A PKF biannual publication

Diving into the current business issues that matter to you

Welcome to Pulse

We empower businesses to navigate change with confidence. Through expert insights, local knowledge, and a collaborative approach, our advisers help you unlock opportunities and stay ahead in a dynamic environment. In Pulse, we share the latest trends, strategies, and success stories shaping the future of Australian business

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Pulse April 2025

Insights

Pulse April 2025 — MD Welcome

We are now well into 2025 and it’s been an exciting and dynamic start to the year for us. From major office transformations to impactful partnerships and inspiring events, we are building momentum for what promises to be another outstanding year.

Bob Bell

Managing Director

Sydney, Newcastle

Insights

Sequencing risk and how to combat it

Time Horizon Investment strategy mitigates sequencing risk by aligning short, medium, and long-term portfolios to ensure steady cash flow in retirement.

Matthew Weeks

Financial Adviser

Newcastle

Insights

Transition to the new aged care act

The transition to the new Aged Care Act marks a fundamental shift – ensuring better quality care, greater transparency, and stronger accountability for aged care providers across Australia.

David Hutchison

Partner

Newcastle, Sydney

Insights

Another business saved in small business restructure

Another successful Small Business Restructure (SBR) – maintaining our 100% strike rate in securing creditor approval and helping businesses overcome financial challenges.

Senray Loy

Principal

Sydney, Newcastle

New year resolution is now the right time to sell your business

Insights

New year resolutions – Is now the right time to sell your business?

Deciding to sell your business is a significant milestone in your entrepreneurial journey, and the New Year is the perfect time to reflect on whether it's the right moment to take that step.

Joel Floyd

Principal

Newcastle

Insights

Cyber insurance – what is it, and why would I need it?

Cyber Insurance provides critical financial support and expert resources to help businesses navigate the complexities of a cyber incident, making it an essential safeguard in today’s increasingly digital world.

Andrew Brett

Director, Infosure

Insights

Frustrated by inefficiency? How PKF’s Process Review team solves problems with Annature

Chasing signatures is one of those insidious ‘ugh’ tasks often not considered, taking way more time than it should. With Annature, that frustration disappears - saving time and transforming the way businesses operate.

Stacie Shaw

Partner

Newcastle, Sydney

Insights

New year – Groundhog Day, or is this the year to achieve what you want?

Ready to transition from the ‘middle phase’ to the ‘exit phase’? Regain energy and shape your business on your terms - scale back or boost dividends. The choice is yours!”

Chad Russell

Partner

Newcastle, Sydney

Insights

PKF Sydney and Newcastle celebrates third year as official financial services partner of the nib Newcastle Knights

Celebrating three years as the official financial services partner of the nib Newcastle Knights, PKF is proud to continue supporting local sports and community growth through this enduring partnership.

Clayton Hickey

Partner

Sydney, Newcastle

Insights

From vision to reality: PKF’s business advisory service helping to build a cutting-edge fertility clinic

Dr. Antony Lighten, a renowned fertility specialist, spent years working in the corporate IVF world. Driven by a desire to provide personalised, patient-centred care, he set out on an ambitious journey to build his own fertility clinic and day surgery centre in Sydney’s Northwest. Transitioning from a sole trader to...

Andrew Chen

Partner

Sydney, Newcastle

Insights

Outsourced and virtual CFO services — empowering your business with strategic financial expertise

Outsourced CFO services provide expert financial guidance at a fraction of the cost, helping you grow your business with strategic planning and optimised cash flow.

Richard Cai

Partner

Sydney

Insights

Congratulations to our graduates of Thrive and Lead and Dare to Aspire!

Newcastle set the stage for a conference that blended learning, collaboration, and connection – delivering insights that will tangibly influence our Real Life.

Steve Meyn

Chairman

Australia

Insights

Business success and personal wealth the impact of alignment

Aligning your business and personal wealth plans ensures seamless progress towards your goals, maximising opportunities and reducing stress along the way.

2 contributors

Sydney

Insights

PKF Sydney and Newcastle announces exciting office refurbishment

This exciting office refurbishment at PKF Sydney and Newcastle is not just about upgrading our space – it’s about creating a collaborative, inspiring environment that enhances both our team’s productivity and our clients’ experiences.

Andrew Beattie

Director

Newcastle, Sydney, Port Stephens

Insights

Forensic data analytics for a global not-for-profit organisation

PKF’s forensic data analytics helped a global not-for-profit uncover bullying and harassment hotspots, enabling targeted investigations and corrective actions to protect staff and brand reputation.

Insights

AI in accounting systems

AI is transforming accounting systems! From simplifying tasks like bank
reconciliation to generating insights for better decision-making, tools like
Xero’s AI and JAX are enhancing efficiency. The future is here!

Andrew Pullen

Director, PKF Digital

New Zealand

Insights

Increased ATO and auditor focus on SMSF property valuations

With increased scrutiny on SMSF property valuations, trustees
must ensure valuations are based on objective, supportable data
and meet updated guidelines to avoid audit complications.

Daniel Clements

Partner

Newcastle, Sydney

Insights

Navigating Superannuation and KiwiSaver Transfers Between New Zealand and Australia

Thinking about making a permanent move between New Zealand and Australia in 2025? Whether you're relocating for work, family, or lifestyle reasons, there's one important thing you’ll need to consider: your retirement savings. The good news is that the Trans-Tasman Retirement Savings Portability Scheme makes it possible to transfer your...

Nicholas Falzon

Director

Sydney, Newcastle

Insights

Avoiding tax complexity for companies expanding offshore

By carefully managing the timing of a taxable presence, Australian
companies can expand offshore while keeping income tax obligations in
Australia – maximising franking credits and minimising tax complexity.

David Pring

Partner

Newcastle

Insights

Prawn or oyster anyone? Another year of successful Aussie BBQ’s

The Aussie BBQ isn’t just about the excellent F&B and Aussie rock playlist – it’s about strengthening relationships, sharing stories, and kicking off the year with the people we value in our network.

Tony Doyle

Chief Operating Officer

Sydney, Newcastle

Insights

Sumday and PKF Sydney announces partnership

This partnership brings together PKF’s advisory expertise with Sumday’s cutting-edge carbon accounting technology—empowering businesses to track, measure, and report emissions with confidence.

Madina Radinovich

Partner

Sydney, Newcastle

Insights

Reflecting on the incredible 2025 PKF Australia Business Advisory Conference in Newcastle

Newcastle set the stage for a conference that blended learning, collaboration, and connection – delivering insights that will tangibly influence our Real Life.

Angela Lenehan

Senior Manager

Sydney

Important Dates For Your Tax Diaries 2025

10 contributors

Sydney, Newcastle

Pulse 2025

Pulse comes in multiple forms.

All articles of the April 2025 edition of Pulse are featured above. If you would prefer to read Pulse as a full document, cover-to-cover, download the publication here.

Download Pulse here

Pulse Archives

Insights

Smooth sailing: Navigating the transition of leadership in business

In the dynamic landscape of modern business, leadership transitions are inevitable. Now more than ever, with an estimated $3.5 trillion in Australian business assets about to transfer from the control of baby boomers to the next generations, a smooth leadership transition is important to family businesses everywhere. Of course, there...

David Jamieson

Director

Newcastle, Sydney

Insights

The case for private assets

Private assets have been an attractive area of investing for many years for the big end of town, ultra-high net worth families, institutions, and large super funds. However, these investments have been unavailable to smaller investors until very recently. “Private assets” is a term that covers many investments that are...

Chris Davis

Executive Director

Newcastle

Insights

Welcome Richard Cai!

PKF Sydney and Newcastle is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Cai to our Sydney Business Advisory team. This collaboration signifies a significant milestone for both Richard and PKF, amalgamating a wealth of diverse expertise to deliver elevated services and value to a broad spectrum of clients. This strategic...

Bob Bell

Managing Director

Sydney, Newcastle

Insights

Take 5.. with Richard Cai

Q. What motivates you? A. Making a positive impact to everyone around me - to empower my family, friends, clients, and colleagues. Q. Who is your hero and why? A. Women – my mother who inspires me, my wife who supports me so selflessly without any questions asked, my daughter...

Richard Cai

Partner

Sydney

Insights

Proudly supporting the Nelson Bay Touch Football Association

The Nelson Bay Touch Football Association (NBTA) is a pivotal part of the community of Port Stephens. PKF’s partnership with the association is a testament to our unwavering commitment to the local area and the impact we have on community involvement and support. As an advocate for community initiatives, we...

Teresa Richardson

Partner

Port Stephens

Insights

PKF’s Generosity Unveiled: A Case Study in the Impact of In-Kind Giving

Recently SurfAid had the opportunity to sit down with Paul Pearman, Audit and Assurance Partner at PKF, to gain deeper insights into the partnership and PKF’s commitment to social responsibility.

Paul Pearman

Partner

Sydney, Newcastle

Insights

Getting ready for the Land Tax year of 2024

To gear up for the Land Tax year of 2024, we’ve put together key information that might prove helpful. The Land Tax rate and thresholds for 2024 are subject to change annually. Previously, the Land Tax thresholds were officially announced on 15 October each year, however, recent legislative amendments have...

Nicholas Falzon

Director

Sydney, Newcastle

Insights

Meet our PKF Port Stephens team

Introducing our PKF Port Stephens team, a dynamic group that stands out for their work ethic and approachable demeanour. Diverse in backgrounds and rich in expertise, our PKF Port Stephens team seamlessly blends financial acumen with a warm and friendly approach. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that every financial...

2 contributors

Port Stephens

Press Releases

THE HUNTER BREAST CARE BREAKFAST RAISES $49,661 TO SUPPORT THE BREAST CARE NURSES

PKF Sydney and Newcastle, in collaboration with The Newcastle Herald and NEX, celebrated a major milestone as they hosted the 15th annual Hunter Breast Care Breakfast on 25 October, 2023. This sellout event brought together a remarkable 510 attendees, all united in their commitment to supporting the Hunter Nurse Education...

Emma Hansen

Head of Marketing

Sydney, Newcastle

Insights

Considering establishing an SMSF?

Setting up a Self-Managed Superannuation Fund (SMSF) requires careful planning and adherence to regulatory requirements. Here’s a checklist to guide you through the process: Pre-setup considerations 1. Research and education Understand the roles and responsibilities of SMSF trustees. Educate yourself about SMSF regulations, investment options, and taxation implications.There are various...

Daniel Clements

Partner

Newcastle, Sydney

Insights

History filming: Retrospect

It’s not every day that one of the Hunter’s largest leading accounting firms celebrates 45 years since inception, making this milestone even greater for the team at PKF Sydney and Newcastle. In celebration of our rich history, February marked the launch of our mini-series ‘Retrospect’, which offers a nostalgic look...

Bob Bell

Managing Director

Sydney, Newcastle

2023 Water Polo Australia PD Sponsorship

Insights

PKF Proudly Sponsors Water Polo Australia’s Professional Development Scholarship Program

PKF Sydney and Newcastle is thrilled to announce our second consecutive year of supporting the Professional Development (PD) Scholarship program. This program is aimed at benefiting current senior squad and National Age Group Program members, as well as senior squad members from the past two years. Water Polo Australia (WPA)...

Nicholas Falzon

Director

Sydney, Newcastle

Insights

Mark Hughes Foundation: Everest Trek

One of our values at PKF is community, giving back. It is a pillar of what we are built on. For me, and many others like me, this has mostly been by way of a financial contribution to many charities and not-for-profit organisations. Over the years, we have given hundreds...

Andrew Beattie

Director

Newcastle, Sydney, Port Stephens

Insights

Cyber security as a cornerstone of sustainable supply chain

Imagine this... your business has undergone rigorous internal audits and your processes gleam. But, a single security breach in one of your supplier’s systems exposes sensitive data, disrupts operations, and shatters customer trust. In 2024, with rampant cybercrime, complex global partnerships, and data privacy regulations tightening, ignoring supply chain security...

Phillipa Ngorima

IT Auditor

Sydney, Newcastle

Pulse

Diving into the current business issues that matter to you

Welcome to Pulse

Bob Bell

Matthew Weeks

David Hutchison

Senray Loy

Joel Floyd

Andrew Brett

Stacie Shaw

Chad Russell

Clayton Hickey

Andrew Chen

Richard Cai

Steve Meyn

2 contributors

Andrew Beattie

Andrew Pullen

Daniel Clements

Nicholas Falzon

David Pring

Tony Doyle

Madina Radinovich

Angela Lenehan

10 contributors

Pulse 2025

David Jamieson

Chris Davis

Bob Bell

Richard Cai

Teresa Richardson

Paul Pearman

Nicholas Falzon

2 contributors

Emma Hansen

Daniel Clements

Bob Bell

Nicholas Falzon

Andrew Beattie

Phillipa Ngorima

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