Business by Design

Clear Vision • April 22, 2016

Nobody would consider starting to build a house or a bridge without first working out the design – thinking about how it will look, what it will be made of, how it will all fit together.  So why do so many of us run our businesses without any thought to design?

The Business by Design is a message I’ve been increasingly reinforcing to my clients in the last 12 months and one you’ll continue to see as an integral part of how Clear Vision works with its clients.

The days of starting a business “to see how it goes” or running a business and “hoping for the best” when it comes to structure, profits and your lifestyle are a thing of the past.  The modern business landscape is changing fast and we need to picture and plan for our future, and how our business fits into it, or we’ll all be left behind.

But what does Business by Design mean for Clear Vision and its clients?

For Clear Vision, Business by Design is a representation of how we work with you and what the future of accountancy and business advisory services will look.  It’s about working proactively with our clients instead of sitting back and waiting for tax returns and general business questions.  It’s about working with our clients to identify personal and business goals then setting out a plan to achieve those goals.  We help you answer the questions:  “What do I want my business to look like?  And how do I achieve that?”

For our clients, Business by Design is about taking charge of your future.  It’s about moving past the idea that just working harder and doing more hours will help your business thrive, grow and be profitable.  It’s about taking the time to really understand what you want personally, how that shapes what your business needs to look like and then how to achieve that.  All with Clear Vision beside you helping get it done.

Whether you’re an existing client of Clear Vision Accountancy Group or not we can work with you and help you build a Business by Design.  It also doesn’t matter whether your business is yet to be born, is relatively new or has been around for years – there is always the opportunity to work positively towards how it will look in the future.

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.