News

What is it that sets me apart from many Mortgage Brokers?

When I started the finance business in 1995, I saw a niche requirement for investors and business owners to structure their finance needs with the best taxation advantage.  I am uniquely qualified to give clients both finance and taxation/accounting advice at the same time, and I offer advice services that include both the most appropriate finance arrangement from the product perspective and at the same time, gain the best tax advantage or reduce the risk of incorrectly structuring finance from the tax perspective.  Please review the article and feel free to contact us if you want to make a difference in your business.   Article - What is it that sets me apart from many Mortgage Brokers.pdf

Why are you in Business?

A very thought provoking article on why are you in business.  Our specialty as Accountanting Advisors and Finance Advisors is to assist you to not only grow your business, but to maximise the value of your business over time so that you exit your business with a true capital gain.   A business is not a job.  A business is innovation, effort, committment and investment.  Please review the article. Article - Article - Why are you in Business 16-2-2010.pdf

Beware of Tax Information and advice gained from around the Bar-Be-Queue

We are often asked about deductions or tax strategies because the enquirer has heard about something from around the Bar-Be-Queue.  There is considerable risk in following the advice of anyone who is not a registered Tax Agent or appropriately qualified tax advisor.  Please read the attached article about the pros and cons of incorrectly preparing tax returns and the tax audit consequences.

Beware of Tax Information gained from around the Bar-Be-Queue 22-1-10.pdf  

Offer of free Comparative Market Analysis Report for your property - value $75

Do you wish that you could tap into your equity to refinance overburdening consumer debt?

Are you considering purchasing a rental property but you are not sure of how much equity you have?

We can arrange for a Comparative Market Analysis Report of your property which also gives you the estimated worth and back up sales history and research data.  And we will do this for free (Value $75) if you contact us for a mortgage review or you engage us to complete your tax returns this year.

So please give us a call or email us if you would like to take advantage of our unique offer.  There is no cost to you so what do you have to lose?  And there is no obligation - we will not recommend you change your mortgage unless we can demonstrate a clear financial benefit to you.

Boost your business in 2010 and start by reading these two articles

I have attached two articles written by Noel Spann, CEO and Chief Coach of ECROtrain and G25 LOCAL Business Achievers Clubs.  The first one "Winners and Losers" is about five great motivational drivers to achieve business success.  The second one "Sell what people want to buy" sounds basic but it is a business principal many proprietors simply forget - or they get caught up in what they think their business should sell or service they should provide.

Financial Milestones is a member of G25 LOCAL Business Achievers Clubs.  I am in there to learn the dynamics of business and I am in there to encourage as many of our business clients to participate and learn how to grow their businesses or take their business to the next level. 

Many business owners are their own worst enemy.  They cannot move out of their comfort zone.  They allow their business to run their lives rather than run their business so that they can enjoy their lives. 

I have taken many of the principals and programmes of G25 and installed them into my own business.  Even though I believe that I have the experience and skills to grow a business, neverthless, I can always learn more.  And I have G25 as my mentor and motivator - especially important for businesses where the owner is a sole operator.  And you can always learn from owners of other businesses in different industries - look outside the square.

Regards, Derek Miles - Principal - Financial Milestones

Winners and Losers.pdf

Sell what people want to buy.pdf   

Scoping study of small business tax compliance costs - ATO

There is an interesting exposition produced by the Tax Office attempting to define the nature of small business.  A lot of tax and other commercial legislation incorporates definitions of small business.  One of the significant issues pertaining to small business apart from how they are taxed, is the costs borne by these businesses in compliance.  That is to comply with the tax laws and collection and other governmental (both Federal, State and Local government) compliance requirements.  Another interesting aspect of this study is that it produces data suitable for marketing purposes - who should you pitch your business at.  This report should be used as a basis for any business strategy developement.  Scoping Study of Small Business Tax Compliance Costs 12-07.pdf

Lazy bank customers cost themselves billions! - 27/10/2009

According to a new report which has found that Australians are costing themselves up to $6.1billion a year by not seeking the best value banking options.  This cost is mostly caused in not selecting the best option with their mortgage.  Now this has to be tempered with cheapest mortgage versus the most appropriate mortgage.  Cheapest is not always the best and it largely depends on what a borrower needs in their long term borrowing strategy.  If for instance,a borrower is going to change their borrowing requirements on a regular basis such as purchasing more property, then the cheapest loan may, in the end cost more with variation fees.  See my article below "Professional Package Home Loans are not for everyone".  For information on the report, refer to the attached article from ABC News.  Article - ABC - Lazy Bank Customers Cost Billions 27-10-09.pdf

Reserve bank has increased the cash rate from 3.50% to 3.75% - 1/12/2009

Just before Christmas.  Today the reserve bank has increased the cash rate by a further 25 basis points.  Assuming that the lenders increase their rates by the same increment, then expect a standard variable rate to increase from the average of 6.31%pa to 6.56%pa.  The average basic variable rate should increase from 5.59%pa to 5.84%pa.  Do not panic and rush into fixing your rates.  Bear in mind that the current average 3 year fixed rate is 7.59%pa and the average 5 year fixed rate is 7.94%pa and the average 10 year fixed rate is 8.24%pa.  Please refer to the attached article.  If you need to discuss whether you should fix or not, please contact us to have an appraisal done of your finance needs.  Article - To Fix or Not to Fix - 18-9-2009.pdf

Has your identity been stolen?

A recent Study has shown that one in five Aussies have had their identity stolen.  For the victim, this could be devastating and terribly inconvenient.  Please read the attached article to see how this crime is committed and how you can mitigate your risks.  Article - Has your Identity been Stolen 5-10-09.pdf

EventiLicious - grow your business at a fun networking event!

Financial Milestones is a sponsor of the upcoming EventiLicious event, EventiLicious on Broadway.

EventiLicious events are interactive, enjoyable and loads of fun with no guest speakers, no forced leads and no community service committments.You will meet valuable contacts and potential clients to help you grow your business. www.eventilicious.com.au/upcoming_events.html.

Financial Milestones Value Package

At Financial Milestones and Tax & Accounting Advisors, we work together to give you the best tax, accounting, finance and tax effective investment advice for your future prosperity, all in the one office and all with the one expert.  We have now introduced our new Financial Milestones Value Package. Take a look at how it can help you and download the flyer here: Financial Milestones Value Pack flyer 15-2-09.pdf

Financial Milestones Sponsorship

Financial Milestones is a sponsor of the Darling Point Sailing Squadron with a donation arrangement for any loan completed for either a member or familiy or friend of a member.  Simply complete the attached flyer and the donation will go to the club.  A similar arrangement is available for any new client for tax and accounting coming from the club.  Download the flyer here so that the donation goes to the club: Financial Milestones Sailing Club Flyer 090312.pdf

Property Tax Analysis

At Tax & Accounting Advisors we can analyse your tax benefit on any investment property purchase.  Why not have this analysis prior to any investment property purchase - it is better that you know your tax benefits and cash flow requirements before that significant investment decision.  Why not get us to compare a number of properties?  Property Investment Analysis - NG front page.pdf

To Fix or Not to Fix - a question on everyone's mind.

We often get asked the question, is this the time to fix rates?  There are a number of reasons why you might fix rates, however, it is almost impossible to calculate whether you will gain by fixing or staying with variable.  It is a brave person who can predict what the variable rates will do over the next 5 years.  We have written an article that talks about factors to condsider when deciding whether to fix or not and includes an example of a simulation on comparing fixed rates with predicted variable rates over 5 years.  These rate predictions are a simulation only and are not to be taken as any prediction of variable rates in the future. Article - To Fix or Not to Fix - 18-9-2009.pdf

Are you Risky Business?

Why is it that borrowing for business is so different to borrowing to purchase property.  Read the attached article to see why.  We are also professionals in business and commercial finance.  Article in emPRESS Magazine Issue 1 03.pdf

Insight with Derek Miles - Empress Magazine

Article - Insight Derek Miles.pdf

Professional Package Home Loans are not for everyone

Careful consideration of the difference in costs should be taken into account when choosing a loan with a professional package as opposed to a basic home loan.  You can still employ mortgage reduction strategies with a basic home loan.  View the article to see the difference in costs and a diagramme of how to use mortgage reduction strategies with both types of loans.   Article - Basic vs Professional Package loans 20-9-09.pdf