Can your business handle what’s coming next? Most business owners we speak with share the same quiet frustration: “I’m busy, revenue looks fine… but I don’t really know if the business is underperforming—or quietly leaking value and increasing risk.” Without clear benchmarks, it’s almost impossible to tell if: Cash flow pressure is temporary or structural Margins are acceptable or gradually eroding value Risk is increasing without showing up in the P&L. The bigger issue isn’t working too little; it’s working hard without knowing whether you’re focusing on the right things . To explore these insights, Nathan McGrath is inviting a small group of clients to a complimentary Top Performer Workshop at our Ballina office. During the session he: Compares your benchmark scorecard with real industry performance against profit, cash flow and valuation markers Works through a guided case study Identifies the specific drivers creating drag (or opportunity) in your business. Following the workshop, you receive: A personalised Risk & Value Driver Scorecard Relevant industry financial benchmarks A tailored Top Performer Report aligned to your profile Clear valuation multiple implications A one‑on‑one follow‑up to translate insight into strategic action and priorities. Places are limited — let us know you're coming To attend, just contact our Strategy360 team and we’ll ensure your spot is reserved. Before the workshop, you complete a short Risk–Profit–Value Driver Assessment , designed to identify how your business compares against top performers in areas most owners don’t measure. Without benchmarks, most decisions are made on instinct, with no external context to confirm whether the business is genuinely healthy or slowly drifting off‑track. This workshop is designed to quickly replace uncertainty with clarity so you can focus on what genuinely moves performance, rather than carrying another quarter of unanswered questions. About Top Performer Business Benchmarks Collins Hume has access to insights from data built on 1.77 million+ risk, profit and value‑driver data points . This data highlights which specific drivers top‑performing businesses consistently outperform on and, more importantly, which of those usually explain the biggest gaps in profit, cash flow and valuation. More workshop information »

What the New Div 296 Tax Means for Individuals with Large Super Balances The Better Targeted Superannuation Concessions measure (known as the Division 296 tax) is now law and takes effect from 1 July 2026. For those with large super balances, it’s important to understand what the new tax does, why it’s been introduced, and the practical steps you and your financial adviser should consider. The Purpose of the Tax Division 296 is designed to make superannuation tax concessions fairer and more sustainable. Rather than changing the way super is taxed for everyone, the law targets a small group of people who hold large super balances, ensuring they pay more tax on the portion of investment earnings that relate to those large balances. Who it Applies to — Thresholds and Rates This new measure, starting 1 July 2026 (first year is 2026-27), applies to an individual with total superannuation balances (TSBs) in excess of the following thresholds: Large balance threshold: $3.0 million  Very large threshold: $10.0 million. Both thresholds will be indexed in future years. This will mean that the overall tax imposed on superannuation fund earnings will be as follows: Division 296 TSB Div 296 tax rate on earnings relating to this band Total effective tax on those earnings Up to $3,000,000 0% 15% (standard fund tax) $3,000,001 to $10,000,000 15% 30% (15% + 15%) Above $10,000,000 25% 40% (15% + 25%)   Certain people will be excluded from having this new tax levied upon them, notwithstanding that their TSB may exceed the threshold. Excluded persons include child recipients of death benefit pensions and individuals who have made structured settlement superannuation contributions for a personal injury compensation payment. Further, where a person dies, they will no longer have a TSB. However, other than the first year of operation (ie, 2026-27), there can still be a Division 296 tax assessment in respect of the financial year in which they die, where they had a TSB of more than $3 million at the start of the year. Given superannuation is not an estate asset, this scenario should be considered as part of a review of an individual’s estate plan. How the Tax Works From an SMSF perspective, the fund will calculate its Division 296 earnings, which is based on its taxable income with adjustments for assessable contributions; net exempt income attributable to pensions; any non-arm’s length income (which is already taxed at 45%) and income relating to investments in a pooled superannuation trust. There may also be adjustments for any capital gains made from the disposal of fund assets, if the fund has made the relevant small-fund CGT election. The calculated Division 296 superannuation earnings is then attributed to fund members using an attribution percentage calculated by an actuary. This information will be used by the ATO to assess the member’s Division 296 tax liability. Division 296 tax is levied on the individual, not a superannuation fund. However, the tax can be paid either by the individual or they can elect for the amount to be deducted from their nominated superannuation interest. Division 296 Next Steps If your total super balance is near—or already above—the thresholds, it is important that you contact your financial adviser to arrange tailored modelling and to discuss if the small-fund CGT election is suitable. Early planning will help you manage cash flow, reporting and any actuarial requirements efficiently. This will also be an opportunity to review the suitability and benefits of holding investment capital in a superannuation structure versus alternatives for amounts in excess of the large threshold. Holding a large super balance? Review your retirement planning now to avoid future tax headaches. Ask to speak with Collins Hume's tax and superannuation advisers to  plan for Division 296 changes.

What Business Leaders Say Actually Works When Motivation Fades Business owners often assume a loss of motivation means they need to push harder. But insights from more than 30 founders, executives and advisers suggest the opposite. When motivation drops, it’s usually a signal that the business has become noisy, reactive or misaligned with its original purpose. Here are the key takeaways — and what owners can do about them. Reconnect With Purpose Motivation often fades when leaders lose sight of why their business exists. Stepping back to focus on the impact your work has on customers (rather than the daily workload) can quickly restore perspective and energy. TIP: Schedule regular time to review your purpose and speak directly with customers about outcomes. Install Simple Structure What looks like a motivation problem is often a systems problem. Clear priorities, weekly planning and tracking your key metrics can help restore control and reduce overwhelm. TIP: Block out weekly “CEO time” to focus on strategy and key numbers. Delegate Properly Many founders hit a wall because every decision runs through them. Businesses only scale — and leaders regain energy — when responsibility is genuinely shared with capable team members. TIP: Identify tasks only you can do and actively delegate the rest. Create Momentum Motivation doesn’t usually come first — progress does. Leaders reported that small wins and visible progress rebuild energy far faster than waiting to “feel motivated”. TIP: Break goals into smaller weekly actions and track progress. Build A Support Network Leadership can be isolating. Talking with peers, mentors and advisers provides perspective and reminds owners that many challenges are shared. TIP: Stay connected to others who understand the pressure. Protect Your Energy Exhaustion leads to poor decisions and reactive leadership. Sustainable businesses require leaders who protect their time, boundaries and capacity to think clearly. TIP: Build systems and boundaries that allow time away from day-to-day operations. The Bottom Line Motivation usually doesn’t disappear — it gets buried under complexity and constant demands. The leaders in the study consistently pointed to the same solution: simplify priorities, build stronger systems, and reclaim control of the business. Feeling stuck or stretched running your business? Step back and focus on the systems, priorities and leadership habits that drive real momentum. For a clearer roadmap for strengthening your business performance, speak with our Strategy360 team about practical strategies that help owners regain control and move forward with confidence.

Collins Hume | We have one focus — YOU —with us, you'll be looking way beyond the traditional horizons most accountants are restricted to. Let's TALK Ballina Location

Because we have one focus — YOU —with us, you'll be looking way beyond the traditional horizons most accountants are restricted to. AWARDS. At Collins Hume, we constantly strive for excellence. Therefore, it is humbling that our industry and other organisations have recognised our excellence in service and knowledge.

Collins Hume | We have one focus — YOU —with us, you'll be looking way beyond the traditional horizons most accountants are restricted to. DISCLOSURE. As a Tax Agent, our work for you is performed in accordance with the Tax Agent Services Act 2009. Under this Act, the Tax Agent Services (Code of Professional Conduct) Determination 2024 requires that we make the following disclosures to you: 1. There are no current matters, or matters arising since 1 July 2022, that could significantly influence your decision to engage us (or continue to engage us) for a Tax Agent Service. 2. The Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) maintains a register of Tax Agents and BAS Agents. You can access and search this register here: https://www.tpb.gov.au/public-register 3. If you have a complaint about our Tax Agent services, you will need to contact your Accountant in the first instance with the details by email. If they are unable to resolve your complaint within 3 business days, please contact Collins Hume CEO Christopher Atkinson by email. Your complaint will be investigated by Christopher Atkinson / a staff member who is not involved in the subject matter of the dispute where possible. We will provide you with email acknowledgement of receipt of your complaint and our understanding of the circumstances. The email will inform you that we will attempt to resolve your complaint within 14 days and will outline the dispute resolution process. If you are unhappy with the outcome that we propose to you, you can then make a complaint to the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) using the link listed above. The TPB will send you an email to acknowledge the receipt of your complaint and review and risk assess your complaint. If you are unhappy with how the TPB has dealt with your complaint, the above link includes details about your review rights and who can further assist you.