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A holistic accountant goes beyond tax returns, aiming to offer proactive advice to maximise clients' wealth after all taxes. Stuart Wemyss and Mena Abraham explore multifaceted considerations weekly, highlighting the need for a holistic approach. Each episode is succinct and to the point with no fluff or sales pitches. For further details, check out www.prosolution.com.au.
155 Episodes
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Send us a text In this candid episode, Stuart and Mena unpack the red flags that signal it’s time to rethink your accountant or business advisor, and what “great” should look like instead. They start with the biggest warning sign: a reactive advisor who only appears at tax time. From there, they cover a checklist of concerns, including advisors who don’t understand your industry or goals, cling to outdated systems, hide behind vague invoices, sugarcoat tough truths, miss deadlines, or get def...
Send us a text In this thought-provoking episode of The Holistic Accountant, Stuart and Mena challenge the traditional metrics of success in business. While financial milestones like profit, revenue, and market share have long been the gold standard, the question is: Is that really enough? They explore how modern entrepreneurs are redefining success to include personal well-being, work-life balance, purpose-driven impact, and long-term sustainability. Stuart shares why hitting every financial...
Send us a text In this episode of The Holistic Accountant, Stuart and Mena dive into the complexities of business partnerships, why they’re formed, where they go wrong, and how to prevent them from falling apart. While many partnerships start with good intentions, complementary skills, and a shared vision, they can quickly unravel due to misaligned values, poor communication, unequal contributions, and a lack of role clarity. Mena unpacks common reasons partnerships fail, including mism...
Send us a text In this episode, Stuart and Mena explore the powerful concept of synergy and how strategic integration can fuel sustainable business growth. They start by demystifying what synergy really means: intentional alignment, not accidental collaboration, and why it’s essential for small businesses, even those without large teams. From aligning goals between departments to reducing friction and duplication, synergy is all about pulling in the same direction. The conversation then moves...
Send us a text In this episode, Stuart and Mena unpack the provocative, but crucial message behind the title “Don’t Trust Your Accountant.” It’s not about questioning your accountant’s integrity, but recognising the limits of what they can (and should) do for your business. Stuart explains why business owners must take full ownership of their financial understanding, because while accountants report the history, it’s up to you to fly the plane. Mena highlights that accountants are compliance-...
Send us a text In this episode, Stuart and Mena explore why every business owner should conduct regular health checks, not just when things go wrong, but as a proactive strategy for long-term success. They break the health check process into six core areas, starting with financial health, where Mena explains how to assess profitability, cash flow strength, and balance sheet resilience. Stuart then examines client and market health, highlighting the importance of avoiding overreliance on key c...
Send us a text In this episode, Stuart and Mena explore the lesser-known “1%ers” in business—small, smart strategies that can make a big difference to your personal lifestyle when implemented correctly. While most business owners focus solely on income, employees, and long-term value, Stuart challenges listeners to also think about how their business can improve everyday life, without crossing any lines. Mena kicks things off by explaining how to maximise credit card reward programs through b...
Send us a text In this episode, Stuart and Mena shift the focus to young entrepreneurs, those building businesses but wondering how to build wealth beyond them. It’s easy to pour everything into your business when it feels like your best asset. But what happens if growth slows down or plans change? The biggest risk for entrepreneurs is having all their wealth tied to a single venture. That’s why this episode is packed with the right questions to ask your accountant or financial adviser if you...
Send us a text In this episode, Stuart and Mena break down one of the most generous tax perks currently available to employees and employers alike: the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption for electric vehicles. With so few genuine “free kicks” in the tax system, understanding how to maximise this benefit is essential for anyone considering a new car or looking to enhance employee compensation packages. Mena begins by outlining the eligibility rules: the vehicle must be a zero- or low-emission...
Send us a text In this episode, Stuart and Mena uncover the most common accounting errors that can quietly cost business owners thousands in tax, compliance issues, or poor financial decisions. They begin by highlighting why your accountant plays a critical role as your de facto CFO, and how to spot red flags if things aren’t quite right. One of the biggest warning signs? A bank reconciliation that doesn’t match your records. Mena explains how overlooked discrepancies here can lead to under-r...
Send us a text In this episode, Stuart and Mena take a deep dive into the world of small-scale property development, highlighting both the potential rewards and the very real risks involved. Off the back of recent episodes about property spruikers selling uneconomical "development sites," they clarify what genuine small-scale development looks like, who it's suited to, and where it fits into a broader investment strategy. Mena explains the typical scope of a small-scale project, think two to ...
Send us a text In this follow-up episode on succession planning, Stuart and Mena explore the second path: selling your business to an external buyer. Unlike a transition strategy, this approach involves a clean break, often preferred by owners seeking speed, lifestyle change, risk reduction, or when no internal successors are available. Mena begins by outlining the different types of buyers: strategic buyers (such as competitors looking to scale), financial buyers (like private investors or P...
Send us a text In this episode, Stuart and Mena kick off their new series on succession planning by exploring the transition pathway, where ownership and leadership of a business are progressively handed over to internal staff or family members. Stuart begins by defining what a transition strategy is and why it matters, highlighting how it can preserve a business’s legacy, protect its culture, and ensure continuity for clients and team members while reducing long-term risk. Mena outlines how ...
Send us a text In this episode, Stuart and Mena unpack the three essential pillars of building a successful, scalable, and sustainable business: profit margin, distribution, and demand. They begin by breaking down profit margins, exploring what makes them sustainable, and how they impact your ability to attract talent and quality inputs. Additionally, they explain why every business owner must understand whether they’re a price maker or a price taker. They explore how businesses can use their...
Send us a text In this practical and info-packed episode, Stuart and Mena demystify Business Activity Statements (BAS) for business owners, sole traders, and anyone new to GST and tax reporting. They begin by explaining what a BAS is, who needs to lodge one, and how often, depending on business turnover. You’ll learn when you’re legally required to register for GST (hint: it’s not just at EOFY), how to register correctly, and the difference between cash and accrual reporting, an essential dis...
Send us a text In this episode, Stuart and Mena explore one of the most common and misunderstood questions business owners face: how to tax-effectively get money into and out of a company. Whether you’re starting a business, investing in one, or managing retained profits, understanding the right structure from the outset can save you from costly mistakes later on. They walk through the key ways to fund a company, either by loaning money in or contributing share capital, and explain when each ...
Send us a text In this episode, Stuart and Mena take a deep dive into one of the biggest and often most misunderstood taxes investors face, Capital Gains Tax (CGT). Whether you're dealing with property, shares, or business assets, they explain why the smartest CGT strategies begin not at the point of sale, but before you even buy the asset. They start by breaking down how CGT works, who gets the 50% discount, and why holding structures, like companies, individuals, or discretionary trusts, ma...
Send us a text In this episode, Mena and Stuart take a close look at the pros and cons of purchasing a franchise and whether it’s truly the right path for aspiring business owners. They break down why buying into an established brand can fast-track revenue, provide a proven business model, and offer ongoing support in areas like training, marketing, and supply chain management. Stuart explains how franchises can simplify access to finance and deliver real advantages through economies of scale...
Send us a text In this episode, Mena and Stuart unpack the ins and outs of Australia’s often misunderstood 6-year CGT exemption rule for main residences. They explore how this powerful tax concession can help homeowners maximise profits when selling a property they no longer live in, particularly those who rent it out after moving. Listeners will learn the exact eligibility criteria, including how to ensure a property still qualifies as your main residence for tax purposes even while it’s ear...
Send us a text In this episode, Mena and Stuart dive into Australia’s complex tax system, using insights from a thought-provoking discussion paper by Matt Grudnoff of The Australia Institute. He examines how, when welfare and superannuation are factored in, Australia’s reliance on income tax may not be as unbalanced as critics claim. Still, Stuart raises the question: What could a more common-sense approach to tax reform look like? He explores potential policy ideas, including introducing a l...
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amazing podcast and insights into tax and money management