPS logbook as well as apps that can be downloaded onto your smart phone, iPhone or tablet.
An easier way to get a deduction for using your car is to use the cents per kilometre method. This involves tracking how many business kilometres are travelled throughout the financial year in the course of your employment. A maximum of 5,000 Km can be claimed without needing written evidence, but you must be able to prove how you worked out your business kilometres. The best way to prove this is by keeping a logbook or a diary recording work related travel.
By keeping the relevant written evidence for claiming work related car expenses there will be no issue with claims at tax time, and remember that this evidence must be kept for 5 years for ATO audit purposes.
We can help you get the best result at tax time by maximising these claims and are happy to talk to you at any time to help get your records in order.

Superannuation Pension Reporting Changes

Tue, 13 Mar 2018 22:00:00 GMT

Nothing is constant but change. This is never more true than in the area of superannuation. The Australian Taxation Office has released its final decision on Events Based Reporting. What this basically means for SMSFs is that from 1 July 2018, if you have a pension (other than a transition to retirement pension) on foot at 1 July 2018, or start a pension, or commute a pension, or a number of other events that will affect your transfer balance cap – you have to let the ATO know within 28 days of the end of the month following the quarter in which the transaction occurred.

There is a carve-out for SMSFs with no members with a total superannuation account balance over $1 million.

This means it is imperative, from 1 July 2018, to let us know when these events occur within your fund.

One of the most important transactions we need to know about is when you withdraw more than your minimum pension amount. No longer is it always the best thing to just allocate the excess to your pension account. In fact, it may well be best not to where you have accumulation balances as well.

Documentation has to be prospective, and the timeframe for lodgement of this information with the ATO imposes a new incentive for having documentation prepared early.

The upshot of this is, if you are looking at drawing more than your minimum pension from 1 July 2018, please contact us as there are planning opportunities which may be missed if we don't act on time.

Failure to report by the appropriate dates will also result in financial penalties.

Having a Financial Plan

Tue, 06 Feb 2018 22:00:00 GMT

Towards the end of last year it seemed as though Christmas came around so quickly yet we are already at the point where the kids have gone back to school and February is already upon us. Just before Christmas my partner and I bought our second house, moved in, bought a new puppy and also had the family over for Christmas, therefore the last few months have been quite exciting but a bit of a blur. Now that we are well into the New Year I feel I need to sit down and make sure we are on top of our finances before they get over my head, as I am sure most of you agree it is easy to overspend during the festive season. For me, I find having a financial plan quite important so that I can make sure to pay all my bills on time but still have that bit of money left over to enjoy life. So if any of you are feeling at a bit of a loss with your finances and would like some advice, come and talk to one of our friendly team who may be able to help you out.

What does Christmas mean to you?

Wed, 06 Dec 2017 22:00:00 GMT

As I sit here in the middle of wrapping Christmas presents, I start to think about what Christmas means to me. As my gorgeous, white, lit up Christmas tree stands tall in front of me with its pink and blue decorations and a silver star on top, I start to smile. I just absolutely love this time of the year! As I was driving around town yesterday with my partner Jeremy, we saw a house lit up with Christmas lights. I made a comment wondering who originally thought of decorating a house with a bunch of lights and how it turned into a Christmas tradition. Jeremy's reply was a great one which is one I will never forget. His answer was 'because when you see them it makes you happy, as you should be around this time of the year.' He was absolutely correct! Christmas is a time to take a break and enjoy the time of celebration with your loved ones. If you're like me, you've probably got a million places to be on Christmas day. First see your own parents and siblings, then the in-laws and the extended family and it just turns into a crazy day, but more than worth it. Christmas has become even more exciting over the last couple of years for me as my nephew turns 2 on the 20th of December so it will be his third Christmas this year and it just makes it that little bit more exciting having a little one to enjoy the Christmas spirit with. If you have been into the office lately, you will notice Sam has been decorating like crazy, because all of us here at Maxwell & Cameron love this time of the year and you should too. If you come into the office in the New Year, we would love to hear all about your Christmas break! Please remember our office will be closed from Friday 22nd December at 5pm and will reopen on Monday 8th January at 8:30am.

Is change a four letter word?

Thu, 19 Oct 2017 22:00:00 GMT

No, of course it isn't. It's six letters, but sometimes it can be one of those words that you just don't want to hear. The change I'm talking about is when you have to make a choice to change or not. It's easy to make a change when you have no choice or to make the choice to change when the effect of the change is all positive. But sometimes we have to change our plans when things aren't going so well. Changes in your financial plan can be difficult to make. We often have ideas in our heads about how our finances will go, how much money we will have at a certain time, how much we will spend, etc. We save and spend according to our plan, with ideas about what we want now and in the future. Then something happens that means we can't achieve what we were planning and we need to decide what we should do. This may involve making decisions to sell assets that we didn't plan to sell (but I am saving this for my retirement), or putting off asset purchases (but I've worked hard and really deserve this boat). As accountants, we also see changes in people's lives that start out as a good change but end badly. Starting out in business when you've always been an employee is one of these, where things start positively but can end badly without proper planning. Talking things over with a specialist is always a good idea when any change is happening in your life. We are in a great position to talk to you about changes in your financial plans, either because of business or personal changes and to help you get advice to assist with planning your financial future now and in retirement.

Spring Clean your Finances

Mon, 18 Sep 2017 23:00:00 GMT

It's Spring in Rockhampton, although you'd have to agree I'm not sure we really had a winter this year! When it comes to spring cleaning you probably think of getting rid of all the junk from the garage, washing the walls and cleaning out behind the fridge, but don't forget about your finances. Whether business or personal, now is the perfect time to perform a general tidy up of your budget, debts, insurances and investments. Is it time to freshen up your savings or blow the cobwebs off your superannuation? After you finish cleaning up the garden shed, why don't you clear out your inbox? I have recently taken the time to unsubscribe from seemingly thousands of newsletters I was previously either deleting or moving to another folder to read 'one day'. It is surprising the difference something so simple can make to your day.

Tax Time Scams

Tue, 18 Jul 2017 23:00:00 GMT

As tax time approaches I am often asked by friends and family what the best little trick is to get as much money back as possible, and my answer is always the same, "Don't give your hard earned money away to scammers!" Over the years scammers have gotten smarter about how they try and take money away from you. As stated by the ATO in June, scammers have started to look up phone numbers on the ATO website and project them as their caller ID; which is known as "spoofing". If the ATO ever calls they do not display their number on the caller ID. If you receive unexpected letters, calls or emails from people claiming to be from the ATO, it is always a good idea to personally call the ATO and discuss the matter with them personally. They will either help you with their request if the correspondence was legitimate or direct you to their scams department for further information.

Winter is here!

Thu, 15 Jun 2017 23:00:00 GMT

Although Winter is one of my least favourite seasons I don't mind snuggling up under a blanket to keep warm.

Winter also means we are coming to the end of the financial year, how quickly has that come around?

Thinking of a new financial year makes me realise I don't know where the year has gone and that I haven't really thought about any goals for the New Year. Now would definitely be the best time sort out a plan for next year and maybe even revisit ones that may have been set in January.

If you goal is to quit smoking or eat healthier we won't be much of a help, but for any financial goals or plans you would like some advice about please feel free to come in and see us!

End of Financial Year Tips

Sun, 23 Apr 2017 23:00:00 GMT

June 30 is fast approaching and now is the time to start planning to help minimise your tax liability at year end.

Tax planning strategies are particularly useful if your 2017 income is expected to be significantly higher than your 2018 assessable income. This could be due to a one off capital gain event, or reduction in workflow expected in the following year.

Some simple tips to help minimise your business or personal Income Tax includes:
• Delay deriving assessable income until the 2018 Financial Year;
• Bring forward or pre pay deductible expenses where possible;
• Claim before you spend – staff bonuses and director fees declared, and other expenses invoiced by June 30 but not yet paid are deductible in the 2017 Financial Year;
• Pay June Quarter Superannuation before June 30 to bring forward the tax deduction by a whole year;
• Negative Gearing on rental properties;
• Make personal deductible superannuation contributions where possible, but seek advice before doing this;
• Utilising the Small Business Entity concessions where available, including the $20,000 instant asset write off;
• Write off any bad debts before June 30;
• Undertake a stocktake and write off any obsolete stock;
• Advise us prior to June 30 if you have realised a large capital gain, you may be able to access concessions or implement other strategies to minimise the tax payable.

Other end of financial year reminders:
• Ensure motor vehicle log books are current and up to date;
• Trustee Resolutions are due by 30 June 2017;
• PAYG Payment Summaries are to be issued to employees by 14 July 2017;
• If you are in the building and construction industry, reporting taxable payments is due by 28 July 2017.

Keep in mind, the strategies mentioned above will not suit everyone and it is best to consider your individual circumstances before implementing any tax planning strategy. You also need to consider tax planning in conjunction with you cashflow. Don't get caught out spending money purely to obtain a tax deduction.

If you think you would benefit from tax planning to help minimise your tax, we encourage you to schedule a meeting as soon as possible so we can identify any opportunities available. A small investment in tax planning has the potential to save your business $$$.

Happy Easter

Tue, 14 Mar 2017 22:00:00 GMT

AUTUMN IS HERE ALREADY! Wow this year has flown by.

Easter is just around the corner. Many people see Easter differently whether it be a break from work, time to spend with your family or even time to sit on the couch and get chocolate wasted.

To me, Easter is the time where I get to take a small break and spend time with my loved ones. This year my family and I are having a small getaway to Yeppoon for 4 days. This is quite exciting for me as we get to have our first family holiday with my 15 month old nephew. I hope your Easter break is just as great as I plan for my break to be and for those people travelling away, I wish you safe travels and hope you all have a Happy Easter!

Saving Money!

Thu, 16 Feb 2017 22:00:00 GMT

Saving money

Whether you are a young child wanting for a new toy or an adult saving for retirement, money is a key element in our lives.

Throughout my childhood, my dad motivated me to save my money rather than spending it. Eventually, saving money became a big aspect of my life growing up. Whether I got $5 from helping my dad or $10 from helping my grandma clean her garden, I started to see the power of saving money. I had over $3,000 before I got my first job at the age of 14. However, it wasn't until I received my first paycheck when I became aware of the true satisfactory feeling of having money.

By the time I had my 16th Birthday, I had saved enough money to buy my brand new $20,000 car. I will admit, sticking to the budget I created wasn't easy but I reward myself with a small treat once I achieved my goal which would then motivate me to complete my next target. It was disappointing to see all my money which I worked so hard for gone, but I was rewarded with owning an asset. Since I've purchased my car, I had some difficulties keeping up to date with my budget. I found I wasn't saving enough money for my new expenses like fuel, registration and insurance. Therefore, I recalculated my budget with the expenses and cut back on my luxuries.

I would be lying if I said, I have saved the amount of money I originally wanted to achieve. Sadly because of a few emergencies which needed money, this wasn't possible. Although, I'm glad I experienced these emergencies because it has helped me prepare for them in the future by creating a safety zone in my budget. Nevertheless, if I wasn't living at home, I wouldn't have been able to save the amount of money I have as I don't pay any major household expenses like rent, rates or electricity. Despite this, since turning 20 my current goal is to save around $25,000 for a term deposit. Once I have achieved my goal, I will be able to make my dream a reality by purchasing my first home.

Keeping it all up to date

Tue, 10 Jan 2017 22:00:00 GMT

We had a couple of weeks break over Christmas and New Year and for the first time in a while we didn't go away anywhere over the break. This has given me a chance to catch up on a whole heap of 'stuff' I have wanted or needed to do and which I never seemed to have the chance to do, or simply didn't make the time for. While my break could easily be classified as "really quiet" by some, I feel a sense of cleansing as I have removed the clutter in my head that was always there about getting these things done and bringing things up to date. I can now start the New Year with a clean slate, not behind in everything and stressed about being so. My New Year's goal is to keep things up to date. Just get in and get them done instead of adopting the "I'll do it later, I'll have more time then" guideline. The simple fact is you just don't have more time later, and doing something now will take you a fraction of the time it will take you when you eventually get around to it. I am determined to do this so in a couple of months when you see me tearing my hair out, it will be for a reason other than I'm so behind and everything is getting on top of me. It may well have something to do with teaching my daughter learning to drive, but that is another story . . .

60 days until Christmas

Wed, 02 Nov 2016 22:00:00 GMT

60 days until Christmas. Let's just take a second to let that information sink in......... It is already the end of October. OCTOBER! How in the world did that happen? It feels like yesterday the new financial year was upon us, and now.... It's 60 days until Christmas. In our world Christmas also means we are half way through the Financial Year and it is a good time of year to review your business performance and assess how your business is sailing compared to set targets. Are you meeting your targets? If not, why? Don't worry if you are behind the pack and have not set your 2017 business goals, it is not too late!

We are more than just average accountants!

Wed, 28 Sep 2016 23:00:00 GMT

We are more than just average accountants! The general consensus for when getting your tax done is that your accountant will just look at the figures in front of them and not look into anything further. We pride ourselves on being more than just your average accountants. We look further than just figures on a spreadsheet. We recently came across a client who had the offset facility on a loan but the bank had not put it into effect and was still charging the full amount of interest. We can help you just as we helped this client, in a range of areas and may even save you some money! So make and appointment to come and see one of our lovely team today!

Primary Production Intergenerational Transfers

Wed, 17 Aug 2016 23:00:00 GMT

As part of the Rural Assistance Package announced in the Queensland's budget, primary producers can breathe a sigh of relief with the extension of the duty concession on intergenerational transfers of primary production property.

Primary production property includes land, plant & equipment and livestock primarily used to carry on a primary production business.

Previously the exemption was only available on the transfer of primary production property if it was by way of gift. However, if the transferee paid any consideration, or assumed any debt, than transfer duty was payable. In reality, this exemption was limited and added significant costs to succession planning, and in some cases, even forced a sale of the family business rather than pass it on.

However, from 1 July 2016, new legislation removes the requirement that a transfer of primary production property be by way of gift. This means if a family's primary production property is valued and purchased at $2 million, there is a transfer duty saving of $95,525. This is great news for Queensland primary producers wanting to transfer their property to the next generation of farmers.

Generally, to be eligible for the exemption the following conditions apply:

1. the transferor is a defined relative of the transferee
2. the business for which the business property is used, is carried on by the defined relative or ancestor, whether alone or with others,
3. the business is intended to be carried on by the transferee, whether alone or with others, and
4. the transferee does not acquire the business property as agent or nominee of another person

This Government initiative offers practical means to assist Queensland primary producers with family succession planning, and ultimately maximises the return on your investment.

Also announced under the Rural Assistance Package were grants of up to $2,500 for farmers to seek advice on mitigating climate risks, financial management, succession planning and multi-peril crop insurance.

If you are considering an intergenerational transfer of primary production property and wanting to take advantage of the new legislation, call Maxwell & Cameron Accountants today.

New (Financial) Year's Resolution!

Mon, 25 Jul 2016 23:00:00 GMT

Happy New (Financial) Year!

Now that we have had a chance to get over our sore heads from ringing in the New Year - and yes while the general population may not feel the need accountants actually do celebrate the new financial year! – it is time to settle in for the busy tax season ahead.

While we put our heads down and start finalising your financial records and tax returns for the year just ended its important to remember that a New Year means a chance for a fresh start and hopefully an even better year than the last.

New Year is the time for planning the year ahead and setting new goals. On 31 December we all go through the (often) fruitless exercise of setting New Year's resolutions so what better time than the start of a new financial year to look at the financial aspects of your life.

If you are a small business this may involve updating your business plan, setting new revenue targets, cashflow forecasting and planning to make the most of any tax saving concessions available to you.

For a retiree or someone approaching that important milestone you may be wondering how much income will I actually get from my superannuation? Is there anything I can do now to improve my retirement income?

If you consider yourself just a 'normal' person working for wages there are still financial goals and checks that are helpful. Are you saving for a holiday, or planning a wedding? Do you have a household budget and track your spending? Is there any way you can minimise the tax you pay?

We can help you to answer all of these questions so please don't hesitate to contact us but more importantly, just take a bit of time to think about and plan the year ahead.

How can you not fall when the rug is pulled from under your feet!

Mon, 23 May 2016 23:00:00 GMT

I want to have a good time

Tue, 22 Mar 2016 22:00:00 GMT

I read an article recently about people dying with more money than they retired with. A great result for your family - even more money to mourn you with. But has it meant that people aren't enjoying the benefits of all of their hard work before they go?

I can see how this can happen. For the last 30 years I have been saving for something - to pay off loans, to buy new cars, to pay for all of the expenses of having kids. Now I'm saving for my retirement. In my head, the thought is "Work to Live and Save".

When my retirement comes along, all of a sudden I won't be working and won't be saving but I will still be living so my living costs will come out of my savings. I haven't watched my savings go down before. Very scary!!

For most of us I think, the idea of selling off assets so that we can spend the money to live on is completely against everything we have done all our lives. I don't think this even occurs to us. But really, why did we buy all those assets to start with - and by assets, I mean property, investments, superannuation etc.

If you make yourself stop and think about it, what were we saving for all those years? Yes, to buy the house, give the kids the education and other things we wanted for them, but now the house is paid for, the kids are (hopefully) earning their own money and retirement has arrived. There are the daily expenses to pay for and that is what all the saving was for - so that we could still pay our living expenses and have some fun after we had finished working.

I started thinking about what I want to leave for my kids. I will be happy to leave them our house or the value of our house. So when I die, they will have half a house each. This is their bonus from me - half a house - not a bad windfall. Not enough for them to retire on, so they still have to earn their own living. But that's OK, my retirement money was for me, not for them.

So I have all of the rest of the money I have saved to spend on myself over the course of my retirement. Now, I know that none of us know how long that will be, but as an example, if we retire at 60 and plan to live another 40 years, and leave the house to our kids, we can spend everything over the value of the house over the next 40 years. If I retire with the house plus $1,000,000 and I plan to live 40 years and just live off the earnings of the $1,000,000, I can spend $50,000 per year and my kids get the house plus $1,000,000. If I am happy to just leave them with the house, I can spend an extra $25,000 each year.

If I do live another 40 years and die with nothing other than the house, I have spent $1,000,000 on the things I have enjoyed doing (I've had a great time) and the kids have half a house (like a win in the lotto - no effort required).

Of course, it isn't just a simple calculation. There are lots of variables - what do I want to do in retirement, when do I want to do it, at what point will I need less or more money. The future is totally unpredictable and whatever you plan won't happen.

But if you don't plan, you don't even know what could possibly happen and I felt sad to think that people are working and saving hard for 50 years, then living for many more years still thinking that they have to save, so are maybe missing out on a holiday, a flash new car or some other fun. And not realising that their saving efforts are all for the ones who they leave behind.

So my advice is, when retirement is coming up, you need to plan a spending strategy, not a savings strategy.

We are able to talk to you about this and help you to prepare your spending plan. The time to start preparing your retirement spending strategy is once your kids are off your hands, not once you actually retire.

After all, my kids probably won't end up saving their inheritance for their kids, they will be spending it on a good time. And I think the one who earns it should be the one having a good time.

Believing in Santa

Mon, 07 Dec 2015 22:00:00 GMT

Believing in Santa Clause is a very special phase most, if not all children go through. But should I be teaching my kids that if they are good all year round a man with a beard in a red suit, flying around in a red sleigh pulled by flying reindeer is going to magically enter our house and give them a present? Should I let my kids believe in Santa? Will it traumatise them when they are older? Will they hate me for "lying" to them? There are so many unknowns.

I let my kids believe in Santa for one simple reason. Because I believed in Santa growing up and it was awesome! When my parents told me they, together as a team were actually Santa Clause I thought it was the coolest thing ever. It never broke me or made me think less of my parents for "telling such a lie". It made me appreciate the selflessness that went into Christmas in my house growing up. Even though I am past my Santa believing stage, I still tell my kids all about Santa. I do all the work Santa is supposed to do and try to encourage my kids to believe in more than what they can just see.

You can teach an old dog new tricks

Mon, 16 Nov 2015 22:00:00 GMT

Sometimes life can throw us some unexpected challenges and we need to make the decision to tackle it head on and triumph.

Recently I decided it was time to move on from a position I had held for almost twenty years. After a break of a couple of months I started my new job with Maxwell & Cameron. I admit I was very apprehensive as I was moving out of my comfort zone and I would be learning new procedures and processes. As an older employee I was extremely stressed and started to doubt my ability. I was on a steep learning curve. Would I ever be able to retain all of the information that was presented to me?

I had to make the decision that I was going to rise to the challenge and not let it beat me. With the help from my wonderful work colleagues, who have been very patient and supportive, I am slowly learning all of these processes and procedures. With the right attitude and a wonderful support base, anything is possible.

Back to the Future

Thu, 22 Oct 2015 22:00:00 GMT

On 21st October 2015 we all reflected over what has happened in the last 30 years compared to what the movie Back to the Future had in mind, whether it be the 17th instalment of Jaws, hover boards, flying cars or Nike's power-laced shoes. This gave me the idea that we all could reflect on where we have come in the past 30 years, and plan what we would like to achieve in the next 30 years. This could be a personal goal, a financial goal, a career goal and the list goes on. We may be able to help you plan and achieve that goal. Come in an see us today!

Spring fever: Love is in the air

Wed, 23 Sep 2015 23:00:00 GMT

If you answered 'no' to most of these questions than chances are you are trapped in a business relationship you are no longer satisfied with. Maybe you even find yourself falling out of love with your business?

If this is the case than its time to turn up the heat, take charge and reignite that passion you once felt when you first started your business.

Getting back in touch with what you loved about your business may help discover the spark you're missing. Take a moment now to reflect back on your business and what you have achieved. You should be proud! Do you remember how it felt when you first started your business? The passion you once had? The great vision you shared? The reasons why you love doing what you do?

One effective way to start mending your relationship with your business is to create a system dependant environment. That is, your systems should run your business so you have more freedom. Freedom to take those uninterrupted, guilt free holidays. Freedom to focus on managing and growing your business. Freedom to fall back in love with your business.

Remember, your business is there to serve and provide for you and your dreams, not keep you from them!

A change is as good as a holiday

Sun, 16 Aug 2015 23:00:00 GMT

12 months ago my wife and I decided that after our wedding we would make the move from Mackay to Rockhampton. I was worried... I had just made the decision to move away from all of my family and friends, to a town where the only people I knew were the in-laws.

It has turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made. I feel I have come so far in my ability at work over the last 12 months thanks to everyone at Maxwell & Cameron. This has helped me enjoy my job more, which has made me happier outside of work.

My point is, instead of looking at the negative side of change we should look at the positive sides as well. If there is a big decision to be made, whether it be in relation to business, work or your personal life, figure out all the positives rather than focusing on all the negatives. As they say, a change is as good as a holiday.

Are you covered for the unexpected?

Tue, 21 Jul 2015 23:00:00 GMT

Recently Jenny, Kyla and I were to attend the PAN conference in Bali. A prestigious and relaxing location for sure, and certainly a great place to brush up on our skills as accountants. Unfortunately with all the volcanic activity on Mount Raung, which is approx 150km from our destination, our flights were cancelled leaving us unable to attend the conference. Indonesia has nearly 130 active volcanos, and until now I had not truly appreciated what we possibly could have been flying into. So many possibilities to think about and so many more I am sure I didn't think about. Sure, overseas travel has risks, and they are risks worth taking to see the world I might add, but it got me thinking - what do you do in this situation? All I can say is thank goodness for travel insurance! With all the recent natural disasters and unforseen issues going on around the world and indeed our own backyard, it is so important to have the correct protection. Many insurers don't cover for natural disasters and others go the extra mile to help you when you are in need. It all comes down to reading the fine print and having the discussion with your protectors of what would happen if.... When is the last time you looked at your insurance coverage?

A view on customer service (or, we should all be going to butcher school)

Mon, 01 Jun 2015 23:00:00 GMT

Support our Local Businesses

Tue, 10 Mar 2015 13:00:00 GMT

Hope everyone is well on their way to recovery after our visit from TC Marcia.

I have been blown away (pardon the pun) by the community spirit that has been so evident in the clean-up process.

As we move on to the next phase and start to get our personal and business lives back on track, I would like to remind everyone to continue to support their community, in particular our locally owned businesses.

Throughout my years at Maxwell & Cameron, I have had the great pleasure of working with a wide range of local small to medium businesses.

Some of these businesses have been hit very hard physically by the cyclone, may have lost stock due to power outages, and have also suffered financially due to forced closure while essential services were returned.

I myself had to replace my refrigerator and was very happy to support one of our locally owned appliance retailers and am restocking it with meat from the butcher down the road, and fruit and veg from the local green grocer.

So when you are re-stocking your freezers, replacing your appliances and generally just getting back on track, please keep these small businesses in mind and buy from them wherever it is possible.

Best wishes for Christmas

Tue, 16 Dec 2014 13:00:00 GMT

Merry Christmas from the Team at Maxwell & Cameron Accountants.

Our office will close for the Christmas period at 5.00 pm on Friday 19 December 2014 and will re-open at 8.30 am on Monday 12 January 2015.

The Power of Positive Thinking

Tue, 18 Nov 2014 13:00:00 GMT

"Having a positive mental attitude is asking how something can be done, rather than saying it can't be done" - Bo Bennett.

Have you ever had one of those days where you wish you could just give up, go back to bed and start the day over fresh? One of those days where life just seems to take its toll and everything seems to go wrong at once? I'm sure we have all experienced these feelings at some stage in our lives, and it can seem almost impossible to think to yourself that 'everything will be OK'.

We all face tough days or times - it's part of life. But the way we react to these situations can have a lasting effect on your life.

I'm known as a bit of a 'Negative Nancy' by my colleagues at work. I tend to be my own worst enemy when it comes to self doubt and having a negative attitude. But lately I have come to realise nothing good comes of always focusing on the negatives; it just makes the situation seem a whole lot worse than what it is. I have learned if you continously tell yourself you are no good at something, or you 'can't do it', you will start to believe it!

As a team at Maxwell and Cameron we have been working together to encourage a positive mindset at both work and home, and it is surprising how much difference it can make to your life.

So, I think that most readers will agree when life gets us down, we just need to stop and take a look at the big picture. When things don't go the way you had planned, just take a step back, find an opportunity or a life lesson that you can take from the situation and remind yourself how truly wonderful your life is.

Changing Lives

Sun, 19 Oct 2014 13:00:00 GMT

Hands up if you ever been annoyed because your internet wasn't working? A slow driver made you miss a set of traffic lights so you arrived a few minutes later to your destination? Yep...guilty as charged!

I am sure we have all been guilty at some point for having a "hissy" fit over something trivial. So, next time before you start stomping your foot because you've had to wait on hold for 20 minutes, stop for a moment and put things into perspective. What do you have?

We often take for granted we have access to clean water, food, free medical care, electricity. When my kids start having a whinge about what's for dinner, I often say "well, you should consider yourselves lucky..." and then off I go on a big rant about how lucky they are to have the things they have etc etc etc. I am sure all parents have gone off on a similar tangent, but perhaps we as adults need to take some of our own advice.

I think B1G1 Founder Masami Sato sums it up nicely...

"Imagine a moment when a child who previously could not concentrate on their study with an empty stomach now receives a free nourishing meal at school each and every day… and a moment when a mother in Africa realises that instead of carrying the heavy bucket full of (contaminated) water for hours every day, she can now use her time to run a small business… and a moment when a little girl who never owned a book receives a library book to take home to read with her parents who also want to learn to read..."

Now there is a little perspective for you!

B1G1 (Buy1Give1) created a world full of giving when it started out 7 years ago, and businesses from around the world have now contributed to over 51 million micro giving activities. It might be providing clean water for a day for as little as one cent, buying bricks for building a school or giving someone in access to a solar cooker. B1G1 gives businesses the power to change lives through the 'Power of Small'.

Maxwell & Cameron has now cracked 40,000 micro giving activities since we joined the B1G1 community in March 2012. Our B1G1 journey continues to go from strength to strength, and during September we provided 1,656 days of basic healthcare to children in India because we think every child should be entitled to basic healthcare no matter where they live. This month we are providing education for children in Cambodia.

Just by doing what we do, we're changing the lives of people we've never met and you know what...it feels great!!

$0 Upfront Tax Returns

Tue, 07 Oct 2014 13:00:00 GMT

Did you know we offer $0 upfront Tax Returns? That's right - absolutely no upfront cost to prepare your Tax Return and your refund is paid directly to your bank account. Come and see our friendly team to find out how (conditions apply).

It's a Boy!

Tue, 23 Sep 2014 14:00:00 GMT

This week we welcomed Ethan Reid to the Maxwell & Cameron team as a Junior Accountant.

Ethan recently relocated to Rockhampton from Mackay where he worked as a Junior Accountant for a local firm for over three years. He has experience in the preparation of Income Tax Returns for Individuals, Companies, Trusts and Partnerships as well as Financial Statements and Business Activity Statements.

Ethan is currently studying a Bachelor of Accounting degree at CQ University which he expects to finish by the end of 2016.

I'm now a Home Owner!

Mon, 28 Jul 2014 14:00:00 GMT

I have been a first home owner for about 2 months and I love it!

At first I was a bit scared......I wasn't sure how I would be able to afford everything.

I weighed up the pros and cons of buying my own house rather than renting, and for me, buying was definitely the better option. For around the same price each week I worked out I could pay off my own home rather than someone else's.

You should definitely weigh up the pros and cons before you do anything you are unsure about e.g. starting a business, buying a rental property etc.

If you need help before going ahead with plans for a business or purchasing a property, give our friendly team a call.

Keeping Great Records

Sun, 15 Jun 2014 14:00:00 GMT

Well here we are only 2 weeks left of the financial year for 2014! Though a whole year has gone past without a blink, excitement has started to set in! Soon our tax returns will be lodged for the chance at gaining some of our hard earned money back, and there will be End of Financial Year Sales to look forward to! But before we look forward to spending the money we may get back from our tax returns, there are a few things you should consider about the records you need to keep for the year which has just past.

Did you know within the Australian Tax System we have the right to self assess our tax obligations? Self Assessment means you are responsible for working out how much you declare/claim on your tax return. Even though you are making a self assessment, you are required to ensure your tax return is accurate, you can support the claims you make and can provide proof if required to do so. In order to do this you need to keep adequate records. The type of records you need to keep depend on your personal circumstances, however as the old saying goes – more is less, and if you are unsure it is better to keep too many records than not enough.

You keep records to provide written evidence of your income and expenses, to ensure you are able to claim all your entitlements and to help decide whether or not a valid claim exists. In the event the tax office asks you to provide information to prove your claims, keeping great records will make life so much easier. You must keep your records for five years from the date you lodge your tax return. However, if your tax affairs are simple then you are only required to keep the records for two years from the date of lodgement. Simple tax affairs are those with income from salary and wages, interest, and dividends, and deductions only for tax agent fees, donations, dividend and interest claims. You also must not be a foreign resident, entitled to a foreign tax credit or have a capital gain/loss. Again if you are unsure whether you fit this category, it is better to keep your records for 5 years. If you are unsure of whether or not you can claim a deduction, you should opt to keep your receipt and decide at tax return time.

I see so many clients not being able to make a claim in their tax return simply because they didn't keep a record of their expenses. You can keep your records electronically by scanning the original document and saving them onto your computer – documents that are kept this way need to be a true and clear reproduction of the original. Whilst this can save some space in the filing cabinet you should make sure you regularly back up your electronic documents so they are secure and not lost if your hard drive becomes corrupt.

If you run a business it is important to keep up great bookkeeping practices. You must keep a copy of all your sales records, purchase records, payments you made to employees and keep track of debtors, creditors and stock on hand. There are many programs that will help you keep your business records in line like QuickBooks and MYOB to name a few. If you struggle with the day to day of record keeping, we can help point you in the right direction.

Life is made easier by doing the little things to stay ahead and on top.

Let our friendly staff know if you would like to talk more about your record keeping requirements and have a wonderful end of financial year!

Big Brothers are Scary

Sun, 11 May 2014 14:00:00 GMT

Counting your Eggs

Sun, 06 Apr 2014 14:00:00 GMT

When I was a child, I remember waking up on Easter morning and walking into the living room where a basket of chocolate eggs would be waiting for me. It would be chocolate for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks in between. It would drive my parents crazy.....all that sugar!!

As time goes on and the years pass, Easter gets less exciting for me. Being the one buying the eggs instead of receiving them puts a hole in my wallet!!

For many people, the Easter long weekend is about more than just chocolate. Some celebrate it as a religious holiday, for others - an excuse for a long weekend off work; or time to be with family and friends.

However you decide to celebrate Easter, chances are in the lead up to that Sunday morning, you would have spent more than the year before and definitely more than you would have liked.

But, on Easter Sunday morning, when I hear the kids getting out of bed and walking into the living room (just as I did all those years ago) to find their handcrafted basket full of eggs and bunnies, and I walk out to find them excited over the empty glass of milk they had left for the Easter Bunny the night before, somehow makes it all worth it. The happy memories all come back......the traditional Easter morning egg hunt, counting the eggs to see who has the most, and the Easter egg and spoon races. All the time spent making the baskets, and the money spent on buying the eggs and presents, just seems okay.

So as this Easter approaches, try not to think about negative things like why you bought so much and what is the point. Think of the Easter morning traditions with your families, the smiles, the laughs and the memories you will create.

Happy Easter!

All I Want For Christmas Is??

Sun, 01 Dec 2013 13:00:00 GMT

As I write this blog there are 27 sleeps until Christmas Day. That means we have had 338 sleeps since Christmas last.

Does anyone reading this feel they have had 338 sleeps since they sat around the Christmas tree and opened presents and drank Christmas Cheer? I know I certainly don't.

We constantly complain about/acknowledge/lament the fact time is moving too quickly. This Christmas I am going to make a concerted effort to take Christmas Day a little slower.

The Cameron Family will be spending Christmas Day in Canberra this year (on our way to Adelaide via The Great Ocean Road), and will be spending a couple of days over Christmas with other family members and friends, so I have been thinking of a couple of ways I can try to slow the day down a little bit, all the better to savour the special moments we so easily forget.

This is what I have come up with so far:

1. Get up a little earlier in the morning (my children are older now and thankfully no longer wake before dawn on Christmas morning). Even an extra half an hour might make a difference.

2. Spend time to have a sit down, quality, one on one conversation with each of our friends and family we will be spending Christmas day with – this is something very special which does not seem to happen often enough during the year. Families can't always be together for Christmas (assuming they want to) so we need to treasure the Christmases we have together while we can.

3. Our family have decided not to give each other presents this Christmas. Apart from the real reasons we have made this decision, this will save us at least a couple of hours by not having to unwrap presents and not having to field the endless "can we open another one yet?" questions.

4. Eat less. The aim behind this one is if I eat less, my body won't be forcing me to take a nanna nap in the middle of the afternoon so it can digest a huge lunch, and this will save me a half hour or so of valuable time better spent doing things other than checking my eyelids for light leaks.

5. Delegate someone else to do the cleaning up after lunch. Given the two youngest members of the family are more than tall enough to reach the kitchen sink, and are Champions at dishwasher stacking (if my niece has one), I believe I will attempt to delegate this task to them – wish me luck!

6. Stay up late. This one may be a little harder to achieve, especially given idea number 1 and the lack of recharge usually provided by idea number 4, but we will see how we go.

Regardless of how you intend to spend your Christmas for 2013, and whether you want time to speed by or to slow down to less than snail's pace, I wish each and everyone one of you a wonderful, safe and happy Christmas.

Remember to wonder at the magnificence of the colourful Christmas Lights, savour the delightful strains of Elvis singing Christmas Carols, and glory in the glow of laughter from watching your husband dressing up as Santa Claus (possibly without needing a pillow as tummy stuffing)!

Christmas is coming....

Mon, 11 Nov 2013 13:00:00 GMT

The countdown is on... only 6 weeks to go until Christmas. The time has come once again to start stocking up the cupboard with festive treats and buying gifts for your loved ones......and we all know how much of a financial burden this can be. Every year I am one of the many people who spend much more than they can afford on gifts and decorations. Of course, you don't realise the damage until you look at your bank balance and think to yourself "where has my money gone"? So instead of starting off the New Year in debt, why not sit down and work out a budget that you can stick to in the lead up to Christmas. Listing out all of your expenses against your income is a great way to see how much spare money you have left over to spend! If you have already finished your Christmas shopping and the damage is done, now is a great time to prepare your budget and start saving for next Christmas (it will be here sooner than you think). The earlier you start, the easier it will be!

Time Flies!!

Tue, 15 Oct 2013 13:00:00 GMT

It's October already! Where has the year gone? It seems this year has just flown right by. In only 71 days it will be Christmas and when you put it into days it makes it seem like it is just around the corner. Before you know it the shops will be filled with all sorts of Christmas goodies. As time is flying right by you, you may forget about getting your tax return done, so call our office today to make an appointment with one of our lovely accountants.

How will you ever know if you never ask?

Tue, 03 Sep 2013 14:00:00 GMT

As some of you know I have been with Maxwell & Cameron Accountants since the dawn of time. I have gotten to know many of our clients over the years, and have also seen clients come and go for various reasons. Having been here for so long, I take pride in where I work. I have often wondered how people perceive us and the service we offer. When someone asks me where I work, and I say Maxwell & Cameron Accountants, I would like to think most people know who we are and have heard good things about us. Asking for customer feedback is vital to making a business work. It provides a valuable insight for your business and products. Nobody is perfect, and it can be hard to hear negative feedback about your business, but how will you ever know your customers are truly satisfied if you never ask? Asking those tough questions, means you always have a pulse on what your customers like and don't like. Ultimately this leads to better business and a better customer experience. Click here to Help Us Help You

It's that time again

Mon, 01 Jul 2013 14:00:00 GMT

Well.......the financial year has ended once more. Around this time every year I start to daydream about what I can do with the money (I hope to get refunded) from the tax office. This year I can't decide if I would like to get some more renovations done to our house, go on a holiday or save it for a rainy day. Now it's time to go through the filing cabinet and the computer desk to get everything organised to lodge my tax return. It's not the most exciting way to spend a weekend getting all the paperwork together, but the quicker I get it done, the quicker I can get my tax return lodged and hope that a refund will be coming my way. Over the next few weeks, put aside some time to get that paperwork organised, then come in and see one of our accountants to help you lodge your tax return for the 2012/13 financial year.

Happy New Financial Year!!

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 14:00:00 GMT

In the land of accountants, 30 June each year is a big date. We have completed all of our work for the previous year (hopefully), have had a little time to tidy up our offices and regroup for the coming year (hopefully) and are refreshed ready to start all over again. Luckily for us, it looks like we are on track with all of these things. At the start of any new year, most of us like to make a new year's resolution and the start of a new financial year is a good time to make a financial new year's resolution. So what is it going to be? What is your plan for your finances this year? For individuals, it could be saving for a holiday or car, or starting to plan for retirement. For a business it could be expanding in to a new product or working more efficiently to get more free time. Either way, making a new year's resolution is not enough. After you decide what your resolution is, you need a plan on how you are going to achieve what you want and then have a way of knowing whether your plan is working. Whether you are working for wages or running a business, you need to know how much money is coming in and where it is going, so that you can set and achieve your goals. For financial matters, the best way to plan is to have a budget and then to monitor your actual results against your budget. There is also a large amount of satisfaction in watching your plans come together. There are plenty of computer programs out there that can help with recording your basic income and expenses if you want to do this yourself or for businesses, help from a financial specialist can offer valuable advice to help you to achieve your goals. We would love to help you to set and achieve your financial goals, so if you would like to discuss how we can help, please give us a call. In the meantime, Happy Financial New Year – hope 2013/14 works out to be a great year for you.

Missed our Super Seminar??

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:00:00 GMT

Click here to contact us for more information

How prepared are you???

Tue, 07 May 2013 14:00:00 GMT

With the end of financial year almost upon us, how prepared are you?

It is this time of the year that many businesses are too busy with running end of year sales and performing stock takes that they leave little time to give proper consideration to their tax planning strategies prior to 30 June.

Now is the time to review your financial situation to ensure you make the most of any tax effective strategies available including:

If you would like to reduce the tax you pay for the 2013 financial year, the time to act is now. Make an appointment with one of our accountants today.

Go Forth and Be Awesome!

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 13:00:00 GMT

Hello Everyone. Jenny and I have just been to an amazing PAN conference in Queenstown, New Zealand and I have returned to work more motivated than ever (As I write this, Jenny is still enjoying the cool weather in New Zealand). The main reason we are so motivated is two inspiring speakers we met in Queenstown. During the conference we were lucky enough to hear Dandapani speak. Dandapani is an ex- Hindu Monk who has an amazing story to tell. Dandapani taught us how to focus, concentrate, channel our emotions and be grateful, very valuable lessons in the world we all currently live in. We also had the great honour of meeting Olympic Gold Medallist, Natalie Cook. Natalie is an incredible woman who shared with us some of the secrets to her success, not the least of which is how to sustain your motivation. Natalie has a great sense of humour, as does Dandapani, and I believe their ability to enjoy life and see the fun in what is going on around them that also helps them achieve their respective successes. So, we are nose to the grindstone again in our efforts to assist our clients achieve their financial and lifestyle goals. As Natalie Cook would say, we will "Go Forth and Be Awesome!"

Temptation leads to a hole in your pocket

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 13:00:00 GMT

The entrance to my local supermarket leads you directly into a section filled with... you guessed it... Easter Eggs! Walking into the supermarket these days is like walking into the Garden of Eden. I've managed to resist for the last month or so but this week I fell to temptation and walked out with a lot more than I needed, and a big hole in my hip pocket. When faced with so many options, all looking delicious and very enticing for children young and old, it is very hard to resist spending more than you really intended to. This week's grocery shop highlighted to me how easy it is to blow the budget. Not just on groceries but in all aspects of life, be it personal shopping or business expenditure. So I guess this brings to mind the need to carefully look at your finances, work out just how much you are willing to spend and then most importantly stick to it! If you feel you are having trouble keeping your expenses under control, contact us to see how we can help with all your budgeting and forecasting needs.

Wild Weather

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 13:00:00 GMT

Over the last few of weeks Australia has been suffering from some of the worst weather events that Mother Nature could throw at us. From cyclones to tornados....floods, fires, extreme temperatures, we have seen it all!!!

Now is the time for everyone to work together and help out those who are in need, so they are able to move on from these disasters and re-build their lives. Whether it is dropping some items to your local charity or making a cash donation (cash donations over $2 are tax deductible), every little bit helps.

All we wanted was a little rain to cool down these hot temperatures and fizzle out the fires....... and what do we get? An Ex Topical Cyclone!! I know I have had enough of these weather disasters that Mother Nature continues to bring our way.

Everyone needs a little time out

Sun, 25 Nov 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Most mornings while in my kitchen I love to look out the kitchen window and watch the birds around the bird feeders outside. We have little finches, rosellas, lorikeets, parrots, top notch pigeons, ibis, magpies, pee wees, galahs, cockatoos and a few other varieties of bird, some I don't know the names of. All of which are just beautiful and peaceful to watch. This morning when I looked out there were a brace of ducks, about 10 or 12 of them. Watching these birds makes for such a serene start to the morning. It makes handling the stresses of each day a tiny bit easier. We should all take time out of our busy, increasingly hurried lives, every day, just to chill out and do something restful - even if only for a couple of minutes. It's like a mini rejuvenation!

The "WOW" factor

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:00:00 GMT

There are just a few ventures that are destined to be great!
Ventures from 'a gut feeling'
Ventures from 'intuitive vibes'
Ventures following 'colours that come together well ...'

What other accounting firm has a beverage menu like ours??? If you want the 'WOW' factor brought back into your life, venture into our office and let us put the 'WOW' factor into your tax

Show me the Money!!

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Someone just gave me the news that Christmas is only 8 weeks away. I felt as if I had to have a little lie down.....and so did my wallet. Whilst the kids are starting to get excited that it won't be long until Santa is on his way......I don't think I've recovered from the last time he visited. How often do you say "I don't know where all of my money has gone"? It's very easy to lose track of expenditure and amazing how quickly lots of small things add up. We can show you where your money has come from and where your cash has gone. If you want to know where all your money has gone, ask us to Show you the Money!!

What to Expect Financially When you are Expecting

Sun, 07 Oct 2012 13:00:00 GMT

My husband and I are thrilled to be expecting twins in early March. One important issue that needs consideration in every pregnancy is your financial situation, particularly when going from two wages to one. There are a number of family benefits and assistance packages available for expectant mothers such as the baby bonus and paid parental leave. As we are having twins and satisfy the eligibility requirements, we will receive paid parental leave for the first baby and the baby bonus for the second baby. In addition to this, the Government has recently introduced a new payment for dads and same sex partners - Dad and Partner Pay. Dad and Partner Pay starts on 1 January 2013, and my husband is looking forward to receiving this benefit. Ben will receive two weeks paid leave at the rate of the national minimum wage. For more information on any of the above payments go to www.humanservices.gov.au Wishing all expecting mothers a healthy and happy pregnancy.

Buying my first home

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 14:00:00 GMT

My partner and I are excited to be buying our first home together. However, I admit the process has been more complicated than I initially expected, especially with the unexpected changes to the $7000 first home owners grant recently announced in the Queensland State Budget. As a result, the $7000 first home owners grant is being replaced by the $15000 first home owners construction grant from 12 September 2102. First home buyers may still be eligible for the $7000 grant for established home purchases if the contract is dated before 11 October 2012. For more information regarding the first home owners construction grant please visit http://www.osr.qld.gov.au/home-page-promo/fhocg-state-budget.shtml

Spring has sprung

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Spring has definitely arrived here in Rockhampton with temperatures already climbing close to 30 degrees. The warmer weather brings a reminder to get into that spring cleaning, and this doesn't just refer to those dust bunnies hiding behind the TV cabinet. Now is the perfect time to get in and clean up some of the issues you might have been putting off in your own business as well. Maybe you need to deal with some lingering bad debts, or clean out your inbox to get rid of all the emails you've been keeping 'just in case'. It could involve updating your website or even giving the office a fresh coat of paint. Could you shred some of the paperwork you no longer need or shrug off a task you're not benefitting from to free up some of your valuable time??? Getting in and dealing with some of the issues you pretend you can't see hiding behind the TV cabinet will make you feel refreshed and energised ready to forge on ahead through the financial year. So have a look around and see what you could do to get your business feeling lemony fresh.

Many new and exciting changes are happening

Wed, 04 Jul 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Time seems to be flying by with this week being the start of the 2013 financial year.

Many new and exciting changes are happening here at Maxwell & Cameron including the launch of our new quarterly theme "Digging for Diamonds" and also our new website.

We look forward to working with our many valuable clients to help make the 2013 financial year their most thriving year yet.