Our latest insights

The year-long inquiry into the Banking and Financial Services sector began on 12 February with the first hearing of The Royal Commission, and the second set for 13-23 March. The Financial Services team at Grant Thornton has been researching all the available information, listening to the hearings and most importantly, speaking with our clients.

As part of the three-year plan for the implementation of prudential policies following the completion of the transition from PHIAC to APRA, APRA announced in February 2018 a package of proposed measures designed to improve resilience and governance in the private health insurance sector.

In February 2018, new Privacy Laws will come into place introducing mandatory data breach notifications to inform when a data breach has occurred.

The entry of Amazon in Australia in 2017 has provided strong impetus for traditional retailers to invest in their online supply chain capability.

Trustees of discretionary trusts could be contravening the Foreign Investment Review Board’s (FIRB) rules when purchasing Australian property.

You may recall in 2014 that the ATO issued guidelines (which were finalised in 2015) providing safe harbour benchmarks (30% effective tax rate, 50% individual share of income or benchmark comparable senior employee remuneration) for acceptable profit sharing arrangements involving Individual Professional Practitioners and legally effective practice entities.

New trends in financing aged care growth

Grant Thornton is pleased to congratulate the shareholders of Eptec, a leading specialist provider of corrosion solutions to the infrastructure and marine sectors on their sale to the Management Team backed by Alceon Private Equity.

Whether you are an Australian business with existing operations in the US or looking to establish a foothold there, the impact of the US tax reform agenda will warrant very close consideration. While there may well be benefits arising, there may also be some disadvantages and unintended consequences.

Navigating the complexities of growth and maintaining previous success is a challenge for all mid-size businesses.

The announcement of a Royal Commission into Banking & Financial Services today caught many commentators by surprise.

‘Culture eats strategy’ has become accepted business wisdom. But is it possible for dynamic companies to maintain their unique culture and appeal as they expand and avoid the growing pains that affect so many firms?