Business Advisory
Advice to start, grow, restructure and plan, from choosing the right structure to sitting at the board table.
Compliance tells you what happened. Advisory helps you decide what to do next. We use your own figures to answer the questions that matter, and stay involved to see decisions through.
Business Consulting
Practical financial advice that helps you plan, price, borrow and grow with confidence.
View detailsBusiness Incorporation
Choose the right structure, incorporate correctly and start with accounting systems that work from day one.
View detailsRestructuring
Change your structure, bring in partners, sell or close your business in a way that protects value and manages tax.
View detailsCross-Border Tax
Advice on Australian tax residency, foreign income and moving between countries, coordinated with SYNE teams overseas.
View detailsVirtual CFO
Senior financial leadership for growing businesses and not-for-profits, without the cost of a full-time CFO.
View detailsHow We Work
A clear, consistent process from first conversation to ongoing support.
View details
Business Consulting
Practical financial advice that helps you plan, price, borrow and grow with confidence.
Compliance tells you what happened. Consulting helps you decide what to do next. We use your own figures to answer the questions that matter: can we afford to hire, are our prices right, and how much cash will we need?
Engagements can be a single project, such as a funding application, or ongoing quarterly advisory sessions.
What's Included
Cash Flow Forecasting
Thirteen-week and twelve-month forecasts so you can see shortfalls before they happen.
Budgeting
Annual budgets built with you, then tracked against actual results.
Pricing and Margins
Product and service profitability analysis and pricing recommendations.
KPIs and Dashboards
A short set of measures that show how the business is performing each month.
Funding Applications
Business plans, forecasts and financial information for banks, investors and grants.
Benchmarking
Comparison of your results with industry benchmarks, including those published by the ATO.
Business Incorporation
Choose the right structure, incorporate correctly and start with accounting systems that work from day one.
The structure you choose affects how much tax you pay, your personal liability, how easily you can bring in partners, and what happens when you sell. It is much easier to get right at the start than to change later.
We explain the options using your own projections, handle the registrations, and set up your software, so you can focus on starting the business.
What's Included
Structure Advice
Sole trader, partnership, company or trust, compared using your expected income and plans.
Company Registration
Registration with ASIC, including the constitution, registers and first resolutions.
Director ID
Help obtaining a director ID, which every director needs before being appointed.
Tax Registrations
ABN, TFN, GST and PAYG withholding registrations as required.
Business Name
Business name registration with ASIC where you trade under a different name.
Accounting Setup
Cloud accounting software, bank feeds and chart of accounts configured for your business.
First-Year Compliance Calendar
A clear list of what is due and when, so nothing is missed in your first year.
Specialist Coordination
We work with your lawyer on shareholder or partnership agreements.
Sole Trader or Company: How They Compare
A summary of the main differences. The right answer depends on your profit, risks and plans, so treat this as a starting point for discussion.
| Consideration | Sole trader | Company |
|---|---|---|
| Tax rate | Your individual marginal rates, up to 45% plus Medicare levy | 25% for base rate entities (turnover under $50 million and limited passive income), otherwise 30% |
| Personal liability | Unlimited. Personal assets are exposed to business debts | Generally limited to the company, although directors have duties and may give personal guarantees |
| Setup cost | Low. An ABN is free | Higher. ASIC registration and annual review fees apply |
| Administration | Simple. Business income is part of your personal return | Separate tax return, financial statements, ASIC obligations and records |
| Taking money out | All profit is yours to draw | Through salary, dividends or properly documented loans (Division 7A) |
| Losses | May offset other income if the non-commercial loss rules are met | Stay in the company and are carried forward |
| Bringing in partners or investors | Difficult | Straightforward through issuing shares |
Restructuring
Change your structure, bring in partners, sell or close your business in a way that protects value and manages tax.
Businesses outgrow the structures they started with. Partners join or leave, risks change and owners plan their exit. A well-planned restructure can protect assets and reduce tax. A poorly planned one can trigger unexpected capital gains and stamp duty.
We plan each step, model the tax outcome and work alongside your lawyer and, where needed, a registered liquidator.
What's Included
Change of Entity
Moving from sole trader or partnership to a company or trust.
Roll-Over Relief
Using available roll-overs, such as the small business restructure roll-over, to defer tax on transfers.
Small Business CGT Concessions
Assessing eligibility for the 15-year exemption, 50% active asset reduction, retirement exemption and roll-over.
Group Structures
Holding companies and separating valuable assets from trading risk.
Partners and Investors
Admitting or buying out partners, shareholders and investors.
Sale Preparation
Financial clean-up, normalised earnings and due diligence support before a sale.
Succession Planning
Passing the business to family members or key staff over time.
Closing a Business
Final returns, voluntary deregistration or coordination with a liquidator for a solvent wind-up.
Cross-Border Tax
Advice on Australian tax residency, foreign income and moving between countries, coordinated with SYNE teams overseas.
If you earn income in one country and live in another, two tax systems may claim a share. Residency rules, double tax agreements and foreign tax offsets decide who taxes what, and the details can be complex.
SYNE also operates in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Canada and India, so we can coordinate advice on both sides when your affairs span those countries.
What's Included
Residency Assessments
Applying the Australian residency tests to your circumstances, including the 183-day and domicile tests.
Foreign Income
Reporting overseas employment, rental and investment income, and claiming the foreign income tax offset.
Moving to Australia
Temporary resident rules, existing overseas assets and setting up your affairs on arrival.
Leaving Australia
Departure planning, including capital gains on assets when you stop being a resident.
Double Tax Agreements
Applying Australia's tax treaties to avoid tax being charged twice.
Expanding Overseas
Setting up a subsidiary or branch abroad, transfer pricing basics and paying offshore staff.
Virtual CFO
Senior financial leadership for growing businesses and not-for-profits, without the cost of a full-time CFO.
As an organisation grows, owners and boards need more than accurate accounts. They need someone to interpret the numbers, plan ahead and sit at the table when big decisions are made.
Our virtual CFO service gives you that capability for a fixed monthly fee, working with your existing bookkeeping or alongside our own team.
What's Included
Board and Investor Reporting
Monthly or quarterly board packs with commentary, KPIs and forecasts.
Forecasting and Scenarios
Integrated profit, balance sheet and cash flow forecasts with best and worst cases.
Funding
Preparing for bank finance, equity investment and grant applications.
Systems and Controls
Improving finance processes, approval controls and reporting software.
Strategic Decisions
Financial analysis of new products, locations, acquisitions and major purchases.
Team Support
Supervising and developing your in-house finance staff.
Who We Work With
The clients we support with business advisory.
Sole Traders
Pricing, cash flow and deciding when to grow or take on staff.
Small Business
Planning, forecasting and decision support for owners.
Not-for-Profits
Budgets, reserves policies and financial sustainability planning.
Individuals
Migrants, expatriates, returning Australians and people with overseas investments.
How We Work
A clear, consistent process from first conversation to ongoing support.
- 01
Discovery
We discuss your goals, pressures and the decisions you are facing.
- 02
Analysis
We review your figures and model the options.
- 03
Recommendations
You receive clear findings with the financial and tax effect of each option.
- 04
Follow-Through
We implement, register and report, and review progress with you.
The SYNE Advantage
Why Organisations Choose SYNE for Business Advisory
Industry-experienced professionals, connected platforms and a process built around you.
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Industry-Experienced Professionals
Specialists with 25 years of industry experience, who understand how organisations like yours operate.
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One Accountable Team
A named lead coordinates every service you use, so nothing falls between providers.
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Fixed, Written Fees
A clear scope and price agreed before work begins. No hourly billing surprises.
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Reviewed Twice
Every piece of work is checked by a second professional before it reaches you.
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Connected SYNE Platforms
Your data flows between SYNE One, SYNE People and SYNE Sustainability, so figures always agree.
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Year-Round Support
Regular reviews, deadline reminders and a direct line to your adviser, not just at year-end.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is consulting priced?
Projects are quoted at a fixed fee. Ongoing advisory is a fixed monthly or quarterly fee agreed in advance.
Do I need to be an existing client?
No, although having us manage your accounts makes the analysis faster because we already know your figures.
How long does it take to register a company?
ASIC registration is often completed within a day once your details and director IDs are ready. Tax registrations usually follow within a few days.
What is a director ID?
A unique identifier that every company director must have before being appointed. It is issued through the Australian Business Registry Services and stays with you permanently.
Will restructuring trigger capital gains tax?
Transferring assets between entities can trigger CGT and stamp duty. Roll-over relief and the small business CGT concessions can often reduce or defer this when the conditions are met.
How long does a restructure take?
Simple changes can be completed in a few weeks. Larger restructures involving property, finance or several entities usually take two to three months.
Am I an Australian resident for tax purposes?
Residency for tax is not the same as visa or citizenship status. It depends on tests including where you usually live, your domicile and how long you are in Australia. We assess your situation against each test.
Will I pay tax twice on foreign income?
Usually not. Australian residents generally declare worldwide income but can claim a foreign income tax offset for tax already paid overseas, and double tax agreements may also apply.
Free consultation
Speak with an Adviser
Talk to our business advisory team. Book a complimentary 20-minute consultation and we respond within one business day.
- No obligation and no sales script
- A fixed, written quote within two business days
- Qualified professionals who stay with you all year