Creating and running your own business is a challenge for many entrepreneurs. You need to develop your product/offering, write a business plan, choose a business structure, register your business and much more. Starting off on the right foot can make all the difference.

We can assist you during the start-up phase to set you on the right path from the beginning of your business journey.

Our offering includes:

• Incorporation
• Identifying/implementing a suitable business structure and attracting employees
• Implementing employment contracts, policies and procedures
• Outsourced bookkeeping, payroll and utilising financial data
• Outsourced CFO services
• Outsourced HR services
• Establishing business functions, processes and frameworks
• Tax compliance
• Selection of best-fit solutions for technology and digital effectiveness – Cloud, ERP, CRM
• Key management incentive plans.

At the core of any growth strategy is funding. Every business needs to plan how it will finance its operations to ensure it can take advantage of market opportunities.

We often find clients are unaware of the multiple funding options available to them during the different stages of growth. Choosing the right one and sourcing the best fit is a crucial decision that can only be made with the right advice.

Whether you are looking for start-up funding, growth capital or working capital support, BDO can help drive your business forward to access the most suitable funding sources. We offer a range of services, provided by expert advisers who can guide you through the whole process. These services include:

• Financial statement compliance
• Business plan review and financial modelling
• Research and Development (R&D) tax incentive and government grants
• Debt and capital structuring tax advisory
• Capital raising support (valuation support, investor presentation, investor approaches)
• Debt advisory
• Attracting and retaining the right key management (management retention and incentive plans).

As your business matures and operations stabilise, you may look to capitalise on the momentum and broaden your horizons.

No matter what type of expansion you choose, this stage requires high level strategic planning that considers how your business will adapt and grow in new markets.

This stage involves bringing in specialists to steer the business in the right direction.

BDO’s specialists can provide advice on the following core areas:

• Business ‘health checks’ and strategic advice.
• Current state review (strategy, people, process, and technology)
• Strategy planning
• Governance, risk and compliance
• Change management
• Leadership development
• Tax strategy for growth (Australian, international, and tax structuring)
• Financial reporting structure
• Financial modelling (cash flow and working capital)
• Funding and expansion options
• Transaction services, including capital raising and mergers and acquisitions strategy.

Businesses must adapt quickly to rapidly changing and sometimes challenging environments.  From internal and external threats bringing heightened risks, customer needs becoming more diverse, or new compliance requirements in various jurisdictions - the ability to be agile is key. However, it is not just about navigating challenges, there are plenty of upsides in leveraging new opportunities.

Businesses can take advantage of rapid changes if they have partnered with trusted advisers who help them make targeted investment decisions and support them along their growth journey.  

At BDO we have a vast range of expertise and skills across disciplines that can continually support you through your growth journey or step in at critical points when you need immediate support.

BDO’s services include:

• Business continuity plans
• Change management
• Financial audit and assurance services
• Cyber consulting (defensive, offensive and reactive)  
• Technology consulting (cloud, ERP, IoT)
• Data governance and analytics
• Investigation services (including forensic, anti-money laundering)
• Strategic assessments
• Regulatory and compliance advice.

Throughout its lifecycle, you have worked hard to grow and position your business to maximise its value – now it is time to realise some of that value through an equity divestment.

To position your business for a favourable exit, you need a full understanding of market conditions, the right time to sell and ways to increase the value of your business. At this stage, there are several key considerations - including business continuity (for example, the level of reliance on key management), financial performance and governance.

BDO’s service offering includes:

• Valuations
• Deal structuring
• Tax structuring
• Sell-side advisory
• Vendor due diligence
• Initial public offerings
• Wealth advisory consultation.

Depending on the size of your business and preferred exit options, our Business Services, Transactions and Private Equity teams can advise you in your approach, plans and eventual sale and exit. Get a head start by reading our practical guide on selling your business.