SMART Business Solutions

23/10/2026

Shake hands with… (office edition)

22/10/2026

Being busy doesn’t always mean you’re on track.

As a business owner, it’s easy to spend the day ticking things off and still finish wondering where the time went.

A useful exercise is to split your workload into two buckets:
1. High-value tasks: Work that uses your skills and experience, generates revenue or helps reduce costs.
2. Low-value tasks: Work that needs to be done, but could potentially be delegated, outsourced or completed at a time when your energy is lower.

Then look at when you’re doing each.

If your most productive hours are being swallowed up by emails, admin and interruptions, while the work that actually moves the business forward keeps getting pushed back, it might be time to rethink the diary.

Protect your best hours for your best work.

In this episode of The Accountant That Builds, Shannon chats with time management expert Kate Christie about taking a more deliberate approach to where your time goes.

🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear more.
https://omny.fm/shows/the-accountant-that-builds/time-management-like-a-boss

On the Accountant That Builds podcast, we welcome Kate Christie. Kate is Australia’s top time management expert, working with clients including BUPA, Westpac, Specsavers, L’Oreal, Women in International Security, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, The European Union, and Smart Busines...

21/10/2026

A huge congratulations to our clients at TWØBAYS Brewing Co and Head Brewer Kristian Martin on being recognised at the 2026 B**r & Brewer Awards. 🍻

Being named Brewer of the Year 2026 is an incredible achievement and well-deserved recognition of the passion, innovation and dedication behind the TWØBAYS brand.

Congratulations! 👏

19/10/2026

A wonderful evening at A Night in the Vines on Friday! 🍷✨

Our team was proud to attend Fusion Mornington Peninsula's 10th Annual Gala at Dromana Estate, supporting the incredible work they do for young people and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness in our local community.

A fantastic night for an incredibly important cause. 💛

15/10/2026

Double celebration for the Smart team! 🎉🏆
We're incredibly proud to celebrate two outstanding achievements:
- Smart Private Wealth named Innovation Firm of the Year
- Bianca Carroll awarded Risk Adviser of the Year

These awards reflect the dedication our team brings to delivering exceptional advice, innovative thinking, and genuine client care.

A special congratulations to Bianca, whose commitment to helping clients protect what matters most and supporting them when they need it most is truly deserving of this recognition.

Thank you to Count for the acknowledgement, and congratulations to all the winners and finalists!

14/10/2026

🚨 TAX ALERT: Proposed 30% minimum tax on discretionary trusts introduced into Parliament 🚨

You may have seen the comment that accountants are the “winners” from the new tax rules.

Well, we certainly don’t feel like winners. Some of us have been rocking in a corner since Federal Budget night in May! 😅

Behind the scenes, we’ve been working through what these changes mean for our clients, their businesses, investments and family structures. There is a huge amount to unpack.

Here’s where things stand:

👉 **Discretionary trusts:** Legislation has now been introduced proposing a 30% minimum tax from 1 July 2028. It is NOT law yet. There are proposed exemptions and options that may reduce the impact, but the detail matters.

👉 **CGT and negative gearing:** The core reforms have already been legislated, so planning can begin. Further legislation introduced this week deals with additional details and exceptions.

DOING NOTHING COULD MEAN PAYING MORE TAX THAN YOU NEED TO. Please don’t assume your current arrangements will keep delivering the same outcome.

For some clients, this will require significant accounting work and specialist tax lawyer advice to assess the options and avoid costly mistakes. That work takes time, and additional advice and compliance requirements will mean more fees. Please don't shoot the messenger, just like the AUSTRAC-AML, this is not an "us" issue, this has been imposed on us. You can do nothing, but you will pay more tax, this is not us not being proactive, being proactive is really going to require extensive work because some elections cannot be reversed and are significant.

So please, be kind to your accountant. We’re working through a major tax overhaul while helping you make informed decisions about what comes next.

🏡 Own an investment property or thinking about buying one? Come along to our upcoming event: Property Investment After the 2026 Tax Reforms.

Shannon will explain the CGT and negative gearing changes, who is affected, the dates that matter and what to consider before 1 July 2027. Lauren Wild and Michael Crowder will also share local residential and commercial property market updates.

📅 Thursday 29 October 2026
🕠 5:30pm–7:30pm
📍 Mt Martha Lifesaving Club
🎟️ $20 per person, donated in full to Mornington Community Support Services, supporting Ranch 2.0.

Book your place here: https://www.smartbusinesssolutions.com.au/events/property-investment-after-the-2026-tax-reforms/

If you have a discretionary trust, contact our Smart team however until this is law, we are jumping at shadows and don't want to action until we are clear on the "legal" requirements.

13/10/2026

Our next newsletter lands in inboxes this week!📩

Stay informed with the latest business and industry updates, insights that could impact you, important team news, and invitations to upcoming events.

If you'd like practical updates and relevant information delivered straight to your inbox, now's the perfect time to join our mailing list.

https://smartbusinesssolutions.com.au/newsletter-signup/

12/10/2026

What an incredible evening! 👏

Last Friday we were honoured to host the Smacktalk Charity Fundraiser Evening and bring together so many people in support of a cause that impacts every community.

As part of the event, Smart Business Solutions was proud to donate $5,000 to support the important work of the SMACKTALK Foundation.

Want to continue making a difference? Join the Unplug24 Challenge on the 24th of October. Take 24 hours away from your devices and help raise awareness for mental health.
Find out more and register here https://smacktalk.com.au/unplug24/

08/10/2026

What a fantastic evening at our Downsizing, Retirement Living & Future Care information event!

A big thank you to everyone who joined us. We were thrilled to see such a great turnout and to be part of so many meaningful conversations about planning for the future with confidence.

Our presenters shared valuable insights on downsizing strategies, retirement living options, future care considerations, and the financial implications that come with each stage of the journey.

Thank you to all who attended and contributed to a wonderful evening.
Hill Legal Lawyers and Consultants

06/10/2026

Most business owners genuinely care about their team.

But as Mick Simmons points out in this episode, creating a mentally healthy workplace takes more than an annual wellbeing initiative, a morning tea, or ticking a compliance box.

The workplaces that make a real difference are the ones where people feel comfortable speaking up when they're struggling.

This comes from creating an environment where support is part of the culture, where people look out for each other, and where conversations happen before challenges become crises.

For small businesses in particular, culture is one of the most powerful tools you have. Not just for wellbeing, but for building stronger, more connected teams.

A thought worth considering: If someone in your team was having a tough time, would they feel comfortable asking for help?

Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or via the link. https://omny.fm/shows/the-accountant-that-builds/beyond-the-surface-a-deep-dive-into-mental-health

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses issues around mental health and su***de. Today we’re talking mental health in the workplace, with guest Mick Simmons, founder of Mental Health Safety Net, a local grass-roots organisation dedicated to providing su***de awareness training to workplaces and sc...