News

Australia is starting to see an upturn in the mining and resources sector, after ending 2018 with a record-breaking year and continuing this growth into 2019. [1] Western Australia plays a huge part in this success, but there are plenty of discussions around the current skills shortage. In this article we explore: Growth in the […]

If you are in the civil contracting, construction, earthmoving or any other industry that requires you to provide a performance or other form of guarantee, then a Surety Bond may be the product for you. What is a Surety Bond? A Surety Bond is a bond/guarantee that can be provided in lieu of cash or […]

Do you travel to Perth airport often? Do you get an Uber or Taxi because it’s easier and more often than not cheaper than paying for long-term parking at the airport? Maybe you work fly in fly out or you live in Mandurah or Rockingham – wouldn’t it be nice to travel to the airport […]

Hi friends, This year was the 4th year in forty-five years that I didn’t head over to Melbourne to watch the AFL grand final, instead, watching it from my place down south with my four’n twenty meat pie. The noise of the birds chirping and wind blowing in the trees was a lot different to […]

Imagine paying domestic or overseas suppliers COD (cash on delivery with no credit terms) and then not having to pay for a further 150 days*. Trade/Import Finance is a facility that provides businesses with the capital to do just that.  How the finance facility works: Put simply, an intermediary firm provides this facility by making […]

The CAFBA (Commercial and Asset Finance Brokers Association of Australia) Annual Conference and Awards Night 2019 were held last Friday and what a fantastic day and night of events it was. The main focus for the conference was on innovation and change which is extremely topical in the current market conditions. CAFBA President, David Gandolfo, […]

Hi friends,  If your business supplies goods or services on a credit basis you’re open to the risk of the buyer not paying, which means you’re probably already familiar with bad debts. Bad debts can be detrimental by disrupting your cashflow, weakening your balance sheet and can ultimately take management time away from your business. […]

Prior to any infrastructure project in Australia commencing, all parties involved are required to sign and adhere to the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract model. A recent opinion piece in the Fin Review explored this contract model and how it compares to other styles used in Europe. Scott Langdon, a partner at KordaMentha Restructuring […]

For this edition of the Ledge Q&A we spoke to Heather Moore, Associate Director and in-house tax advisory specialist at NKH Knight. We explored Estate Planning and the necessary steps that should be taken to ensure people and businesses protect their wealth. Q: Who is NKH and what is your role? A: At NKH Knight […]

Bunbury Drilling Company (BDC) is a third-generation family business, which has been providing drilling services to the mining, agricultural and public water supply industries for over half a century. Established in 1955, BDC is one of the oldest and most experienced specialist drilling contractors in Australia today. BDC recently took delivery of a new Schramm […]

Hi friends, In case you weren’t already aware, the 28th Diggers and Dealers Mining Forum is currently happening in Australia’s gold mining capital. Kalgoorlie will have over 2300 visitors this week as people attend the conference to hear from ASX listed mining and exploration companies, check out the exhibition area and build strong business relationships. […]

The RBA conducts Australia’s monetary policy which includes setting the cash rate on overnight loans in the money market. The cash rate influences the banks’ interest rates, however there are many other factors which also affect rates including overall cost of funds, lending risks, competition etc. In June 2019, the RBA announced a 0.25% (25 […]

All successful businesses start somewhere and for Equipment Placement this somewhere was in Perth, Western Australia in 2002. Bondi brothers, Brian and John established the business with a focus on supplying the mining industry with used components for mobile plants of all descriptions. In 2002, they were awarded a number of exclusive distribution rights for […]

Hi friends, and welcome to the new financial year! On behalf of the Ledge team I would like to thank our clients, referral partners, lenders and financiers for a fantastic financial year. Ledge would honestly not be where we are today (40 years on!) without the continual support from all of you. Over the years, […]

If you are a healthcare professional in your first, second or even twentieth year of work, you may be looking at one day acquiring or establishing your own practice. Before you can get your practice off the ground you need to have the right business strategy in place along with adequate working capital. Finding health […]

Hi friends, With the end of financial year fast approaching, many businesses need to start looking at updating their business insurance. Paying this in one lump sum is not always possible – this is where Insurance Premium Funding (IPF) can help. IPF is a simple and cost-effective method for businesses to pay their annual insurance […]

Corporate Scorecard is a subsidiary of Equifax that assists with the assessment of the financial capacity of organisations including for pre-qualification, pre-contract award and post contract award monitoring for contracts. This assessment has been around for several years and many of our clients, who are contracted to work for government organisations, are being presented with […]

The AHG-Ledge alliance has provided our clients, their employees and families many benefits when it comes to purchasing vehicles for business and/or personal use. To find out more on how our alliance has assisted our clients we spoke to Craig Smith-Gander, Managing Director at Kwik Logistics – a Western Australian, family run crane hire, transport […]

Welcome to the Ledge Q&A Interview with Tony Monisse, Managing Director at Brentnalls WA, affiliate member of the Brentnalls Alliance. During this interview we explore who Brentnalls WA are and what business owners can do to support their business growth. Q: Who is Brentnalls WA? A: We are specialist business advisors and accountants helping clients grow a […]

Buying a home or investment property is one of the biggest decisions you will make in your life and you understandably want to make the right choice. Finding the perfect house at an ideal cost is daunting enough, then there is the stress of finding a finance option that suits your needs. At Ledge Health, […]

Thank you to Pedco Engineering for the invitation to attend the official unveiling of their new premises where we were lucky enough to see their new Accurpress 650t press brake in action – what an impressive machine it was! The new premises, at 118 Dowd Street in Welshpool, is located just a block away from […]

Hi friends, I cannot believe it’s May and we are already almost half way through the year! This time of the year is generally fast paced for most businesses and purchasing new assets may not be on your mind. There are many benefits that come with upgrading to new equipment, some of which include the […]

When setting up a business, many prospective owners will be advised by their Accountants to operate through a discretionary trust structure as this allows flexibility in income splitting whilst also providing asset protection. Whilst this is a common strategy for family run businesses, it is important to be aware of the complications that may arise. […]

If you’re a small business owner and are looking to purchase assets for your business you may be eligible to claim the whole purchase amount as a tax deduction.* From 29 January 2019 to 2 April 2019, the instant asset write-off threshold was $25,000. This has  been increased to $30,000 and has been extended to […]

Welcome to our first ever Ledge Q&A! The Ledge Q&A is an interview style blog which has been created on the basis of keeping our clients and wider community informed and up-to-date on what is happening in the Australian business sector. The Ledge Q&A features business professionals from various industries as we talk to them […]

An ageing population and development in technology are just a few of the factors impacting the Australian medical industry. Understanding these factors and how other businesses in the industry are tracking is incredibly important, as it allows you to identify your business performance and plan for the future. Bankwest released its Future of Business: Focus […]

AHG, Australia’s Largest Automotive Group. Yes, they sell cars, but did you know they also sell commercial trucks and buses? Fuso, Freightliner, Mercedes-Benz and Hino are just some of the well renowned truck brands that are a part of the AHG dealership group. They also sell Mercedes-Benz vans and a wide range of used heavy […]

Single Touch Payroll (STP) is currently only required for employers who have twenty or more staff, however from 1 July 2019 it will apply to all Australian employers – even those with only one staff member. This will be a gradual process and there are flexible options available. So, what is STP? STP is a […]

“Successful people do what unsuccessful people are not willing to do. Don’t wish it were easier; wish you were better.  Don’t wish for less problems, wish for more skills. Don’t wish for less challenges, wish for more wisdom.” –          Jim Rohn The late Jim Rohn, an American entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker was an exceptional […]

With the cost of installing high quality solar systems decreasing and energy prices continuing to rise, there has never been a better time to install solar. If your business either operates seven days a week, uses a lot of refrigeration (cold storage, supermarkets, hotels/pubs) or you are in the manufacturing, medical or primary industries you […]

The Healthcare industry appreciates the role of specialists for specific areas of expertise. There is no substitute for experience. So why take a different approach when it comes to your finances? Ledge Health brings substantial healthcare sector expertise and experience combined with financial packaging capability to provide insight and solutions for your next vehicle purchase. […]

Ernst & Young (EY) hosted a webcast on Tuesday February 26th titled Financial Crime which discussed the importance of effective Transaction Monitoring (TM) as well as TM system implementation. If you were unable to listen to the webcast, we have summarised the key points from the webcast below. EY Transaction Monitoring Survey The EY TM […]

Hi Friends, As the changing market creates a new lending environment it’s important that your business is aware of these changes. You may be happy with your current financial position and your primary banker, or maybe you are just comfortable… Comfortable knowing that you are making your repayments and you have sufficient working capital to […]

Australian financial markets are constantly changing and with these changes comes a new lending environment. It is important to stay on top of and understand these changes when approaching financial institutions (banks/lenders), to ensure your business receives a positive outcome. Below are some thoughts on the debt market as we currently see it, with primary […]

Continuing our series of borrowing covenants, let us introduce… “Facility Utilisation”. Just when you thought it was safe to go out into the financial markets alone… What is Facility Utilisation? The purpose of the Facility Utilisation covenant is to ensure the usage of the loan facility is directly aligned to business activity. Whilst this is […]

Becoming a healthcare professional requires numerous years of study and practical experience. Once this is complete you enter what we call the Healthcare Pathway. Your finance requirements will vary depending on where you sit on the Pathway. This is where our services may assist your personal and professional growth. How Ledge Health can assist: It […]

The global demand for the production of electric vehicles powered by lithium-ion batteries continues to rise. In fact, it is estimated that by 2030 electric vehicles will account for half of all manufactured vehicles worldwide! This is great news for Western Australia, with the Greenbushes mine situated 250 kms south of Perth being the world’s […]

Purchasing a commercial or residential investment property through a Self Managed Super Fund is understandably appealing as the super fund offers an attractive tax environment and allows people to grow their SMSF for retirement. Complications can arise where the purchase is funded via a SMSF loan and property values decline significantly, which appears to be […]

Welcome to 2019! I hope you all had a fantastic break, spending quality time with family and friends. Over the break I had some time to think about everything I am grateful for and the list goes on… and on…but I’ll keep it brief! Firstly, Ledge celebrated a huge 40th year milestone on 6th of […]

A recent study by CBA and Melbourne University revealed that one in three people in Australia are not on track to reach their financial goals. Although this study is referring to personal finances, we see SME business owners who may not appreciate the value in managing their finances, which often results in severe financial/cash strain. […]

Welcome to 2019! We hope you had a fantastic break and you are ready to get stuck into another successful year. This time for reflection and anticipation of the coming year leads to the inevitable New Year resolutions! Unfortunately, we can’t make you get up earlier or burn off the extra holiday calories but we […]

The McGrathNicol 2018 Working Capital Report has been released. This report shows the average working capital cycle of 146 ASX listed companies across nine sectors, with a combined market capitalisation of $878 billion. The following is a summary of the report: The average working capital cycle lengthened by 0.5 days in FY18, translating to an […]

Hi friends, I’m going to take some time this month to talk to you about the ‘why’ in business. The ‘why’ referring to your business and ‘why it is in business?’. With 66% of consumers willing to pay more for a purpose – understanding this ‘why’ is so important. A TED talk that has over […]

Did you know that Australia’s family and private businesses occupy almost every segment and industry of our economy? Contributing over a third of Australia’s entire GDP, it is evident that ensuring the ongoing success of these businesses is crucial to Australia’s prosperity. A recent report found 69% of family and private business owners are planning […]

Many businesses believe the PPSA to be an onerous obligation, only relevant if you hire out equipment, completely missing the very significant benefits the PPSA provides for any business selling goods on credit. One of its principal goals is to help protect you from the insolvency of your customers. It doesn’t matter what you sell, […]

If you are a contractor, you will often be required to provide a Surety Bond or Guarantee to your client/principal as security against your default or non-performance. So, what exactly are Bonds and Guarantees and how can they be arranged? Surety Bonds are a form of security issued by a Surety (an insurer or specialist […]

I read an article recently which was on what you need to give up if you want to be successful. I haven’t been able to get this article out of my mind and so I thought, why not share it! Here are the main pointers I took out of the article and I hope you […]

On 25 March 2014 the Board of Taxation released its second discussion paper on the post-implementation review of Division 7A of Part III of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936. In the 2017 Federal Budget, the Government announced that amendments would be made to the Division 7A incorporating the amendments from the second discussion paper and […]

Another year of AFL is over and what an incredible way to end a fantastic footy season! I have been going to the MCG for the AFL Grand Final since 1974 and Saturday’s game would have to be up there with the top 3 best games I have ever watched. The city was alive and […]

Have you ever thought of investing in solar PV and energy efficient assets but thought there is too much cost involved and you just can’t fathom getting started? The good news is there are finance solutions available which allow you to acquire these types of assets sooner rather than later. Any purchase of energy efficient […]

If you are in the unfortunate position of not being able to meet your ATO liabilities as and when they fall due, you need to be very careful about how you deal with this situation. One option is to seek finance from a specialist lender to cover your obligations. The benefit of this is that […]

Hi friends, I wanted to take some time this month to talk to you about the important role people play in business… Many factors contribute to being successful in business, including having the right products and services, appropriate business strategies and plans in place, and having efficient working processes. However, without people to produce and […]

Whilst financial markets have been through a lot of changes in recent years (banks in particular) and there is more to come, it is good to know that some things never change. One lending covenant which has regained favour in recent years is the old question “how much debt should I have relative to my […]

Did you know that registering your business name or purchasing a domain is not the same as a trade mark? Well, many people get trade marks and business names confused and this is not a new thing – in fact, back in 2003 the Australian Government conducted a review into the ongoing confusion and found […]

Good afternoon, Now we all know there are ways we can change our behaviour, attitudes, beliefs and even thoughts, to bring about changes we desire in our lives. These changes are brought on by factors that we know we should change to better our future – things like taking care of our health and saving […]

If you’re a business owner then you’ll know that it’s not always easy to deal with employment or HR issues. A lot of the time, businesses don’t have an inhouse HR department because their business is not big enough to justify the cost. You end up trying to deal with it yourself causing you to […]

If you ever have the misfortune to be sued for non-payment of an invoice/debt, it is really important to know what steps to take to allow you to remove reference to the court proceedings from your credit record when the matter is resolved. Ledge Solicitor’s Price Sierakowski have recently spoken to us about the difference […]

Making the decision (some say ‘leap of faith’) to establish your own business and leave behind the relative safety of being an employee is not an easy one and not one that many have the courage to actually do. In early 2011, this is exactly what Tony & Debbie Borromei and Darryl & Michelle Morgan […]

Hi Friends, I’m sure many of you have seen in the news that the skills shortage in industries, such as mining and construction is becoming increasingly worse. According to a study by Ernst and Young, the lack of skilled talent in the Australian workforce is the third highest constraint on the economy’s growth. The Reserve […]

How do you define value? What value do you provide for those who purchase your products or services? These are questions that many business owners are unable to answer, and yet having the capability to add value is one of the most important factors in business. Let’s take purchasing your morning coffee for example… You […]

Are you a business owner who tends to put long-term planning to the side? If you answered yes, you’re not alone. Many business owners generally place planning to the side because they are bombarded with day-to-day management of the business. They focus on the short term because that’s what they can see unfolding in front […]

The global lithium market is going through extraordinary growth as the demand for electronic vehicles (EVs) continues to rise. In fact, it’s predicted that in 5 years almost every car manufacturer in the world will be planning, or in the process of producing EVs. On the back of this demand is the increase in Lithium […]

If you are a business owner looking to expand overseas, you’re probably wondering how you are going to finance this move. At Ledge, we understand that banks are often unable to provide finance for your entire overseas ventures. There are many options available to fill in the funding gap, that are suitable for: •       First […]

Friends, It’s getting the that time of the year again… End of financial year. I cannot believe how fast time has flown by! Throughout the financial year we have been through many ups and downs and have had the pleasure of seeing our clients and their businesses achieve great things, in what has been an […]

In Australia, directors can be held personally liable for debts incurred whilst a company is insolvent. These harsh insolvent trading laws are driving directors to seek voluntary administration prematurely, even in circumstances where the company may have been viable longer term. As of September 2017, new legislation was enacted which provides directors with a safe […]

Most business owners would agree that it can be quite stressful when trying to remember key dates throughout the year. For this reason, we have prepared a list for you to refer back to: May 2018 21 May Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) return due 21 May April monthly BAS due 28 May March quarter superannuation […]

The brand new Perth Children’s Hospital located in Nedlands is set to start its four week staged opening today, May 14! Ledge has been lucky enough to be a part of the project, providing finance for the fit outs of the cafes situated on level one and five. WA Hospitality, better known as Aroma Café […]

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts”. – Winston Churchill   The late Sir Winston Churchill, a British writer, military leader and statesman. A man whose words resonate with myself and many others. This quote in particular relates to all facets of life – especially life […]

Most people have ongoing financial pressures and every dollar that can be saved, should be considered. Having a property loan, whether it be for your own home, an investment property or a commercial property, it is a huge debt in anyone’s life, and can cause major financial stress amongst individuals, their partners and their families. […]

Did you know that 80% of CEO’s in Australia rate cybersecurity as a major priority? Even though Australia’s unemployment rate is increasing as a whole, the demand for I.T. experts is rapidly increasing and is predicted to continue through 2018. Cybersecurity specialists are among those in high demand, which can be linked directly to the […]

Friends, I want to take some time this month to talk to you about something that is very close to my heart for many reasons. Over 20 years ago a good friend of mine was diagnosed with leukaemia and he was thankfully lucky enough to overcome it after years of treatment. When he was first […]

Are you a part of a strata owner’s corporation or body corporate? Do you struggle to find cash to pay for major works and renovations or you decide it’s best to hold off until you “really need to get it done”? You could wait until the sinking fund accumulated enough money to carry out the […]

In our Bulletin on 31st December 2017, we wrote on the impending release of a new product in the Supply Chain Finance space. This product has now been released to the market through a limited number of intermediaries. Are you a supplier who struggles to keep a positive cash flow because you’re waiting for clients […]

When buying equipment there are many options available to you when it comes to financing your purchase, however, these options are not always as straight forward as you think. Here are some questions that our team of Finance Executives are regularly asked: 1. Can I Finance 2nd hand equipment? Yes, most 2nd hand equipment is able […]

The hype around Bitcoin and the rest of the cryptocurrency market has been very intense over the past year or so. Even if you’re not involved in Bitcoin, you would’ve already heard that it had risen more than 1,000% in just one year! I’ve got be honest… I don’t understand the product and for that […]

Anyone in business would agree that with the current economic climate, many business owners/ managers are suffering from a never-ending headache, trying to manage their cash flows. Having tight debtor collection policies in place is a fantastic way to start, however unless you have solid cash reserves, you may find yourself juggling payments to your […]

We are sure you have already heard that it has cost every WA household $1,500 on average to build, but has the new world class Perth Stadium delivered? The sold out one day international between Australia and England cricket match on Sunday January 28 was the first ever sporting event at the $1.6 billion Perth […]

Ledge was established on 6th January 1979 and will enter its 40th year in business early next year. A philosophy I have held since I started the business is that we should strive to be the best – strive to be profitable, strive to be professional and strive to be reputable. Over the years, Ledge […]

Do you know about Ledge’s alliance with Australia’s largest automotive group AHG? If you are wanting to purchase a new vehicle for yourself or your business let Ledge assist, and with the following benefits it will be hard to say no: Preferential pricing on new, demonstrator and used cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles purchased from […]

Friends, I am going to finish the year of my little epistles by telling you what I most want for Christmas. Groan! Yes, I can hear you … but wait. This is no ordinary Christmas present. And, you know what, both you and I have a share in the outcome of this gift. Sounds a […]

Ledge is set to launch 2018 with a new finance product which will help clients better use their working capital – while also opening up the prospect of a new source of income for them. The product will put small and medium enterprises on the same footing as big business in being able to manage […]

When it comes to growing your business, there are many challenges you may face trying to manage cash flow. Creating compelling, value adding products & services and funding stocks & supplies are just a few of the issues faced by business owners during their businesses growth periods. Even successful, profitable businesses can find themselves with […]

If you had to create a strategy for business success, would it look something like this … the formula being used by one rapidly rising West Australian company: Quote philosophers in your conversation with customers Reduce your customers operating costs by providing fuel to them at special rates On tough days at the office, make […]

Composite Pipe Systems (CPS) Australia are new to Western Australia and are here to supply all Fiberglass Reinforced Piping needs (FRP).  CPS is the factory authorized distributor of NOV/Fiber Glass range of Composite Piping and have an extensive range of Line Pipe, Downhole Tubing, and Casing that suits all commercial, industrial, mining, marine, oil and […]

WA Fuel Supplies was developed in early 2015 when they discovered that fuel had become a low-interest, price-driven commodity where there was no interest in service and customer relationships. They are known as the West Australian company that distributes and sells energy everywhere in our great state, whilst maintaining competitive prices in an industry widely […]

October 3, 1952. Why is this day, 65 years ago, of significance to Western Australia? At 8 am on that day, Britain conducted its first-ever nuclear bomb test – a plutonium bomb detonated inside the frigate, HMS Plym, as it was anchored in a bay at Trimouille Island, part of the Monte Bello group 70 […]

Friends, Intolerance: (noun) Unwillingness to accept views, beliefs, or behaviour that differ from one’s own. If you want to focus briefly on one of the defining traits of modern society – and the negative consequences that grow with it – please join me for a short sojourn. Firstly, I am talking in a very, very […]

When looking for a logistics company that goes the extra mile contact HTE Transport today! Here There Everywhere (HTE) Transport is a West Australian family owned and operated company who has earned an outstanding reputation for delivering a highly professional, safety orientated transport and logistics services all around WA. HTE Transport began their journey, in […]

The move by revolutionary vacuum cleaner manufacturer Dyson to develop a “radically different” electric powered vehicle (EV), has created a lot of interest in what is a very busy space. Dyson is a ‘left field’ entrant into the battery market, announcing recently that it will spend more than $3 billion to develop an electric vehicle […]

Here at Ledge, we are proud of the companies who achieved business growth through innovation by partnering with us. We like to share their stories to show how they overcame obstacles through sound business strategy. Our clients at Rhino Buckets & Attachments are renowned for their locally manufactured products, friendly team and 50+ years of […]

Friends, Today I hope you will join my little crusade … a one-man fight back against the ubiquitous power and growth of social media. Don’t get me wrong; I acknowledge and appreciate a lot of the usefulness of all these platforms that have been spawned by the world wide web (and what a web, eh?). […]

Here at Ledge, we are proud of the companies who achieved business growth by partnering with us. We like to share their stories to show how they overcame obstacles through sound business strategy. When searching for a landscaper to create a truly unique look for your home or business, Tim Davis Landscaping (TLD) should be […]

New laws, which the peak body for small business labels as a “game changer”, have taken a step closer. The federal government says its competition reform package will further prevent big corporations from misusing market power, provide greater protections for small businesses and more choice for consumers. To know how the changes will work, read […]

Happy Birthday! If you are a horse, that is. Yes, as many will know, today is the official horses’ birthday … every horse in Australia is aging another year.  But why is it so … and is it the same the world over? For a quirky little piece of trivia, read on… Thoroughbreds have been […]

Friends, Today I have something of a treat for you – possibly my shortest-ever column! But I am hoping it might have a big impact. I am simply going to present a handful of facts, courtesy of Chris Gosselin of Australian Fund Monitors. You might even call these facts ‘inconvenient truths’. You will have to […]

Here at Ledge, we are proud of the companies who achieved business growth by partnering with us. We like to share their stories to show how they overcame obstacles through sound business strategy. When looking to purchase a high-end, custom built plant trailer, there is only one brand that those in the know trust to […]

Disruption is today’s business ‘buzzword’ – writ ever larger by the escalating impact of technological progress. Across literally all of industry and commerce, the work and payment environment is in continual transition – from fin-tech in the world of finance to Amazon’s march across the consumer landscape. Professional services firms have not escaped, either; although […]

Americans are waking up today to their grand Independence Day celebrations … the 4th of July. But it has not always been a grand day for some former presidents; in fact, it’s been fatal for them. Three of the first five U.S. Presidents died on the fourth of July: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James […]

Friends, FAKE & FRAUDULENT … Crazy Joe … low I.Q. Crazy Mika … I think you may know from whose mouth these attacking words have come. Pardon … from whose tweet these insults have come. But what do they have to do with us? After all, Donald Trump is a world away from us here […]

CPA Australia’s sacking of its Chief Executive, Alex Malley – with a $4.9 million golden handshake – has cast the spotlight on peak bodies representing various industries and community sectors across the nation. Malley’s downfall, and the story of how he moulded CPA Australia so much into his likeness, continues to play out with potentially […]