Business Alert at 9:00am With CVA – Get the Best

Clear Vision • April 23, 2019

Team Getting the Best From Your Team

Your team can help make your business or break your business. Unfortunately as humans we have a tendency to underestimate our impact so it’s in your best interest to spend some time making your team members feel valued & appreciated. If they feel appreciated, they’re often happier & aspire to perform better in their role.

If this is an area you struggle with, these five suggestions could help you to strengthen your team and your business culture.

1. Create a welcoming environment There are a couple of questions you can ask that will go a long way towards making your team feel welcome & comfortable. –  Good morning, how was your weekend? –  Are you stuck on anything at the moment? –  Do you have everything you need to complete your tasks?

Questions like these don’t seem like a big deal but to your team member, it means the world; it’s acknowledgment.

2. Keep the lines of communication open We’ve all heard the phrase ‘a stitch in time saves nine’ but are you guilty of ignoring a broken thread, hoping it will go away? Having a 10 – 15 minute one on one catch up each week with your team members can help alleviate gaping holes in your business.

3. Celebrate wins When you have a win, don’t claim all the glory for yourself, give credit where it’s due to create confidence through open acknowledgement. If you don’t celebrate the wins, everything tends to feel indifferent & uninspiring. Celebrating a win can be anything from a ‘well done’, to buying morning tea for the team.

4. Offer Development opportunities Keep in mind your team may be just as eager as you to learn & evolve professionally. You only have to ask the question, is there anything you wish to learn or achieve? You might be surprised by the answer plus any skill they learn can be used in your business.

5. Get to know them Finding out what makes them tick and what motivates them will help you to get the most out of your team. Do you know what they’re saving for? Do you know what their kids names are? Where they want to go on their next holiday? Believe it or not, it’s the small things that make a BIG difference.

What Records to Keep for Your Rental Property

By Caroline Gillies • August 3, 2025
If you own a rental property or holiday home, keeping the right records is key to maximising your tax deductions and staying ATO-compliant. This week, we’re highlighting what the ATO expects you to keep when it comes to residential rental properties. Here’s a quick checklist of the documents you should hold onto: Purchase & Sale Documents – Contracts, settlement statements, and legal documents. Loan & Ownership Records – Loan statements, refinancing documents, land tax assessments. Rental Income – If you don’t have a rental statement you will need to document all rental income received, including bond money retained, insurance payouts, and any other reimbursements. Expenses & Repairs – Keep receipts and invoices for expenses like advertising for tenants, property agent fees, council rates, strata levies, repairs, maintenance, insurance, and interest on loans. Depreciation & Capital Works – Receipts for assets over $300, depreciation reports, and capital improvement records. Before and after photos of any capital works. Holiday Home Use – If your property is rented out part-time, you’ll need evidence of when it was genuinely available for rent (e.g. booking requests, advertising, availability calendars). How long to keep records: You’ll need to keep most records for at least 5 years after lodging your tax return, or longer if claiming capital works or carrying forward losses. Keeping detailed records ensures you claim everything you're entitled to—and makes things much easier in the event of an ATO audit.  Need help getting your documentation in order? Reach out to our team at Clear Vision Accountancy Group—we’re here to help. To read a more detailed list of items you need to keep for your rental property visit: Records for rental properties and holiday homes | Australian Taxation Office

How Much Do You Need to Make? Understanding Business Turnover

By Caroline Gillies • July 13, 2025
Running a business isn’t just about making sales — it’s about making enough sales to cover your costs and pay yourself what you deserve. But how do you figure out how much turnover (aka revenue) you actually need to make each month? Knowing this number helps you: Set realistic sales targets Price your products or services properly Know when to cut costs or increase margins Understand when your business is sustainable This isn’t just about numbers — it’s about clarity and control. Once you know your required turnover, you can stop guessing and start planning. Whether you’re a solopreneur, a growing startup, or a small business owner, this is the foundation of making your business work for you — not the other way around. We love numbers — seriously. And we get that not everyone does. If you need help breaking things down in a way that’s simple, practical, and actually makes sense (even if numbers aren’t your thing), call Clear Vision Accountancy Group today on 4688 2500.

12% Superannuation Guarantee - 1 July 2025

By Caroline Gillies • June 22, 2025
From 1 July 2025, the Superannuation Guarantee (SG) rate in Australia will increase to 12%. This means employers will be legally required to contribute at least 12% of an eligible employee's ordinary time earnings to their superannuation fund. This increase is the final step in a legislated rise from 9.5% in 2021 to 12% by 2025, aimed at boosting retirement savings for Australian workers. If you use Xero for payroll, the SG rate should automatically update in the system. However, we recommend you double-check your payroll settings to ensure everything is correct. If you’re unsure or need assistance, please contact your bookkeeper or get in touch with us at: Clear Vision Accountancy Group (07) 4688 2500 We’re here to help you stay compliant and avoid any costly errors.