Financial Services

TRADE payments by Australian industry have fallen to an average of 47 days, the lowest level in four years.

TALK of interest rate rises is sparking concerns about falling sales and increased operating costs, according to the lates Dun and Bradstreet National Business Expectations Survey

THE Department of Agriculture has achieved big financial savings on its way to winning an environmental award for fleet management.

A SURVEY of small business has found that many organisations fail to regularly implement simple debtor management practices.

In the final part of our cash flow management series, Mark Beyer looks at finance options.

THE Australian Taxation Office has announced changes to make it easier for businesses to claim deductions for low-cost items such as office supplies, crockery and small tools.

In part three of our series on cash flow management, Mark Beyer looks at the role of technology.

COMPANIES worried about corporate fraud have recently been given stark reminders about the magnitude of the problem.

In the second part of our series on cash flow management, Mark Beyer looks at trends in trade payments.

AUSTRALIA’S publicly listed debt collection companies have improved their financial performance over the past year but the sector as a whole is characterised by weak earnings.

TAX campaigners have hailed a recent Federal Court decision as a big win for investors in mass marketed ‘tax effective’ investment schemes.

In the first part of our series on cash flow management, Mark Beyer introduces some strategies businesses can employ.

In the final part of our fleet management series, Mark Beyer seeks advice from some of the major players in the local market.

SEALANES, Western Power and Brightwater are three very different organisations with highly varied approaches to fleet management.

THE Australian Taxation Office plans to conduct 70,000 compliance reviews this year to detect and deal with businesses operating in the black economy.

In the first of a three-part series on fleet management, Mark Beyer looks at the changing profile of the industry.

A PROPOSAL to exempt insurance agents from disclosing commissions on risk products has been roundly criticised by financial planners and the consumer lobby.

This week Mark Beyer looks at the impact of the tighter insurance market.

WESTERN Australian businesses have been urged to start planning now for the implementation of international accounting standards in 2005.

In this week’s article on risk management, Mark Beyer looks at business risks that may not be properly managed.

THE methodology used by business brokers to value businesses was roundly criticised at an accounting forum in Perth early this week.

OAMPS Insurance Brokers will complete its fifth acquisition in Western Australia in three years when it absorbs local firm AD Irvine Insurance Brokers.

In the first of a three-part series on risk management, Mark Beyer looks at the management of currency and interest rate risks.

In the final instalment on equity raising, Mark Beyer looks at the impact of the weak stock market.

CONVERTIBLE notes are gaining popularity as a fund raising option for Western Australian companies, with Skywest Airlines and Xanadu Wines among local companies

A NUMBER of floats planned to hit the Australian Stock Ex-change later this month have been put on hold. Oilex NL was due to float on July 25.

THE Australian Stock Exchange’s listing rules are hindering capital raisings by smaller companies, according to West Perth investment banker John Kenny.

FOR companies wanting to list on the Australian Stock Exchange, the traditional path is via an initial public offering. An alternative route that is comparatively attractive in the current depressed market is a ‘backdoor’ listing.

THERE is only a handful of venture capital firms with a permanent on-the-ground presence in Perth.

VENTURE capital has played a critical role in the growth of some of Western Australia’s best-known companies.

THE Federal Privacy Commissioner has effectively set a new standard for the debt collection industry as a result of a settlement with Alliance Factoring.

THE Federal Government has announced long-awaited provisions relating to distributions from trusts to companies.