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Our Certified Practising Accountants report on the latest accounting news, and address your most common questions relating to accounting, bookkeeping, company tax, individual tax returns, self managed super funds and more.
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How Tradies Should Price Jobs Properly and Stay
Pricing jobs properly is one of the biggest challenges for tradies. Too often, jobs are quoted based on what others are charging or what feels about right at the time. The problem is, if your numbers are not clear, you can stay busy without actually making money. If you want to improve cash flow and build a stronger business, your pricing needs to be based on real costs and the right margin. Know Your True Cost Per Job Before you can price any job properly, you need to know w
3 hours ago3 min read
GST & BAS for Tradies in Queensland: Avoid Costly Mistakes
If you’re a tradie in Queensland, staying on top of GST and BAS is not just about ticking boxes. It affects your cash flow, your pricing, and how much you keep at the end of the job. We work with electricians, builders, plumbers and other trades every day, and the same issues come up repeatedly. Most of them are avoidable with the right setup. Here is what you need to know about GST and BAS for tradies, and where things often go wrong. Do Tradies Need to Register for GST? If
2 days ago3 min read
Instant Asset Write-Off in Queensland: What You Can and Can’t Claim
If you’re a small business owner in Queensland, the instant asset write-off can be one of the most effective ways to reduce your tax bill and improve cash flow. But there’s often confusion around what qualifies, especially when it comes to tools, utes and machinery. This can leads to missed opportunities or costly mistakes. What Is the Instant Asset Write-Off? The instant asset write-off allows eligible businesses to immediately deduct the full cost of an asset in the year it
Apr 13 min read
EOFY IS APPROACHING: Here’s a Quick Checklist for Queensland Tradies
With the end of the financial year (EOFY) fast approaching, tradies across Queensland should be getting organised now, to avoid last minute stress and missed tax saving opportunities. Whether you’re on the tools full time or running a growing business, a simple EOFY checklist can help you stay compliant, maximise deductions and improve cash flow. 1. Get Your Receipts in Order Accurate records are the foundation of every good tax return. Make sure you: Collect and organise al
Mar 304 min read
Cash Flow Tips as Interest Rates Rise: A Practical Guide for Queenslanders
As interest rates continue to climb across Australia, households and businesses throughout Queensland are feeling the squeeze. From higher mortgage repayments to increased business lending costs, cash flow pressure is becoming a daily reality. At Rise Accountants, we’re working closely with clients across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and regional Queensland who are navigating these exact challenges. The good news is with the right strategy, you can stay in control. This guide out
Mar 273 min read
Hiring in a Law Firm: A KPI Driven Approach
The most successful firms take a KPI driven approach, ensuring every new hire contributes to profitability, efficiency and has long term growth. As accountants working closely with law firms, we see firms that link hiring decisions to measurable performance outcomes, consistently outperform those that do not. Why KPIs Should Drive Every Hiring Decision Legal practices are facing increasing pressure to improve utilisation, maintain strong client relationships, and manage risin
Mar 254 min read
Should Law Firm Owners Pay Themselves Salary or Dividends?
Should Law Firm Owners Pay Themselves Salary or Dividends? For law firm owners in Queensland operating through a company (Pty Ltd), one of the most common questions is: “Should I pay myself a salary, dividends, or both?” The answer isn’t purely tax driven, it’s about structuring your income in a way that balances cash flow, compliance and long term wealth creation. 1. Salary (Director/Employee Wages) Pros Provides regular, predictable income Superannuation contributions are
Mar 232 min read
Buying Into a Law Firm: Key Financial Considerations for New Partners
Buying into a law firm is a major career milestone, but it’s also a significant financial investment. Whether you’re stepping into equity for the first time or considering a partnership opportunity, understanding the financial implications is critical. In this guide, we break down the key financial considerations when buying into a law firm, helping you make a confident and informed decision. What Does It Mean to Buy Into a Law Firm? Buying into a law firm typically mea
Mar 204 min read
Asset Protection for Lawyers: What You Should Review
In the legal profession, risk isn’t just something you manage for your clients, it’s something you need to actively manage for yourself which our Brisbane accountants team aim to assist with. With increasing regulatory pressure, litigation exposure and personal liability risks, having a robust asset protection strategy is no longer optional for lawyers. Whether you’re a sole trader, partner or practice owner, regularly reviewing your asset protection structure is critica
Mar 184 min read
Personal Services Income (PSI) Rules for Lawyers in Australia
What Lawyers Need to Know Before Structuring Consulting or Contracting Income More lawyers are moving beyond traditional employment and working as independent consultants, contractors or boutique legal practices. Many operate through a company, trust or partnership to manage risk, flexibility and tax planning . However, when a lawyer's income is mainly generated from their own expertise, the Personal Services Income (PSI) rules may apply. These rules can significantly af
Mar 166 min read
How to Price an Hourly Rate for Lawyers
Setting the right hourly rate for lawyers is one of the most important financial decisions for any legal professional or law firm. Your pricing directly affects profitability, client perception and long term business growth. If you're wondering how to price an hourly rate for lawyers, the answer lies in understanding your costs, billable hours, market positioning and the value you deliver to clients. In this guide, we break down the key factors lawyers should consider when s
Mar 133 min read
How Much Tax Should Law Firm Owners Set Aside?
Running a law firm means juggling client work, staff, compliance and finances. One question many firm owners ask is: “How much should I be setting aside for tax?” But an equally important question is: "Are you doing the right tax planning to reduce how much you need to pay in the first place?" The answer depends on your business structure, profit level and obligations such as GST, PAYG instalments and superannuation. However, having a clear strategy for setting aside tax can
Mar 113 min read
Common Tax Deductions Lawyers Often Miss
Whether you’re a partner, associate, barrister or running your own practice, understanding the deductions available to legal professionals can make a meaningful difference at tax time. Here are some of the most commonly overlooked tax deductions for lawyers . 1. Professional Development and Legal Education Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is mandatory for most lawyers. Fortunately, many of these costs are tax deductible. Eligible deductions can include: CPD courses
Mar 63 min read
Should Lawyers Operate as a Sole Trader, Company or Trust?
Choosing the right business structure is one of the most important decisions when establishing or restructuring a legal practice. The structure you operate under can influence tax outcomes, asset protection, administrative complexity and long term growth opportunities. For lawyers in Australia, the most common structures are sole trader, company or trust. Each option has its own advantages and considerations depending on the size of the practice, income level and risk profil
Mar 43 min read
Employee vs Contractor for Lawyers: What the ATO Actually Looks At
For Brisbane law firms, engaging lawyers as contractors can seem like a practical solution. More flexibility. Lower fixed costs. Scalable capacity. But when it comes to the ATO, what matters isn’t what you call someone. It’s what the working relationship looks like. With increased scrutiny around contractor arrangements across professional services, Brisbane legal practices need to ensure their structure would withstand review, particularly where Queensland payroll tax may al
Mar 23 min read
What Can I Claim on my Investment Property Tax Deductions for Brisbane Investors
Owning an investment property in Brisbane comes with valuable tax opportunities. However, many property investors are unsure exactly what they can legally claim. Some take a cautious approach and miss deductions. Others rely on outdated or incorrect online advice. Understanding rental property tax deductions in Australia ensures you maximise your return while remaining compliant with the ATO. Below is a practical guide to the key investment property tax deductions Brisban
Feb 233 min read
How to Calculate Cash Flow on an Investment Property Before You Buy
If you are considering buying an investment property in Brisbane, understanding cash flow is essential, which is why our team of Brisbane accountants are here to help. Before signing a contract, you should know whether the property will comfortably support itself or require contributions from your personal income. Many investors focus on rental yield or potential capital growth. While these are important, cash flow determines how manageable the property will be month to m
Feb 233 min read
Should I Sell or Hold My Investment Property?
Should I sell or hold my property? This isn’t just about market timing. It’s about capital gains tax , cash flow , borrowing capacity and long term wealth strategy. Many investors focus on rising interest rates or recent property price growth. Fewer take the time to properly assess the tax implications of selling an investment property versus holding it. Making the wrong move can mean paying unnecessary capital gains tax (CGT) or holding a property that no longer aligns w
Feb 233 min read
Investment Property Tax Tips for Brisbane Investors
Owning an investment property in Brisbane can be a powerful way to build long term wealth. The key to strong returns is not just buying well. It is managing your accounting and tax strategy correctly from day one which is why our Brisbane accountants team are here to help. Many Brisbane property investors simply want reassurance that they are claiming the right deductions, structuring their loans properly and staying compliant with the ATO. Below are the most important tax
Feb 203 min read
Purchasing an Investment Property in your Personal Name vs Trust vs Company
Choosing the right ownership structure for your property investment is one of the most important decisions you will make. It affects how much tax you pay, how well your assets are protected, and how flexible you are as your portfolio grows. Many investors buy their first property in their personal name because it feels simple. Others are told to use a trust or company without fully understanding why. Getting this wrong can be costly and difficult to unwind later, which is w
Feb 133 min read
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