Our latest insights

With growing business appetite for innovative financial technology and on-demand finance in recent years, Fintechs have been embraced by businesses and consumers alike. Fintechs now have the opportunity to drive change, expand into other industries – and sometimes even scale up and expand into new markets. As we near business planning season and end of financial year, have you considered how R&D Incentives, tax considerations and a governance structure can support your sustainable growth?

Authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs) and the broader banking sector have recently faced significant headwinds, as the sector navigates unprecedented change. How can you best navigate current challenges and leverage opportunities to find efficiencies as you step into the new financial year? Here, we outline eight key considerations you should address to ensure your business is set up for FY24.

This TA Alert incorporates all the relevant pronouncements and developments as at 8 May 2023.

As we approach the end of FY23 what are the key areas preparers of financial statements need to consider? Preparers of financial statements will breathe a sigh of relief to know there are no major changes to accounting standards applicable for FY23, however there are some amendments to existing standards to think about ahead of year end, as well as some on the horizon where early adoption may be worth considering.

AASB 2020-3 amends AASB 116 to prohibit entities from deducting from the cost of an item of Property, Plant and Equipment, any proceeds from selling items produced while bringing property, plant and equipment to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in a manner intended by management. Instead, these proceeds and related costs are required to be recognised in profit or loss.

Amendments to ASX Listing Rules and Guidance Note for entities in mining and oil and gas industries

The AASB has clarified presentation as current or non-current of loan arrangements subject to covenants by amending AASB 101 Presentation of Financial Statements) through the issuance of AASB 2022-6 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Non-current Liabilities with Covenants.

Considering Australia’s significant fintech and financial sector experience, it’s no surprise Victoria’s recent Intersekt Festival focused on leveraging Australia’s fintech market to its full potential.

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) has confirmed that from 1 July 2022, licensees must provide the QBCC with General Purpose Financial Statements (GPFS) when either submitting a Minimum Financial Requirements (MFR) Report to adjust reported Net Tangible Assets (NTA) or Allowable Annual Turnover; or complying with annual reporting requirements (if licence categories 4-7). The changes mean that licensees wishing to adjust their NTA and/or approved turnover should ensure an MFR Report is signed before 31 October 2022 and lodged with the QBCC before 30 November 2022.

The use of third party information is a reality of building an expert witness report. Compiling our areas of expertise with that of others can elevate findings and create a well-rounded, comprehensive report. But not all sources of information are created equal – and the Courts have strict requirements for what third party information is acceptable and what isn’t. In this article we look at the growing trend for an expert’s reliance on third party sources and the perception by the Court.

In October 2021, over 135 jurisdictions (including Australia) joined a ground-breaking plan to update key elements of the international tax system. The Global Anti-Base Erosion Rules (GloBE) are intended to ensure large multinational enterprises pay a minimum level of tax on the income arising in each of the jurisdictions where they operate. The OECD released the Pillar Two Model Rules on 20 December 2021, and Commentary to accompany the Rules on 14 March 2022. Further guidance is expected by way of an Implementation Framework, but that may not be completed and available until the end of 2022.

As the FY22 year-end financial reporting date approaches, we explore some of the important changes, current environmental risks and why it pays to start planning early.