Business confidenceChief Economist

Business Confidence and Consumer Sentiment improve as inflation pulls back

Both business and consumer confidence shifted downwards over the month of August, with consumer confidence remaining deep in negative territory and business confidence falling back into negative territory.

CreditorWatchOnboarding

Onboarding Solution Updates – November 2024

Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Interest rates on hold as RBA inflation concerns persist

Chief EconomistCPI

Inflation drops to 3.5 year low but slow progress on return to target

Business conditionsBusiness Insights

CreditorWatch rates 16.2% of hospitality businesses as high risk or above; Forecast closure rate of 8.9% over next 12 months for the sector

Our Solutions

check
Business Insights
check
Business Risk Index
check
Chief Economist
check
Credit Management
check
Credit Risk
check
Data
check
Debt Collection
check
Meet the Crew
CreditorWatch logo
Industry Performance Report
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

CreditorWatch rates 16.2% of hospitality businesses as high risk or above; Forecast closure rate of 8.9% over next 12 months for the sector

CreditorWatch, has released its latest industry risk ratings, revealing businesses in the hospitality sector are currently exhibiting an extremely high level of risk compared to other sectors.

Media Release - Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Overdue B2B payments at highest rate since March 2021; Construction and hospitality sectors top payment defaults

CreditorWatch, has released the September results for its Business Risk Index (BRI), revealing that late payments are at their highest rate since the end of JobKeeper in March 2021, as more businesses struggle to pay outstanding invoices.

Media Release - Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Business failures at highest rate since Jan 2021; B2B payment defaults hit record high 

CreditorWatch, has released the August results for its Business Risk Index (BRI) revealing that the rate of business failures is at its highest level since January 2021, when Australia was in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Outer Melbourne tops list of riskiest areas in Victoria

Outer suburban areas of Melbourne top the list of current and forecast business failure rates for Victoria, according to CreditorWatch’s Business Risk Index (BRI) data for July 2024.

ATOBusiness conditions

Thousands of businesses close after racking up massive tax debts

New data from CreditorWatch reveals that thousands of private Australian businesses have failed in the past six months after defaulting on massive tax debts.

Media Release - Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Business failures to increase in nine out of 10 Australian regions; Queensland to fare worst among the states 

CreditorWatch, has released the July results for its Business Risk Index (BRI) which show 87.2 per cent of regions around Australia will experience an increase in business failure rates over the next 12 months.

Media Release: Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Business Risk Index, June results: Value of business orders at record low; 12-month forecast for hospitality failures rises to 9.1%

Credit reporting bureau, CreditorWatch, has released the June results for its Business Risk Index (BRI) which reveal a dramatic and concerning drop in the value of invoices held by Australian businesses as declining consumer demand forces cuts to inventory.

Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Nine out of 10 Brisbane areas to see failure rate increases

CreditorWatch’s Business Risk Index (BRI) data for May 2024 indicates that 88 per cent of regions in Greater Brisbane will record higher business failure rates over the next 12 months.

Media Release: Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Business insolvencies surge to record high - rate increases 38% on average across all industries

Credit reporting bureau, CreditorWatch, has released the May results for its Business Risk Index (BRI), revealing that insolvencies for Australian businesses are now at a record high as the impacts of stubbornly high inflation, interest rate increases and declining consumer demand squeeze margins.

Media Release: Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

One in 13 hospitality businesses facing failure in 12 months; B2B payment defaults hit record high

Credit reporting bureau, CreditorWatch, has released the April results for its Business Risk Index, revealing that hospitality businesses (food and beverage services) are most vulnerable to current economic conditions by a significant margin over other industries, with a 7.45 per cent chance of failure over the next 12 months.

Media Release: Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

External administrations surge to record high; construction sector dominates ATO tax debt defaults

The March 2024 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed that external administrations are now at a record high as Australian businesses continue to battle cost pressures, skilled labour shortages and declining consumer demand.

Media Release: Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Invoice defaults at record highs as cost pressures squeeze businesses

The February 2024 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed that payment defaults from business-to-business transactions are at record highs.

Media Release: Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Business order values at record low as Christmas trading boost fails to arrive

The January 2024 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed the average value of B2B invoices is now at a record low, reflecting the continuing contraction of business activity.

Media Release: Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

External administrations surging across most sectors as business activity slides

The November 2023 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed the industries with the biggest increases in external administration rates over the past 12 months with some surprising results.

older man looking at laptop concerned with his hand on his forehead
ASICBusiness Insights

Managing a Strike Off Action in Progress: What to do next

A successful strike-off action indicates that the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has taken the necessary steps to deregister a company formally. This implies that the business name has been struck from the Australian Business Registry (ABR) and all associated parties, be they employees or creditors, have been notified of the winding up of the company.

Media Release: Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Business activity dries up – invoice values at record lows; But Melbourne the most improved capital city

The October 2023 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed that Australian business activity is now at disturbingly low levels with the average value of invoices at their lowest point since CreditorWatch began recording this metric in January 2015.

Major update to unfair contracts laws: A fair go all round
Business InsightsCreditorWatch

Major update to unfair contracts laws: A fair go all round

Significant changes to the unfair contracts regime come into law today, with new multi-million penalties for companies and individuals forcing trading partners to sign contracts that are deemed unfair. Are your contracts fair and equitable?

Media Release: Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Business activity picks up, but invoice values below pre-COVID levels; Western Sydney dominates list of high-risk regions

The September 2023 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed that the contraction of Australian business activity may have eased but it remains at a low ebb, with the average value of B2B invoices down 42% year-on-year and well below pre-COVID levels.

Media Release: Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Business activity sinks: value of invoices at 7-year low as external administrations and payment defaults surge

The August 2023 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed Australian businesses activity is at near-record lows with the average value of B2B invoices now down 36% year-on-year - its lowest point since January 2017.

Media Release: Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Average value of invoices down 28% YoY as demand and cost pressures squeeze businesses

The July 2023 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed the average value of business invoices has fallen by almost a third over the past 12 months, with a drop of 28% year-on-year.

Media Release - Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Business Risk Index: Business payment defaults surge 52%; On the upside, Western Brisbane the most-improved region in Australia

The June 2023 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) show business payment defaults surge 52%; On the upside, Western Brisbane the most-improved region in Australia.

Business Insights
Business InsightsCreditorWatch

Podcast: Business Risk Index, May 2023 - Key business indicators show conditions worsening; NSW Central Coast suffers biggest YoY jump in business risk

CreditorWatch Chief Economist Anneke Thompson and Head of Content Michael Pollack unpack the CreditorWatch May 2023 Business Risk Index results.

Media Release - Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Business Risk Index: Key business indicators show conditions worsening; NSW Central Coast area suffers biggest YoY jump in business risk

The May 2023 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) show Australian businesses are coming under increasing pressure.

person in boat navigating tough water
Business InsightsSmall Business

Australia’s unfair contract terms regime changes significantly

The ‘unfair contract terms’ laws (as set out in the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) establish out a regime whereby a term in a consumer or small business contract will be void if the term is unfair and the contract is a standard form contract.Australia’s Unfair Contract Terms regime (UCT) has now been significantly expanded in respect of ‘small businesses’. The changes were passed by Parliament on 28 October 2022 and will come into effect on 9 November 2023.

Traffic sign next to a road
Business Insightsfinance career

Empower your Career: The Vital Role of Mentoring, Networking and Being Visible

In today’s job market, building a strong network and finding a great mentor are critical to achieving your goals. This is especially true now that the job market is more competitive than ever before, with hundreds of qualified candidates vying for the same positions.

Media Release - Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Business Risk Index: Trade activity surging despite rising external administrations; SE Queensland hit hard by defaults

The April 2023 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed that the average value of invoices (trade receivables) remained elevated in April despite other leading indicators showing that businesses are coming under increased pressure.

Business Risk Index June 2022 Industry Insights
Business InsightsBusiness Risk Index

Hospitality tops list of industries at risk as cost-of-living pressures begin to bite

This month’s data revealed the strongest bounce back in trade receivables data on record. This is an 86% increase on the previous month’s trade receivables data, but still 5.6% below trade receivables recorded in March 2021 and March 2020.

Media Release - Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Business Risk Index: Business activity back to pre-COVID levels but for how long?; High risk regions - six of the 10 worst are in Western Sydney

The March 2023 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed, on multiple indicators, that business activity has returned to pre-COVID levels despite continued high inflation and interest rates.

Media Release - Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Business Risk Index: conditions tighten further; default rates higher in regions with more younger people

The February 2023 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) shows that business conditions, particularly around payment times have tightened due to high inflation and interest rates, in combination with falling demand.

Media Release - Business Risk Index
Business InsightsBusiness Risk Index

Business Risk Index results - January 2023

The January 2023 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) reveals that business conditions are turning for Australian businesses, with a number of key metrics continuing to decline after a subdued end to 2022 as the RBA continued to tighten the screws on interest rates.

Bad credit
Business InsightsCreditorWatch

Business loans for bad credit - three ways to get approved in Australia

Whether you’re seeking a long-term business loan or a small loan to start a business, having a less-than-stellar company credit history can feel like a life sentence. However, there are options available to business owners that could be worth considering, to improve the likelihood of approval for a loan or line of credit and improve your business credit score.

Industry insights - Business Risk Index
Business InsightsBusiness Risk Index

Business Risk Index November 2022, Industry Insights

This month’s data showed some reasonably surprising insights into the state of business activity in Australia. While we usually see a run up in trade receivables as Christmas approaches, this key indicator of business activity has been flat since July and declining since September.

Media Release - Business Risk Index
Business InsightsBusiness Risk Index

Sign of the times - trade receivables point to subdued December trading period

The November 2022 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) reveals that the usual trade momentum going into December has failed to materialise and businesses should brace for a more subdued Christmas trading period.

Business InsightsMonitoring and Alerts

How automated Financial Alerts can reduce risk for hire and rental sector businesses

Enterprises within the hiring and rental business historically operate on a critical foundation of trust. Understandably so, as the value and volume of goods loaned are often significant.

Business InsightsFinancial Risk Assessment

Five benefits of Financial Risk Assessments

CreditorWatch’s Financial Risk Assessments provide a comprehensive look into the financial viability of your trading partners, helping you make the right decisions to protect and grow your business.

Business InsightsCredit Management

How arts and recreation businesses can protect their interests with company credit checks

Spanning a broad cross section of Australian businesses, from art galleries to theatres, gyms to sport and recreation clubs - the arts and recreation services industry is a fickle beast.

Credit History
Business InsightsCredit Management

Why is a business credit history so important?

Looking at the past can help you determine trends of the future – but sometimes the past can come back to bite you. A company’s credit history can make or break its ability to secure credit and conduct business.

Emma Berry
Business InsightsCreditorWatch

How manufacturing businesses can prevent bad debt

For the vast majority of business owners, debt collection is not something you want to spend too much time dealing with. Whether you’re in it, chasing it, or just trying to stay one step ahead of it, you probably feel that the hours grappling with outstanding payments could be better spent working on your business.

Data
Business InsightsDebt Collection

Simplifying the Debt Collection Process

Running a business takes copious amounts of time and the last thing you want to be doing is chasing up debtors. Even with a proper credit check and credit score, debtors can sometimes slip through the cracks.

Chief Economist
Business InsightsCredit Reports

Unemployment steady at 3.9% but no signs of wages growth

The unemployment rate for April 2022 remained steady with the revised March 2022 rate of 3.9 per cent. There appears to be very little slack remaining in the employment market, with employed people only increasing by 4,000 people (0.03 per cent) despite a record number of jobs being available.

Business Insights
Business InsightsBusiness Risk Index

Podcast: Business Risk Index - April 2022 Insights

In our latest episode, we present the January Business Risk Index results and analysis. CreditorWatch CEO Patrick Coghlan and Chief Economist Anneke Thompson discuss the key insights.

Business Insights
Business InsightsBusiness Risk Index

Podcast: Business Risk Index - March 2022 Insights

In our latest episode, we present the January Business Risk Index results and analysis. CreditorWatch CEO Patrick Coghlan and index creator James O’Donnell from Open Analytics discuss the key insights.

Search News Hub

Search

All Our Posts

CreditorWatch logo
No results found

No Results Found

Sorry we couldn’t find what you were looking for.

Business confidenceChief Economist

Business Confidence and Consumer Sentiment improve as inflation pulls back

Both business and consumer confidence shifted downwards over the month of August, with consumer confidence remaining deep in negative territory and business confidence falling back into negative territory.

Product Updates banner
CreditorWatchOnboarding

Onboarding Solution Updates – November 2024

We’ve just introduced some exciting new features to our customer onboarding solution.

Interest Rate Commentary
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Interest rates on hold as RBA inflation concerns persist

The decision by the RBA to hold was favoured by economists and priced by the markets and likely reflected the at forecast 0.8% q/q trimmed mean outcome for Q3.

Inflation (CPI): Our view
Chief EconomistCPI

Inflation drops to 3.5 year low but slow progress on return to target

The 0.8% trimmed mean outcome probably does just enough to avoid a surprise rate rise next week, but shows only continuing very slow progress in returning inflation to target, especially with the possibility of some bias lower from the presence of the big electricity subsidies in the quarter.

Industry Performance Report
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

CreditorWatch rates 16.2% of hospitality businesses as high risk or above; Forecast closure rate of 8.9% over next 12 months for the sector

CreditorWatch, has released its latest industry risk ratings, revealing businesses in the hospitality sector are currently exhibiting an extremely high level of risk compared to other sectors.

Media Release - Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Overdue B2B payments at highest rate since March 2021; Construction and hospitality sectors top payment defaults

CreditorWatch, has released the September results for its Business Risk Index (BRI), revealing that late payments are at their highest rate since the end of JobKeeper in March 2021, as more businesses struggle to pay outstanding invoices.

Inflation (CPI): Our view
Chief EconomistCPI

Inflation falls to 2.7% - lowest rate in three years

As expected, the monthly CPI figure fell to 3.5 per cent over the year to July 2024, down from 3.8 per cent over the year to June. Trimmed mean and inflation excluding volatile items also slowed over the year to July, although all measures are still above the Reserve Bank of Australia’s upper target limit of 3.0 per cent.

Interest Rate Commentary
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

RBA holds cash rate at 4.35%

Today’s decision by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board is unsurprising given the relatively steady nature of the most important data points that the bank is watching – those being inflation and labour force.

Media Release - Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Business failures at highest rate since Jan 2021; B2B payment defaults hit record high 

CreditorWatch, has released the August results for its Business Risk Index (BRI) revealing that the rate of business failures is at its highest level since January 2021, when Australia was in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

AICreditorWatch

Larger businesses lead AI adoption, while digital transformation barriers hold others back

Larger businesses are driving the adoption of new technologies across Australia, with AI the primary technology industries are adopting to enhance competitiveness, according to newly released findings from CreditorWatch and its Business Sentiment Survey

Business confidenceChief Economist

Deteriorations in business confidence and consumer sentiment point to increased unemployment

Both business and consumer confidence shifted downwards over the month of August, with consumer confidence remaining deep in negative territory and business confidence falling back into negative territory.

Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Outer Melbourne tops list of riskiest areas in Victoria

Outer suburban areas of Melbourne top the list of current and forecast business failure rates for Victoria, according to CreditorWatch’s Business Risk Index (BRI) data for July 2024.

AI

How AI reduces risk through proven and reliable credit scoring

CreditorWatch’s market leading combination of unique data, cutting-edge technology and deep industry expertise sets us apart. We have a team of Data Scientists who play a crucial role in training and refining our AI models.

Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

June quarter GDP data shows economy growing at slowest pace since 1991 recession

Today’s June quarter GDP results will likely come as no surprise to Australian business owners, particularly those selling discretionary goods and services.

ATOBusiness conditions

Thousands of businesses close after racking up massive tax debts

New data from CreditorWatch reveals that thousands of private Australian businesses have failed in the past six months after defaulting on massive tax debts.

Newsletter: Legal Pulse
Credit applicationsCreditorWatch

Newsletter: Legal Pulse - September 2024

On a macro level, some of the challenges facing Australian businesses today are the cost-of-living, political unrest and increases to the amount of insolvencies. We’re seeing a record number of elections in Europe, together with uncertainty over the presidency in the USA.

Inflation (CPI): Our view
Chief EconomistCPI

Inflation drops to lowest rate since March

As expected, the monthly CPI figure fell to 3.5 per cent over the year to July 2024, down from 3.8 per cent over the year to June. Trimmed mean and inflation excluding volatile items also slowed over the year to July, although all measures are still above the Reserve Bank of Australia’s upper target limit of 3.0 per cent.

Media Release - Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Business failures to increase in nine out of 10 Australian regions; Queensland to fare worst among the states 

CreditorWatch, has released the July results for its Business Risk Index (BRI) which show 87.2 per cent of regions around Australia will experience an increase in business failure rates over the next 12 months.

Chief EconomistConsumer sentiment

Consumer sentiment lifts as talk of rate rise evaporates

While consumer sentiment lifted slightly according to Westpac’s August survey, it is still in deeply negative territory. This survey is reflective of the extremely difficult trading conditions facing many retailers in the discretionary spend sector.

Risky business
Credit ratingCredit Reports

How does CreditorWatch’s RiskScore credit rating system work?

CreditorWatch’s RiskScore available on all its credit reports, indicates a business’ creditworthiness and predicts the likelihood of default in the next 12 months.

Electronic signature
Credit applicationsCredit Management

Credit applications and electronic signatures: Is it legal for my customer to sign electronically?

Four years after the pandemic, we are still coming to grips with how business and work has changed. In bygone days, a person would accept a transaction simply using their mark, seal or signature.

Interest Rate Commentary
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

June quarter inflation prompts RBA to hold cash rate at 4.35%

The RBA today took the decision to leave the cash rate at 4.35 per cent, following last week’s reasonably positive June quarter CPI release. While the overall CPI figure increased by 3.8 per cent over the June quarter, up from 3.6 per cent over the March quarter, the trimmed mean measure of inflation, which removes volatile items, actually fell slightly between the March and June quarters.

Confused man
Credit ManagementPersonal guarantees

Make trusts great again - how to avoid confusion when dealing with them

One question clients often ask us is, “What is my position when my customer is a trust”? Trusts can cause confusion and misunderstanding, often because they are less transparent than other business structures and the concepts can be hard to understand.

Padlock on papers
bad debtCredit Management

Are your personal guarantees worth the paper they’re written on?

A common feature of the onboarding process for many suppliers is a personal guarantee taken from an owner or director of the company customer. These personal guarantees can lie dormant for months and years on end until the customer can’t (or won’t) pay any longer.

Inflation (CPI): Our view
Chief EconomistCPI

June inflation and retail trade numbers will give the RBA pause for thought on interest rates

Today’s June quarter CPI number will be somewhat of a relief for the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board, as the number came in at about what was expected. Trimmed mean inflation fell slightly, from 4.0 per cent in the March quarter to 3.9 per cent.

Quiet street
Business conditionsCreditorWatch

Small businesses struggling with financial confidence

Australian small businesses are much less confident about their financial health than larger businesses, according to CreditorWatch’s Business Sentiment Survey.

Tightrope walker
bad debtCash Flow

PPSA: Top 10 risk in your Terms & Conditions (and how to avoid them)

For suppliers of goods and equipment, the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth) (PPSA) is a fundamental requirement to protect you if your customer becomes insolvent. After all, the PPSA has been active since 2012 - well over a decade!

Labour Force Commentary
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Jobs growth keeps up with population growth… for now

Today’s Labour Force data will likely be taken as generally benign by both markets and the RBA. Trend unemployment remained flat at 4.0 per cent for four straight months now, while the trend employment to population ratio has been relatively steady at around 64.1 per cent since mid 2022.

Media Release: Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Business Risk Index, June results: Value of business orders at record low; 12-month forecast for hospitality failures rises to 9.1%

Credit reporting bureau, CreditorWatch, has released the June results for its Business Risk Index (BRI) which reveal a dramatic and concerning drop in the value of invoices held by Australian businesses as declining consumer demand forces cuts to inventory.

Computer hacker
AML (Anti-Money Laundering)AML/CTF

Managing risk: Is your AML/CTF compliance up to scratch?

In today’s interconnected financial system, businesses face an ever-evolving landscape of risks. Among these is an area little discussed in small business circles: money laundering and illicit financing.

Electronic signature
ComplianceElectronic signatures

Electronic signatures: Are they legally accepted in Australia? 

Electronic signatures are critical to doing business efficiently through online channels. Customers expect a convenient way to sign documents without having to print, sign and scan documents.

Product Updates banner
ApplyEasyCreditorWatch

New ApplyEasy Features - July 2024

CreditorWatch has been providing Australian businesses with innovative credit management products and unique data insights since 2010, helping them confidently manage their commercial relationships, improve productivity and reduce exposure to financial risk and bad debt.

Product Updates banner
Product Updates

A better way to register on the PPSR - available now!

New Creditorwatch feature enables businesses to register their security interests on the PPSR via Customer Onboarding Solution, ApplyEasy.

Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Retail trade data reveals more pain for hospitality sector

While retail trade rose in seasonally adjusted terms, the underlying trend in trade remains flat. Australian consumers continue to feel financial pressures from high interest rates and sticky services inflation.

Woman thinking
bad debtCash Flow

Bad debts at EOFY: Five reality checks from your lawyer (and what you can do about them)

We know that margins are currently slim. Consumers are tightening their belts in response to interest rate hikes and inflated prices on essential goods, including groceries and utilities. Businesses in industries across the board are also dealing with challenges such as price rises, increased labour costs and higher interest rates, which is elevating their levels of credit risk.

Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Nine out of 10 Brisbane areas to see failure rate increases

CreditorWatch’s Business Risk Index (BRI) data for May 2024 indicates that 88 per cent of regions in Greater Brisbane will record higher business failure rates over the next 12 months.

Inflation (CPI): Our view
Chief EconomistCPI

Inflation at highest level this year – stokes fear of August rate rise

The All Groups monthly CPI measure rose to 4.0 per cent over the year to May 2024, up from 3.6 per cent measured in April 2024. While ideally we would like to see this figure moving downwards, it is important to note that the monthly figure excluding volatile items and holiday travel actually fell to 4.0 per cent over the year May, from 4.1 per cent in April 2024.

Media Release: Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Business insolvencies surge to record high - rate increases 38% on average across all industries

Credit reporting bureau, CreditorWatch, has released the May results for its Business Risk Index (BRI), revealing that insolvencies for Australian businesses are now at a record high as the impacts of stubbornly high inflation, interest rate increases and declining consumer demand squeeze margins.

Interest Rate Commentary
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Easing inflation prompts RBA to hold cash rate at 4.35%

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) today announced its decision to leave the cash rate on hold at 4.35 per cent for the sixth straight meeting. Despite sticky services inflation, the RBA is, at this stage, still of the view that monetary policy is set at the right level to keep moving inflation down into the target band.

Labour Force Commentary
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Healthy labour market will force RBA to hold fire on rate cut

The May 2024 unemployment data released today by the ABS offered few surprises, with trend unemployment rising slightly by 0.1 per cent, and seasonally adjusted unemployment falling by the same amount. There was some decrease in hours worked, however the ABS explained that this was broadly to do with illness keeping people home in greater numbers.

Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Business confidence back in negative territory as inflation stokes fears

Business confidence took a tumble in the NAB May 2024 conditions survey, to be -3 index points and back into negative territory. Business conditions also fell to be just below the long run average. Businesses surveyed reported falling trading and profitability conditions, but a slight rise in employment and labour, input and product pricing.

Cash FlowCredit Management

Tactics to propel your business through tough times

We know that margins are currently slim. Consumers are tightening their belts in response to interest rate hikes and inflated prices on essential goods, including groceries and utilities. Businesses in industries across the board are also dealing with challenges such as price rises, increased labour costs and higher interest rates, which is elevating their levels of credit risk.

Inflation (CPI): Our view
Chief EconomistCPI

Inflation stubbornly flat in April - not the news businesses were hoping for

A flat CPI (excluding volatile items) result is not the news Australian small businesses were hoping to hear today. The fight against inflation is still far from over, with the last stubborn categories - housing, fuel, electricity, health, education and financial and insurance services - proving difficult to get under pricing control.

Business insights - retail sales commentary
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Retail trade flat as consumers wait for tax cuts

Data released today by the ABS confirms that consumer spending in Australia is still very weak, with retail spending remaining flat since the start of 2024. Only ‘other retailing’ recorded any reasonable growth over April 2024, although this was impacted by the very early Easter and timing of school holidays over March and April.

checking watch late
Cash FlowCredit Management

The impact of late payments on cash flow and what to do about it

Late invoice payments are among the most challenging factors to manage when running a business. They create uneven cash flow, which can have a number of serious flow-on effects such as problems paying invoices and costs such as wages and utilities, difficulty planning for the future and, in extreme cases, can even force businesses to close down.

Media Release: Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

One in 13 hospitality businesses facing failure in 12 months; B2B payment defaults hit record high

Credit reporting bureau, CreditorWatch, has released the April results for its Business Risk Index, revealing that hospitality businesses (food and beverage services) are most vulnerable to current economic conditions by a significant margin over other industries, with a 7.45 per cent chance of failure over the next 12 months.

Labour Force Commentary
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Labour market weakens further in April

Conditions in the labour market showed further signs of weakening in April, with seasonally adjusted unemployment rising from 3.9 per cent to 4.1 per cent. Trend unemployment remained at 4.0 per cent, with the steadiness in the trend unemployment rate indicating that job creation is broadly just keeping pace with population growth.

Product Updates banner
CreditorWatch

CreditorWatch's latest enhancements driving peak performance

CreditorWatch has been providing Australian businesses with innovative credit management products and unique data insights since 2010, helping them confidently manage their commercial relationships, improve productivity and reduce exposure to financial risk and bad debt.

Federal Budget
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Budget threads the needle between cost-of-living relief and managing inflation

For all the measures announced in Tuesday night’s Federal Budget, the average Australian is likely to focus on one – the $300 energy bill rebate for each household. In conjunction with a boost to Rent Assistance, these are the key pillars of the Government’s attempts to help with ‘cost of living’ pressures.

API
API Integration

Why choose CreditorWatch’s APIs? 

Application Programming Interfaces - or APIs - are the cornerstone of seamless communication and collaboration between applications and software systems. APIs can empower businesses to adapt to changing market dynamics, improve operational agility, and provide enhanced customer services.

CreditorWatchDebt Collection

New CreditorWatch tool helps business get paid

CreditorWatch, a leading Australian commercial credit reporting bureau, today launches a new debt recovery tool, Debtor Management to help finance teams and small business owners (SBOs) and operators recover a larger proportion of overdue debt.

Interest Rate Commentary
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

RBA holds cash rate at 4.35% for fifth straight meeting

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) today announced its decision to leave the cash rate on hold at 4.35 per cent. Goods inflation continues to fall at a comfortable pace, and is now almost back into the target band, at 3.1 per cent.

Business insights - retail sales commentary
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Retail trade drops in March as consumers close wallets

Today’s retail trade figures underline just how cautious Australian consumers are being with their spending. Retail trade fell 0.4 per cent on a month-on-month basis and was only 0.8 per cent higher on a year-on-year measure.

Past due letter
CreditorWatchDebt Collection

The importance of an efficient debt collection process

Outstanding invoices and late-paying clients are frustrating for businesses of every size. In a challenging business environment, establishing an efficient debt collection process can mean the difference between growing your business and struggling to keep the lights on.

Inflation (CPI): Our view
Chief EconomistCPI

Inflation rise pushes out timing for rate cut

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 1.0 per cent over the three months to March 2024, which was higher than the December quarter increase of 0.6 per cent. In positive news, the annualised inflation rate continues to fall, and is down from 4.1 per cent in December 2023 to 3.6 per cent as at March 2024.

Labour Force Commentary
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Labour market keeps pace with population growth

After a very strong employment growth figure in February, employment growth in March 2024 returned to more normal levels. In trend terms, the unemployment rate remained stable at 3.9 per cent for the fifth month in a row, while in seasonally adjusted terms, unemployment increased by 0.1 percentage point to 3.8 per cent, which is where the rate sat in October 2023.

Media Release: Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

External administrations surge to record high; construction sector dominates ATO tax debt defaults

The March 2024 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed that external administrations are now at a record high as Australian businesses continue to battle cost pressures, skilled labour shortages and declining consumer demand.

Newsletter: Legal Pulse
CreditorWatch

Newsletter: Legal Pulse

Where do we start? The cost-of-living crisis, rising interest rates and an increase in collection activity by the ATO are just some of the challenges facing businesses in Australia today.

ATO Australian Taxation Office
ComplianceTax

The tax man cometh - be warned

Let’s just take a moment to stop and smell the economy (after all, roses are yet to bloom). Inflation is still above the RBA’s goal, interest rates are still high (with a cut maybe by October/November 2024 if we are lucky), there are increasing rates of insolvencies, spending is down and the cost of living is up.

worried man
ComplianceLegal

Dealing with an ATO Director Penalty Notice

It’s been widely reported that the ATO is increasing its debt collection activity after holding off taking action during the COVID pandemic. Companies running a business will incur certain tax debts that need to be reported and paid to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), including PAYG withholding payments and superannuation guarantee payments on behalf of employees, as well as any GST payable by the company.

April 2024 product update
ApplyEasyCreditorWatch

CreditorWatch April 2024 product updates

In our latest release, we've delivered a number of improvements across our range of credit risk management solutions.

Scales of justice
ComplianceLegal

Why valid PPS registrations are so important

A recent PPSA decision has highlighted the need for businesses to make sure they know their own entity details so that they are creating valid registrations. Check your own details, particularly if you are trading as a trust.

Privacy policy
ComplianceLegal

Keeping things private - a guide to privacy compliance

It’s weird isn’t it, how keeping personal information private requires transparency. Who knew? Here’s a fun fact: Privacy Awareness Week (“PAW”) will be held this year from Monday 6 May 2024 until Sunday 12 May 2024. “Is this important?” we hear you ask, and “Why should I care?”

FAQ: ATO tax debt disclosure
ATOTax

FAQ: ATO tax debt disclosures

The ATO has been increasing its rate of public disclosure of outstanding tax debts from Australian businesses as it seeks to reduce the more than $34 billion owed to it by SMEs.

HRD 5-Star Employers of Choice 2024 - CreditorWatch
Employer of ChoiceGreat Place to Work

CreditorWatch awarded 5-Star Employers of Choice award

CreditorWatch is thrilled to announce that it has been honoured with the prestigious HRD 5-Star Employer of Choice award, celebrating its commitment to nurturing an exceptional workplace culture. At CreditorWatch, our people make the difference, and we prioritise their wellbeing and development above all else. From comprehensive benefits to meaningful learning and development programs, we ensure that every team member feels valued and supported.

Business confidence & consumer sentiment: Our View
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Consumer confidence continues to slide as cost of living pressures bite

The Westpac-Melbourne Institute’s Consumer Sentiment survey revealed a fall in consumer confidence at the April survey of 2.4 per cent. Consumer confidence has now been near record lows for two years, representing one of the longest lengths of time of consumer despondency since the survey began.

Mountain of paperwork
Cash FlowCash management

Implementing best practice debtor management

For business owners, smooth and even cash flow is crucial for the growth and success of your operation. However, when faced with challenges like late payments on outstanding invoices, businesses may experience disruptions that ripple through operations, hindering growth opportunities and jeopardising their chances of success.

Inflation (CPI): Our view
Chief EconomistCPI

Inflation holds steady but rents and insurance still running hot

The monthly CPI growth figure has remained steady now for three months in a row, rising by 3.4 per cent. However, removing volatile items (fruit & vegetables, automotive fuel and holiday travel and accommodation) the monthly growth rate fell to 3.9 per cent, down from 4.1 per cent the month prior.

Labour Force Commentary
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Unemployment unexpectedly drops to 3.7%

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped by 0.4 per cent to 3.7 per cent, as many workers who were jobless in January but had employment to move in to have taken up those jobs. There was a very large increase - 116,500 people employed over February in seasonally adjusted terms.

Interest Rate Commentary
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

RBA Holds Steady: Cash Rate Remains at 4.35%

Today’s decision by the RBA to leave the cash rate on hold comes as no surprise, given the lack of any meaningful data pointing to the economy continuing to overheat and further threaten inflation rises.

Media Release: Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Invoice defaults at record highs as cost pressures squeeze businesses

The February 2024 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed that payment defaults from business-to-business transactions are at record highs.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Dip in business confidence in February, led by retail

The latest NAB business confidence survey reported a slight increase in conditions, and a fall in confidence. Mirroring CreditorWatch’s Business Risk Index data, confidence was lowest in the retail, construction, mining and food and beverage sectors.

How creditworthy is my business?
CreditCredit Management

How creditworthy is my business? 

When it comes time to access credit or engage with new suppliers and trading partners, your company credit history can be as important as your reputation in the industry. If you’re unaware of your business’s creditworthiness, you may struggle to gain favourable financing terms or establish a foundation of trust with stakeholders.

Head shot of, Anneke Thompson, Chief Economist, CreditorWatch
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Monthly Economic Update: Businesses preparing for tougher conditions as consumers tighten belts

The Reserve Bank of Australia chose to keep the cash rate on hold at its February meeting, which came as a huge relief to both household and business borrowers.

Business insights - retail sales commentary
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Retail trade up in January but yet to display a positive trend

Retail trade increased in seasonally adjusted terms by 1.1 per cent in January, but was flat in trend terms. Given that retail trade jumps around quite dramatically between November, December and January, the trend data is important to consider and, as the ABS suggests, indicates there is no underlying growth in retail trade by Australian consumers.

Inflation (CPI): Our view
Chief EconomistCPI

Inflation still too high for RBA to consider rate cuts

The monthly CPI remained steady in January at 3.4 per cent, although it showed a moderate decline when removing volatile items and travel.

man standing in a warehouse looking at his stock
Cash FlowFinance

Keeping a lid on rising costs

With small businesses facing rising costs, greater focus is needed on keeping control of business finances and ensuring the business continues to be profitable.

Labour Force Commentary
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Labour Force numbers point to continued slow down for economy

Today’s labour force data points to a continued slow down in the economy, with the unemployment rate rising by 0.1 per cent to 4.1 per cent, seasonally adjusted.

Media Release: Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Business order values at record low as Christmas trading boost fails to arrive

The January 2024 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed the average value of B2B invoices is now at a record low, reflecting the continuing contraction of business activity.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Unexpected increase in Consumer Confidence

Consumer confidence survey data released by Westpac today showed an unexpected increase in confidence among consumers in February. While sentiment is still in deeply pessimistic territory, this month’s survey recorded the biggest lift in sentiment since April 2023.

Interest Rate Commentary
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

RBA leaves cash rate at 4.35%

In response to a wealth of data pointing to both slowing inflation and a slowing economy, the Reserve Bank board took the decision today to leave the cash rate on hold at 4.35 per cent.

women in shop looking at computer
Credit ratingCredit Reports

How to check a business credit score

One of the easiest and most effective ways to engage with any new customers or suppliers, is to check a business’s credit score as this is the benchmark for its financial health.

Inflation (CPI): Our view
Chief EconomistCPI

Inflation falls sharply from 5.4% to 4.1%

Today’s release of the December quarter CPI figures will provide great relief to both home and business borrowers, as it all but assures them that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will keep rates on hold at next Tuesday’s Board meeting.

Business insights - retail sales commentary
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Black Friday boost fizzles out, with overall retail sales down 2.7% in December

Today’s retail trade figures confirm that Australian consumers pulled forward much of their Christmas spending to November’s Black Friday sales.

business man in suite holding up rock
Cash FlowCreditorWatch

11 signs of financial distress in a business 

Businesses in Australia are currently experiencing challenging economic conditions. When performing customer due diligence, it’s important to note that there are always tell-tale signs that companies display when in financial distress.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Business conditions ease further, maintaining a slow downward trend

Business Conditions over December 2023 eased further, maintaining the slow downward trend that occurred over 2023. Business conditions are now at around their long run average.

two men hands pointing at printing paper
Credit ManagementCredit Risk

How to create a best practice credit policy 

If you’re looking to safeguard the financial health of a business and improve customer relationships, establishing well-defined credit procedures and credit policy is crucial. A credit policy acts as a blueprint for how your business extends credit to customers.

How to spark creativity for business growth
CreditorWatchSmall Business

How to spark creativity for business growth

If business growth has plateaued, and your business feels like it is just going through the motions, it might be time to give it a new lease on life. For many small businesses, there comes a point in the business life cycle where they feel like progress has stopped.

women with headphones on holding a phone
CreditorWatchPodcast

Five best Australian business podcasts to check out over the holidays 

With the holiday season in full swing, there's no better time to reset and get reinvigorated with the best insightful and informative business podcasts to provide you with fresh ideas for the year ahead.

person typing with red alerts poping up
CreditorWatchDue Diligence

What is an adverse cross directorship? 

A ‘cross directorship’ refers to when an individual is the director of more than one company. While this is not always a red flag for financial risk, it can become one if that director has a history of poor payment behaviour, fraud or misconduct within that other business and you’re unaware of these transgressions.  

man in suit staring into the future
CreditorWatchRisk Management

Four Fintech trends to watch in 2024 

As the curtains draw on 2023, Australian Fintech companies look to the future to see which opportunities and innovations will emerge to transform the finance sector.

Samer Sadek: (Principal Solutions Architect) - Headshot
CrewWatchMeet the Crew

Meet Samer Sadek – Your Principal Solutions Architect

Meet Samer Sadek, your Principal Solutions Architect

2024 loading
CreditorWatchRisk Management

Reducing risk to start 2024 off on the right foot 

Times have been tough for Australian retailers as cost-of-living pressures force consumers to tighten their belts. In this article, we look at how retailers can set themselves up to start 2024 in the strongest possible condition.

Head shot of, Anneke Thompson, Chief Economist, CreditorWatch
Chief EconomistEconomic Snapshot

CreditorWatch Best and Worst Report 2023

CreditorWatch’s Chief Economist, Anneke Thompson, takes you through the best and worst economic events and impacts for Australian businesses in 2023.

Labour Force Commentary
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Slight lift in unemployment as labour market softens

In a trend that continues on from October labour force data, the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 per cent to 3.9 per cent on a seasonally adjusted basis, despite a good increase in the overall number of employed people by 61,500.

Media Release: Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

External administrations surging across most sectors as business activity slides

The November 2023 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed the industries with the biggest increases in external administration rates over the past 12 months with some surprising results.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Slow Christmas ahead for Santa as consumer sentiment still near record lows

Consumer sentiment lifted slightly following Westpac’s November survey, however it still hovers around record low levels. Business confidence is now turning decidedly sluggish, and not surprisingly the retail sector recorded the biggest fall.

Shriya Gosain
CrewWatchMeet the Crew

Meet Shriya Gosain – Your Collection Solutions Specialist 

Meet Shriya Gosain, your Collection Solutions Specialist

older man with grey hair in a blue suit looking into the camera smiling
Cash FlowCash management

Late Payments Survey Results: How Australian businesses are faring

Late payments can be crippling businesses, particularly those operating on tight margins, such as SMEs. This pressure intensifies during the summer holiday season, a period that traditionally sees an increase in late payments and payment defaults as many businesses shut down for the period with unpaid invoices.

older man with grey hair in a blue suit looking into the camera smiling
Cash FlowCash management

10 ways to keep cash coming in over the holiday period

The holiday season can be a double-edged sword for SMEs: you need to take time to celebrate the year that was, while having to juggle unpaid invoices and stagnating cash flow.

Interest Rate Commentary
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Borrowers breath a sigh of relief, as the RBA holds cash rate at 4.35%

Borrowers today breathed a sigh of relief as the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) today chose to keep the cash rate steady at 4.35 per cent in its final meeting until February. Stagnating retail sales, slowing inflation and a rising number of unemployed job hunters all combined to convince the RBA that current monetary policy settings are sufficient to slow the economy.

Head shot of, Anneke Thompson, Chief Economist, CreditorWatch
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Monthly Economic Update: Consumers keep wallets closed but RBA making inroads on inflation

Consumer confidence plummeted again in October, following the announcement of a further increase to the cash rate following the Melbourne Cup Reserve Bank board meeting. Just two months ago, consumers, and most economists were reasonably confident we’d reached the end of the monetary policy tightening cycle.

Inflation (CPI): Our view
Chief EconomistCPI

Dip in inflation points to rate hold in December

Today’s monthly CPI data showed positive signs that monetary policy is taming the inflation beast. Excluding volatile items (fruit and vegetables and fuel), monthly CPI reduced to 5.1 per cent, down from 5.5 per cent the previous two months.

Business insights - retail sales commentary
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Retail sales down in October as consumers wait for Back Friday

Retail sales fell an overall 0.2 per cent over the month of October, after recording rises in spending in both preceding months. For discretionary goods categories, this is to be expected, as many consumers will have chosen to hold off on spending for Black Friday sales, which are currently in progress.

Celebration
CreditCredit Management

Improving your chances of securing business credit

A strong credit profile is one of the cornerstones of a successful business. As with an individual credit score, having an excellent business credit profile will mean the business is more likely to gain approval for financing, such as a line of credit or business loan, or more favourable terms with suppliers.

Jason Sutherlin smiling at the camera with a white and red background
CrewWatchMeet the Crew

Meet Jason Sutherlin – Your PPSR Solutions Specialist

Meet Jason Sutherlin, your PPSR Solutions Specialist.

older man looking at laptop concerned with his hand on his forehead
ASICBusiness Insights

Managing a Strike Off Action in Progress: What to do next

A successful strike-off action indicates that the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has taken the necessary steps to deregister a company formally. This implies that the business name has been struck from the Australian Business Registry (ABR) and all associated parties, be they employees or creditors, have been notified of the winding up of the company.

Labour Force Commentary
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Uptick in unemployment gives RBA cause for December rate hold

Despite a solid increase in the number of employed people over October, the unemployment rate still ticked up from 3.6 per cent to 3.7 per cent given the increase in unemployed people.

Media Release: Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Business activity dries up – invoice values at record lows; But Melbourne the most improved capital city

The October 2023 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed that Australian business activity is now at disturbingly low levels with the average value of invoices at their lowest point since CreditorWatch began recording this metric in January 2015.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Consumers and businesses restrain spending after further rate rise

Both Business Sentiment and Consumer Confidence measures taken by NAB and Westpac respectively showed increasing pessimism among both groups. Business confidence declined, while conditions improved slightly, which suggests that even though businesses might be doing okay for now, there is an expectation that these reasonable conditions won’t last.

Major update to unfair contracts laws: A fair go all round
Business InsightsCreditorWatch

Major update to unfair contracts laws: A fair go all round

Significant changes to the unfair contracts regime come into law today, with new multi-million penalties for companies and individuals forcing trading partners to sign contracts that are deemed unfair. Are your contracts fair and equitable?

Interest Rate Commentary
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

RBA wrestles inflation with another rate rise, but is it enough?

The Reserve Bank of Australia has taken the controversial step of raising interest rates once again, but some pockets of the economy are still seeing rampant price rises.

Annette Gilbert
CrewWatchMeet the Crew

Meet Annette Gilbert – Your Onboarding Solutions Specialist

Meet Annette Gilbert – Your Onboarding Solution Specialist

Data
ApplyEasyCreditorWatch

CreditorWatch ApplyEasy November 2023 product updates

Our latest round of product updates focus on ApplyEasy to continue helping you deliver a great customer onboarding experience, whilst minimising upfront risk.

Business man at a computer
accounts receivableCredit control

Automated accounts receivable: Why accounting software alone doesn’t offer best practice

Off-the-shelf accounting software has revolutionised the ease with which small businesses can manage their finances. From tracking your finances and making reconciliation smoother to accounts payable and staff payroll, ERPs (enterprise resource planning) and accounting software like Xero, MYOB and QuickBooks makes doing business easier than before.

Retail sales commentary
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Bump in retail spending could prompt rate rise

Today’s retail trade data revealed a slight increase in the rate of spending in September 2023, partly driven by the release of the new iPhone and a warm start to spring, which boosted spending on hardware, gardening supplies and clothing.

Inflation (CPI) Commentary - October Insights
Chief EconomistCPI

Main driver of inflation finally comes off the boil

In good news for the economy, September quarter inflation data released today by the ABS shows that services inflation has moderated since June 2023. While still high, at 5.8%, it is down from the June 2023 peak of 6.3% and is also the first decrease in the rate of services inflation since December 2021.

man and women looking at computer smiling
CreditorWatchDue Diligence

The benefits of digital onboarding for business 

Sales have done their part. The customer is hooked, they’ve reeled them in and now it’s over to you, accounts, to double check their credentials and, if they are a desirable customer, get them set up ASAP.

Labour Force Commentary
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Unemployment rate down but not enough for rate rise

The Australian labour force remains relatively resilient, with an additional 6,700 people gaining employment over the month of September.

Arrow hitting the target
Credit ManagementCredit Risk

Why getting all the right info in an application form is super important

Of course it’s important to gather the right information when onboarding a new customer. Without it, you might not be able to set them up properly in your customer relationship management (CRM) system.

Media Release: Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Business activity picks up, but invoice values below pre-COVID levels; Western Sydney dominates list of high-risk regions

The September 2023 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed that the contraction of Australian business activity may have eased but it remains at a low ebb, with the average value of B2B invoices down 42% year-on-year and well below pre-COVID levels.

Need help?
CreditorWatchDebt Collection

Navigating tax debt: A comprehensive insight into the Australian Taxation Office's approach

In the complex landscape of tax obligations, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) aims to employ a strategic approach to debt management, carefully crafted to cater to the diverse needs of businesses while maintaining fairness and equity.

What to do when customers won’t pay
Credit ManagementCreditorWatch

What to do when customers won’t pay 

If you've ever encountered non-paying customers, you're not alone. It's an unfortunate reality of dealing with clients on credit terms – some of them, when the work is done or the product is delivered, refuse to pay.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

RBA holds cash rate at 4.10% for the fourth-straight month

The RBA has maintained the cash rate at 4.10% at the October 2023 meeting. Continuing weak retail trade and consumer confidence data is giving the board the clear sign that their efforts to reduce demand in the economy have worked very well.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

RBA’s monetary policy efforts bearing fruit

September saw the continuance of fuel inflation, with petrol and diesel prices rising substantially due to reduced production by key oil states like Saudi Arabia. The increase in fuel prices, alongside continued price gains in insurance and residential rents, resulted in a small increase in monthly inflation.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Retail trade still soft but gets a kick from the women’s World Cup

Retail Trade continues to grow very modestly, with a 0.2% seasonally adjusted monthly increase recorded over August. This equates to an increase in spending of 1.5% over the year, and is well below inflation rates.

ocean with an iceberg. The iceberg can be seen above the water and underneath
Credit ReportsDue Diligence

Deep due diligence for savvy businesses

What you see on the surface is not always what you get, especially when it comes to other businesses. Here's why the due diligence process is an important step in a business relationship.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistCPI

Fuel prices drive up inflation in August

All groups monthly CPI rose 5.2% over the year to August, up from 4.9% the month prior. While a higher figure is not welcome news for borrowers, the figure is heavily impacted by the higher cost of fuel this month.

A man in a reflective vest and glasses holds a tablet, looking thoughtful in an industrial setting.
CreditorWatchPPSR and PPSA

PPSR: Protecting your interests during customer onboarding  

The PPSR, the government Personal Properties Securities Register, is akin to home and contents insurance. It should be quick to set up and, once done, will protect you in case of an adverse event (for example insolvency).

Kaitlyn's head shot with white and red background
CrewWatchMeet the Crew

Meet Kaitlyn Knight – Your Onboarding Solutions Specialist

Meet Kaitlyn Knight – Your Onboarding Solutions Specialist

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Stable unemployment rate means rate rise in October unlikely

While the August 2023 unemployment rate remained steady at 3.7% on a seasonally adjusted basis, there was a strong gain in employed people overall, at 64,900, or a 0.5 percentage point increase. The very minor increase in the participation rate from 66.9% to 67.0% was the reason this jobs growth wasn’t enough to lower the unemployment rate again.

Media Release: Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Business activity sinks: value of invoices at 7-year low as external administrations and payment defaults surge

The August 2023 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed Australian businesses activity is at near-record lows with the average value of B2B invoices now down 36% year-on-year - its lowest point since January 2017.

New customer application forms: The importance of the right information
ApplyEasyAutomation

New customer application forms: The importance of the right information  

Capturing relevant information when completing customer onboarding smooths the experience across four key areas of the onboarding stage; compliance or due diligence, credit risk, employee experience and customer satisfaction.

business man with electronic visuals
CreditorWatchDue Diligence

The role of due diligence in combating illegal phoenixing activity

It's an occurrence seen all too frequently within wholesale trade and retail in Australia. A trading partner with high levels of outstanding debt goes insolvent, only then to re-emerge under a new name with the slate somehow miraculously wiped clean.

graphs
Credit ManagementCreditorWatch

Trade payments data: Why is it so important?

Imagine if you could look into a crystal ball, see into the future and know whether your trading partners were going to pay you on time. While it can’t 100% guarantee outcomes, trade payments data is as close to a crystal ball as you can get when it comes to credit control and looking into the health of a business’s bank account.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

RBA holds cash rate at 4.10% for the third-straight month

Today’s June quarter inflation rate came in at below market expectations at 6%, with particular progress made in the slowing rate of goods inflation, which dropped from 7.6% over the year to March 2023 to 5.8% over the year to June. Goods inflation is far more responsive to monetary policy changes than services inflation, and this shows that consumers have well and truly responded to the RBA’s tightening measures.

man's hands at computer with an arrow going up
CreditorWatchRisk Management

Why businesses should implement an end-to-end credit management solution

For businesses that trades credit with customers, staying ahead requires more than just ambition – it requires smart decision-making, streamlined processes, and a keen awareness of risk.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Australian economy battered and bruised but surviving

The Australian economy ticked along steadily over the course of August. Retail trade increased very slightly, although on an inflation adjusted basis, spending continues to fall.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Inflation comes off the boil in most categories; Dwelling approvals at 10-year low

The monthly CPI data continues to show an easing of price rises in most categories in the CPI basket. The exceptions, however, are rents, which rose by 7.6% over the year to July, up from 7.3% in June.

Bethany Brown head shot with a white and red background
CrewWatchMeet the Crew

Meet Bethany Brown – Your Collection Solutions Specialist

Meet Bethany Brown, your Collection Solutions Specialist.

a man and women at a coffee shop. man has credit card in hand and the women is leaning over his shoulder. They are both looking towards a laptop screen smiling
Credit ManagementCredit Risk

Does a business loan affect personal credit?

The line between personal and business matters often becomes unclear, leading entrepreneurs and business owners to question the potential impact of a business loan on their personal credit score.

Media Release: Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Average value of invoices down 28% YoY as demand and cost pressures squeeze businesses

The July 2023 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed the average value of business invoices has fallen by almost a third over the past 12 months, with a drop of 28% year-on-year.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

ABS Labour Force, July 2023: Unemployment jumps in QLD

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the unemployment rate in Australia climbed by 0.2 percentage points in July, to a still very low 3.7%. The number of unemployed people in Australia climbed by almost 36,000, with almost all of this increase being felt in two states, Queensland and NSW.

Why you need to manage credit risk throughout the customer lifecycle
CreditorWatchRisk Management

Why you need to manage credit risk throughout the customer lifecycle 

A lot can change across a customer’s lifecycle, whether that’s over a few months or 10 years. Just because a customer was in a strong financial position when you completed due diligence and ran their business credit check, doesn’t mean they’ll be as financially strong five years down the track.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Westpac Consumer Sentiment and NAB Business Confidence

Consumer confidence continues to bump along at near record low levels, falling by 0.4% in July 2023. Consumers are unlikely to report any improvement in confidence until inflation looks to be firmly in the rearview mirror.

What’s an ideal credit risk management process?
CreditorWatchRisk Management

What’s an ideal credit risk management process? 

Whether you’re a long-time credit controller, a new business owner or a seasoned finance manager, a clear, consistent credit risk management process is key to doing more business, with the right customers, and getting paid faster.

person in hoody looking at blue code surrounding him
Due DiligenceFraud

Fraud in Australia - Everything you need to know 

Fraud has become an increasing concern for Australian businesses as criminals incorporate more sophisticated techniques into their scams.

Head shot of, Anneke Thompson, Chief Economist, CreditorWatch
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Inflation comes off the boil and retail trade dips as rates bite

In some positive news this month, June 2023 CPI data showed that inflation in Australia is on a steady downward trajectory, mirroring what is happening in most major economies around the world.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Retail trade falls as consumers spend less at mid-year sales

Retail trade fell 0.8% in June 2023, as consumers showed far less willingness to spend in the mid-year sales compared to previous years. In a sign of just how much pressure consumers are under, retail spending fell in every category except food retailing, which only increased by 0.1 per cent in dollar terms.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Inflation drops to 6%; increases chances of rate pause next week

Today’s June quarter inflation rate came in at below market expectations at 6%, with particular progress made in the slowing rate of goods inflation, which dropped from 7.6% over the year to March 2023 to 5.8% over the year to June. Goods inflation is far more responsive to monetary policy changes than services inflation, and this shows that consumers have well and truly responded to the RBA’s tightening measures.

clouding storm with lighting hovering over a country road
CreditorWatchNews

Guide: Safeguarding your business from insolvency

To empower business owners and credit professionals in navigating insolvent trading partners, we've compiled a comprehensive and data-driven report: 'Safeguard your business from insolvency', enriched with insights from industry experts.

New products & product enhancements - June 2023
API IntegrationApplyEasy

CreditorWatch July 2023 product updates

Our monthly summary of product launches and updates for June 2023.

close up electricity power line tower over orange color sunset sky with shining sun
CreditorWatchFinancial Risk Assessment

How Financial Risk Assessments can power up your onboarding process

In the ever-changing realm of finance, where uncertainty looms and economic conditions can shift rapidly, conducting proper due diligence of vendors and customers through financial risk assessments (FRAs) has never been more important.

Women looking at reports
Credit ReportsCreditorWatch

When do credit card companies report? 

Credit card companies pass a large amount of consumer and business data on to credit reporting agencies and bureaus, such as CreditorWatch, to inform their credit scores and debtor risk analysis. Each credit reporting body has independent in-house policies for collecting this data, including the frequency, time points of collection, and sources.

man's hand holding a digital reporting. He is wearing a blue shirt
AML (Anti-Money Laundering)AUSTRAC

KYC requirements in Australia - What are they and why do they matter? 

‘Know Your Customer’ (KYC) compliance involves meeting the standards set by regulators for customer verification and identity checking, depending on your type of business, service provided and industry. Enforcing KYC checks allows regulators and authorities to mitigate criminal activity such as money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

person standing in a maze
CreditorWatchCreditorWatch Collect

How do debt collectors find you in Australia? 

Typically in Australia, when a debt collector takes up the collections effort for a creditor (or buys the remainder of the debt), the creditor will provide them with any contact details it has on file. If this is insufficient or the debtor’s details have changed, the collections agency or creditor may use search tools such as CreditorWatch’s business search portal to find missing information. In certain circumstances, a creditor or debt collector can apply to a court for a ‘substituted service’, allowing them to attempt contacting a debtor via less traditional means such as social media.

man standing with other mens showdow's surrounding him in a circle
CreditorWatchCreditorWatch Collect

How to deal with debt collectors

When a business, bank, credit union or lender have exhausted their in-house options to recover money owed, they turn to a debt collection service for debt recovery in Australia. These agencies and providers follow up on late or non-paying debtors, either for a fee to the creditor or after buying the remainder of the debt outright.

Chief Economist
Business Risk IndexChief Economist

Momentum slows in Construction and Hospitality sectors

The latest Monthly Business Indicator data released by the ABS indicates that momentum in the Construction and Food and Accommodation sectors continues to slow.

Media Release - Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Business Risk Index: Business payment defaults surge 52%; On the upside, Western Brisbane the most-improved region in Australia

The June 2023 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) show business payment defaults surge 52%; On the upside, Western Brisbane the most-improved region in Australia.

debt collection agency
Debt Collectiondebtor management

Debt collection agencies in Australia 

A debt collector represents a last resort for creditors seeking payment from unwilling or late paying debtors.

Head shot of, Anneke Thompson, Chief Economist, CreditorWatch
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

RBA leaves cash rate on hold at 4.10%

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) made the decision today to hold the cash rate at 4.10 per cent, with data released in June not definitive enough to warrant a further increase at this stage. There is still concern about the very tight labour market and underlying inflation. Looking overseas, inflation in areas that are typically labour intensive is only decreasing very slowly, while price rises for goods are coming down faster. This is the same in Australia, where we recorded a decline of 0.4% in the price of clothing and footwear.

Business Consulting meeting working and brainstorming new business project finance investment concept.
Lenders InsightsMedia Release

CreditorWatch partners with Credit Sense to expand end-to-end commercial credit risk management offering

CreditorWatch helps business lenders provide faster loan approvals by completing loan affordability assessment in just minutes, instead of hours

Man looking under couch
Debt Collection

What happens if a debt collector cannot find you in Australia? 

Even if a debtor changes address or other details, debt collectors can still attempt to serve legal documents via several different means. Remaining uncontactable does not instantly wipe the debt, and you may be liable for further legal action or asset seizure in the future.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

RBA's wrestle with inflation has a few rounds to go

Incoming data in June was mixed, with business and consumer sentiment falling, but retail trade and the labour force still not weakening to the extent that the RBA would like them to.

How often does credit score update
Credit ratingCredit Reports

How often does your credit score update?

Because the data sources and time points for collection vary from one reporting agency to the next, there is no universal standard for when credit scores update.

credit report file in hands
Credit Reports

Annual credit reports in Australia - What are they and how to access them

A credit report provides insight into a business or individual consumer’s risk as a trading partner or debtor.

fake account button
Cyber-securityFraud

Fake bank accounts - What to do about fraudulent banking accounts

There has been a steady rate in the reporting of criminals using false or stolen identities over recent years.

Business Insights
Business InsightsCreditorWatch

Podcast: Business Risk Index, May 2023 - Key business indicators show conditions worsening; NSW Central Coast suffers biggest YoY jump in business risk

CreditorWatch Chief Economist Anneke Thompson and Head of Content Michael Pollack unpack the CreditorWatch May 2023 Business Risk Index results.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Consumer belt tightening hits retailers hard

Consumer sentiment took another dive this month, following another interest rate rise after the June RBA board meeting. Westpac reported that responses during its monthly survey in June (taken over a few days before, during and after the board meeting) deteriorated dramatically following the RBA’s decision.

Media Release - Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Business Risk Index: Key business indicators show conditions worsening; NSW Central Coast area suffers biggest YoY jump in business risk

The May 2023 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) show Australian businesses are coming under increasing pressure.

Can debt collectors charge interest
Debt Collectiondebtor management

Can debt collectors charge interest Australia?

In Australia, a debt collector or collections agency cannot charge additional fees or interest to the debtor beyond those outlined in the original contract.

person in boat navigating tough water
Business InsightsSmall Business

Australia’s unfair contract terms regime changes significantly

The ‘unfair contract terms’ laws (as set out in the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) establish out a regime whereby a term in a consumer or small business contract will be void if the term is unfair and the contract is a standard form contract.Australia’s Unfair Contract Terms regime (UCT) has now been significantly expanded in respect of ‘small businesses’. The changes were passed by Parliament on 28 October 2022 and will come into effect on 9 November 2023.

Andrew Blundell
InsolvencyNews

Insolvency warning signs – what to look out for over the remainder of 2023 and beyond

This year has already thrown up a number of challenges for business and individuals alike. Continued inflation, rising interest rates, supply chain issues, labour shortages and extreme weather have all meant that a large number of companies have and will continue to face various challenges that can lead to financial distress, including insolvency.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Consumer sentiment stabilises at ‘near recession lows’ while pockets of stubborn inflation remain

Consumer confidence remains near recessionary levels, with consumers surveyed by Westpac after the rate rise decision on June 6 noticeably more pessimistic than those surveyed the day prior.

A businessman's hands multitasking with a pen and laptop, jotting down notes and working on important documents.
Due DiligenceInsolvency

Insolvency Notices Alert: What is it and how does it work?

In Australia, an insolvency notices alert is a notification service provided by different companies such as CreditorWatch, to alert subscribers to new insolvency notices related to companies or individuals such as external administrations, winding up applications (voluntary or court mandated), and proposed company deregistrations.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistEconomic Snapshot

RBA increases cash rate to 4.10%

Despite clear signs that the Australian economy is well and truly into its necessary slowdown, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) today increased the cash rate by a further 25 basis points to 4.10%, in an effort to combat services side inflation.

Debt collection
CreditorWatchDebt Collection

Fees for debt collection: How much does a debt collector cost?

Dealing with overdue payments is an unfortunate reality for many businesses, particularly in tough economic conditions. When efforts to collect debts internally prove ineffective, enlisting the services of a debt collector becomes a viable option.

A mobile banking app displayed on a smartphone screen, allowing users to manage their finances on the go.
Cash FlowFinance

Invoice financing for small business - What is it and how does it work?

Invoice financing for small business is a common method of financing for small businesses. Also known as business invoice finance, it provides access to immediate cash funds.

Tent in winter on a mountain top at night in the Carpathians. Bright yellow tourist tent in the snowy mountains nature
NewsWhitepapers

End of Financial Year Survival Guide 2023

As Australian businesses brace themselves for a challenging FY24, we have launched our comprehensive "End of Financial Year Survival Guide 2023". The report, enriched with insights from our panel of expert contributors, provides valuable tips and tools to help businesses prepare for the next 12 months. We offer an economist's perspective on the outlook for FY24, and industry-leading guidance on optimising cash flow and recognising early indicators of insolvency, empowering businesses for growth in the new financial year. Download the full report here.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Inflation moves past peak but areas of concern remain

This month’s economic data was dominated by the release of quarterly CPI data. While an increase of 7.0% for the March quarter was promising in that it showed inflation is definitely reducing (down from 7.8% for December quarter), it is still high, and actually increasing in the services sector.

Business Consulting meeting working and brainstorming new business project finance investment concept.
Credit ManagementCredit Reports

Credit check organisations in Australia - Who are they and what do they do? 

Credit checking for Australian businesses is the speciality of the CreditorWatch team. Credit checking due diligence helps creditor companies, lenders, and banks create a clear picture of borrower risk. This analysis helps determine what credit terms to extend to debtors, if any.

credit score scale with a business man pushing it
Credit ReportsRiskScore

How to check credit references for businesses 

Running a credit check on a business is essential for proactive risk mitigation strategies. Checking credit scores for businesses is made intuitive with the advanced RiskScore platform from CreditorWatch. You can check the creditworthiness of any existing or prospective company client with a simple ABN or ACN search, and better inform your decisions with sophisticated data. Read on to learn how to do a credit check in our guide below.

Traffic sign next to a road
Business Insightsfinance career

Empower your Career: The Vital Role of Mentoring, Networking and Being Visible

In today’s job market, building a strong network and finding a great mentor are critical to achieving your goals. This is especially true now that the job market is more competitive than ever before, with hundreds of qualified candidates vying for the same positions.

good vs bad
CreditCredit control

Good debt vs bad debt: What is the difference?

Good debt refers to borrowing that can generate long-term benefits and enhance a business's financial position. In contrast, bad debt refers to borrowing that does not contribute to the growth or profitability of a business and can potentially harm its financial health.

CreditorWatch employee Stirling smiling with a red and white background
Credit ManagementCredit Risk

How to manage the fintech margin squeeze

The tech industry has long been associated with relentless investment and rapid growth. However, amid rising interest rates and difficult market conditions, the global fintech market is facing increasing challenges. It is crucial for industry players to reassess their strategies and prioritise sustainable growth. In an insightful article for FinTech Australia titled 'How to manage the Fintech margin squeeze’, our Enterprise Account Director, Stirling Streeter, delves into the consequences of the ‘growth at all costs’ mindset and offers valuable guidance on risk mitigation.

Afterpay vs Credit card
CreditFinance

Afterpay vs credit card - What is the difference?

Afterpay is leading the charge for Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) service providers in Australia. It offers customers the chance to pay off a purchase in four instalments, paid fortnightly. A credit card, by contrast, gives users access to a continuous active line of credit,

Bad credit
Credit controlCredit Management

How to give someone a bad credit rating in Australia

As a business or individual consumer, you cannot manipulate someone else’s credit score. However, you can alert reporting bodies, such as CreditorWatch, of negative payment behaviour or adverse events to inform their analysis.

after pay logo on a laptop screen with white background
Credit ReportsDebt Collection

How much does Afterpay charge retailers? Merchant fees explained 

Afterpay took the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services market by storm when it was launched in Australia in 2014, appealing to young consumers with the prospect of interest and fee-free payments (if made on time). To make a profit, most of Afterpay’s revenue comes from merchants, with a flat merchant fee of $0.30 and a 4-6% commission based on the value of the sale. Late charges from customers also account for a proportion of its income.

Industry insights - Business Risk Index
Business Risk IndexCreditorWatch

Hospitality bears the brunt of high services-based inflation

In this month’s Business Risk Index, the bounce back in trade receivables data that we recorded in March was broadly consistent in April.

Credit Controller
accounts receivableCredit control

Credit controller salary - how much do they earn in Australia?

The average salary for a credit controller varies from city to city and state to state. According to the jobs website, Seek, an average annual credit controller salary in Sydney ranges from $75,000 to $85,000.

Media Release - Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Business Risk Index: Trade activity surging despite rising external administrations; SE Queensland hit hard by defaults

The April 2023 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed that the average value of invoices (trade receivables) remained elevated in April despite other leading indicators showing that businesses are coming under increased pressure.

two men in suits at a desk looking at a report
Credit ManagementCredit Reports

Credit reference check: What is it & how does it work? 

A credit reference check, or credit report check, describes accessing a business or individual’s credit file with a reporting body. Australian companies can sign up for a free trial of the credit reporting tools from CreditorWatch to check the creditworthiness of trading partners before extending terms. Conducting this due diligence allows for proactive corporate risk management, avoiding risky debtors before they threaten vital cash flow.

A woman in glasses and a polka dot shirt talking on the phone at her desk.
Cash managementCredit control

How to check a credit history in Australia - A step-by-step guide

Credit reporting agencies in Australia, such as CreditorWatch, analyse enormous datasets to generate credit scores for businesses or individual consumers. Companies, banks, lenders and other creditors use this information to determine the suitability of debtors and applicants for loans.

Piggy bank jenga
Credit RiskFinancial Risk Assessment

What is financial risk?

Financial risk is the potential for loss or adverse consequences resulting from inadequate or failed financial decisions, investments, or operations. It encompasses various factors that can impact a company's financial stability and profitability.

Person holding 3 credit cards
Credit ManagementCredit rating

Best credit repair companies in Australia

In today's financial landscape, maintaining a healthy credit score is crucial for accessing various opportunities, from securing loans to renting an apartment. Unforeseen circumstances or past financial mistakes can leave individuals burdened with a less-than-ideal credit history. This is where credit repair companies step in, offering their expertise to help individuals repair and restore their creditworthiness. In this article, we will delve into the world of credit repair companies, exploring their purpose, operations, benefits and the signs of reputable service providers in Australia.

Dominoes
CreditCredit Risk

What is credit risk?

For businesses, credit risk is the risk of loss that arises from a customer, partner, or supplier failing to fulfil their financial obligations to the company.

A man in a suit balancing on a balance beam with dollar signs in the background.
Cash FlowCash management

Example of financial risk - how does it work?

The term ‘financial risk’ refers to the potential for a loss of earnings or income. The higher the likelihood or severity of that outcome, the greater the financial risk. Businesses and individuals alike must responsibly manage their exposure to these risks to mitigate the prospects of insolvency, default or bankruptcy.

A businessman using a calculator and laptop to calculate financial data.
Credit ReportsCredit Risk

How to check a business credit report - A step-by-step guide

A credit report details a potential borrower or debtor’s risk to the lender or creditor. A credit reporting agency, such as CreditorWatch, analyses large subcategories of business data to generate our reports and credit scores for Australian companies.

Creditorwatch staff
Credit ManagementCreditorWatch

The CreditorWatch difference

At CreditorWatch, we understand and value the confidence you place in us when you register to use our platform. We know that you rely on us to support your business with credit risk management tools that help you protect and grow your business while ensuring that your data is safeguarded with gold-standard security protocols.

sunset with cranes
ConstructionInsolvency

What is the way forward for the construction industry?

At CreditorWatch, we understand the current challenges faced by construction firms in Australia. That's why we are excited to announce the release of our latest report, 'Cracks in the Foundations 2023.' This comprehensive report provides valuable insights and guidance to help businesses navigate the tough trading environment and kickstart growth. Download the free report here: https://creditorwatch.biz/3NCuest

Woman wearing glasses typing on laptop computer.
accounts receivableCash Flow

Accounts receivable turnover ratio formula and calculation

The accounts receivable turnover ratio is a financial metric used to measure the efficiency of a company's collection of its outstanding customer invoices.

Large wave with surfer
Credit RiskFinancial Risk Assessment

Managing financial risk - What is it and how does it work? 

The term ‘risk’ refers to the probability of an adverse outcome occurring. The higher that probability, the riskier the activity. ‘Financial risk’ applies that concept to a potential loss of income or revenue for a business or individual.

Jar of coins with a typed label on top with the word debt.
Cash FlowCash management

Debt collection in Australia - How does it work?

Debt collection describes recovering overdue funds owed to a creditor, administered by a third party for a fee. If a business or individual considers themselves unable to recoup money owed after taking steps to collect it - they may decide to contract the services of a debt collector.

Cars planes boats
PPSR and PPSA

PPSR - What is the Personal Property Securities Register?

A security interest is a debt or obligation secured by personal property (known as collateral) as defined by the Australian Financial Security Authority (ASFA). In the event that a debtor fails to meet their obligations, such as defaulting on payments, the secured creditor can take possession of the collateral.

Magnifying glass
Due DiligenceOnboarding

Customer due diligence – what is it and how does it work?

Customer due diligence (CDD) is the process of verifying the identity of a customer, assessing the potential risks associated with their activities, and determining whether their behaviour and transactions are consistent with their known or stated activities.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistEconomic Snapshot

RBA increases cash rate to 3.85%

For the first time since the start of this monetary policy tightening cycle, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) was faced with a set of data that gave it no clear indication of which way to move and has left the cash rate on hold at 3.60%.

check list
Credit controlCredit Management

How to run a credit check on a business

Running a credit check on a prospective new client can help a business mitigate the risk of bad debt. However, some companies may find this exercise intimidating or confusing. Luckily, the credit reporting suite from CreditorWatch takes the hassle out of this essential process.

Tight rope walker
Credit RiskRisk Management

Financial risk - What is it and why is it important?

Financial risk represents the likelihood of an unfavourable outcome relating to personal or business decisions. The higher the financial risk exposure, the greater the chance of losing money or becoming indebted.

Woman cutting up her credit card
CreditCredit rating

Does closing a credit card hurt your credit score?

Closing a credit card account may impact an individual or business’s credit scores, depending on the nature of the closure. Any credit account closure can affect credit scores to some degree, as reporting bureaus look favourably on maintaining regular payments on these products, and you will subsequently have less information on file.

A man in a suit holding an umbrella, shielding himself from a lightning storm.
Business conditionsEconomics

What happens in a recession

Historically, an economic recession is declared once a country or state records two consecutive quarters of negative growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Business credit cards
Cash FlowCash management

Business credit cards - Top 5 options for a company card

A business credit card allows a business owner or one of their nominated staff to purchase items on credit. The balance of this credit gets settled at the end of the statement period, which may vary from one credit product to the next.

Four professional women discussing in a modern office setting.
AML (Anti-Money Laundering)AUSTRAC

UBO Meaning - What is ultimate beneficial ownership?

Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) describes the controlling beneficiaries - individuals, companies, or groups - that ultimately collect profit when a business conducts a transaction.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

April economic update - Lower inflation cuts odds for May rate rise

This month’s economic data was dominated by the release of quarterly CPI data. While an increase of 7.0% for the March quarter was promising in that it showed inflation is definitely reducing (down from 7.8% for December quarter), it is still high, and actually increasing in the services sector.

Tenancy Agreement
Credit ratingCredit Reports

Credit check for tenants - how do landlord credit checks work?

It has become common practice in Australia for landlords (or property managers working on their behalf) to check the financial history of prospective tenants. A credit check for tenants allows landlords to assess their rental payment capacity and track record. Some credit reporting bureaus or property management-specific providers offer services to conduct a landlord credit check for tenants.

Three professionals discussing strategy in a boardroom meeting.
AML (Anti-Money Laundering)AUSTRAC

What is a beneficial owner of a company?

A company's beneficial owner is an individual or entity with a large share of ownership or control over its management, often without public disclosure.

Calculator displaying the word 'Credit'
accounts receivableCash Flow

Credit control policy and procedures

Credit control is the process of getting payment from customers that you’ve extended credit to. Extending credit is a common and necessary business practice.

A man sitting at a desk with his head on the phone, looking stressed and overwhelmed.
accounts receivableCash Flow

What is bad debt? Definition, meaning and examples

What is a bad debt? It is simply credit that you’ve extended (i.e. your accounts receivables) that you can no longer collect on.

Business Risk Index June 2022 Industry Insights
Business InsightsBusiness Risk Index

Hospitality tops list of industries at risk as cost-of-living pressures begin to bite

This month’s data revealed the strongest bounce back in trade receivables data on record. This is an 86% increase on the previous month’s trade receivables data, but still 5.6% below trade receivables recorded in March 2021 and March 2020.

Media Release - Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Business Risk Index: Business activity back to pre-COVID levels but for how long?; High risk regions - six of the 10 worst are in Western Sydney

The March 2023 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed, on multiple indicators, that business activity has returned to pre-COVID levels despite continued high inflation and interest rates.

confused woman
accounts receivableCash Flow

Is accounts receivable an asset or liability?

Accounts receivable is an asset because it is money owed to a company. It should result in cash inflow for the company in the near future.

Man smiling while holing a laptop
Cash FlowCash management

How CreditorWatch protects businesses, while saving them time and money

A common struggle facing small business owners is juggling the need to protect cash flow from risky trading partners, with the lack of time and resources available to manage this risk properly.

Loan
Cash managementFinance

Unsecured business loans in Australia – Everything you need to know

A business loan is a type of loan designed to provide financing to businesses to help them cover expenses, make investments or manage cash flow.

Data
Credit RiskData

DataX: What is it?

DataX is a data analytics service that Westpac offers to guide large client businesses in Australia. The analysis enables users to inform their operations with reliable insights by leveraging the institutional bank's extensive consumer and corporate data.

Check your Credit Report
CreditCredit control

What is a credit report?

A credit report is a detailed record of a business or individual's credit history, which includes information about their credit accounts, credit inquiries, and payment history. This report is compiled by credit reporting agencies, such as CreditorWatch, based on the data provided by lenders, credit card companies, and other creditors.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistEconomic Snapshot

RBA leaves cash rate on hold at 3.60%

For the first time since the start of this monetary policy tightening cycle, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) was faced with a set of data that gave it no clear indication of which way to move.

A man in glasses and a sweater making a funny face.
CreditCredit control

Credit score vs credit rating vs credit report - What is the difference?

Getting your head around the ins and outs of credit reports can be challenging, especially the differences between key terms, such as credit report vs credit score. Let’s break down everything individuals and businesses need to know about credit reports.

Person holding Apples
CreditLending

What does comparison rate mean?

A comparison rate is a financial term used to describe the true cost of a loan or other financial product, including both the interest rate and any associated fees or charges

Juggling
accounts receivableCredit control

What is credit management?

Credit management is the process of managing the credit risk associated with extending credit to customers or clients. Its main purpose is to ensure that businesses can collect payments for goods or services provided to customers within a reasonable period of time, while minimising the risk of late payments, defaults and bad debts.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistEconomic Snapshot

Economy coming off the boil but some sectors still red hot 

The Australian economy is in the early throes of its necessary slowdown. The risk of the slowdown getting out of the RBA’s control was heightened this month by news of liquidity issues in some US and European banks.

Credit cards
Cash management

Applying for a business credit card - How to get approved (step by step) 

A business credit card works like a personal credit card, in that it allows an owner or employee to make company purchases on credit, which should be repaid to the card provider at the end of the statement period.

Shaking hands
FinanceLending

Mortgagee vs Mortgagor - What is the Difference? 

Q: What is the difference between a mortgagee and a mortgagor? A: A mortgagee is a lender or financial institution that provides a loan to purchase a property. A mortgagor is a borrower who receives a loan, using their assets as collateral.

Land surveyor
Credit control

What is a land surveyor and what do they do? 

Land surveying definition: Professional land surveyors provide measurement and boundary-marking services for construction projects. Experts recommend contacting a professional surveyor before developing to ensure site accuracy and mitigate potential issues ahead of time.

business loan
Cash FlowFinance

Best secured business loans in Australia - Everything you need to know 

When a business applies to a bank, lender or credit union for additional funds, it is applying for a business loan.

Magnifying glass
Credit Reports

Can you check your credit for free? 

A credit report details an individual or company’s history of applications and repayments with credit products and utilities.

Cyber security
CreditorWatchCyber-security

Proactive measures to tighten up your cyber-security - Q&A

According to the latest annual cyber-threat report from the government cyber-security agency, the ACSC (Australian Cyber Security Centre), cybercrime increased 13% over the last financial year with a rise in the sophistication of cyber threats, making crimes like ransomware and fraud easier to replicate at a greater scale.

Accounting
accounts receivableCash Flow

What are accounts receivable and why are they important?

The accounts receivable definition is the money owed to your company by customers for the goods or services you’ve provided, but for which they are yet to pay.

Pleading
Credit ratingCredit Reports

Does applying for a loan hurt your credit score? 

When you submit an application for a loan, the lender will conduct a ‘hard enquiry’ of your credit score. This enquiry remains visible to other lenders in your credit history, allowing them to see how recently and frequently you’ve tried to access credit.

Cyber criminal
Cyber-security

Identity theft in Australia - How to check if someone is using my identity? 

A serious crime in Australia, identity theft has become a more pressing issue as customer information is increasingly stored online, as shown by recent hacks to Optus and Medibank.

handing over money
Finance

Secured vs unsecured loans - What is the difference? 

The difference between a secured and unsecured loan is whether or not assets are provided as security interests to guarantee the loan.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistEconomic Snapshot

Winter is coming! Retail trade, February 2023 data

February Retail Trade data indicates that Australian consumers are continuing to reduce their spending on discretionary goods. Spending on household goods was flat over February, while spending on ‘other retail’ declined by 0.4%.

Natalie Ledlin
AutomationCash Flow

Drawing a line in the sand for collections

It’s a clichéd phrase, this “Line in the Sand” stuff isn’t it? It says “Just stop, I’ve had enough”. Whether it’s an over excited puppy, an annoying colleague or even listening to your own internal critic, we all know there comes a time when we need to put a halt to things as they are.

two dice
accounts receivableCash Flow

Accounts receivable vs accounts payable – What's the difference?  

Do you remember that awkward conversation with your bookkeeper? Yeah, you know the one. They asked you about your accounts receivable and you confidently launched into a rundown of the business expenses you’d recorded for the past month

shaking hands
Credit ManagementFinance

Short-term loans for business - How to get approved 

When a business applies for funds from a bank, lender or credit union, it is applying for a business loan. Short term loans for business may be ‘secured’ (underwritten by collateral such as property) or unsecured, with interest varying accordingly.

trended data
Data

What is trended data?

Companies are increasingly exploring new ways to analyse and leverage the data they collect. Trended data describes the analysis of a dataset over time, as opposed to a snapshot at a single moment.

Credit controller
Credit controlCredit Risk

Credit Control: what is it and why does it matter?

We’re betting you’ve heard the words credit control being bandied about, but if you’re not sure exactly what it means or why it’s crucial to your business success, read on.

XYZ Finance
Credit ManagementCredit rating

Reap the benefits of benchmarking

CreditorWatch, Australia's leading credit reporting bureau, has today launched a Portfolio Risk Benchmarking Report, providing Australian businesses with unprecedented access to credit risk benchmarking insights.

XYZ Finance
Credit ratingCredit Risk

Portfolio Risk Benchmarking Report FAQs

This report is a short-form risk driver analysis which provides a view of your customer base compared to the national average. It benchmarks lending or credit portfolios against comparable organisations.

Data Security
CreditorWatchSecurity

Have Confidence in Data Security with CreditorWatch

Data breach. Two words that send shivers down any company exec’s spine. Unfortunately, they’re increasingly common, the effects are widespread across a business’ operations and the financial impact can be massive. At CreditorWatch we’re acutely aware of the trust you place in us when you sign up to use our platform. We’re continually monitoring our information security management to ensure that our platform remains at the highest level of security.

Cash tap
Cash FlowCash management

How to find untapped liquidity in your business

Working capital efficiency is crucial to your business success but it is being seriously impacted by the macro-environment. We are currently facing a period of economic change unlike we have experienced for many years – rising interest rates, rising cost-push inflation, increased capital costs, rising operating costs, supply chain and labour constraints, increasing costs of living, a looming recession and a lingering COVID-19 pandemic.

Credit control
accounts receivableCash Flow

Outsourced credit control services and benefits

Outsourcing across many roles and industries has become increasingly popular over recent years. And as the popularity of outsourcing has grown, so has the ease of finding and engaging outsourced support. Outsourced credit control services is among those that have grown in popularity.

Credit controller
accounts receivableCash Flow

Credit Controllers - What are they and what is their role?

Proper credit control is crucial for maintaining smooth and even cash flow within a business. But what is the definition of a credit controller? A credit controller manages credit that is extended to customers. Central to this role is the responsibility for collecting payment on all invoices issued and monitoring payments so that customers who do not pay on time can be followed-up and outstanding payments can be collected.

Credit risk sign
Credit ManagementCredit rating

Does Australia have credit scores?

Every Australian consumer has a credit file with the three main consumer reporting bureaus: Experian, illion and Equifax. CreditorWatch differs to these bureaus in that it is a specialist B2B credit reporting bureau and doesn’t collect data on consumers.

Confused man
Credit ManagementCredit rating

Why is my credit score different between reporting bureaus?

The major credit reporting bureaus in Australia have different scales for their credit scores. Your credit score will differ depending on the entity providing the credit file, as each reporting bureau uses different metrics and different rating categories to inform the score.

Media Release - Business Risk Index
Business conditionsBusiness Insights

Business Risk Index: conditions tighten further; default rates higher in regions with more younger people

The February 2023 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) shows that business conditions, particularly around payment times have tightened due to high inflation and interest rates, in combination with falling demand.

Chief Economist
Economic SnapshotEconomics

Australian Economy - Outlook 2023

The outlook for the Australian economy in 2023 is one with much uncertainty. While monetary policy easing appears to be working on flattening the growth in prices of goods, rising services prices continue to be a problem both in Australia and globally.

Small Business Loan Application
Credit ratingCredit Risk

What credit score do you need for a business loan?

An Australian business’s ability to gain approval for a loan depends upon various factors, such as the individual criteria of the lender, and its assessment of the borrower’s credit risk.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistInterest rates

RBA increases official cash rate to 3.60%

Despite clear signs that the brakes are being slammed on the Australian economy, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) increased the cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.60% – the 10th consecutive increase.

Chief Economist
Business conditionsChief Economist

The big squeeze – rising costs and falling demand pressuring businesses

This month we were able to get a guide on what listed Australian businesses are anticipating for the year ahead, as reporting season began. While most listed retailers reported strong earnings for the second half of 2022, many downgraded or emphasised caution in their outlook for sales in the year ahead.

CreditorWatch Collect logo
CreditorWatch CollectDebt Collection

Cash is king: CreditorWatch launches fast and easy debt collection service

CreditorWatch today launched its automated debt collections solution, CreditorWatch Collect. The latest offering from the commercial credit reporting bureau gives businesses struggling to keep on top of cash flow access to a tool to transform their accounts receivables and collections processes.

A man in motion, clutching a shoe that is riddled with arrows.
CPMCredit Management

Credit portfolio management - what is it and how does it work? 

Credit Portfolio Management (CPM) involves the analysis of a business or lender’s credit portfolio to determine an effective balance of net risk and growth. The larger the diversity of borrowers and loan amounts, the more critical this process is.

Commercial property
Commercial propertyProcurement

Can a business buy a residential property in Australia?

A business’ revenue, or credit, can only be used to buy commercial real estate, which has the express purpose of being used for commercial ventures. In instances of a mixed-use block, a commercial loan product may be available to account for a percentage of the purchasing price.

handcuffs
BankruptcyCredit Management

Bankruptcy FAQs: Life after a bankruptcy discharge 

Bankruptcy has a sinister reputation. It carries the stigma of failure and a perception that someone is incapable of managing their personal finances. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel for anyone going through bankruptcy.

BankruptcyCredit Risk

Bankruptcy search - what is it and how does it work?

When you file for personal bankruptcy the details are kept on the National Personal Insolvencies Index (NPII). This public register allows any interested party to search for bankruptcy filings in order to inform their decisions and actions.

Media Release - Business Risk Index
Business InsightsBusiness Risk Index

Business Risk Index results - January 2023

The January 2023 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) reveals that business conditions are turning for Australian businesses, with a number of key metrics continuing to decline after a subdued end to 2022 as the RBA continued to tighten the screws on interest rates.

Australian bank notes
Credit ManagementFinance

Invoice discounting - advantages, disadvantages and how it works 

Invoice discounting, also called invoice finance and cash-flow finance, can be a useful financing tool for businesses looking to take advantage of early access to money that they are owed. So long as they are diligent, they may be able to leverage this revenue to improve the profitability of the enterprise.

Australian Taxation Office
ATOCreditorWatch

CreditorWatch only credit reporting bureau certified as ATO Digital Service Provider

CreditorWatch has become the first credit reporting bureau in Australia to be granted the Digital Service Provider (DSP) certification from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). The ATO performed its security due diglience on CreditorWatch, assessing the company’s data security procedures and uptime against the government agency’s DSP Operational Security Framework before granting certification of compliance.

Cash FlowCredit Risk

Debt charge-offs: What are they and how do they work?

A ‘charge-off’ describes a debt that is considered by the creditor to be unlikely to be paid. It follows a period of default after the borrower has become delinquent on the repayment of a product, such as a home loan or phone plan.

Online Invoice Management Software On Computer Screen
accounts receivableCash Flow

4 Overdue invoice reminder email templates that really work

Strong cash flow is crucial for business success and longevity. But chasing outstanding invoices can prove difficult. Late payments are a real problem, particularly for small businesses. This is where a best practice overdue invoice reminders workflow comes into play.

Refusal
Credit ManagementDebt Collection

What can debt collectors do if you don't pay? 

The actions debt collectors can take if you don’t pay a debt depends upon the severity of the debt, and the extent that the payment is delayed.

APR VS APY
CreditorWatch

APR vs APY - A simple explanation of how they are different 

APR and APY describe two sides of the same coin in relation to interest paid and earned. A simple explanation is that the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is a measurement of how much you’ll pay in interest and other costs when you borrow money. Conversely, the Annual Percentage Yield (APY) reflects how much you will earn on money in interest when you save.

Q&A - What to do if you get an ATO Director Penalty Notice
ATOCredit Management

What to do if you get an ATO Director Penalty Notice

As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and the business landscape returns to normal, the ATO is again ramping up its enforcement of outstanding tax liabilities with more than 50,000 Director Penalty Notices (DPNs) issued last year on directors, which if not dealt within the strict timeframes specified, can lead to personal liability.

Bad credit
CreditorWatchRisk Management

What is a bad credit score?

The credit rating bureaus and agencies have different tiers of credit risk that they assign to you within your credit file, according to your credit score. Typically, an individual or company applying for credit would want a score within the ‘average’ tier at a minimum, with a preference to be higher.

Bad credit
Business InsightsCreditorWatch

Business loans for bad credit - three ways to get approved in Australia

Whether you’re seeking a long-term business loan or a small loan to start a business, having a less-than-stellar company credit history can feel like a life sentence. However, there are options available to business owners that could be worth considering, to improve the likelihood of approval for a loan or line of credit and improve your business credit score.

piggy bank
AFSA (Australian Financial Security Authority)Bankruptcy

How Long Does Bankruptcy Stay on Your Credit File in Australia? 

If you are unable to meet your debts or liabilities when they are due, you may have to file for personal bankruptcy. Banks, lenders and trading partners all need to be kept informed of this information if enquired, as it can affect their perception of your creditworthiness and suitability for loans. As such, bankruptcy information remains on your personal credit file for five years or longer.

A man working at a desk with his laptop and a cup of coffee nearby.
accounts receivableAutomation

Boost your career with an automated collections process

Automating your accounts receivable is an easy, fast and cost-effective way to stand out from your peers and shift your career up a gear. While automation can be daunting, it’s a forward-thinking, digitisation project to lead.

A computer screen displaying accounting software
accounts receivableAutomation

Why automated collections are better than spreadsheets

Almost 90% of CFOs say that a lack of automation is one of the main roadblocks to an efficient financial close process. Yet most businesses continue to rely on spreadsheets and only the most basic level of automation when it comes to their accounts receivable.

A woman wearing glasses sits at a table, focused on her laptop.
AML (Anti-Money Laundering)Due Diligence

What is KYC? Know Your Customer Verification Process Steps Explained 

Know Your Customer (KYC) due diligence means checking customer and partner business identification to protect against criminal activity. Within Australia, certain businesses are required to comply with KYC safeguards and reporting through Anti Money Laundering (AML) and Counter Terrorism Financing (CTF) legislation, also referred to as the AML/CTF Act.

taking control
Cash FlowCredit Management

Cash control: How to improve your debtor management

Most businesses are not managing their debtors effectively and efficiently. Many don’t even realise it because they’re doing what they’ve always done.

Risky businesses
Credit RiskRisk Management

Dealing with risky businesses

To be considered a high risk business, an entity will typically display a high risk of financial failure, reflected in its credit score, and/or operate in a high-risk industry.

Identity theft
Cyber-securityData

Identity theft: What is it and how can you avoid it? 

Identity theft is an ever-present threat within Australia and globally, as shown by the recent data hacks of large companies such as Optus and Medibank.

Sunrise
ACN (Australian Company Number)ASIC

How to reinstate a deregistered company

Once a company is deregistered within Australia, it ceases to exist as a legal entity and can no longer trade. Should you meet certain criteria, you may be able to reinstate the company – effectively restoring it to its form prior to deregistration.

Recession
Economics

What is a recession?

The term ‘recession’ has typically described two consecutive quarters of negative Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, although other metrics may be applied by economists. It is denotes a downturn in economic conditions and activity for a particular region or country.

Voluntary liquidation
AdministrationSmall Business

Creditors' voluntary liquidation: what is it and how does it work? 

If the shareholders of an insolvent company vote in favour of liquidation, or if creditors vote in favour of liquidation this is commonly referred to as creditors’ voluntary liquidation. It is the most common type of insolvent liquidation.

Sign saying "Big sale - Closing down"
ASICSmall Business

How to wind up a solvent business in Australia

Closing a business can be as simple as voluntarily deregistering the company with ASIC. However, if this option is not available to you, you may need to wind up the business by making a declaration of solvency.

watching
Credit ManagementCredit Risk

24/7 Monitoring and Alerts: FAQs

Consistently monitoring your customers for increasing credit risk and adverse events is critical to protecting the cash flow of your business.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Business Risk Index results for November '22 with Anneke Thompson

CreditorWatch Chief Economist Anneke Thompson takes us through the November 2022 results for the Business Risk Index.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

Best and worst of 2022: a rollercoaster ride for Australian businesses

It has certainly been a year of highs and lows for the Australian business community, writes CreditorWatch Chief Economist Anneke Thompson.

Risk Ahead
Credit ReportsCredit Risk

How to calculate credit risk in the hiring and rental industry

By determining a customer's creditworthiness using credit reporting and RiskScore solutions from CreditorWatch, you provide essential security for your cash flow and goods.

Onboarding
Due DiligenceOnboarding

How good customer onboarding practices can transform a business

Gone are the days where businesses had to rely upon paper-based applications when assessing new clients that sometimes took weeks to complete. Things are now much quicker but in this challenging operating environment, performing proper due diligence prior to approval of credit applications is crucial.

Afterpay
Credit ReportsDebt Collection

What happens if you don't pay Afterpay at all?

Sometimes, life gets in the way, and even the most diligent spender can miss an Afterpay payment (or two).

Industry insights - Business Risk Index
Business InsightsBusiness Risk Index

Business Risk Index November 2022, Industry Insights

This month’s data showed some reasonably surprising insights into the state of business activity in Australia. While we usually see a run up in trade receivables as Christmas approaches, this key indicator of business activity has been flat since July and declining since September.

Media Release - Business Risk Index
Business InsightsBusiness Risk Index

Sign of the times - trade receivables point to subdued December trading period

The November 2022 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) reveals that the usual trade momentum going into December has failed to materialise and businesses should brace for a more subdued Christmas trading period.

A person with a clock and laptop at a work desk.
Cash FlowDebt Collection

Avoid the late-payment drama and get paid faster

Month-end is often a much-maligned time. Chasing down unpaid invoices and late payments takes time, can be unpleasant and can lead to frustration for both you and your customer.

Debt
Debt CollectionRisk Management

Debt collection FAQs

A business must rely on more than just a handshake agreement to ensure that invoices are paid on time and bad debt is avoided. However, you’d be surprised how many companies are flying blind, operating without appropriate debt collection tools and templates that ensure payments are made and debts are repaid.

Too late!
CreditorWatchData

DebtorLogic: frequently asked questions

Staying on top of the financial health of your client base is crucial to ensuring your business maintains a healthy cash flow.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

RBA raises cash rate from 2.85% to 3.10%

Today’s decision by the RBA to further raise the cash rate will place undeniable financial pressure on Australian households. Combined with the Budget’s forecast rising prices on everyday goods, housing and energy, and lacklustre wages growth, this latest increase in the cash rate all but guarantees consumer confidence will weaken as we enter the busy Christmas retail period.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistEconomic Snapshot

November Economic Update

This month we saw a continuing emergence of signs that interest rate rises are slowly starting to have an impact on the Australian economy. The first hint came in the form of retail trade, released early in the month, that showed a 0.2 per cent month-on-month decline in retail trade.

Man smiling while holing a laptop
Debt Collection

Reinvent the way you collect debt. A faster, simpler and cleaner experience

DebtorLogic is a debt collection strategy that helps you stay ahead of bad debt by revealing how your customers pay you in comparison to the rest of the market. It helps businesses to get paid faster and improves cash flow by taking a proactive approach to debtor management.

How to improve your chances of collecting outstanding payments
Credit ManagementCreditorWatch

How to improve your chances of collecting outstanding payments

The Australian economy is struggling with supply chain issues, rising interest rates and ongoing financial uncertainties. While growing debt could potentially cause the demise of your business, collecting outstanding payments is proving to be more difficult than expected.

Women smiling on the beach
Cash Flow

Securing your cash flow over Christmas and New Year

The silly season is upon us and chances are your calendar is already beginning to fill up with end of year catchups and Christmas parties. Then there are the many meetings to discuss projects that must be completed before we all head off for a bit of respite and sun.

Meet the Crew: Teagan Caruana and Lucy Stewart
CreditorWatchCrewWatch

Meet the Crew: Teagan Caruana and Lucy Stewart

Gain an insight into the lives of two of our CreditorWatch crew members and learn more about their interests, passions and secret talents.

Flight information board displaying the word "cancelled" in bold letters.
Cash FlowDebtorLogic

Strike Off Action in Progress: what is it and how does it work?

Effectively, a ‘strike off action in progress’ notice means the nominated company will be dissolved unless preventative action is taken.

Cash is king
Cash FlowWorking Capital

Cash is king! Best practice fundamentals for improving working capital

The COVID-19 pandemic generated economic volatility, labour shortages, and supply chain disruptions that impacted the working capital of many businesses and forced them into survival mode and the adoption of more conservative strategies. Aside from the fluctuating business recovery in the post COVID-19 era, there are now legitimate concerns around the forecast of difficult economic conditions in 2023, as highlighted by CreditorWatch in its recent snapshot Economic Update – October 2022.

A diverse group of individuals wearing construction vests and hard hats, working together on a construction site.
ConstructionDebt Collection

Five tips to help construction businesses collect debt faster

It’s a tricky time to be operating in the construction industry. As seen with the recent collapses of multiple Australian construction companies, increased operating costs and a downturn in revenue can quickly result in defaults and insolvency. It sounds simple, and it’s not always easy, but the best way to safeguard your business from the myriad challenges confronting the industry is to ensure that cash flow is regular and protected. If you have the money to pay the bills, then you’re more likely to survive and thrive.

Media Release - Business Risk Index
Business Risk IndexCreditorWatch

A tale of two economies; Small business struggling as late payments take hold

SYDNEY, Wednesday 16 November 2022 – The October 2022 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed that small businesses are feeling the pinch of the current economic pressures while big business is faring much better.

Industry insights - Business Risk Index
Business Risk IndexCreditorWatch

Business Risk Index October 2022 Industry Insights

This month’s results from both CreditorWatch and other important industry data show a clear downward shift in business confidence and more treacherous conditions for businesses ahead. While any deterioration in business conditions can instinctively seem like a negative for the economy, unfortunately high inflation periods can only be ‘cured’ through broad economic slowdowns.

PPSRLogic: Frequently Asked Questions
CreditorWatchPPSR and PPSA

PPSRLogic: Frequently Asked Questions

The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online federal government notice board of security interests in personal property. The PPSR is a regulated database of official interests in specific property - including cars, goods, company assets, and other items. When specific types of loan, rental, hire-purchase or other agreements are signed, the property in question (referred to as ‘collateral’) underwrites it. Implemented in January 2012, the security interest register keeps an official log of which parties have a stake in which collateral.

Credit risk sign
Credit ManagementCredit Risk

Can I get a business loan with bad personal credit?

Your personal credit history can affect your business credit history, including your ability to gain access to credit products, such as a business loan or a business credit card. If you have a poor credit score, it can make it much more challenging to gain approval for credit products, as a lender may review both your personal credit history as well as your business credit history. However, having bad personal credit and poor credit history isn’t a life sentence and it can be possible to boost your chances of credit approval.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistEconomic Snapshot

Westpac Consumer Confidence and NAB Business Confidence Conditions

Yesterday’s release of Westpac’s Consumer Confidence and NAB’s Business Conditions survey gave us the clearest signs yet that interest rate rises and inflation are really about to start impacting the performance of Australian economy.

Inflation Ahead
Cash FlowInflation

Effects of inflation on businesses: Is inflation good or bad for companies?

Of the many pressures currently facing Australian businesses – rising inflation is one of the most pressing. It impacts everything from consumer confidence to the price of the raw materials. However, it can also create an environment for business owners to raise prices. So, why does inflation occur, what are the effects of inflation on business, and is it good or bad? A little of both, depending on factors such as industry and overheads, as we discuss below.

Person looking at a credit score on a mobile phone.
Credit ReportsCreditorWatch

What is the average credit score in Australia?

In Australia, the average credit score varies depending on which reporting bureau or ratings agency you ask as they all have their own system of measurement. For personal credit, an average score may sit anywhere from 300 to 624. For business credit, it may depend on the agency, but at CreditorWatch this may refer to a business with a RiskScore placing it in the C2 or C3 range.

A man wearing glasses sits at a desk, engaged in a phone conversation
AutomationCredit Management

CreditorWatch launches automated receivables management solution to help Australian companies get paid faster

SYDNEY, Monday 7 November – Australia’s top commercial credit reporting bureau CreditorWatch has acquired Debtor Daddy Limited, an automated receivables management software and collections service provider.

Meet the Crew - Emily Hema and Ada Aldea
CrewWatchMeet the Crew

Meet the Crew - Emily Hema and Ada Aldea

What made you want to join CreditorWatch? After working in recruitment for 3 years I was excited to sell a product that wasn’t a person and couldn’t change its mind! I was really impressed with the products at CreditorWatch and how they genuinely make an impact on businesses.

Chief Economist
Economic Snapshot

RBA raises official cash rate by 25 basis points to 2.85%

Data and forecasts released in the latter half of October all point to difficult economic conditions in 2023. The RBA board will likely have carefully considered labour force data, which showed that the unemployment rate has stagnated at 3.5%, employment growth has slowed dramatically, and job vacancies have stopped rising.

Chief Economist
Chief EconomistEconomic Snapshot

Economic Update - October 2022

Economic news this month was dominated by the release of the Federal Budget 2022/23 and September quarter inflation. Unfortunately, both releases point to far more difficult economic conditions for Australian businesses in 2023.

Credit ManagementCredit Reports

How do Australian consumer credit bureaus work?

Credit reporting is a fundamental component of credit approval, management and risk assessment for businesses and individuals alike. Within Australia, there are three different bureaus providing credit reporting for individuals, each generating a score detailing your creditworthiness and capacity for further borrowings. This is different to the credit reporting on businesses that CreditorWatch does. So, who are these consumer credit reporting bodies and what exactly do they do?

ATOCOVID-19

Q&A with Claire O'Neill, ATO Assistant Commissioner, Integrity

We sat down with Claire O’Neill, Assistant Commissioner, Integrity at the ATO to find out the options that businesses with outstanding tax debts have, and the steps that the tax office will take to work with businesses before taking extreme action such as publicly declaring tax debts.

Chief Economist
Chief Economist

September Quarter Inflation Summary

The September quarter Consumer Price Index (CPI) data shows that inflation continues to roar along, with prices growing by 7.3% over the year to September 2022 – the highest level in 32 years.

Credit ManagementCredit Reports

What credit score do banks use in Australia?

When applying for credit within a bank, you can expect your credit file to get checked with their credit reporting bureau of choice.

Credit RiskRisk Management

Credit risk modelling and analysis: What is it and how does it work?

Risk modelling entails using past behaviour to predict future tendencies. Using a combination of lived experience, machine learning and complex algorithms, the credit risk modelling capabilities available to Australian businesses are being refined with every passing day.

Credit ManagementCredit Reports

Does using Afterpay affect your credit score and rating in Australia?

We are witnessing the proliferation of innovative ‘buy-now-pay-later (BNPL)’ platforms within Australia and globally. Consumers are compelled by flexible, interest-free payment options, allowing them to spread the budget hit of purchases over time.

Credit ManagementCreditorWatch

What is a good credit score in Australia

Your individual credit score and company credit score are two of the most important indicators of creditworthiness, and showcase your financial responsibility to credit providers, potential new suppliers and trading partners

BankruptcyCredit Reports

How long do credit inquiries stay on your credit report in Australia?

When you apply for any credit products, sign up to a utility provider, or consider working with a new business partner, it’s likely a credit enquiry will be performed on you or your business.

ASICCreditorWatch

How to close down a company by voluntary deregistration

For relevant officeholders enquiring how to close a company formally, the process is not as complicated as it may seem. In simplest terms: if your company has asset holdings totalling under $1000 and has not declared insolvency, you may be eligible to apply for voluntary deregistration.

Credit ManagementDebt Collection

High risk customers: what they are and how you can protect your business from them

As profit margins dwindle under rising inflation and operating costs, identifying your high risk customers is paramount. Trading with risky clients jeopardises cash flow, integrity, and exposure to litigation.

ApplyEasyAutomation

ApplyEasy: Frequently Asked Questions

When approving or rejecting customers for new lines of credit, it is recommended that you check them for creditworthiness and probability of default.

Financial Risk Assessment

How manufacturers can reduce risk with Financial Risk Assessments

Ensuring your manufacturing business is paid on time, and engaging with financially healthy customers and suppliers, is essential for the growth and security of your finances.

Credit Risk

Managing reputational and credit risk in the construction sector

Within the risk-laden world of construction, integrity and reputation are crucial for survival. Risks to cash flow from non-payment are high. Extending credit to late-paying clients may ultimately send both businesses down the insolvency path.

Payment Defaults

Why hospitality businesses must consider registering payment defaults

While many of the movement restrictions and space limitations have eased since COVID-19 first hit Australian shores, businesses in the hospitality sector are still experiencing the impacts of the pandemic.

Business InsightsMonitoring and Alerts

How automated Financial Alerts can reduce risk for hire and rental sector businesses

Enterprises within the hiring and rental business historically operate on a critical foundation of trust. Understandably so, as the value and volume of goods loaned are often significant.

CreditorWatch

KYC Crypto: What is KYC verification and why do cryptocurrency exchanges need it?

Know Your Customer (KYC) is a fundamental component of how financial sector companies prevent illicit criminal activities, and perform due diligence, for anti-money laundering (AML).

Chief Economist
Economic Snapshot

Unemployment remains steady in September

The September unemployment rate was steady on a seasonally adjusted basis, at 3.5 per cent. There was very little movement in both employed people and the number of unemployed people, which rose slightly by 8,800, or 1.8 per cent.

CreditorWatchPPSR and PPSA

Demystifying the PPSR: protecting yourself, protecting your business

The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is the Australian Government’s online noticeboard of security interests in almost anything of value, except for land, buildings and fixtures. It’s important for businesses to know about the PPSR – but what kind of risk protection can it provide?

Business InsightsFinancial Risk Assessment

Five benefits of Financial Risk Assessments

CreditorWatch’s Financial Risk Assessments provide a comprehensive look into the financial viability of your trading partners, helping you make the right decisions to protect and grow your business.

Debt Collection

How real estate businesses can benefit from debt collection tools

The real estate industry relies upon the regularity and consistency of tenancy payments to drive revenue. Property Management often forms the cash flow base for boutique and franchise shop fronts alike, and any disruption can adversely affect the bottom line quickly.

Industry insights - Business Risk Index
Business Risk IndexCreditorWatch

Trade across the board increases as supply and labour bottlenecks begin to clear

Our Business Risk Index (BRI) data for September 2022 was broadly consistent with data trends we have recorded over the preceding months. Trade Receivables continue to increase year on year, indicating that businesses are still feeling relatively confident and that supply and labour bottlenecks are slowly clearing up.

Media Release - Business Risk Index
Business Risk IndexCreditorWatch

CreditorWatch Business Risk Index: Nation-wide risk of default worsens

The September 2022 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed the risk of default over the next 12 months has increased in all regions across Australia with 5000 or more registered businesses with the exception of the Lower Hunter and Wyong regions in New South Wales.

AutomationDebt Collection

Making the debt collection process easier for wholesalers

The process of chasing up unpaid debts can feel like an intimidating task, particularly when you’re dealing with multiple products and transactions along an extensive supply chain. However, for businesses in the wholesale sector, it doesn't have to be.

Credit RiskDebtorLogic

Managing accounts receivable risk in the retail and wholesale sector with DebtorLogic

Overdue invoices can cause a serious headache for retail and wholesale businesses, especially considering the reliance on steady cash flow to buy more stock and supply your goods. Not only is the impact detrimental to your accounts receivable, but also the time spent chasing up late payments eats into operational hours.

Cash FlowDebt Collection

Making the debt collection process faster and easier

No matter what your business is manufacturing, the key to the process is cash flow. It’s the vital stream of revenue that allows you to buy your raw goods, pay for the utilities required to produce the product, and maintain the wages for staff. As soon as there is any disruption to cash flow, by virtue of slow creditors, it can spell trouble for your operation.

ConstructionCredit Management

Get more transparency in your data

Within the often murky world of construction, transparent data gives your team the inside track. Prospective trading partners in the sector have been known to sometimes take steps to obscure or obstruct the discovery of credit risk or instances of malpractice.

Credit ReportsRisk Management

Why you should be using CreditorWatch's additional searches

CreditorWatch is not just about credit reports and monitoring. We empower businesses with an extensive range of searches and reports to help them uncover exactly who they’re working with.

Financial Risk AssessmentProcurement

How financial risk assessments can help procurement teams

Procurement teams play a vital role that, in many ways, dictates the viability of the operation they represent. Large-scale Australian manufacturing businesses need to source the right goods, at the right price, from the most reputable suppliers in order to have any remote chance of long-term sustainability.

ConstructionDebt Collection

Improving collection rates in the construction sector

The construction sector within Australia is notoriously high-risk. Any exposure to the adverse payment behaviour, credit risk, or directorial malpractice of a trading partner can threaten the viability of your operation. Failing to implement an appropriate debtor management strategy, or using incorrect data, may result in default or insolvency implications for your business. It’s essential that all creditors be managed effectively, with collections prioritised, in order to safeguard your cash flow.

Credit RiskDebtorLogic

Ensuring fintech businesses that operate in open networks can mitigate risk

For fintech businesses, the use of open networks is one of the foremost advantages of the sector. It differentiates product offerings from competitors and allows market-leading technology to be leveraged. However, this same system exposes these businesses to a litany of risks in a sector that does not assume the same regulated transparency, compliance, or risk reduction policies that lenders or banks are subject to.

Chief Economist
Economic Snapshot

Economic Update - Cash Rate increase to 2.60%

Global factors have played a key role in today’s decision by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), as inflation continues to remain sticky in the US, and currency movements make inflation harder to tame in Australia.

Chief Economist
Economic SnapshotNews

Economic Update - September 2022

Global influences continued to have a big impact on the Australian outlook this month. The US Federal Reserve announced a further 0.75% increase to interest rates, while also indicating that they will not deviate from their path of interest rate increases until inflation is under control

Meet the Crew

Meet the Crew: Agnes Eswono, Senior Product Marketing Manager and Srikanth Roopa, Senior Data Engineer

What do you do at CreditorWatch? I am the Senior Product Marketing Manager. I’m here to help the business identify and build solutions to solve customer problems, and then help customers see why they want and need CreditorWatch’s solutions to solve their problems.

ConstructionCredit Risk

How construction companies can effectively collect debt

The construction industry is operating amidst an abundance of higher credit risk factors, including ongoing supply chain and materials delays, as well as higher costs for materials. When a construction business takes on a project in the current environment, it’s likely exposing itself to some degree of risk.

Wholesaler in warehouse
CreditorWatch CollectDebt Collection

How wholesalers can optimise debt collection

Following up on unpaid invoices and outstanding debts can be a frustrating and awkward process. Any unpaid credit to your business can have a devastating impact on your cash flow and your ability to turn over stock. Luckily, the credit collection process is not one you must go through alone.

Credit RiskPPSR and PPSA

PPSR registrations vs Retention of Title Clauses

Sometimes you think you’re protected, until all of a sudden you’re not. Contract clauses don’t always provide the bulletproof vest for your business that you might assume they do.

Credit ManagementCreditorWatch

CreditorWatch wins three-year contract with Coface to support its credit insurance underwriting business

CreditorWatch is an Australian-owned credit reporting bureau that provides credit and financial risk information, digitised financials, credit scoring and modelling and API driven data delivery.

Credit ManagementCredit Risk

Why you should do a credit check on every company you work with

Company credit checks are an underutilised resource that can offer significant benefits to any business. Not only can performing a credit check on customers, suppliers or potential business partners protect you from credit risk and cash flow issues - you’ll be able to make more informed, data-driven decisions to facilitate business growth.

Credit RiskData

Using data to reduce business credit risk

One of the best tools at your disposal to reduce business credit risk is accurate, up-to-date data. Unfortunately, dirty data is a common problem that limits the ability of a company to take action to mitigate credit risk. Luckily, there are steps you can follow to be proactive about your data management and data hygiene.

Credit ManagementCredit Risk

How transport and logistics companies can manage credit risk

Within the unprecedented high-cost trading environment across multiple Australian industries, high volume Transport and Logistics companies are broadly exposed to credit risk. Ensuring the creditworthiness of suppliers and clients alike is crucial to securing the future of your cash flow and business.

Credit RiskOnboarding

How fintech companies can manage credit risk

At the apex of technology, research, and financial markets - fintech companies are breaking new ground and changing the ways that clients operate. The impacts of smart product offerings, leveraging the latest developments in science and engineering, have been enormous for both individual consumers, and partner businesses.

DataPortfolio Health Check

Improve data management with a Portfolio Health Check

Data is king in the world of contemporary business. Operators that are able to accurately collate and analyse data from trading partners, customers, and local areas can leverage that information to elevate performance.

Credit ReportsDebtorLogic

Difference between reactive and proactive debtor management

Getting on the front foot with your debtor management can mean the difference between healthy cash flow and potential insolvency. There are tools and insights available for proactive debtor management, which can alert you to the dangers of customers at risk of default ahead of time.

Credit RiskDue Diligence

What are the credit risks associated with cross directorships?

When conducting business with a trading partner, any potential unknown conflict of interest can derail your operation and expose you to credit risk. The financial impact can be so severe that your business may enter insolvency territory by virtue of the malpractice, bad faith, and bad debt of partner businesses.

Credit ManagementDue Diligence

How healthcare services can improve credit management in 2022

In a highly time-critical industry, such as the healthcare services sector, the non-payment of invoices, or default/insolvency claims from your clients can adversely impact the ability to provide effective and efficient customer service.

PPSR and PPSA

What the PPSR is and why you need to stay on top of registrations

As a hiring or rental business, the top priority (alongside regular revenue) needs to be the security, and retention of ownership, of any loaned or collateral assets. If your security stake in an asset is unproven, you may never either recover the good or be compensated for it, according to strict compliance guidelines.

ConstructionRisk Management

Tips for avoiding adverse cross directorships in the construction industry

The building and construction industry within Australia is notoriously high-risk. It is quick to be adversely affected by any downturn in the nature of trading conditions, including supply chain delays, steep price hikes on imported goods and raw materials, and rising domestic inflation.

Debt Collection

The power of CreditorWatch's debt collection tools

Bad debt can be fatal to a business. CreditorWatch helps you avoid this by taking a proactive approach to debtor management. Our interactive trade payment program, DebtorLogic, reveals your debtors’ payment trends, enabling you to identify risks and prioritise collections.

Credit ReportsMonitoring and Alerts

How to improve your business's financial health

Australian businesses currently in a very fragile state due to the shifting and changing nature of the economy. It is important to focus on the financial health of your business and the steps you can take to improve it.

Debt CollectionDebtorLogic

Protecting the health of your ledger in uncertain times

The current market is experiencing uncertainties that have left most businesses in a very different state to where they were pre-COVID. Many are unaware of new and emerging risks in their ledger.

Industry insights - Business Risk Index
Business Risk Index

Pressures increase on businesses as economic conditions change

CreditorWatch’s Business Risk Index (BRI) data for August 2022 shows a clear trend of rising B2B trade payment defaults as the index has for some time, however, other economic and survey data is more inconsistent.

Media Release - Business Risk Index
Business Risk Index

CreditorWatch Business Risk Index: Payment defaults accelerating; key indicator for insolvencies up 53% YoY

The August 2022 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed that trade payment defaults have surged to their highest point since October 2020. Payment defaults are now up a massive 53 per cent year-on-year.

ApplyEasyCredit Management

Wholesalers face risks from poor credit application procedures

In the current economy, there are uncertainties and risks around every corner when it comes to running a wholesale trade business.

Credit ManagementCredit Risk

Why perform a business credit check

Running a B2B business comes with its challenges and one of the biggest is maintaining cash flow. With one bad decision your company can go from booming to bust.

CreditorWatchInsolvency

How to manage the risk of business fraud

Any legitimate business should be keen to partner with those they can trust, who manage their capital responsibly, and who won’t be tied to any kind of illegal activities.

ApplyEasyCredit Management

How to avoid fraud in the financial sector

For as long as financial services have existed, unscrupulous entities have found ways to exploit their weak spots for personal gain. Fraud itself is nothing new, but there are concerns that those weak spots are now more plentiful and easy-to-find than ever before.

Cash FlowWorking Capital

Why you should build a 'cash-excellence' culture

Effective Working Capital Management has always been a business fundamental and long-term practice to help guide future business decisions. In many industries, obtaining adequate financing and balancing debt to equity can be incredibly challenging to maintain.

Chief Economist
Economic Snapshot

RBA lifts rates to seven-year high of 2.35%

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is not shying away from its goal of bringing inflation back inside the target band, and today further increased the cash rate target. Retail trade, labour force and business sentiment data all point to continued ‘heat’ in the economy, even though consumer sentiment and house prices continue to weaken.

Credit ReportsCreditorWatch

How to use business credit reports to avoid supplier hoppers

As a creditor, you want to be sure that your debtors can repay their dues and that each customer is reliable with a trustworthy credit history. CreditorWatch is Australia’s leading credit check business. Our business credit reports help you identify risky customers, allowing you to proactively mitigate risks to protect your business.

PPSR and PPSA

How wholesalers can get the most out of PPSR

As a wholesaler, your investments and trading need to come with a high degree of financial safety and security. Any credit risk should be mitigated from the outset and a key tool for wholesalers is the Australian Government’s Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR).

ConstructionCredit Reports

Why do a construction business credit check?

As cracks begin to emerge in the Australian construction industry, various credit risk factors are posing a huge threat to its entire foundation.

ConstructionCreditorWatch

Combating fraud and phoenixing in the construction industry

Employing around 1.16 million people in 2021, the construction industry is significant to Australia’s economy. The industry's value sat at $202 billion in 2021 with $81.84 billion of that coming from the private sector.

Debt Collection

How your debt collection strategy affects your business

Debt collection is a process of empathy as much as it is strategy. Any company collecting debts from its customers must understand the position each party is in and make it as seamless a process as possible to ensure everyone can focus on running a strong business.

Meet the Crew

Meet the Crew: Ben Hardy-Rollins and Alberto Cubeddu

What made you want to join CreditorWatch? A couple of things really, the product looked great and the emphasis on the people and culture is something that I believe drives businesses forward.

Credit Management

The importance of credit monitoring for wholesalers and retailers

It’s no secret that the cash flow stability of wholesale trade and retail businesses can change very quickly, especially given ongoing global supply chain delays.

Credit Risk

Credit risk management tips for hiring and rental businesses

Within the hiring and rental industry, the security of your assets can often mean the difference between profitability and bankruptcy.

PPSR and PPSA

PPSR: a critical tool for the hiring and rental industry

In Australia, the hiring and rental industry, by its nature, requires a higher degree of asset and cash flow security. On the provision side, this is due to revenue streams depending not only on transactional volume, but also the maintenance, care, payment for and return of the individual goods leased or loaned.

Credit ReportsDue Diligence

Essential steps when conducting director due diligence

In a time of increasing insolvencies and bankruptcies, and rising costs of doing business, an intimate knowledge of the directors of current or future potential trading partners can be of great value to your business.

CreditorWatchRisk Management

Managing fraud in the manufacturing industry

The manufacturing industry is one of the most vulnerable sectors when it comes to the risk of fraud and corruption. Horror stories involving inferior product quality, false warranty claims, and stock theft and misuse, among many other unfortunate scenarios, have caused significant fraud-based losses to many manufacturing companies and their livelihoods.

Chief Economist
CreditorWatchEconomic Snapshot

Economic Update - August 2022

This week’s Jobs and Skills Summit is the talk of the business world at the moment. There is strong hope among all sectors of the economy that some real, immediate actions can be taken to help fill some of the 480,000 jobs that are currently available in Australia.

Credit ManagementCredit Reports

Why real estate businesses need to credit check their trading partners

Real estate industry performance is intrinsically linked to the trading conditions of the housing market. In times of boom, the sales volume for agents increases - driving a swell in available cash flow for all associated businesses.

InsolvencyPayment Defaults

Using data to predict business default and insolvency risk

It’s a tale as old as time for too many businesses within Australia. You engage with another company, everything runs smoothly for a few months, and then out of nowhere that company collapses – and you’re left struggling to reclaim debt.

Economic SnapshotPPSR and PPSA

Benefits of the PPSR for wholesalers

When managing large businesses and their valuable assets, your dealings need to include a high degree of credit risk management.

Credit RiskPPSR and PPSA

Managing ongoing business risk with the PPSR

The trading environment in Australia throughout 2022 has seen some unprecedented challenges. As rates of insolvency have risen across numerous industries, it is more important than ever to ensure appropriate risk mitigation strategies are in place to protect both your business and its assets.

Financial Risk AssessmentInsolvency

Using Financial Risk Assessments to protect your business from insolvency

When making purchases on behalf of your business, it is imperative that your suppliers and contractors are trustworthy, creditworthy and timely in the delivery of their products.

Credit ManagementCredit Risk

How hospitality businesses can strengthen credit risk management

The current trading environment for the food and beverage services sector is creating significant downward pressure on cash flow, while amplifying credit risk. This can be attributed to low consumer sentiment, higher inflation levels, supply chain issues, and multiple other factors.

Credit ReportsDebt Collection

Five reasons to register a payment default

A payment default is a black mark on a credit report, indicating an entity has not paid its debts. Payment defaults are unique to CreditorWatch, providing valuable insights into delinquent payment behaviour.

DataNews

Managing the problem of bad debt

Bad debt is an expense that a business incurs when a customer is unable to pay an amount owed for goods or services. Any amount lost, written off, or unable to be recovered is essentially considered bad debt.

Credit ManagementCreditorWatch

How to strengthen your customer onboarding procedures

When a business credit application is made, it’s important to dot every i and cross every t before committing to a partnership with the applicant. This should involve a process of thorough due diligence where you research a business’s credit report and make an informed decision around whether they present a risk to your cash flow.

PPSR and PPSA

Why conduct a PPSR search?

The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an official government register of interests in personal property. Operating as an online noticeboard, you can register with PPSR to show that you have rights over personal property which secure a debt or obligation that someone owes you.

Chief Economist
Economic Snapshot

Labour Force Update - August 2022

Today’s labour force data continued to underline just how tight the Australian labour force is. At 3.4 per cent, seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is at the lowest it has been since 1974. There are now fewer unemployed people than there are jobs available in Australia.

Financial Risk AssessmentRisk Management

Going deeper: protecting your business with financial risk assessments

Within the current business trading environment in Australia, cash flow is king. To adequately protect the balance sheet of your business, it is essential that you determine the creditworthiness and payment tendencies of any partner business.

Business InsightsCredit Management

How arts and recreation businesses can protect their interests with company credit checks

Spanning a broad cross section of Australian businesses, from art galleries to theatres, gyms to sport and recreation clubs - the arts and recreation services industry is a fickle beast.

Credit ReportsMonitoring and Alerts

Why you need to be aware of cross-directorships

When you begin trading with a new business, the history of its directors may not be something that you immediately think of as being important. But extending credit to companies that have unscrupulous directors will not only putting your business at risk but can also potentially expose you to criminal activity.

ConstructionPayment Defaults

Lodging payment defaults: construction business' secret weapon from insolvency in a high-risk environment

It’s a challenging time for the construction industry, thanks to ongoing labour shortages, and supply chain issues, in tandem with rising inflation levels increasing local business expenses.

Credit ManagementPPSR and PPSA

What is the PPSR and who is it for?

Since 2020, businesses across all sectors and regions have taken a beating with trading conditions the most challenging they have been in years. With multiple impacts such as rising inflation and interest rates, labour shortages, supply chain disruptions and more, CreditorWatch’s Business Risk Index forecasts business insolvencies to continue rising over the coming months.

Six business men climbing ladders
Monitoring and Alerts

Keeping ahead of your competitors with monitoring and alerts

Through the use of monitoring tools, you are able to maintain a smooth and consistent cash flow. This is a core factor that determines the long-term survival of a business more than anything else.

A man resting his head on a desk while holding a piggy bank in his hand
BankruptcyLiquidation

What is the difference between liquidation, voluntary administration and bankruptcy?

The current business trading environment within Australia is facing unprecedented challenges, as seen with fluctuating revenues and higher inflation. With company insolvencies rising, it’s important to understand the difference between liquidation, voluntary administration and bankruptcy.

Industry insights - Business Risk Index
Business Risk IndexCreditorWatch

Business Risk Index July 2022 Industry Insights

After four consecutive months of increases to the cash rate target, and inflation continuing to rise, it is now clear that a slowdown in demand in many industries is inevitable. The retail sector will feel the brunt of the impact of a reduction in discretionary spending.

Media Release - Business Risk Index
Business Risk IndexCreditorWatch

External administrations surge as cheap money dries up; Court actions up 54% YoY

The July 2022 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed that external administrations and court actions are on the rise as the era of cheap credit comes to an end and businesses with depleted cash reserves and thinning margins confront yet more challenges.

Insurance
Credit ManagementCreditorWatch

How to avoid trade credit insurance claims

Trade credit insurance provides a business with cover in the event its customers become insolvent or cannot pay their debts.

Wholesale business warehouse
Credit Risk

How wholesale businesses can manage credit risk

In the ups and downs of today’s global economy, wholesalers often bear the brunt of it all when it comes to another supply chain collapse. So, what can you do to make sure your wholesale business steers clear of toppling supply chains and keep your ledger strong?

Luke
CrewWatchMeet the Crew

Meet the Crew - Lewis Forrester, Business Development Manager (VIC)

Find out about Lewis Forrester, CreditorWatch Business Development Manager in our Victorian Corporate team!

Whitepaper - How the manufacturing industry can strengthen the Australian economy
CreditorWatchWhitepapers

Whitepaper: How the manufacturing industry can strengthen the Australian economy

CreditorWatch’s latest industry whitepaper - ‘How the manufacturing industry can strengthen the Australian economy’, presents a comprehensive overview of the current state-of-play and outlook for Australia’s manufacturing industry.

Meet the Crew - Mandy Mill, Head of Operations and Finance and Dan Mawdsley, Head of Product
CreditorWatch

Meet the Crew - Mandy Mill, Head of Operations and Finance and Dan Mawdsley, Head of Product

What do you do at CreditorWatch and why do you love it? Head of Operations – I love it as there is never a dull moment. I am learning each and every day.What does your average workday look like? This is hard to pinpoint as I have a lot of enquiries etc from Sales Staff and the Staff in general. No two days are the same which I love.

Chief Economist
CreditorWatchEconomic Snapshot

RBA raises cash rate by 50 basis points to 1.85 per cent

Anneke Thompson, Chief Economist at CreditorWatch, comments on today’s cash rate decision. This is in response to last week’s increase in annual inflation seeing it at its highest level since the introduction of the GST in 2001.

Blocks which say: Analysis, plan, evaluate, risk, control, review and assessment.
Credit RiskDue Diligence

An overview of business credit risk indicators

When performing customer due diligence, what are the red flags to look out for? It is likely that five to 15 per cent of your ledger has adverse information you’re unaware about. To mitigate credit risk, it is important to be able to identify risk indicators which highlight entities in financial distress.

A hand pulling on a rope that is about to break
Credit ReportsCredit Risk

Cross directorships: What to look out for

When performing a business credit check, it is important to understand the concept of cross directorships. This is where some directors you work with may own or have previously owned multiple companies, and potentially increasing their credit risk.

Person using calculator at a desk
Credit ManagementCredit Reports

Not all business credit checks are equal

News Hub Home News Podcasts Webinars Business Risk Index 244 mins read Group With a multitude of credit reporting bureaus in the market providing business credit checks, understanding that…

Person looking through filing draw
Credit ManagementCredit Reports

What is a business credit file?

The financial reputation of a business is one of the most fundamental indicators of its reliability to meet payment obligations, and this is showcased in a business credit file. Before you look to engage with a new customer, or a business partnership, it’s crucial that you do your due diligence and perform a credit check.

Reducing credit risk with data management
Credit RiskData

Reducing credit risk with data management

In a world where the trading environment is increasingly uncertain and information comes at us at an overwhelming rate, having accurate, reliable, and up-to-date business data can make all the difference in how well your business is protected.

A team of workers in hard hats and vests collaborating on construction plans.
ConstructionPayment Defaults

How construction businesses can avoid late payments

It’s been a volatile few years for the construction industry, with rising inflation, global supply chain disruptions, labour shortages and fixed price contracts putting increased pressure on clients and businesses alike. However, there are options available for companies to avoid late payments, and potentially get paid faster.

A sleek interface displaying financial data with graphs and charts, designed for managing business accounting efficiently.
Credit Risk

Managing business credit risk in the financial services industry

As we have commenced Financial Year 2023, the rates of insolvency within the financial services industry have risen, illustrating the critical challenges these businesses continue to face. Managing credit risk is essential to maintain the flow of revenue from trusted trading partners, and avoid the prospect of default.

Credit History
Business InsightsCredit Management

Why is a business credit history so important?

Looking at the past can help you determine trends of the future – but sometimes the past can come back to bite you. A company’s credit history can make or break its ability to secure credit and conduct business.

Credit Score
Credit Management

What is a good business credit score?

When you first start out, it can be a daunting task to try and pick out which customers have the best chance of working well with your business. Luckily, there’s a simple way to land your goal of building a base of reliable customers – check their credit scores!

Business man holding cash
CreditorWatchWorking Capital

Releasing ‘trapped’ cash - How to optimise your working capital strategy to grow your business

When the COVID-19 pandemic began to reshape business operations globally, the preliminary response of CEOs, CFOs, and treasurers was all about survival of their business: free up cash, liquidity, and resources to keep their business operations afloat.

Construction site using forklift
Credit ReportsLogistics

How credit reports can help logistics businesses

High pressure. High prices. High demand. With millions of orders being placed each day, there’s no denying that the pandemic and a need for contactless and immediate deliveries has boosted the demand for logistics services in Australia.

Meet the Crew - Damon Earp, VIC BDM
CrewWatchMeet the Crew

Meet the Crew - Damon Earp, VIC BDM

What made you want to join CreditorWatch? I joined due to the power of the product and the rapid growth of the company in a short period of time.

Chief Economist
Economic Snapshot

Inflation to bite across H2 2022

Not surprisingly, inflation rose by 6.1 per cent over the year to June 2022. This was up from 5.1 per cent over the year to March. The high inflation rate was heavily impacted by supply side factors (war in Ukraine, supply chain bottlenecks and adverse weather events) as well as very strong demand in the housing construction sector.

Snail
CreditorWatchProcurement

Are these four procurement issues slowing down your business?

Keeping your procurement operations running smoothly is challenging, no matter what stage of business you are in. Both new and established businesses can face an uphill battle in balancing their spending whilst still delivering revenue and profit gains.

Two women wearing hard hats and holding laptops while working on a construction site.
Credit ReportsCredit Risk

Top tips for manufacturers on managing credit risk

Tired of tricky customers and suppliers damaging the financial position of your manufacturing business? Follow these credit risk-reducing tips to stay one step ahead.

A woman sitting at a desk with two monitors and a phone
AutomationCash Flow

Why you should monitor your customers

The current economic climate is awash with change and uncertainty. These unstable trading conditions have highlighted the necessity for businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to become more aware of who they are working with.

Two men in hard hats collaborating on a laptop, engaged in a construction project.
Credit Risk

How construction companies can mitigate credit risk

It takes a multitude of people to work end-to-end on a construction project. If you own or run a construction company of any kind, your employees or contractors need to be paid and you need to be paid by the client to pay these contractors.

Business man walking along a rope
Credit RiskCreditorWatch

How to mitigate credit risk

A little bit of risk is par for the course in the business world, but what happens when landing a new customer ends up costing more than you can gamble?

Several individuals wearing hard hats engaged in conversation
Credit ReportsCredit Risk

How manufacturers can use credit reports to avoid risk

Manufacturers are faced with challenges daily; from maximising automation to keeping on top of supply and demand. The need for an instant credit report has never been more critical for manufacturers.

Business man writing
Credit ManagementCredit Reports

Five reasons to check the business credit score of all your customers

The relationship we have with risk is a fascinating one; how we calculate it and how we respond to it when it presents itself can tell us a lot about our own psychology.

Biggy bank smashed with coins
Bankruptcy

How to reduce your exposure to bankrupt customers

A court order has taken place and you find an official notice from AFSA (the Australian Financial Security Authority) that one of your customers is now bankrupt. But what does this mean for the money they still owe you?

A person multitasking on a laptop, tablet, and phone.
Credit ManagementCreditorWatch

How to check a business's credit score

Checking the credit of your customers and clients is a crucial part of running any business. Whether you're providing services, products, or financing, you need a way to ensure that you can trust your customers to make good on what they owe you.

Meet the Crew: Srijana Maharjan, Back-End Developer
CrewWatchMeet the Crew

Meet the Crew: Srijana Maharjan, Back-End Developer

Welcome Srijana who joined the engineering team as a back-end developer. What do you do at CreditorWatch? I’m a backend developer in engineering department.

A man intently examines something through a magnifying glass, focusing on the details.
Monitoring and Alerts

Why you should monitor your customers' payment behaviour

The current trading environment for Australian business is presenting unique and unforeseen challenges to both ownership and their management teams. In light of this, diligent credit assessment of customers is as necessary as ever before.

Piggy bank floating in water
CreditorWatch

Managing uncertainty with 24/7 monitoring and real-time alerts

By neglecting customer due diligence, businesses are exposed to unnecessary risks, such as unpaid invoices and bad debt, which could have potentially disastrous consequences.

Payment overdue
Credit ManagementCreditorWatch

Watch out for these 10 red flags of financial distress

When performing customer due diligence, what are the red flags to look out for? To mitigate credit risk, it is important to be able to identify risk indicators that highlight entities in financial distress.

Alex
CrewWatchMeet the Crew

Meet the Crew: Alex Crawford - Senior Sales Analyst

What’s the biggest career lesson you’ve learnt so far? People won’t always remember what you say, but they’ll remember how you made them feel.

Media Release - Business Risk Index
Business Risk IndexCreditorWatch

Business confidence at a turning point; data points to softer than expected second half of 2022

CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed that business confidence is teetering, with key indicators such as trade receivables and credit enquiries down, while trade payment defaults continue to register at pre-COVID levels.

Good/Bad Credit
Credit ManagementCredit Reports

Why wholesalers need to credit check their customers

Many large Australian retailers have been forced to shut their doors over the past two years. These devastating flow-on effects have been felt by all stakeholders in the supply chain. For wholesalers, who are often operating on narrowing margins to begin with, the volatility of the market since March 2020 has driven home the need to be aware of the credit history of each customer.

Meet the Crew: Sean Tully, Legal Counsel/Joint Company Secretary
CreditorWatchCrewWatch

Meet the Crew: Sean Tully, Legal Counsel/Joint Company Secretary

Welcome to Sean Tully who is the new legal counsel/joint company secretary at CreditorWatch. What do you do at CreditorWatch? I’m the new Legal Counsel at CreditorWatch.

Person cutting up a credit card
Credit RiskCreditorWatch

Credit risk challenges for fintechs

Fintech, short for ‘Financial Technology,’ was only added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary in 2018. In that short amount of time fintech has streamlined and simplified common financial processes, spreading to countless industries and all corners of the globe.

Chief Economist
Economic Snapshot

RBA raises official cash rate to 1.35%

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has once again increased the cash rate by 50 basis points to 1.35% in an effort to reign in inflation before a ‘spiral’ sets in.

Data
Credit ManagementCreditorWatch

Five Benefits of 24/7 Monitoring and Real-Time Alerts

In the current economy, filled with uncertainties, businesses are being forced to rapidly change and become more adaptable. And many are not able to manage the transition. CreditorWatch’s Business Risk Index data forecasts insolvencies to steadily rise across the remainder of 2022.

Security
CreditorWatchSecurity

CreditorWatch awarded ISO certification for gold-standard information security management

CreditorWatch has been awarded the ISO 27001 and 27017 certifications, for information security management and cloud security controls respectively. These globally recognised accreditations prove that CreditorWatch has achieved the highest standards of information security management.

Brendan Sherry
CreditorWatchCrewWatch

Meet the Crew: Brendan Sherry - Senior BDM

Welcome (back) to Brendan Sherry! Original Melbournite, Brendan will be coming over to the Sydney office to fill the role of Senior BDM.

Emma Berry
Business InsightsCreditorWatch

How manufacturing businesses can prevent bad debt

For the vast majority of business owners, debt collection is not something you want to spend too much time dealing with. Whether you’re in it, chasing it, or just trying to stay one step ahead of it, you probably feel that the hours grappling with outstanding payments could be better spent working on your business.

Data Protection
Credit ManagementCreditorWatch

How to protect your small business from fraud

The pandemic, alongside the rise in technology advancements, has forced SMEs to change the way they operate. This can be anything from altering their business models and plans to keeping up with ever-changing customer trends. The last thing an SME needs is added fraudulent behaviour from trading partners, customers and even employees.

Payment overdue
Credit RiskCreditorWatch

How logistics companies can speed up debt collection

Extending credit always comes with risk. Nowhere is this truer than in the logistics industry, where the process is complicated due to the many moving parts and different stakeholders that make up a supply chain. You can't always avoid payment defaults, but with the right tools and strategies, you can minimise risk and speed up the debt collection process.

Chief Economist
Credit RiskCreditorWatch

ABS Business Conditions and Sentiments

“The ABS has released their final Business Conditions and Sentiments survey. The survey results give us some indication of upcoming inflation and economic conditions.

Michael Wang
CrewWatchMeet the Crew

Meet the Crew: Michael Wang - Data Science Manager

What made you want to join CreditorWatch? The vibrant culture and the opportunity to be part of CreditorWatch’s growth journey.

Piggy bank floating in water
CreditorWatchDebt Collection

Debt collection challenges faced by the construction industry

Struggling to get paid as a construction worker? You’re not alone – thousands of people within the industry are experiencing the same thing.

Industry Synopsis - Business Risk Index
Business Risk IndexChief Economist

‘Perfect economic storm’ means the end is nigh for struggling Aussie businesses

CreditorWatch has released its Industry Synopsis for June. Industry data, coupled with stats from its Business Risk Index (BRI)*, point to an increased probability of default for a number of industries, as the threat of rising interest rates finally eventuates.

CreditorWatchMeet the Crew

Meet the Crew: Sean Deng - Front End Developer

Welcome to Sean who has joined our development team as a front end developer. What do you do at CreditorWatch?

helping hands
CreditorWatchData

What Causes Bad Debt?

Bad debt happens when your customers are unable to reciprocate or repay an amount owed in the set amount of time. Any amount, or receivable, that is lost, written off and unable to be recovered is essentially bad debt.

Chief Economist
CreditorWatchEconomic Snapshot

Wage Price Index and Westpac Consumer Sentiment

“The Fair Work Commission (FWC) today announced a wage increase of 5.2 per cent for minimum wage earners.

EOFY Survival Guide 2022
CreditorWatchEnd of Financial Year

EOFY Survival Guide 2022

It’s EOFY 2022 and economic uncertainties are looming around every corner. Australia is experiencing inflation, rising interest rates, rising default rates, labour shortages, negative real wage growth and high fuel prices. The business landscape is characterised by increasing risks. Company insolvencies will continue to rise in 2022 and the road to recovery will be an uneven one.

Person cutting up a credit card
BankruptcyCredit Management

Understanding Bankruptcy

Trading with a company that is bankrupt or has been involved in bankruptcy is risky business. Ensuring you have all the information possible to safeguard your own financial health is vital.

Data
Business InsightsDebt Collection

Simplifying the Debt Collection Process

Running a business takes copious amounts of time and the last thing you want to be doing is chasing up debtors. Even with a proper credit check and credit score, debtors can sometimes slip through the cracks.

Chief Economist
CreditorWatch

RBA increases cash rate to 0.85 per cent

Today’s increase in the cash rate from 0.35 per cent to 0.85 per cent reflects the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA’s) increasing concern around price escalations across the economy. Senior executives among the grocery, construction and logistics sector have recently been advising their customers to continue to expect prices to rise, as many products have not yet fully repriced.

Australian Securities & Investments Commission
CreditorWatch

Director ID: Tips to help your director clients get their ID online

Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS) is providing the following guidance to agents and intermediaries to assist them in supporting their director clients to apply for their director identification number (director ID).

Business Insights
CEOExperts

Podcast: What makes a great place to work?

CreditorWatch CEO Patrick Coghlan and General Manager of People and Culture, Fiona Crawford, share their insights into what makes a great place to work and the importance of authentic and transparent leadership, employee empowerment, inclusion and non-work related personal growth initiatives.

Justin Meyer
CrewWatchMeet the Crew

Meet the Crew: Justin Meyers - Head of Commercial Sales

Justin is CreditorWatch’s new Head of Commercial Sales, ensuring that customers and prospective customers unlock the value of CreditorWatch’s data and technology.

Isabelle
CreditorWatchCrewWatch

Meet the Crew: Isabelle Holland - QLD BDM

I am a BDM in Brisbane. I really enjoy my work because it is based around building relationships. It’s a great feeling when you get someone on board to your service/ product when it’s something that you truly believe in.

Good/Bad Credit
Credit ManagementCredit Reports

How is a credit score calculated?

Whether you’re the owner of a small, medium or large business, a credit score is a vital source of information to help avoid bad debt. A credit score helps lenders understand and assess the creditworthiness and credit risk of potential and existing debtors.

helping hands
ExpertsInsolvency

New anti-phoenixing laws enforced in court – more power for liquidators

Anti-phoenix laws were introduced in 2020, however, it wasn’t until early May that a judgment enforced these laws in Court, setting out clear precedent for future cases. In the case of Intellicomms Pty Ltd (in Liquidation) (Intellicomms) & Ors v Technologie Fluenti Pty Ltd (Technologie Fluenti), Associate Justice Gardiner observed that the case had “all the classic hallmarks of a phoenix transaction” before handing down his decision.

Meet the Crew: Hana Le - Accounts Receivable Officer
CreditorWatchMeet the Crew

Meet the Crew: Hana Le - Accounts Receivable Officer

Hana is CreditorWatch’s new Accounts Receivable Officer, ensuring that all our incoming payments are properly accounted for and we all get paid!

Australian Securities & Investments Commission
Credit RiskCreditorWatch

Using the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) to protect your small business

In Australia, small businesses account for almost 98 per cent of all businesses, contribute to 35 per cent of our GDP, and employ 44 per cent of our workforce. However, more than 60 per cent of small businesses fail within the first three years.

Good/Bad Credit
Credit ReportsCredit Risk

How to manage credit risk in the construction industry

Construction is Australia’s third largest industry, accounting for nine per cent of our total GDP. With $360 billion in revenue generated annually, investors rightly view building and construction as a source of highly lucrative opportunities.

Chief Economist
Business InsightsCredit Reports

Unemployment steady at 3.9% but no signs of wages growth

The unemployment rate for April 2022 remained steady with the revised March 2022 rate of 3.9 per cent. There appears to be very little slack remaining in the employment market, with employed people only increasing by 4,000 people (0.03 per cent) despite a record number of jobs being available.

Business Insights
CEOChief Economist

Podcast: Dire Warnings for the Australian Construction Industry

Like the rest of the Australian economy, the construction industry was getting back on its feet after the worst of the pandemic. But the sector has now been hit by a perfect storm of supply chain disruptions, cost blowouts and staff shortages as inflation and interest rates rise.

Good/Bad Credit
Cash FlowCreditorWatch

How sole traders can use data to power their businesses

Sole traders make up more than 60 per cent of Australian businesses. It is the simplest and cheapest business structure, with low start-up costs, no registration or annual fees and fewer reporting requirements.

two men shaking hands with a small toy house in the background
ConstructionCreditorWatch

A guide to using property and land title reports

In this uncertain trading environment, businesses looking to improve their due diligence and assess the creditworthiness of customers need to thoroughly investigate the assets owned by an individual or company. In this article, we explain the information that creditors can obtain from a land title search, property valuation report, common property, and national property ownership search.

How automation has enhanced credit risk management
AutomationCredit Management

How automation has enhanced credit risk management

To keep up with rapid innovation and emerging disruption, customers and investors alike are now expecting digitalisation of all key aspects of business operations. With increasing demand for analytical and technical capabilities, credit teams need to embrace digital transformation of credit decisioning to remain competitive, save time and money and improve accuracy.

Business Insights
Business InsightsBusiness Risk Index

Podcast: Business Risk Index - April 2022 Insights

In our latest episode, we present the January Business Risk Index results and analysis. CreditorWatch CEO Patrick Coghlan and Chief Economist Anneke Thompson discuss the key insights.

Business Risk Index - Industry Synopsis
Business Risk IndexCreditorWatch

BRI April 2022 - Industry Insights

In April we continue to see the impact of inflationary pressures in our Business Risk Index (BRI) data. Those industries that are price setters – i.e., that can adjust their prices quickly to offset their increasing costs – remain the lowest risk sectors. That is, healthcare and social assistance, agriculture, forestry and fishing and manufacturing.

Business Risk Index Media Release
Business Risk IndexCreditorWatch

Economy at turning point as positive trends continue; Grim outlook for flood-affected regions

The April 2022 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) shows the Australian economy may have reached a turning point, with trade payment defaults and credit enquiries continuing to trend upwards for the quarter.

Business Insights
Credit RiskExperts

The 3 Ps of preparation for small businesses: Part 3 – Protections

Our latest episode of Business Insights is the third in a three-part series on how SMEs can best prepare themselves for uncertainty using the 3 Ps of preparation: processes, policies and procedures, and protection.

Meet Ealise Wang & Siwei Mu
CreditorWatch

Meet the Crew - Ealise Wang and Siwei Mu

What do you do at CreditorWatch and why do you love it? I love the company because I really and truly think they look after me, and support my work style. There is no micromanagement and the peers are super supportive

RBA raises rates for the first time in 12 years
Chief EconomistCreditorWatch

RBA raises rates for first time in 12 years to 0.35%

In response to the highest recorded inflation rate since the introduction of the GST in 2001, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has chosen to increase the cash rate to 0.35%, prior to receiving data on wage increases.

Inflation - the dark and stormy cloud
CreditorWatchNews

Inflation - the dark and stormy cloud

Writing in the latest edition of AICM (Australian Institute of Credit Management) magazine, Credit Management in Australia, CreditorWatch Chief Economist Anneke Thompson discusses the risks of rising inflation to the Australian small business community, particularly sectors that are exposed to discretionary spending such as food and beverage services.

Understanding Business Credit Reports
Credit ReportsCreditorWatch

Understanding Business Credit Reports

If you’re a business owner who extends credit to other businesses, you probably know exactly what a business credit report is.

Business Insights
Credit RiskExperts

Podcast: The 3 Ps of preparation for small businesses: Part 2 - Policies and Procedures

Our latest episode of Business Insights is the second in a three-part series on how SMEs can best prepare themselves for uncertainty using the 3 Ps of preparation: processes, policies…

Best Places to Work
CreditorWatchGreat Place to Work

CreditorWatch makes 2022 AFR BOSS Best Places to Work list

CreditorWatch is extremely proud to announce that it has made the 2022 AFR BOSS Best Places to Work list in seventh place in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services category.

CreditorWatch now collecting ATO tax debt default data
ATOCEO

CreditorWatch now collecting ATO tax debt default data

The ATO is Australia’s largest creditor responsible for the largest number of company windups in 2019. Historically, businesses would take on debtors with undisclosed tax debts and be caught off guard when the first mention on financial instability appearing when the ATO began wind up procedures.

Business Insights
ACN (Australian Company Number)COVID-19

The 3 Ps of preparation for small businesses: Part 1 - Processes

In this challenging economic climate, it is more crucial than ever that businesses are well prepared for whatever impacts come their way. Our latest episode of Business Insights is the first in a three-part series on how SMEs can best prepare themselves for uncertainty using the 3 Ps of preparation: processes, policies and procedures, and protection.

How lenders can enhance credit decisioning with CreditorWatch Data
Credit ManagementCredit Reports

How lenders can enhance their credit decisioning with CreditorWatch data

As we emerge from the pandemic, many businesses are struggling with cash flow and seeking credit to get going again. Those who are unable to meet the strict lending criteria of major lenders such as banks are increasingly turning to second tier lenders.

Business Insights
Business InsightsBusiness Risk Index

Podcast: Business Risk Index - March 2022 Insights

In our latest episode, we present the January Business Risk Index results and analysis. CreditorWatch CEO Patrick Coghlan and index creator James O’Donnell from Open Analytics discuss the key insights.

Business Risk Index - Industry Synopsis
Business Risk IndexCreditorWatch

Industry Synopsis CreditorWatch's March 2022 Business Risk Index

Reflecting their rising risk profiles due to Australia’s higher inflationary environment, the Food and Beverage Services, Arts and Recreation Services and Transport, Postal and Warehousing Industries all recorded an increase in their probability of default.

Business Risk Index Media Release
Business Risk IndexCreditorWatch

Trade activity rises but inflation and rate rises to drag; Hospitality default risk surges

The March 2022 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed that Australian business activity may be finally showing some green shoots around recovery, with B2B trade activity increasing for a second month in a row – now up 55 per cent on its January low (but still down 35 percent year-on-year). This was backed up by positive data on credit enquiries, which were up 45 per cent over the last quarter.

Business Insights
Credit RiskDebt Collection

How to improve the quality of your ledger with DebtorLogic

In this episode of Business Insights, we take you through how to improve the strength of your ledger, with CreditorWatch’s Trade Consultant for DebtorLogic, Lucinda Judd. In these times of uncertainty for businesses, ensuring that your customers are reliable and able to pay on time is critically important for your cash flow.

Economic update with Anneke Thompson - Chief Economist CreditorWatch
Economic Snapshot

Economic Snapshot Update

Anneke Thompson, Chief Economist at CreditorWatch, comments on The Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) penultimate cash rate decision before the Federal Election which has determined the Official Cash Rate (OCR) should remain unchanged for at least one more month.

Why searching the PPSR is important for business
CreditorWatchPPSR and PPSA

Why searching the PPSR is important for business

The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an official government register of interests in personal property (items such as motor vehicles, goods sold on credit terms and other financial property).

Meet the crew - Ellie Kiumarsian
CreditorWatchMeet the Crew

Meet the Crew - Ellie Kiumarsian

I am a web developer. I love the amazing culture of the company. CreditorWatch really cares about their people, and everyone is looks after one-another. CreditorWatch looks out for their people and gives their employees a 'Wellness Day' which is one day off each month. I think this definitely helps people wind down and have a break from working.

Meet the crew - Adam Bailey
CreditorWatchMeet the Crew

Meet the Crew - Adam Bailey

I’m the new face in Brisbane as an Enterprise Account Director, having just started the journey so far it has been awesome and refreshing with everyone being so welcoming.

CreditorWatch Budget 2022
Economic Snapshot

Federal Budget: innovation agenda will drive future spending

Following Australia’s 2022 Federal Budget announcement last night, please find comments below from CreditorWatch CEO, Patrick Coghlan, on the impact this will have on Australian businesses and the wider economy.

Business Insights
CreditorWatchExperts

Podcast: How to secure your assets on the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR)

The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an essential facility for all businesses leasing or selling goods or services on credit. But it is also widely misunderstood by small business owners. In this episode of Business Insights, Paul Mead, PPSR Sales Specialist (NSW) and Jason Sutherlin, PPSR Sales Specialist (Victoria) discuss the essential elements to consider when registering assets on the PPSR.

Everything you need to know about the new mandatory Director IDs
CreditorWatch

Everything you need to know about the new mandatory Director IDs

Director identification numbers (Director IDs) will be a mandatory requirement for new (first-time) directors from 5 April 2022. The Director IDs have been introduced to help prevent the creation of false Director identities and mitigate adverse cross directorships and illegal phoenixing activity.

Business Insights
Due DiligenceExperts

Podcast: The Grasshopper effect: What is supplier hopping and how can you avoid it?

In the latest episode of Business Insights we speak to CreditorWatch's Victorian Sales Manager Hilbert Klaster about the practice of supplier hopping - the practice of moving from one supplier to another, leaving a trail of unpaid debts - why it is on the rise and how businesses can avoid being caught up in it.

How to protect your cash flow and get paid faster
Cash FlowCreditorWatch

How to protect your cash flow and get paid faster

You’ve done the work and you’ve sent the invoice. Now you wait. Every business owner knows the challenge of getting debtors to pay on time. But is there more you can do to get paid faster when businesses stall?

Business Insights
CEOCredit Risk

Podcast: Outlook 2022 - Australia's 'phantom' lockdown threatens sustained economic recovery

The Australian economy is rife with uncertainty due largely to the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and its multiple variants, such as supply chain disruptions and labour shortages.

Going deep on customer due diligence with Infotrack searches
CreditorWatchTechnology

Going deep on customer due diligence with Infotrack searches

CreditorWatch’s integration with the award-winning InfoTrack search portal gives our customers access to several additional searches and services. InfoTrack is the leading legal tech innovator in Australia, offering more than 4,500 different products. Our seamless integration lets you quickly and easily access all of InfoTrack’s services and resources within your CreditorWatch account.

Probuild collapse - avoiding failures like this is possible
Case StudyConstruction

CASE STUDY: Probuild collapse - avoiding failures like this is possible

The Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) has been criticised in several quarters for helping to trigger last month’s collapse of Probuild through its refusal to approve a $300 million takeover of the company by state-owned China State Construction Engineering Corp on national security grounds.

Business Risk Index - Industry Synopsis
Business Risk IndexCreditorWatch

Industry Synopsis for CreditorWatch’s February 2022 Business Risk Index

It has been a rocky start to 2022 for the Australian economy due to the impacts of Omicron, the war in Ukraine and now the floods that have been devastating northern New South Wales and southern Queensland. The latest CreditorWatch Business Risk Index, covering February 2022, highlights the good and the bad of a difficult start to the year for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).

Business Risk Index Media Release
Business Risk IndexCreditorWatch

Trade activity up for now but flood impact looming; Construction sector confronts deep issues

he February 2022 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) reveals that the Australian economy is still in a holding pattern as it emerges from the impacts of the Omicron variant.

What can subcontractors do if a builder enters voluntary administration?
CreditorWatchNews

What can subcontractors do if a builder enters voluntary administration?

Construction giant, Probuild, recently entered voluntary administration, leaving more than 750 jobs at risk and around 2,300 creditors chasing payment.

Meet the crew - Matthew McMaster
Meet the Crew

Meet the Crew - Matthew McMaster

What do you do at CreditorWatch? I’ve come onboard as the GM of Customer Experience, where I’ll have the opportunity to positively impact each step of our customer journeys.

Meet the crew - Robert Lettieri
CreditorWatchMeet the Crew

Meet the Crew - Robert Lettieri

I work as a Senior UI/UX Product Designer at CreditorWatch. Working as a designer, I not only help improve products usability but also design the company brand from all touch points.

Man standing in front of an Australian construction site.
CreditorWatchNews

Probuild collapse; involvement in tragedies like this can be avoided

Explore the warning signs that led to the Australian construction industry giant Probuild's collapse, its impact on subcontractors, major projects, and the broader construction sector.

Chief Economist Harley Dale
Economic SnapshotExperts

The RBA won’t budge in the current environment

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) confronts some key uncertainties in the final month of the March 2022 quarter. Against this backdrop, it’s no surprise that the RBA Board determined not to raise the Official Cash Rate (OCR) in March.

Economic update with Harley Dale
Business Risk IndexCreditorWatch

Economic Update - January 2022 Retail Sales

As the economic environment, post Omicron, stalled recovery momentum continues, the situation has become yet more volatile. The latest update from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) for Retail Sales (January 2022) reinforces this point.

An introduction to Financial Risk Assessment
Credit ManagementCreditorWatch

An Introduction to Financial Risk Assessments

A Financial Risk Assessment provides a comprehensive look into the financial viability of your customers, suppliers and contractors.

Economic update with Harley Dale
CreditorWatchEconomic Snapshot

Economic Update - Quarterly Wage Price Index

“With the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) making it crystal clear that it won’t raise official interest rates until signs of sustainable wage inflation emerge, the quarterly Wage Price Index (WPI) is perhaps the most important economic metric of 2022.

How credit scores help businesses manage the impact of Omicron
Credit RiskCreditorWatch

How credit scores help businesses manage the impacts of Omicron

The flow-on impacts from the spread of the Omicron variant have brought many small businesses to their knees. Supply chain disruptions, skills shortages and rising costs hit SMEs when they were just beginning to recover from the initial outbreak of COVID-19.

Chief Economist Harley Dale
CreditorWatchEconomic Snapshot

Harley's Economic Update

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) stats on Australia’s Labour Force for January 2022 has revealed: The unemployment rate remained steady at 4.2%.The number of people employed increased by 12,900 to 13,255,000.The underemployment rate increased to 6.7%.Monthly hours worked decreased by 159 million hours.

7 reasons why small businesses should use accounting software
CreditorWatchRisk Management

Seven reasons why small businesses should use accounting software

How is your business managing its finances? If you’re still using folders and spreadsheets, it’s time to revamp your approach.An accounting software package streamlines all your accounting processes, making it easier to stay on top of your finances.

Chief Economist Harley Dale
CreditorWatchEconomic Snapshot

Harley's Economic Snapshot - February

Well, we are a little bit in ‘no-man’s land’ – over the worst of the adverse impacts of Omicron, but with a tragic loss of life, large political management errors and a long tail to the variant. This all contributes to the greatest fear for SMEs – uncertainty. However, there is still a touch of optimism creeping in as Australia (along with the rest of the world) adjusts to dealing with pandemic to endemic business conditions.

CreditorWatch Business Risk Index Industry Synopsis
Business Risk IndexCOVID-19

Industry Synopsis for CreditorWatch’s January 2022 Business Risk Index

The latest CreditorWatch Business Risk Index captures circumstances for January 2022, a month when Omicron bit the economy hard and smashed the optimistic expectations of thousands of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).

CreditorWatch 10 Million Credit Reports
Business Risk IndexCreditorWatch

Insolvencies to rise across 2022; Trade receivables down 45% on same qtr last year; court actions jump 58%

The January 2022 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed that the Australian economy has some way to go before it shakes off the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

How to take your credit checks to the next level
Credit RiskCreditorWatch

How to take your credit checks to the next level

Signing any agreement before you have all the information is risky business. As a business owner, it’s in your interest to exercise due diligence to ensure you know who you’re getting into business with.

Why you should register payment defaults in 2022
CreditorWatchPayment Defaults

Why you should register payment defaults in 2022

As the Australian economy continues to suffer the effects of the Omicron variant, business activity remains soft as consumers sit on cash while in self-imposed lockdown and many companies struggle with staff shortages and supply chain disruptions.

Economic update with Harley Dale
CreditorWatchEconomic Snapshot

Economic Update with Harley Dale

“It comes as no surprise that the RBA Board has made the decision to keep the OCR steady at its record low – a rate that has remained unchanged since November 2020. Conjecture regarding a rate rise will intensify as we move throughout the year but right now, nothing is going to happen to official interest rates.

Preparing your business for the challenges of Omicron
Credit ManagementCreditorWatch

Preparing your business for the challenges of Omicron

As the Omicron variant sweeps across Australia, the initial relief that came with opening up after the lockdowns has quickly dissipated.

How can you know which companies to do business with?
AutomationCredit Risk

How can you know which companies to do business with?

One of the biggest challenges for business owners is being able to tell which companies and providers you can reliably trade with, and which you should avoid. No vendor will tell you this on their own, and many will have reasons to indicate the opposite. So, what gives?

Economic update with Harley Dale
Economic Snapshot

Economic Update - Harley Dale

Today’s 1.3% lift in the CPI for the quarter (up 3.5% for the 12 months to the December quarter) shows a substantial rise compared to the September 2021 quarter. This will likely accelerate the upward movement in household and business market interest rates irrespective of when the RBA moves itself to lift the official cash rate.

The master of predictive data models
Business Risk IndexCreditorWatch

The master of predictive data models

For anyone working in financial services, more predictive algorithm credit-risk models mean more informed decision making and therefore fewer losses. So how can data specialists working in fintech enhance the predictability of their models? James O’Donnell, Managing Director of Open Analytics Hand creator of the CreditorWatch Business Risk Index, provides some insights.

Meet the crew - Andrew Thomson
CreditorWatchMeet the Crew

Meet the Crew - Andrew Thomson

What do you do at CreditorWatch and why do you love it? I have taken on the role of API Sales Specialist. I love this role because it’s great to see how efficient and streamlined businesses can be, using our API functions.

Meet the Crew - Natalie Ip
CreditorWatch

Meet the Crew - Natalie Ip

Meet Natalie Ip - People and Culture Officer, SYD. .What do you do at CreditorWatch and why do you love it? I’m a new addition to the P&C team and I am loving my first week so far because everyone has been so welcoming so far! I’m excited for the projects we have coming up in the P&C space and can’t wait to get into it!

Economic update with Harley Dale
Economic Snapshot

Economic Snapshot on Labour Force

CreditorWatch’s Chief Economist, Harley Dale, comments on today’s ABS Labour Force data. December’s results saw Australia’s unemployment rate fall to 4.2 per cent in December 2021 from 4.6 per cent a month earlier. This was the lowest reading since August 2008 as COVID-19 lockdowns were lifted.

CreditorWatch Business Risk Index Industry Synopsis
Business Risk IndexEconomic Snapshot

Industry Synopsis for CreditorWatch’s December 2021 Business Risk Index

December 2021 started with such promise for the entire Australian population. Lockdown restrictions were easing or ending, people were getting out and about more and anecdotal evidence was pointing to a strong Christmas period. Then Omicron hit hard and swiftly.

Business Risk Index Media Release
Business Risk IndexCreditorWatch

CreditorWatch data: Santa went missing! But Newcastle and Perth best improving cities

Santa went missing! The December 2022 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed that Australia’s trading activity was at its lowest point since the pandemic began due to the impacts of the Omicron variant.

Why Omicron has increased your need for automated customer onboarding
ApplyEasyCOVID-19

Why Omicron has increased your need for automated customer onboarding

Traditional credit checks and their shortcomings are giving way to a new era of efficient, rapid and user-friendly approaches to checking business’ credit histories and customer onboarding.

Chief Economist Harley Dale
CEOData

Retail Sales have a bounce in their step, but for how long?

Harley Dale, CreditorWatch Chief Economist, comments on today’s ABS Retail Trade stats which saw retail sales jump 7.3 per cent in November 2021, reflecting a record value of sales in Australian history.

Big machines, big challenges: wrangling the risks of the mining, agriculture and construction industries
ConstructionCOVID-19

Big machines, big challenges: wrangling the risks of the mining, agriculture, and construction industries

The pandemic and climate change have impacted us all in different ways with multiple flow-on effects. Some have endured far tougher times than others but one thing we all have in common is that we’ve had to quickly adapt to these unfolding global events.

How to cleanse your data to reduce credit risk this holiday season
CreditorWatchPortfolio Health Check

How to cleanse your data to reduce credit risk this holiday season

As Australia comes out of COVID pandemic and lockdown restrictions are reduced, uncertainty around trading activity remains. During the holiday period it is vital to stay on top of your customer data.

Talking Tech: How to build a business risk index, part 4
Business Risk IndexCreditorWatch

Talking Tech: How to build a Business Risk Index, Part 4

In this four-part series, CreditorWatch Software Architect Developer, Juanjo Lainez Reche, takes you through the decision-making and development of the Business Risk Index – one of the most complex and ambitious projects ever undertaken by the company.

business man running from zombies
ASICATO

What are zombie companies and how do you identify them?

The term ‘zombie company’ is used to refer to any business that is so debt laden that it is only able to pay the interest on its loans.

Chief Economist Harley Dale
COVID-19Economic Snapshot

Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) 2021-22

The Mid-year Economic and Financial Outlook (MYEFO) presents a predictably optimistic update for the year ahead for Australia. This time last year bookings for cruise holidays in 2021 were soaring because of the belief that the worst of COVID-19 was behind us

Talking Tech: How to build a business risk index, part 3
Business Risk IndexCreditorWatch

Talking Tech: How to build a Business Risk Index, Part 3

In this four-part series, CreditorWatch Software Architect Developer, Juanjo Lainez Reche, takes you through the development of the Business Risk Index – one of the most complex and ambitious projects ever undertaken by the company.

Chief Economist Harley Dale
CreditorWatchData

The latest NAB business results aren’t that bad

CreditorWatch’s chief economist, Harley Dale, comments on today’s NAB Business Confidence Index. November’s results saw a significant drop to a level of 12, from a downwardly revised 20 in October 2021:The latest NAB business results aren’t that bad

Meet the crew - Mandy Mill
CreditorWatchCrewWatch

Meet the Crew - Mandy Mill

What do you do at CreditorWatch and why do you love it? I am Head of Operations & Finance – I love my job as no two days are the same working with the Sales Team and wider business definitely keep me on my toes.

The dynamics of the Australian economy are rapidly changing
Business Risk IndexCOVID-19

The dynamics of the Australian economy are rapidly changing

As lockdown restrictions are eased in key states, Australia faces the prospect of a strong economic bounce-back in the December 2021 and March 2022 quarters.

Business Risk Index Media Release
Business Risk IndexCreditorWatch

CreditorWatch data: Recovery to take longer than expected; Perth and Brisbane bouncing back quickest

The November 2021 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed that business activity around Australia is currently weaker than expected, indicating that the return to pre-COVID levels is now likely to take longer than many pundits had anticipated.

CreditorWatch 10 Million Credit Reports
Business Risk IndexCreditorWatch

Industry Synopsis for CreditorWatch's November 2021 Business Risk Index

The latest CreditorWatch Business Risk Index covers November, the first month since May where Australia has been relatively lockdown free.

Food wholesalers hit by supply chain disruptions and risk fro hospitality businesses
ApplyEasyCreditorWatch

Food wholesalers hit by supply chain disruptions and risk from hospitality businesses

Food wholesalers across Australia are confronting international supply chain disruptions and price rises just as business picks up following the extended lockdowns in Melbourne and Sydney that obliterated profits over the past 18 months.

Data
Credit ManagementCreditorWatch

How data can help you make better decisions and reduce credit risk

In the digital age, data has become a key driver of growth, with insights guiding businesses to success. The financial services sector is heavily reliant on data, with banks, insurance companies and any organisations who deal in risk seeking to bolster their modelling and reduce defaults.

Omicron compounds the Great Supply Chain disruption
COVID-19CreditorWatch

Omicron compounds the Great Supply Chain disruption

CreditorWatch, the Australian digital credit reporting agency, has laid out how Australian SMEs can navigate the great supply chain disruption and associated risks as the Omicron variant overshadows confidence in the economy’s reopening, during a data-rich panel discussion with leading supply chain fintech Earlytrade earlier today.

Meet the crew - George Wolf
CreditorWatchCrewWatch

Meet the Crew - George Wolf

1. What do you do at CreditorWatch and why do you love it?I’m the QLD sales manager and I have the privilege of working with a talented and ambitious team of BDMs and Account Managers based out of the BNE office

Navigating the great supply. chain disruption risks for Australian business leaders
COVID-19CreditorWatch

Navigating The Great Supply Chain Disruption - Risks for Australian business leaders

Events that have caused global supply chains to be pushed to the brink have been well documented by media and commentators. Worldwide timber shortages, fuel and energy scarcity in the UK and China, major issues with semiconductor supplies and of course here in Australia we had the run on toilet paper.

Tips and tricks for streamlining the business credit application process
CreditorWatchRisk Management

Tips and Tricks for streamlining the business credit application process

Credit applications are a critical part of onboarding new customers. Put simply, a credit application is an essential contract that allows you to do business with a new customer.

What are personal guarantees and why are they important for your business?
CreditorWatchGuest Contribution

What are personal guarantees and why are they important for your business?

A personal guarantee is a promise made by a guarantor that they will personally meet the obligations of another person or company if that person or company defaults to the creditor under the original, or primary, agreement.

Start your business on the right foot: Good credit practices for new and Nano Businesses
CreditorWatchGuest Contribution

Start Your Business on the Right Foot: Good Credit Practices for New and Nano Businesses

If there was ever a time to start your own small or nano business, it’s now. Australian Bureau of Statistics’ figures show there has been a 3.8 per cent rise in the number of businesses formed in the year to 30 June 2021.

Talking tech: How to build a business risk index (Part 2)
Business Risk IndexCreditorWatch

Talking Tech: How to build a Business Risk Index, Part 2

In this four-part series of articles, we take you through the development of the Business Risk Index – one of the most complex projects ever undertaken at CreditorWatch.In my first article I outlined how we built the master datasets and our online transaction processing platform (OLTP), which fuels our data analysis and most of the CreditorWatch’s website and platform.

Business Risk Index Media Release
Business Risk IndexCOVID-19

CreditorWatch data: Regional Victorian businesses poised for strong recovery while Melbourne metro continues to struggle

The October 2021 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) has revealed a tale of two regions for the Victorian economy. Three of the top five regions around Australia with the lowest risk of default are in regional Victoria. This is a stunning result given much of the state has been in lockdown over the previous two years.

CreditorWatch 10 Million Credit Reports
Business Risk IndexCreditorWatch

Lockdown no impediment to business performance in regional Victoria, however, Melbourne metro continues to struggle

Regional Victoria leads the country with the best performing businesses according the October CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI). The results revealed that the state now boasts three of the top five performing business regions around Australia for risk of default; a stunning result given much of the state has been in lockdown over the previous two years.

Gain confidence to resume trading as restrictions ease across Australia
Credit ManagementCreditorWatch

Gain confidence to resume trading as restrictions ease across Australia

Restrictions are easing across states and businesses are reopening across Australia. As trading resumes under new and evolving conditions, most small and large business owners are eager but also hesitant, remaining cautious that things could change very quickly.

Chief Economist Harley Dale
CreditorWatchEconomic Snapshot

Harley's Economic Update - November Edition

There are sectors like Retail, together with Accomodation and Food Services who will thrive in the late 2021 and 2022 economic enviroment. Many businesses have clung on through nearly two years now of restrained trading conditions. Many haven’t survived and many who have show ‘staff wanted’ signs in the window as skills shortages bite. Post lockdown certainly isn’t without its challenges.

Chief Economist Harley Dale
CreditorWatch

Economic Update RBA keeps interest rates on hold

We have seen tentative signs of re-emerging inflationary pressures, albeit heavily influenced at this stage by COVID-related pressures. Bond yields are rising, and the Aussie dollar has recovered some ground.

Understanding the mandatory vaccination directions for Victorian workers
COVID-19CreditorWatch

Understanding the mandatory vaccination directions for Victorian workers

Macpherson Kelley has published details about the Victorian Government’s announcement for mandatory vaccination for all workers on the authorised worker list.

Meet the crew - Mitchy Koper
CreditorWatchCrewWatch

Meet the Crew - Mitchy Koper

I joined CreditorWatch to work with Patrick and the executive team on a strategy to take the business to a whole new level by bringing my love of all things communications and marketing to life.

Meet the crew - Peter Krilic
CreditorWatchCrewWatch

Meet the Crew - Peter Krilic

What is your role/position at CreditorWatch? Working in the Internal Sales team as a Customer Success Consultant.

Construction booming but challenges abound for the industry
ConstructionCreditorWatch

Construction booming but challenges abound for the industry

The construction industry has experienced particularly dire conditions since the pandemic took hold in Australia in May 2020 that now continue even as the economy clicks into recovery mode. As NSW and Victoria begin to re-open after months of lockdown, the industry is experiencing a surge in demand for materials but that has coincided with serious supply chain issues.

Your business might be COVID-safe, but is it credit safe?
Credit ManagementCredit Risk

Your business might be COVID-safe, but is it credit safe?

As vaccination numbers grow and lockdown restrictions are gradually reduced, businesses are emerging from hibernation to a society that is eager to return to a ‘new normal’.

CreditorWatch Board of Directors
CreditorWatchNews

CreditorWatch announces formation of Board of Directors

Australia’s leading digital commercial credit reporting bureau, CreditorWatch, is pleased to announce the formation of its Board, made up of two existing ATI Group board members and two independent non-executive directors, in addition to CEO Patrick Coghlan. This is an important step in the ongoing development and growth of the technology business.

How billions of datapoints became a Business Risk Index
Business Risk IndexData

How billions of datapoints became a Business Risk Index

Last week CreditorWatch launched a highly valuable, Australian-first economic indicator—the Business Risk Index. Each month the index reveals which regions in Australia are at the highest and lowest risk of insolvency in the future – critical information for businesses and government as we continue to navigate through the downturn from the coronavirus pandemic toward economic recovery.

Business Risk Index
Business Risk IndexCreditorWatch

CreditorWatch launches Australian-first Business Risk Index

The Business Risk Index (BRI) is a ground-breaking new economic indicator that provides unique insights into the health of Australian businesses by region. It draws on a wide range of data points to produce a dynamic measure of future insolvency risk for more than 300 regions across Australia.

Business Risk Index
Business Risk IndexCreditorWatch

The CreditorWatch Business Risk Index: Australia's most incisive leading indicator of business risk

Leading digital commercial credit reporting bureau CreditorWatch is today releasing the results of its inaugural monthly Business Risk Index, a groundbreaking predictive economic indicator to help guide businesses when making future growth plans and inform public policy.

7 warning signs in your credit report you might have missed
Credit RiskCreditorWatch

Seven warning signs in a credit report you might not know about

CreditorWatch’s credit reports contain unique data and insights to help business of all sizes better manager their credit risk and credit score. To help you leverage all the information in our reports, here are seven warning signs you might not know about.

The future of fintechs
CreditorWatchData

Whitepaper: The Future of Fintechs - fintechs driving change in financial services

The future of fintechs is a hot topic and one of the most important trends in the financial service sector in Australia and around the globe. Creditorwatch’s Future of Fintechs 2021 thought leadership paper is a comprehensive overview of the state-of-play across Australia’s vibrant fintech sector.

CreditorWatch appoints ex-Olympian as Head of people and culture
CreditorWatchCrewWatch

CreditorWatch appoints ex-Olympian as Head of People & Culture

Australian digital credit reporting bureau, CreditorWatch, has today announced the appointment of Fiona Crawford, a two-time medal-winning Olympian and HR Director of the Year finalist, as its General Manager for People and Culture.

How Hackathons unleash technical creativity
CreditorWatchCrewWatch

How Hackathons Unleash Technical Creativity

Hackathon – a word used and understood in the tech space, however outside of that it conjures up images of rogue computer experts using their wits to break into top-secret networks and steal the data.

The power of CreditorWatch's unique data
Credit RiskCreditorWatch

The power of CreditorWatch's unique data

At CreditorWatch, our unique data gives our customers a competitive edge. Our exclusive insights enable businesses, specifically small businesses to make smarter and more informed credit decisions and better manage risk, particularly in this COVID-impacted economy.

Business Risk Review - August 2021
Business Risk ReviewCreditorWatch

Business Risk Review - August 2021

After showing signs of resilience in July, the full impact of continuous lockdowns has taken its toll on Australian business activity, with dire outlooks for many businesses specifically in Sydney and Melbourne.

Meet the crew - Helen Fitzgibbon
COVID-19CrewWatch

Meet the Crew - Helen Fitzgibbon

What do you do at CreditorWatch and why do you love it?I am the state sales Manager for Victoria. I love doing it because I work with a fabulous team and great variety of customers.

'While you were sleeping' - Do you really know and understand the financial health of your best customers?
CreditorWatchProduct Updates

While you Were Sleeping

Many small business owners are not aware that their biggest exposure to credit default may lie with their top five customers. It often comes up in conversation with business owners.

COVID-19Meet the Crew

Meet the Crew - Georgia Page

What do you do at CreditorWatch and why do you love it? I’m the Office Manager based in Sydney. I love being organised, creating a productive & helpful space, having a lot of variety in my day and feeling like I’m part of everyone’s teams.

2021 EOFY Economic Road Ahead Survey Results
CreditorWatchPPSR and PPSA

Protect your security interests with PPSRLogic

In this uncertain economic climate in Australia, CreditorWatch’s PPSRLogic tool is helping businesses protect themselves from customers who might be unexpectedly wound up and also from unfair preference claims.

Reinventing the RiskScore
Credit RiskCreditorWatch

Reinventing the RiskScore

The latest partnership between CreditorWatch and Open Analytics is revolutionising credit risk assessment and automated credit decisioning.

Why does the new Payment Times Reporting Scheme mean for your business?
CreditorWatchRisk Management

What does the new Payment Times Reporting Scheme mean for your business?

A piece of legislation came into being on the 1st of January this year that will have major ramifications for small businesses in Australia.

Why you should upload your ATB more frequently
CreditorWatchData

Why you should upload your ATB more frequently

As COVID cases grow by the day, nationwide restrictions are increasing, with lockdowns being extended indefinitely.

The catastrophic combination that is strangling Australian businesses
COVID-19CreditorWatch

The catastrophic combination that is strangling Australian businesses

The combination of lockdowns and lack of stimulus from the government is leaving businesses cautious and recoiling from activity, which will have a devastating impact on the Australian economy.

2021 EOFY Economic Road Ahead Survey Results
CreditorWatchEnd of Financial Year

Economic Road Ahead EOFY Survey Results - Media Release

CreditorWatch, Australia’s leading digital credit reporting bureau, has released brand new customer sentiment data on the biggest challenges that Australian businesses faced last financial year, and how they’re feeling as we enter the current financial year.

Meet the crew - Emma Berry
COVID-19CreditorWatch

Nailing it in Lockdown - Emma Berry

Meet Emma Berry, CreditorWatch Business Developer Manager, NSW.

Meet the crew - Brendan Sherry
COVID-19CreditorWatch

Nailing it in Lockdown - Brendan Sherry

I’m a senior consultant at CreditorWatch. I have been with the company new for 4 years assisting larger corporate customers onboard new customers or suppliers safely through our reporting options.

Business Risk Review - July 2021
Business Risk ReviewCOVID-19

Business Risk Review - July 2021

The July 2021 CreditorWatch Business Risk Review is a reflection of the ups and downs playing out in the economy through the COVID period. Leading credit risk indicators paint a positive view across Australia with businesses in a good position to face the challenges of the current lockdowns.

SMEs set to lift their online game; women lending the demand for unsecured business loans
CreditorWatchSmall Business

SMEs set to lift their online game; women leading the demand for unsecured business loans

It seems SMEs have been slow to get onboard the online boom, with only a little over a quarter of SME revenue coming from e-business, according to new research by Banjo.

Supporting your trade credit insurance policy
Credit ManagementCreditorWatch

Using CreditorWatch to support your trade credit insurance policy

This article answers commonly asked questions and explains how CreditorWatch provides businesses with tools and data to strengthen their insurance decisions.

Economic Road Ahead EOFY Playbook 2021/22
CreditorWatchEnd of Financial Year

Business Confidence Critical for Trade Credit: New Research

This is the second year CreditorWatch has published its Economic Insights: the Road Ahead report, which is an opportunity to reflect on the financial year that was and form a view on Australia‘s economic future and the factors that are likely to drive it.

BUSINESS RISK REVIEW JUNE 2021
Business Risk ReviewCreditorWatch

Business Risk Review: June 2021

Analysing the ebb and flow of our economic recovery Stats that matter – comparing June’s Business Risk Review 2021 to May 2021 External administrations down 22.6% Court actions down 9%…

PAYMENT RATING - Our latest data driving tool
Credit ManagementCredit Risk

CreditorWatch Payment Rating

It’s as easy as ABCDEOn 1 July 2021, CreditorWatch launched Payment Rating - our latest product designed to shed light on slow-paying businesses. The new tool scans business-to-business transactions to…

Credit Risk Technology
AutomationCredit Reports

Maintaining Business Performance by Skilfully Implementing Automation

Businesses have accelerated their adoption of technology post pandemic. The CreditorWatch sales team explains why they should be cautious about over-reliance on automation.

Business risk review - May 2021
Business Risk ReviewCreditorWatch

Business Risk Review: May 2021

The CreditorWatch Business Risk Review May results are in and might spell trouble for the fledgling COVID economic recovery.

Ross Lambie's Economic Outook
CreditorWatchExperts

Can the Federal Government Pull Off the Economic Miracle It’s Hoping For?

On a sparkling Sydney day with gun barrel views of the harbour, a room of senior executives were treated to the insights of one of Australia’s most senior and insightful economists, ACCI’s Ross Lambie.

Arun Meet the Crew
CreditorWatchCrewWatch

Meet the Crew: Arun Baghel

Meet Arun - our Engineering Team Lead and one of our brilliant developers that has helped create CreditorWatch's team culture from scratch.

The PSR protection education hub
Credit ManagementCredit Risk

PPSR Protection Education Hub

We've teamed up with PPSR experts, the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) and Ledlin Lawyers, to refresh your knowledge on how to protect your business and security interests.

The PPSR & Unfair preference claims
PPSR and PPSARisk Management

Using the PPSR to Fight Against Unfair Preference Claims

Paul Mead and Hilbert Klaster discuss how unfair preference claims work and how the PPSR protects your business from preferential payment clawback.

A laptop screen displaying a 'Log in' screen
Credit RiskCreditorWatch

The Six Big Benefits of the PPSR

Four letters, six reasons. This is your quick guide to the top benefits you'll enjoy if your business uses the Personal Property Securities Register, or PPSR.

Collection Teams - Upskilling and overcoming challenges
Cash FlowCOVID-19

Collection Teams: Upskilling to Overcome Current Challenges

CreditorWatch customers part of a collection team can take advantage of a free workshop from eMatrix and government-subsidised training to boost their skillset. Learn more in this article.

Business Risk Review - April 2021
Business Risk ReviewCOVID-19

Budget and Business Risk Review (BRI): April 2021

One month on from the end of JobKeeper - what's the state of play? Read CEO Patrick Coghlan's and Economist Harley Dale's expert commentary on our latest Business Risk Review data.

phoenixing: the rise of director due diligence
ATOCredit Risk

Phoenixing: The Rise of Director Due Diligence

CreditorWatch's Caroline Smith and Dominic D'Andrea offer businesses practical advice and tips on how to spot illegal phoenixing and prevent dodgy directors affecting their cash flow.

SME Solutions
Credit ManagementCreditorWatch

Small Business Solutions: Debt Prevention and Management

We've teamed up with Brad Bulow and Angela McDonald to give small businesses practical and easy-to-implement advice on preventing bad debt, collecting late payments and protecting cash flow.

Latest CreditorWatch Product Developments
Credit ManagementCredit Risk

Latest CreditorWatch Product Developments

CreditorWatch is continuously improving its credit risk product suite and business solutions. We've made some impressive strides in the last 18 months. Find out more in this blog.

Strategies to reduce supply chain risk
Credit RiskCreditorWatch

Strategies to Reduce Supply Chain Risk: Lessons from the Pandemic

Procurement specialist Brendan Sherry offers four practical ways you can mitigate your supply chain risk and implement effective strategies to avoid financial stress.

Business Risk Review - March 2021
Business Risk ReviewCOVID-19

Business Risk Review (BRI): March 2021

Credit enquiries are on the rise, according to the CreditorWatch March 2021 Business Risk Review. Does this mean increasing business confidence in the Australian economy?

Meet the Crew - Brendan
CreditorWatchMeet the Crew

Meet the Crew: Brendan Sherry

Meet Brendan, one of our top performing Senior Sales Consultants, keen travellers and dad-to-be.

JobKeeper Ends - 28 March
COVID-19Experts

JobKeeper Ends on 28 March 2021

What does the end of JobKeeper on March 28 mean for businesses? Economist Harley Dale discusses on the CreditorWatch blog.

The grasshopper effect: supplier hopping
COVID-19Credit Risk

The Grasshopper Effect: How to Recognise and Prevent Supplier Hopping

Quick and skilled at camouflage, supplier hoppers have been plaguing Australian businesses before COVID-19, but their ill effects are more widespread than ever. Hilbert Klaster discusses how to detect supplier hopping behaviour.

Celebrating Internationals Women's Day
CreditorWatchInternational Women's Day

International Women's Day: CreditorWatch Brisbane Event

Our final International Women's Day event for 2021 was a Brisbane lunch, led by special guests Hetty Johnston AM (child protection advocate and founder of Bravehearts) and Greg Layton (executive coach and founder of Chief Maker).

B2B Sales Strategy
Cash FlowCOVID-19

B2B Sales Strategy: The Evolution Post-Pandemic

Now more than ever, business risk reaps reward. Our National Sales manager Danny O'Neill discusses how B2B sales strategy has shifted since the pandemic and what businesses should be doing to boost cash flow.

Celebrating Internationals Women's Day
CreditorWatchInternational Women's Day

International Women's Day: CreditorWatch Melbourne Event

35 guests enjoyed a fine dining experience at our Interntational Women's Day event in Melbourne, but the real showstoppers were the personal experiences shared by successful women in the finance industry, including Caryn Kakas, Head of Housing Strategy at ANZ Bank.

Business risk review - February 2021
Business Risk ReviewCreditorWatch

Business Risk Review (BRI): February 2021

Only one month to go until JobKeeper and JobSeeker ends. Find out how economic conditions are panning out before the government's financial relief for businesses stops.

Celebrating Internationals Women's Day
Charity and CommunityCreditorWatch

International Women's Day: CreditorWatch Sydney Event

Relive our first International Women's Day event for 2021: a lunch at Cafe Sydney, attended by a close group of inspirational ladies across the finance and media industries.

Caroline - Meet the Crew
CreditorWatchMeet the Crew

Meet the Crew: Caroline Smith

Meet Caroline from our Sydney office - our bicycle-riding ray of sunshine that meets new businesses around the state and introduces them to CreditorWatch.

Streamline your Accounts Receivable
Credit ManagementCreditorWatch

Streamline Your Accounts Receivable Process

Your accounts receivables might be an afterthought, but implementing an effective process is the best way to protect your business from risky debtors and create strong working relationships with your customers. Learn how with these four tips.

Accountants for SMEs
CreditorWatchExperts

Accountants for Small Business: Value Beyond the Numbers

Brad Bulow, Partner at Sammut Bulow Bennett Partners, speaks to CreditorWatch QLD Manager George Wolf about how an accountant can offer value to small businesses.

Business Risk Review January 2021
Business Risk ReviewCOVID-19

Business Risk Review (BRI): January 2021

The construction industry is one to watch as payment times blow out to 44 days overdue. Get the latest stats and insights from our Business Risk Review for January 2021.

SME Finance Part 2
Credit RiskCreditorWatch

SME Finance Options: Part 2

Phil Druce, COO of Lend Capital, discusses the different types of finance options available to small businesses in the final part of his blog series.

Using the PPSR to protect your business
COVID-19CreditorWatch

Using the PPSR to Protect Your Business in the COVID-19 Aftermath

Equip your business with the best protection possible when JobKeeper ends - the PPSR. Our in-house PPSR expert Paul Mead writes about who should be getting their PPS registrations in order, and why.

work smarter with credit risk technology
Credit ManagementCreditorWatch

Work Smarter with Credit Risk Technology

CreditorWatch is a market leader in innovation. Grace Kulbe, one of our Melbourne-based Senior BDMs, writes about her three favourite technology tools that make credit risk management a breeze.

Economic Peceptions
Business Risk ReviewCOVID-19

Economic Perceptions with Harley Dale

Harley Dale, CreditorWatch Chief Economist, offers his expert thoughts on the economy, COVID-19 and industry performance in 2021. Where to from here? Find out in his insightful blog post.

Lending Insights
Credit RiskCreditorWatch

Lending Insights: Helping Lenders Prevent Loan Stacking

Lending Insights is an industry first. Learn more about the tool that gives finance businesses and lenders data and visibility over borrowers who are loan stacking.

SME Insolvency Reforms
ASICCOVID-19

Navigating Temporary Restructuring Relief During 2021

Temporary restructuring relief is available to eligible companies until 31 March 2021. Find out what this means for both creditors and insolvent businesses.

Business Risk Review - December 2020
Business Risk ReviewCOVID-19

Business Risk Review (BRI): December 2020

Get the latest industry stats from the CreditorWatch Business Risk Review and expert insights from CEO Patrick Coghlan and Economist Harley Dale.

An interview DR Marcus Smith
CreditorWatchExperts

A Deep Dive Into the Queensland Economy

How has the Queensland economy fared in 2020? Our QLD Sales Manager George Wolf interviewed renowned Australian economist Dr Marcus Smith for an expert look into the issues, facts and figures that have driven the state this year.

Business Risk Review - November 2020
Business Risk ReviewCreditorWatch

Business Risk Review (BRI): November 2020

This is the last Business Risk Review for 2020. How is the economy recovering after a disastrous year and what does the outlook like for the New Year? Equip yourself with the data that matters.

SME Finance Options Part 1
CreditorWatchExperts

SME Finance Options: Part One

Phil Druce, COO of Lend Capital, makes his debut on the CreditorWatch blog with Part 1 of an insightful series designed to help small businesses understand the types of loan products available to them.

Riskscore Q&A
AutomationCredit Management

You Ask, We Answer: RiskScore Q&A

RiskScore is the most predictive credit score in the market to assess the creditworthiness of your commercial customers. See if your question has been asked, and if not, get in touch and we'll be happy to help!

Industry snapshot - with Harley Dale, Chief Economist
Business Risk ReviewCOVID-19

Economist Industry Snapshot: Business Risk Review, October 2020

CreditorWatch Economist Harley Dale offers his unique perceptions on the Australian economy and key industries in our latest Business Risk Review.

Business Risk review - October 2020
Business Risk ReviewCOVID-19

Business Risk Review (BRI): October 2020

74% of Australian industries recorded a decrease in payment times in October's Business Risk Review. Get the latest statistics and data from our monthly review, including insights from our CEO and Chief Economist.

CreditorWatch RiskScore - Taking the risk out of commercial credit management
Credit ReportsCredit Risk

Taking the Risk out of Commercial Credit Management

We're so proud to finally launch CreditorWatch RiskScore - the most accurate credit score and rating in the market. Learn more about RiskScore and how you can use it to make more informed decisions about your customers.

Collect Debt Effectively - Without straining relationships
COVID-19Credit Management

Three Lessons From Using a Business Credit Bureau

Borna, our Key Account Consultant, reminisces on the three biggest lessons his customers have learnt after being introduced to CreditorWatch and starting to use a commercial credit bureau.

Header: Improve cash flow by retaining your debtors
COVID-19CreditorWatch

Thinking Big and Driving Change During COVID-19

Ready for a good news story? We chat to Diane Tate, CEO of the Australian Finance Industry Association (AFIA), to find out how Aussie businesses and the finance industry are innovating during COVID-19.

Simplify Debtor Management and Improve Cash Flow
Cash FlowCredit Risk

Simplify Debtor Management and Improve Cash Flow

Lucinda Judd, our Trade Consultant, shows you how DebtorLogic can help you get paid faster. She's offering businesses a free ATB analysis to demonstrate how. Read this post for more details.

Business Risk Review - September 2020
Business Risk ReviewCredit Risk

September 2020: Early Signs of Stabilisation in the Australian Economy

The numbers in our Business Risk Review for September paint an interesting picture of the shift in the Australian economy. Find out the latest data and how your industry has fared in this blog.

Using ApplyEasy to Streamline Credit Applications
ApplyEasyCredit Management

Using ApplyEasy to Streamline Business Credit Applications

Trade credit applications can be messy and time-consuming to fill out and review. ApplyEasy, our online credit application tool, is a game changer. Find our why in this blog.

PPSRLogic
Credit RiskCreditorWatch

SME Trade Payment Data: Your Key to Reducing Credit Risk

Major Accounts Director, Gordon Porter, is passionate about reducing the credit risk of Australia's corporates with unique data. Find out how CreditorWatch's trade payment data offers the insights you need to avoid bad debt.

Four ways to better manage new customers
Credit RiskCreditorWatch

Four Ways to Better Manage New Customers and Reduce Business Credit Risk

Matt Jackson, GM of CreditorWatch, discusses why solid business relationships are so important to preserve your bottom line. Read more for his top four tips on how to identify and deal with a risky customer.

Small Business Risk Review August 2020
AdministrationBusiness Risk Review

Zombie Companies Continue to Hide Under Safe Harbour

Download our latest data on external administrations, payment defaults and payment times in August's Small Business Risk Review - now with insights from CreditorWatch Chief economist Harley Dale.

Set the Course: Navigating a way out of the temporary insolvency measures
CEOCOVID-19

Set the Course: Navigating a Way Out of the Temporary Insolvency Measures

CreditorWatch, AICM and ARITA call upon the Australian government not to extend safe harbour provisions. We released a whitepaper with unique creditor insights, expert commentary and recommendations from Patrick Coghlan, Nick Pilavidis and John Winter.

Data
COVID-19Credit Risk

Leveraging Trade Payment Data in the COVID-Impacted Economy

Neill Borg, CreditorWatch's Enterprise Accounts Director, discusses how you can use trade payment data to identify hidden risks to your business during COVID-19.

Small business risk review July 2020
Business Risk ReviewCOVID-19

CreditorWatch Data Suggests Small Business Recovery

Are there finally some green shoots appearing in the economy? CreditorWatch CEO Patrick Coghlan is wary, even as payment defaults fall by 13 percent in July 2020.

Credit Risk Technology
Credit RiskCreditorWatch

Credit Risk Technology: The Benefits of Automation

Credit risk management getting you down? Make faster decisions and streamline your internal processes by introducing automation into your business.

Commercial Real-Estate and Covid-19
COVID-19Credit Management

Commercial Real Estate and COVID-19: Strategies for Success

The COVID-19 pandemic has permanently transformed the commercial real estate (CRE) sector. Struggling to do things differently? Learn how to be resilient with our three strategies for success.

Meet the crew: Danny O'Neil
CreditorWatchMeet the Crew

Meet the Crew: Danny O'Neill

As CreditorWatch's National Sales Manager, Danny has plenty of advice and life lessons to share. However, wearing a white shirt and eating spaghetti at a client lunch is not one of them. Read more here!

Industry Analysis - SBRR Q2 2020
Business Risk ReviewCreditorWatch

Business Risk Review Q2 2020: Industry Analysis

Breakdown CreditorWatch's Small Business Risk Review data to reveal how your industry has been affected by COVID-19 during Quarter 2 2020.

Small business risk review june 2020
Business Risk ReviewCreditorWatch

Zombie Companies Multiply as Payment Times Blow Out

Our Small Business Risk Review data for June shows payment times across all industries have blown out by an average of 49 days year-on-year. Access the latest business stats in this article.

Meet the crew - Alberto Cubeddu
CreditorWatchMeet the Crew

Meet the Crew: Alberto Cubeddu

Meet CreditorWatch's Head of Development and all-round ray of sunshine - Alberto Cubeddu. Learn how he leads his team to success in this employee profile.

How to avoid the Preference Payment trap
COVID-19Credit Risk

How to Avoid the Preference Payment Trap

Are you at risk of being caught in a preference payment trap? In this article, Insolve discusses how to avoid the dangers of preference payments and the importance of securing yourself as a creditor.

Retail Industry - Small Business Risk Review Q4 2019
Credit ReportsCreditorWatch

New and Improved: Downloadable Credit Report PDFs

Commercial credit risk management has never looked so good. We have given our downloadable credit report PDFs a makeover: a striking design, clearer analysis and more data options than ever before. Read this how-to guide before downloading yours.

NSW Courts: Transitioning out of COVID-19 Restrictions
COVID-19CreditorWatch

BBW Lawyers' COVID-19 Update: Transitioning Out of COVID-19 Restrictions

This is the third COVID-19 update from BBW Lawyers. Learn how the New South Wales Courts are gradually relaxing COVID-19 restrictions and a implementing a phased return to in-person hearings.

Slow Paying Clients? Not On Our Watch
Credit RiskCreditorWatch

Adverse Cross Directorships: Mitigating Director Risk

It's official: Director Identification Numbers (DINs) will now be assigned to all company directors to improve accountability and prevent illegal phoenixing. Learn how CreditorWatch is helping in the fight with our feature Director Due Diligence.

Five facts about business bad debts
Cash FlowCreditorWatch

Five Facts About Business Bad Debts

Should you write off your bad debts at the end of financial year or keep chasing the non-compliant debtor for payment? Natalie Ledlin from Ledlin Lawyers offers five facts to help you decide.

How to get debtors to pay
Cash FlowCOVID-19

How to Get Debtors to Pay During COVID-19

There are plenty of tools available to collect money from debtors during COVID-19, but do you know how to use them? Learn to recognise when you should offer leniency, register a payment default or escalate to a debt collector.

The post-september economy
Business Risk ReviewCOVID-19

The Post-September Economy

The government's temporary relief measures for businesses will end on 24 September, leaving countless businesses in danger of collapsing and the insolvency sector in overdrive. Find out what our latest unique data shows.

Zombie Companies - how to protect your business
BankruptcyCOVID-19

Zombie Companies: Is Your Business Under Threat from the Corporate Walking Dead?

CreditorWatch CEO Patrick Coghlan and the expert panel at Insolve share their tips on how to identify a zombie company and protect your business with credit risk management and due diligence.

Meet the crew: George Wolf - QLD Sales Manager
CreditorWatchMeet the Crew

Meet the Crew: George Wolf

When not keeping his three young daughters in line, George has his hands full with his Brisbane-based sales team who are going from strength-to-strength.

How to reduce the risk of bad debt
Credit RiskCreditorWatch

Company Financial Statements: Identifying Signs of Business Failure

Understand company financials and the benefit of a Financial Risk Assessment to assess the financial health of your customers and suppliers. Watch the webinar or read this overview to gain valuable insights.

Small Business Risk Review Q4
Charity and CommunityCreditorWatch

Vinnies CEO Sleepout 2020

On June 18, Patrick Coghlan will rough it for the night and sleep in his backyard to experience what it's like to be homeless. Unfortunately, this is a reality for thousands of Australians. Please give what you can and help Vinnies support Australians in need.

What we've learnt from the Lockdown
COVID-19CreditorWatch

CrewTalk: What We've Learnt From the Lockdown

As the COVID-19 lockdown laws and social distancing measures are gradually being lifted, the CreditorWatch team reflect on the biggest lessons to come out of the last few months.

Managing Subcontractor Risk in the Construction Industry
ConstructionCredit Risk

Managing Subcontractor Risk in the Construction Industry

Identify the risks of using subcontractors in the construction industry and learn how to reduce subcontractor risk with these tips from CreditorWatch.

How to reduce the risk of bad debt
API IntegrationApplyEasy

Keep Your Business Running in COVID-19 with Electronic Acceptance

Keep your business running smoothly, even during social distancing, by using electronic acceptance and ApplyEasy. It's a secure and efficient way of onboarding your customers and growing your business.

PPSR and SMEs An introduction to protecting your small business
Cash FlowCOVID-19

Customer Risk Management During COVID-19: DebtorLogic

COVID-19 and the Australian economic downturn has proven how important it is to assess the payment behaviour of your customers. Learn how DebtorLogic can help you find the customers in your ledger that pose the biggest risk to your business.

Our New DebtorLogic More features, more data
CreditorWatchDebt Collection

Escalating Late Payments: A Game Plan to Recoveries

All businesses, especially SMEs, need to set a game plan to recover late payments and avoid bad debt. Read on for BBW Lawyers' five steps to collecting what is owed to you.

2019: A year in review
Business Risk ReviewCOVID-19

Business Risk Review: Quarter 1 2020

Our quarterly Small Business Risk Review is out, compiled with unique data from more than 26 sources. This edition explores the trading conditions and difficulties small businesses faced during the brink of the COVID-19 pandemic at the start of 2020.

2019: A year in review
CreditorWatchMeet the Crew

Meet the Crew: Lucinda Judd

COVID-19 might have keen traveller Lucy grounded for now, but she still spends her working week helping our customers achieve new heights with their PPSRLogic and DebtorLogic subscriptions. Find out what makes this Customer Success Manager a true success herself!

BBW Lawyers' COVID-19 Update: Witnessing Documents in isolation
COVID-19CreditorWatch

BBW Lawyers' COVID-19 Update: Witnessing Documents in Isolation

This is Part II in BBW Lawyers' series of COVID-19 legal updates. The requirements of witnessing and executing legal documents during COVID-19 social isolation have changed. Learn more in this blog post.

CreditorWatch Risk Score
COVID-19CreditorWatch

PPSR: Frequently Asked Questions

Have a burning question about PPSR? It can be tricky to understand, so CreditorWatch's PPSR expert Paul Mead answers some of our most common ones. If you have anymore, please get in touch!

Default
Credit ReportsDebt Collection

Payment Defaults: The Provocative Tool That Works

Payment defaults not only help you get debtors to pay you faster, they warn you and other companies of slow-paying debtors.

Using ApplyEasy to Streamline Credit Applications
AdministrationCOVID-19

Q&A: Debunking COVID-19 Creditor Myths

These are the most common questions we've been asked by creditors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Get up to speed on your rights as a creditor, insolvency laws, court actions and how to protect your business during this time.

Modernising business registers and direct identification numbers
ABR (Australian Business Review)ASIC

Modernising Business Registers and Director Identification Numbers (DINs)

The Modernising Business Registers (MBR) program can help stop fraudulent and phoenix activity in the Australian economy. This blog post covers the introduction of Director Identification Numbers (DINs) and the benefits of the new legislation.

PPSRLogic
COVID-19CreditorWatch

PPSRLogic: Simplify Your PPSR Registrations

PPSRLogic is CreditorWatch's award-winning PPSR platform, making it easier for businesses of all sizes to create and manage their registrations. Find out more about this powerful product and the free resources to help you get started.

COVID-19: Effects on legal and debt recoveries
BankruptcyCOVID-19

COVID-19: Effects on Legal and Debt Recoveries

In this guest post from BBW Lawyers, gain an insight into what the new bankruptcy measures mean for you and what you can do now to help protect your business during the uncertain time created by COVID-19.

Small Business Risk Review August 2020
CreditorWatchCrewWatch

Meet the Crew: Staying Home and Staying Happy

Some of the crew at CreditorWatch answered five questions about how they're staying productive working from home and keeping entertained and positive during this trying time.

Set the Course: Navigating a way out of the temporary insolvency measures
BankruptcyCOVID-19

COVID-19: What Options Do Creditors Have?

What options do Australian creditors have to protect their business and get paid during the COVID-19 pandemic? The Solvers spoke to Bill Cotter, Bruce Passetti and Ginette Muller for their expert opinions and advice.

Placeholder
Credit RiskCreditorWatch

CreditorWatch's Unique Data

What makes us unique? Neill Borg, CreditorWatch's Major Accounts Director, explains the unique data sets we use to help all Australian businesses identify credit risk and do their due diligence.

Four Ways to Better Manage - New Customers
BankruptcyCOVID-19

Coronavirus and Insolvency: Expert Advice for Directors

All businesses are struggling during the coronavirus pandemic and it can be difficult to know what advice you can trust. John Morgan and Ginette Muller share their expert opinion on what directors can do to help preserve their business' value.

Meet the crew - Alberto Cubeddu
Credit ManagementCredit Reports

How to Improve Your Credit Score

Your company credit score is a key factor in securing the finances you need to build your business. Learn how to improve your credit score and understand the risk factors that you need to be mindful of.

Credit Risk Technology - The benefits of automation
CreditorWatchMeet the Crew

Meet the Crew: Luke Matthews

Ever since being cast in a Filipino Head and Shoulders shampoo commercial in 2013, Luke has been destined for big things. You can now find him in the spotlight as one of Brisbane's Senior Business Development Managers, helping businesses mitigate their credit risk and taking table tennis way too seriously.

Small business risk review July 2020
Cash FlowCOVID-19

Coronavirus and Economic Uncertainty: How to Protect Your Business

Are you an Australian small or medium-sized business affected by the coronavirus? Find out how to protect your business and manage your supply chains with this blog post.

Commercial Real-Estate and Covid-19
CreditorWatchExperts

Hats Off to Trusts - A Video Guide to Trusts

Trusts can be tricky to understand. Join the experienced team from Ledlin Lawyers in this short video that clears up the confusion about how to deal with trading trusts.

How to avoid the Preference Payment trap
Charity and CommunityCreditorWatch

International Women's Day 2020 and Dignity Drive

Find out what five of the women at CreditorWatch think about equality, inclusiveness, and what it means to be a strong female in this post to celebrate International Women's Day 2020.

Data cleansing and portfolio health checks
Credit ManagementCredit Risk

The Importance of Data Cleansing and a Credit Portfolio Health Check

Perform an annual Portfolio Health Check to validate your information and identify your risky customers. Discover the benefits of data cleansing for your business and how CreditorWatch can help clean up your act.

Meet the crew: Danny O'Neil
CreditorWatchMeet the Crew

Meet the Crew: Leanne Penza

Keen bungy jumper Leanne Penza has leapt into her new role as CreditorWatch's Key Accounts Manager. Find out how she helps our customers get the biggest benefit they can from our suite of credit risk management tools.

Small business risk review june 2020
Credit ManagementCredit Risk

In a Credit Pickle? Your Credit Policy Needn't Cause Indigestion

Do you have a credit policy? When was the last time you checked it? Ledlin Lawyers are here to spice up credit policies in this guest blog post with a burger analogy that you'll want to sink your teeth into.

Slow Paying Clients? Not On Our Watch
Cash FlowCredit Management

Slow Paying Clients? Not On Our Watch

Do you have slow paying clients? Are late payments affecting your business' cash flow? Find out how easy it is to be proactive with CreditorWatch's top three tips and sign up for a free seven-day trial today.

How to get debtors to pay
Credit ReportsSmall Business

Credit Reports: Top 10 Questions from Small Business

Do you have questions about your small business credit report? We answer the 10 most common questions we get from SMEs about credit reports, credit scores and how to get the most out of CreditorWatch.

Building better business relationships
Cash FlowDebt Collection

A 7-Step Collection Strategy to Get Paid Faster

Want your clients to pay faster? Improve your debtor management and increase your chance to get paid faster with these cash flow tips.

Retail Industry - Small Business Risk Review Q4 2019
Business Risk ReviewNews

Australian Retail Industry: Small Business Risk Review Q4 2019

Read about how the Australian retail industry has fared in our Small Business Risk Review data for Q4 2019. Amidst dozens of shop closures and job losses already in 2020, find out what retailers need to do to avoid the road to external administration.

Organise your Accounts Receivables
CreditorWatchMeet the Crew

Meet the Crew: Hilbert Klaster

Sure, Hilbert Klaster from our Melbourne team would love to be leading the Aussie cricket team to victory at Lords, but being a Senior Business Development Manager at CreditorWatch is where he really shines. Learn more about Hilbert in our first Meet the Crew article.

Zombie Companies - how to protect your business
Case StudyPPSR and PPSA

Case Study with Prospa: PPSRLogic

Zoe Treadgold, Collections Officer at Prospa, shares how PPSRLogic has delivered instant benefits to the team and has made the process of registering on the PPSR and mitigating risk more efficient.

Small Business Risk Review Q4
Business Risk ReviewCreditorWatch

Small Business Risk Review Q4, 2019

Each quarter, CreditorWatch releases a Small Business Risk Review, using data from numerous public sources like ASIC as well as proprietary data from our 55,000+ customers. Discover the findings from Quarter 4, 2019 and what it means for industries around Australia.

How to reduce the risk of bad debt
Credit ManagementCredit Risk

How to Reduce the Risk of Bad Debt

Is it possible to prevent bad business debt? And what are the best debtor management strategies for your small business? Get the answers to these questions and learn how DebtorLogic can help maintain your business' financial health with this blog post.

CrewWatch Episode 6
CreditorWatchCrewWatch

CrewWatch Episode 6: Our Inclusive and Unique Culture

At CreditorWatch, we celebrate our differences and diversity everyday. Watch this video to learn the different ways we create an inclusive and fun work culture.

PPSR and SMEs An introduction to protecting your small business
CreditorWatchPPSR and PPSA

PPSR and SMEs: An Introduction to Protecting Your Small Business

The PPSR (Personal Properties Securities Register) isn't as complicated or time-consuming as you might think. Learn how the PPSR can protect SME owners and the benefits CreditorWatch and PPSRLogic can provide to your business.

Our New DebtorLogic More features, more data
Cash FlowCredit Risk

Our NEW DebtorLogic: More Features, More Data

Find out what makes the new and improved DebtorLogic faster and easier to use. This ATB tool is packed with data that will transform the way you collect your debts and manage your customers.

CrewWatch Episode 5
CrewWatch

CrewWatch Episode 5: Healthy Body = Healthy Mind

Exercise isn't just a New Year's resolution - it should be part of your everyday routine! In this episode of CrewWatch, find out how CreditorWatch stays active during the week and learn more about the fun and energetic culture in the office.

2019: A year in review
CreditorWatch

2019: A Year in Review

New products, babies and a boat race. 2019 had it all and was one of CreditorWatch’s biggest years to date. We love celebrating each other’s successes and last year was no exception. Read about it here!

Header: Improve cash flow by retaining your debtors
Cash FlowDebt Collection

Improve Cash Flow By Retraining Your Debtors

Want to know how to improve cash flow? One way is by improving the way you manage your debtors. Try these tips to convince your debtors to pay you on time and safeguard your business' cash flow.

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race
CEOCreditorWatch

2019 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

Not one to shy away from a challenge, our CEO Patrick Coghlan is gearing up for his first Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race onboard the InfoTrack Super Maxi. Find out Patrick's thoughts on this Boxing Day feat in this blog post.

Industry Insights Quarter 3, 2019
Business Risk ReviewSmall Business

Industry Insights Quarter 3, 2019: Construction remains the worst performing industry but others catch up

It is no surprise that Construction remained the worst industry for court actions in Quarter 3, 2019. However, other industries are showing signs of catching up.

small business risk review quarter 3, 2019
Business Risk ReviewCredit Risk

Small Business Risk Review Quarter 3, 2019: Topsy-turvy business conditions endure

Looking for data on Quarter 4? Read how the retail industry has fared at the end of 2019. CreditorWatch’s Small Business Risk Review for Quarter 3, 2019 highlights a large…

Get Capital API Integration
API IntegrationAutomation

Case Study: Best in Class Customer Origination Experience with API Integration

CreditorWatch API allows you to seamlessly integrate our products directly into your ERP, CRM or third-party system. Watch how GetCapital uses CreditorWatch API Integration here.

When it's time to expand your business
FinanceGuest Contribution

Is it the right time for your business to expand?

As a small business owner, managing growth can be a tough part of the job. Success is what you strive for, but it can also be stressful when you’re not…

Business going under
Cash FlowGuest Contribution

The Plimsoll Line: Are you or your customers going under?

Here’s a Fun Fact Who would have thought that a line marked around the hull of merchant ships could be such a lifesaver? In the late 19th century, Samuel Plimsoll,…

small business accessible technology
Cash FlowCredit Management

Small Business Late Payment Solutions Part 2: It’s time to embrace accessible technology

Recently, CreditorWatch caught up with Noel Tiufino (Managing Director) and Raj Saini (Partner) from MyAccounts and Angus Capel (Small Business Advocate) from Xero to have a discussion about late payments…

Small Business Payment Solutions - Everyone needs to play their part
Cash FlowCredit Management

Small Business Late Payment Solutions Part 1

Everyone needs to play their part Recently, Creditorwatch caught up with Noel Tiufino (Managing Partner) and Raj Saini (Partner) from MyAccounts and Angus Capel (Small Business Advocate) from Xero to…

CrewWatch Episode 3
CreditorWatchCrewWatch

CrewWatch Episode 3: Behind the Scenes of Our Dev Team

CreditorWatch would not be where we are at now without the minds, efforts and collaboration of our fantastic dev team. They are the bread and butter behind our products. Hear from two of our senior dev team members and how innovation, data, collaboration and big thinking have made CreditorWatch what it is today.

CreditorWatch ABA100 Award Business Technology - PPSR Logic
CreditorWatchNews

PPSRLogic wins CreditorWatch ABA100 Award in Business Technology Category

CreditorWatch has been recognised as an ABA100 Winner in The Australian Business Awards 2019 in the Business Technology category for PPSRLogic “We are honoured to accept the 2019 ABA100 Award…

Small Business Risk Review FY2018 vs FY2019
Business Risk ReviewCreditorWatch

Court actions increased in FY2019 in comparison to FY2018

Performing due diligence is more important than ever Court actions increased in FY2019 across all states, with the exception of WA, by 18% volume and 13% dollar amount. Victoria took…

small business funding guidance
Credit ReportsFinance

More Resources to Support Small Business Growth Have Been Launched

This industry-first Business Funding Guide aims to help Australian small businesses tackle the funding crisis The guide is primarily aimed at SME trusted advisors like accounts receivables and financial modelling…

Tax debt transparency back in Parliament
ATOCreditorWatch

Tax Debt Transparency Back in Parliament

Would you like to know when a customer has a significant tax debt with the ATO? A government proposal to allow the ATO to share information about business tax debt…

CreditorWatch Small Business Risk Review Industry Insights
Business Risk ReviewCredit Risk

The Riskiest Industries of Financial Year 2019

The construction industry was the biggest risk to small businesses CreditorWatch reviewed industry data across that last 12 months. The statistics were loud and clear across each state that construction was…

CreditorWatch Small Business Risk Review Q2 2019
Business Risk ReviewData

Small Business Risk Review Quarter 2, 2019 – What’s going on with NSW, SA and VIC?

The second quarter of 2019 saw a continued increase in court actions for New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria. Comparing this quarter with Quarter 2, 2018 really highlights the…

Giving credit where credit is due- how to develop your credit policy
Credit ManagementCredit Risk

Giving Credit Where Credit is Due

How to develop your credit policy: A step by step "little bit different" guide Did you know that the expression “giving credit where credit is due” can be traced back…

Placeholder
Credit ManagementDue Diligence

Three business habits to embrace in the new financial year

Prepare for a successful new financial year The new financial year is always a popular time to kickstart positive habits, and for small business owners, this applies just as much…

A light-hearted guide to recovering from debtor heartbreak
Credit ManagementCredit Reports

Has your ex (Customer) got you in “the Funk”? - A light-hearted guide to recovering from debtor breakup

What do you do when a customer lets you down? In our last article, we explored what happens when you have the “Feels” for a Customer and how to avoid…

KYC and AML Compliance
AML (Anti-Money Laundering)AUSTRAC

KYC and AML Compliance in a Nutshell

Understanding KYC and AMLThe advancements of our digital era have made it easier to connect businesses and consumers around the world. While technology has increased economic activity, it has also…

PPSA and Trusts
ABN (Australian Business Number)ACN (Australian Company Number)

Trusts and the PPSA

Understanding trusts when it comes to the PPSA The PPSA can be confusing, particularly where trading trusts are involved. We’re often asked ‘how do you create a Secured Party Group…

CreditorWatch -Vinnies CEO Sleepout
CEOCharity and Community

Why I am participating in the CEO Sleepout

Did you know that over 116,000 people are experiencing homelessness in Australia? 28,191 of these people are in New South Wales. Unfortunately, a severe lack of social and affordable housing,…

small business lending
Cash FlowFinance

How to choose the right funding option for your small business

Maintain your cash flow as a small business owner The right funding option can keep your small business moving and enable you to seize new opportunities to grow. Capital is…

SBRR Q1, 2019
BankruptcyBusiness Risk Review

A Call for Due Diligence: Small Business Risk Review Q1 2019

The Small Business Risk Review for Q1 2019 revealed court actions across Australia increased along with important insights to keep in mind for 2019.

Meet the crew: George Wolf - QLD Sales Manager
Cash FlowCredit Management

Does Your Customer Give You "The Feels"? (A Light-Hearted Guide to Avoiding Debtor Heartbreak)

Don't let a debtor break your heart. In this guest post from Ledlin Lawyers, you'll learn the five signs that will help you stay ahead of bad debt and ensure you get paid.

CrewWatch Episode 2
Charity and CommunityCreditorWatch

CrewWatch: Episode 2 - Meet the Newbies

Get to know the new staff at CreditorWatch CreditorWatch onboarded 12 new staff back in February. As part of the hiring process, we like to ensure that our staff members…

PPSR Round Table / PPSR Logic
Credit ManagementCredit Risk

Results from the PPS Registrar's Roundtable: How PPSRLogic fills the gap

PPSRLogic makes it easier for customers to register their security interestsThe PPS Registrar’s roundtable held an interesting discussion about PPSR and where small businesses fit into it. The main theme…

trust
Guest ContributionTrusts

It's a matter of trust (if you know what to look for)

One of the questions we often get asked by clients is “what is my position when my customer is a trust?” It is almost as if the word itself causes…

Automation improves cash flow
AutomationCash Flow

Newsflash! Automation improves SME cash flow

Automation is easier than it sounds Whether it's ordering a taxi or a meal using Uber, watching your favourite movie through Netflix or simply seeing how you exercise alongside your…

improve credit management through data and technology
Credit ManagementCreditorWatch

Don’t fall behind: Improve your credit management through data and technology

Enhance the way you manage credit with CreditorWatch It’s unmistakable that we live in a digital age. So many of our processes are now automated and streamlined through innovative technology.…

Director Identification Number and modern data
ABR (Australian Business Review)ASIC

Legislation introduces Director Identification Numbers in push for modernising data

How will this change impact you? Legislation introduced in the House of Representatives on February 13 has the aim of modernising business data and introducing Director Identification Numbers (DINs). Currently,…

Ultimate Beneficial Owner
Credit ManagementProduct Updates

Identifying an Ultimate Beneficial Owner is Simple with CreditorWatch

CreditorWatch has recently released a new product: The Ultimate Beneficial Owner’s ReportWhat can you gain from the Ultimate Beneficial Owner's Report (UBO)?CreditorWatch recognises the responsibility that comes with compliance to…

Build your own credit report
Credit ManagementCredit Reports

Enhanced Credit Reporting

Learn how to make credit reporting faster and easier At CreditorWatch, we are always making things easier for our customers. Streamlining your credit process and keeping all of the information…

Payment Predictor
CreditorWatchProduct Updates

More Data Added to Payment Predictor

Learn how payment predictor can help you Deteriorating payment behaviour is a leading indicator of credit risk. The payment predictor assists CreditorWatch customers to understand a company’s payment history across…

CrewWatch
CreditorWatchCrewWatch

Introducing CrewWatch

Learn more our company and innovative new products with CrewWatch This year, we thought we would try something a little different. So, we are happy to announce the launch of…

Finance
CreditorWatch

How to get the best from your business by planning ahead

Use business finance to reach your business goals If you’re a business owner, business finance is likely to be key for you. Whether it allows you to manage cash flow…

Small business fresh start to 2019
Guest ContributionSmall Business

Starting the year off right

It may be February but it’s not too late to make some new year’s resolutions! In fact, February can be the ideal time to kickstart positive habits and make the…

Small Business Risk Review Quarter 4 2018
BankruptcyBusiness Risk Review

Small Business Risk Review Q4 2018: A concerning end to a mostly positive 2018

The final quarter of 2018 for small businesses didn’t  present the best outcomeCourt actions and judgments across Australia (except WA) have increased significantly in the 4th quarter of 2018 in…

AdministrationCredit Risk

A PPSA reality: The good, the bad and the ugly

Compliance with the PPSA is important The PPSA was introduced to ‘level the playing field’ between unsecured and secured creditors on the insolvency of a customer. By far the greatest…

Placeholder
AFSA (Australian Financial Security Authority)PPSR and PPSA

PPSR Insights: The Latest AFSA Data

Start 2019 with the latest AFSA dataWelcome to January 2019, the anniversary of the 7-year PPSR registrations. Have you got your renewals sorted?If you need some further information to inspire…

CreditorWatch

2018 - Here's to another great year!

We've achieved plenty of goals in 2018 Well, that’s it! Here we are at the end of another year. 2018 has been an amazing year, full of growth and new…

small business holiday cash flow worries
Cash FlowGuest Contribution

3 Steps to Minimise Business Worries This Holiday Season

The holiday season can be a stressful time for small business owners. While many Aussies around the country are happily switching on their ‘out of office’ and heading straight to…

PPSR Quarterly Statistics
AFSA (Australian Financial Security Authority)Data

PPSR Insights – The Numbers Say It All

The AFSA release their PPSR June 2018 quarterly statisticsThe Personal Property Securities Register recently announced that they have hit 10 million registrations! Along with that news, the seven-year anniversary of…

unlock cash flow with inventory
Cash FlowGuest Contribution

7 Ways to Unlock Cash Flow with Better Inventory Management

After 12 years working in lending, I’ve had many experiences of a customer needing to urgently increase their overdraft. The cause was nearly always a purchase that left the company unable…

Unfair Preference
AdministrationCredit Management

Creditors: 4 ways to defend a liquidator’s unfair preference claim

What is an Unfair Preference? Essentially, an unfair preference is when a creditor, within the six months before a company goes into administration or liquidation, receives payment(s) from that company…

Credit Enquiry
Credit ManagementCredit Risk

Credit Enquiries: Changes and Additional Features

CreditorWatch has made changes to its Credit Enquiries widget which have made it more accurate and provides businesses with further information.    The most notable change to the widget is…

CreditorWatch Abseil Team
Charity and CommunityCreditorWatch

CreditorWatch Reaches New Heights in Risk Reduction

CreditorWatch reached new heights in risk reduction, but this time, it wasn't credit related. This time, it ironically involved the risky endeavour of abseiling down a building to reduce the…

PPSR Logic: Create, Manage, Renew
ABN (Australian Business Number)ACN (Australian Company Number)

PPSRLogic: Create, Manage, Renew - Webinar Recap

Recap what was covered in Part 3 of our webinar series If you weren’t able to join our Part 3 webinar series: PPSRLogic: Create, Manage, Renew, here is a summary…

Small Business Risk Review Q3 2018
Credit RiskCreditorWatch

A Positive Third Quarter for Australian Small Businesses

CreditorWatch’s Small Business Risk Review for Quarter 3, 2018, shows an improvement in conditions for the majority of Australia in comparison to Quarter 3, 2017.Download our infographicCourt actions and dollar…

Paid on time
Cash FlowCredit Management

Five tips to prevent late payments - instead of chasing them!

Late payments are a constant source of stress and strain for Australian small businesses. Research from Intuit reveals that small businesses are left an average of $13,200 in the red…

Insolvency
Credit ManagementGuest Contribution

Common Insolvency Terms Explained

Receivership, administration, debt agreement, liquidation, bankruptcy and insolvency. These all mean the same thing, don’t they? Kind of. Unless you work in the insolvency industry it can be easy to…

PPSR Getting it Right Webinar
PPSR and PPSARisk Management

PPSR: Getting It Right - Webinar Recap

If you didn’t catch our Part 2 webinar series on PPSR: Getting It Right, here is a summary of the main points we covered. Recently, Paul Mead, CreditorWatch PPSR Specialist…

CreditorWatch Visits Triple Care Farm
Charity and CommunityCreditorWatch

Visiting a Positive Fork in the Road for Struggling Young Australians

Last week, a few members of the CreditorWatch team and I, took a trip to Robertson, New South Wales to visit the Sir David Martin Foundation’s Triple Care Farm –…

PPSR Renewal
Credit RiskDue Diligence

PPSR 7-Year Anniversary: Are you ready?

A huge volume of PPS registrations are due to automatically expire over the next 18 months – is your business ready? AFSA (being the government department responsible for the #PPSR) has recently released…

Cash FlowCredit Risk

The five cash flow commandments any small business should live by

There’s a reason that you often hear the phrase ‘cash is king’ as a small business owner. No business, irrespective of its size, can sustain itself without a healthy amount…

CreditorWatchDue Diligence

CreditorWatch Launches New Feature to Simplify Registering Defaults

Detect overdue payments that clients can register against with a single click.Rather than spending valuable time searching your database to determine who is behind on payments, CreditorWatch makes this process…

Small business 30-minutes to success with social media
Guest ContributionSmall Business

SME Marketing Tips: Your 30-Minute Way to Success In Social Media

We all know how important social media and online marketing is, especially in this increasingly competitive business landscape we live in today. It doesn’t help that digital marketing can be…

Credit RiskCreditorWatch

PPSR Series Part 3: Notable Case Studies

Understanding PPSR with case studies The Personal Properties Securities Act (PPSA) has a reputation of being a confusing topic, even for lawyers. It's vital to ensure that registrations are completed…

PPSR Made Easy
ABN (Australian Business Number)ACN (Australian Company Number)

PPSA Made Easy - Webinar Recap

Recap the most important points of our PPSA webinarOur recent webinar featuring Paul Mead (our CreditorWatch PPSR expert) and Terry Ledlin (Special Counsel of Ledlin Lawyers) was a great success…

New financial year resolutions: Act now if you want to be prosperous
Cash FlowEnd of Financial Year

New financial year resolutions: Act now if you want to be prosperous

Many small business owners find themselves half way into the new financial year before they realise they’ve only got a vague idea of their business resolutions for the year. And,…

PPSR: ABN or ACN?
ABN (Australian Business Number)ACN (Australian Company Number)

PMSI’s and trust companies, to ABN or to ACN?

Answering one of the most common questions about PPSR The introduction of the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) was meant to make life easier for secured creditors, credit managers, trading…

CreditorWatch 10 Million Credit Reports
Credit ReportsCreditorWatch

CreditorWatch's Newest Milestone

Last year, CreditorWatch reached its milestone of 50,000+ customers. This year, we have reached another milestone:CreditorWatch is thrilled to announce that 10 Million Credit Reports have been sold since we…

Small Business Growth Finance - Marketplace Lending
FinanceGuest Contribution

Marketplace Lending Fills a Market Gap in Small Business Finance

The fundamentals are clear. Small business in Australia needs finance to grow and capture market opportunities. However, there are over 2.1 million small businesses in Australia with a potential $10…

Illegal phoenix activity
BankruptcyCredit Risk

Stay ahead of costly phoenix activity

Prevent being affected by phoenix activity The federal government has recently introduced a “new” hotline for anyone to report businesses that they believe are undertaking phoenix activity. This comes as…

Small Business Risk Review Q2 2018
BankruptcyCash Flow

Avoid risk: Consider underlying trends challenging small business

The second Small Business Risk Review for 2018 highlights relatively stable conditions in comparison to the previous financial year. However, there is still an underlying trend where businesses are facing…

Skill set empowerment for small business
Cash FlowCredit Risk

12 Easy Skill Set Tips to Empower Small Businesses

Build these skills to help run your business effectivelyLet’s face it. Running a small business can be exciting but hard work. You’ve implemented your big ideas and it’s working. However,…

Straightforward PPSA terminology
Credit RiskInsolvency

PPSR Series Part 2: Decoding PPSA Terminology

Decipher the terminology of the Personal Properties Security ActThe Personal Property Securities Act (PPSA) can be very confusing for lawyers and even more so for the average person.The PPSA is…

Innovation and Collaboration
CreditorWatchEnd of Financial Year

End of Financial Year 2018 Review

What a year! Each year I always talk about what an amazing year we’ve had reaching new heights and how far we’ve come since we started only 7 years ago.…

Small Business Owner
Guest ContributionSmall Business

5 Ways to Thrive: Future-Proofing Your Small Business

Only half of Australian small businesses survive beyond their fourth birthday. While there’s no magic formula for success, there are several things that nearly all growing businesses have in common.…

PPSR
Credit ManagementCreditorWatch

PPSR Series Part 1: The Lowdown on PPSR

What is PPSR? CreditorWatch has recently launched its latest product – the ability to create and manage PPSR registrations. Did you know that PPSR is a vital component of doing…

End of Financial Year Business Considerations
Cash FlowCredit Management

End of Financial Year Planning 2018: Business Considerations

With 30 June 2018 fast approaching, now is a good time to ensure your year-end strategies are in place. In doing so, it is worthwhile considering the following list of…

AFSA (Australian Financial Security Authority)Bankruptcy

CreditorWatch Roundtable Recap

CreditorWatch recently held it’s 5th annual roundtables in Melbourne and Sydney. The roundtables are not in place to sell CreditorWatch, but rather to provide an opportunity for guests to connect, learn…

Chain
Cash FlowCredit Management

The Overlooked Risk You Should Be Addressing: Your Suppliers

CREDITORWATCH | 5 MIN READ Do you have a blind spot in your business that is hidden, waiting to make an appearance when you least expect it? A car’s engine doesn’t…

Good credit can easily become bad credit
Cash FlowCredit Management

When Good Credit Becomes Bad Credit

In a perfect world, suppliers would prefer to be paid cash up front. However, in reality, the world works on credit. Trade credit is inevitable and so is the debt that…

Collect Debt Effectively - Without straining relationships
BankruptcyCredit Management

How to Collect Debt Effectively Without Straining Relationships

Collecting your debts whilst maintaining your relationships with your debtors is possible. Learn how to improve the efficiency of your debt collection processes without burning any bridges.

Small Business Risk Review Q1 2018
Cash FlowCredit Management

Despite Seasonal Trends, Small Businesses Have Generally Improved

CREDITORWATCH | 2 MIN READThe first Small Business Risk Review for 2018 presents positive outcomes to the start of the year with a large decline in unincorporated entities and court actions…

Dollar
Credit ManagementExperts

My Data Rules: A Recipe for Creating Your Data Breach Response Plan

CREDITORWATCH | 12 MIN READ [box style="0"] How do you respond? Your office cleaners tell you they threw a customer list in the waste bin, now emptied by the garbage…

Small Business Risk Review Q1 2017
Credit ManagementInsolvency

Fewer debtors taken to court in Q4 2017

Fewer businesses were taken to court over outstanding debt during the final three months of 2017 compared with the same period a year earlier, according to CreditorWatch’s latest quarterly Small Business Risk Review.

Experts

2018 – It's here to stay

Here we are in early 2018, a time where all those earnest NYE resolutions and commitments (lose weight, get fit, eat healthy, find true love, have more dynamic relationships etc. etc. etc.) all lie behind us, busted and broken.

Small Business

Jail time for employers who deny staff super

Employers who deny their employees their superannuation entitlements face up to a year in jail under legislation drafted by the Federal Government.

CreditorWatch

New ATO power will wind up bad debtors but protect 'good' businesses, says credit bureau

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will be empowered to report a business’s overdue tax debts to credit reporting bureaus under draft legislation released by Minister for Revenue and Financial Services, Kelly O’Dwyer.

Experts

5 Major Changes You May Have Missed in 2017

It’s usually at this time of the year when we collectively sigh and ask “Where did that year go?" If life is what happens when you are busy making other plans, then you may have missed some critical happenings in 5 areas that could impact you in 2018.

CreditorWatch

From the CEO: Here's to a great year!

It has been an incredible year to say the least. On behalf of the team at CreditorWatch, I would like to say that I am extremely proud of our progress as a company. We are growing and developing a bureau for every Australian business to access.

Credit ManagementRisk Management

Five reasons to get an online credit application

It can be difficult, time consuming and stressful to process paper based credit applications on a daily basis. An online credit application can improve your credit management process efficiency to ensure you tick all the right boxes from a credit reporting point of view.

Cash FlowNews

Turnbull Government paying 60% of its small business invoices within 20 days, report shows

Federal Government agencies are paying 96% of their small business contractors within thirty days of receiving an invoice, according to a new report.

Cash FlowRisk Management

5 signs of an unreliable client

With any business relationship, performance is only ever as strong as the trust you hold in one another. And as your relationship progresses with a client where trust is lacking, it’s harder to cut ties and accept your losses.

Cash FlowNews

The Federal Government commits to paying small businesses ten days sooner by July 2019

The Federal Government will begin paying small business suppliers ten calendar days sooner to improve their cashflow, it has been announced.

Payment due
Cash FlowNews

What to do when your industry pays late

Recent research by Xero reveals small business owners enjoyed prompt payments in September and the best cash flow in three years. However, a closer look at the findings shows that whilst some businesses manage to get paid on time, certain industries are frequently paid late.

CreditorWatch

How to master risk management in an SME

Every business owner understands that the rewards of running their own company are immeasurable, but the tradeoff is that you also bear the brunt of the consequences if things go wrong. This is why it’s important to have a risk management plan in place. Having a strategy for the common pain points that your business may encounter will reduce the impact should anything go wrong.

Confidential
ExpertsTechnology

Are you ready for a data breach? Here's what you need to know

Kmart, Deloitte, Yahoo, Virgin America and the C.I.A. – no doubt these names are familiar to you, but did you also know that these organisations (and others) were all involved in some of the biggest data breaches of 2017?

Cash FlowCredit Management

The Cash Flow Train: How to keep your customers on track

Businesses depend on a steady cash flow to succeed just as trains need power to move forward. One of the best ways to manage your receivables is to understand the types of customers that can change the course of payment, for better or for worse.

Past due
NewsRisk Management

Small business ombudsman Kate Carnell calls for prompt payment of government subbies

Stating that small business subcontractors are vulnerable to delayed payments, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell has announced she is examining payment terms and conditions for “subbies” working on government projects.

Unpaid Invoices
ExpertsRisk Management

Let’s Talk… Late Payments

SMEs are vulnerable to late payers in Australia, with Small Business Ombudsman Kate Carnell stating, in April, that larger organisations are using them as a “cheap form of finance”, restricting their growth and causing solvency issues.

Cash FlowFinance

Tips to manage your business tax debt

If your business has a tax debt, you’re not alone. The Australian Tax Office (ATO) was owed $12.5 billion by Australian small businesses at 30 June 2016.

Crowd-Funding
Small Business

ASIC launches crowd-sourced funding regime

Small to medium-sized businesses will have an opportunity to access crowd-sourced funding to help them begin or grow their business when the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) releases its new crowd-sourced funding (CSF) regime on September 29, 2017.

Business
Small Business

Government urged to simplify small business registration

The Australian Small Business and Family Ombudsman is urging the Government to simplify small business registration. In a submission to the Government’s consultation on Modernising Business Registers, Ombudsman Kate Carnell has called for the consolidation of registration requirements for small business.

Debt
Credit ManagementRisk Management

4 steps to effectively reduce bad DEBT

There are many things a business owner has to do to ensure their business succeeds. Offering a quality product or service to earn a profit is one of the most important aspects however, what’s equally important is making sure your customers can pay for the products or services you provide, and on time.

ExpertsFinance

Four ways to deal with financial difficulties in your business

All businesses, even great ones, face challenges. Despite your best efforts as a director to maintain your company’s prosperity, some challenges can be too much to overcome on your own.

Cash Flow

Debt affects customer satisfaction

It is not uncommon for early stage SME businesses to fall into marketing debt. This commonly occurs when the company, which relies on sales to stay afloat, underfunds its marketing campaign. As a result the health of the corporation starts to fail.

FinanceSmall Business

Looking beyond our shores as a small business

Australia’s continued economic relationship with China is showing little sign of slowing down[1], with the country – our biggest trading partner – investing in Australia at a level not seen since before the global financial crisis.

Placeholder
Cash FlowFinance

Securing your SME's future through capital

The mantra of many successful entrepreneurs is the idea that you must spend money to make money. It is also one of the biggest reasons that some people fail to act on their business aspirations, because they believe that they don’t have the money required to take their business to the next level.

Numbers don't lie
Cash FlowCredit Management

Numbers don't lie: why your SME is faltering

Over the years we’ve heard plenty of grandiose plans for businesses that never eventuate and untold numbers of excuses for not hitting the targets that were bragged about at the start of the year. As accountants, we’re not really interested in all of that, what we’re interested in is the numbers because they tell great stories and they don’t lie. They’re good like that.

Cash FlowFinance

Why cash is king for small businesses

The strange thing is you can have a full order book and see that your business is really taking off, but if you don’t have a firm grip on the cash flow situation you could struggle to stay afloat and achieve long-term success.

Cash FlowCredit Management

Businesses urged to monitor customers as court actions increase

New research shows that nearly 1 in 2 Australian businesses are leaving themselves vulnerable to bad debt by not performing credit checks on their existing customers.

CreditorWatch

APPA Round Table - CreditorWatch HQ

On Wednesday 5 July, CreditorWatch and the Australian Promotional Products Association (APPA) hosted a round table at CreditorWatch HQ in Sydney.

Cash FlowExperts

The Paradox of a Bad Debt – Five Fun Facts

It’s that time of year (again) when you have to decide whether you should “take the hit” and write-off that bad debt and (subject to complying with ATO requirements) claim a deduction OR keep chasing the debtor.

Budget 2017
NewsSmall Business

NSW Budget: measures will save money for up to 600,000 small businesses, treasurer says

More than half a million small businesses stand to benefit from tax cuts included in the 2017-18 NSW Budget, according to Treasurer Dominic Perrottet.

News

Ten Network enters voluntary administration despite steps taken to improve future earnings

Ten Network Holdings Limited (ASX: TEN) (“TEN” or “the Company”) announces that Mr Mark Korda, Ms Jennifer Nettleton and Mr Jarrod Villani of Korda Mentha have been appointed as voluntary administrators of the Company and each of its subsidiaries (together the “Ten Group”) by the Ten Group Directors.

Cash FlowCredit Management

5 Benefits of Registering a Default

Sometimes, it’s inevitable that we have to deal with a slow or non-paying customer. Here are 5 benefits to registering a default against debtors that can help you and other businesses.

NewsSmall Business

Three reasons this year’s federal budget is advantageous for small business owners

After the Federal Budget was announced on Tuesday, 9 May, small business owners will be trying to work out what matters most to them. Here are three main things we have been reviewing that may impact how small business do business – and it is mostly for the better.

CreditorWatch

50,000 Customers and Growing!

This week, CreditorWatch is celebrating a growth milestone of 50,000 customers! Since being launched in 2011, CreditorWatch has expanded both its product offerings and operations across Australia.

Credit ManagementNews

Quarterly Risk Update: Q1 2017

Findings from the Small Business Risk Review have been released for the first quarter of 2017.The latest quarterly analysis of aggregated and trade payment data reveals a need for businesses to be more vigilant of their customers. 

ExpertsRisk Management

How to avoid unenforceable contracts

No business operates in complete isolation. Agreements must be made between your business and its customers, as well as with other businesses such as suppliers and distributors.

Payment due
Cash FlowCredit Management

Small businesses being used as ‘cheap form of finance’ by larger ones: late payment inquiry

By extending payment times to small businesses in the supply chain, large Australian and multinational organisations are effectively using them as ‘a cheap form of finance’, according to a new report by the Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO).

Cash FlowCredit Management

Transparency of tax default data is a win for small business

Knowing that a business doesn’t pay their bills is incredibly important for anyone in the position of providing trade credit; it is the sole reason that thousands of businesses access credit bureaus in an effort to mitigate risk and safeguard their cash flow.

Credit ManagementExperts

Credit Applications in the Name of a Trust

It's very common these days to see Companies using trading Trusts as a vehicle to run their business So how should you open an Account for your Customer if the Credit…

Insolvent
Credit ManagementFinance

Insolvencies set to increase in Australia in 2017

Australian businesses are set to experience an increase in insolvencies this year as a result of another difficult economic year, according to the recently-published Atradius Economic Outlook. The likely 2% increase in insolvencies puts Australia in step with the UK and Canada.

Tired Worker
Cash FlowCredit Management

SME Cashflow Problems Are Bigger than You Think

Recently the general lack of cashflow within SMEs in Australia was investigated by Kate Carnell, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, ASBFEO.

Credit ManagementNews

Rise in cancelled unincorporated entities a concern for all businesses

The number of failed unincorporated entities has significantly increased from the September quarter of 2015. The findings were revealed in CreditorWatch’s latest Small Business Risk Review, which also shows a continuous high in national payment defaults (+67%) during Q4 2016.

Trade mark
CreditorWatch

IP Australia adopts image recognition tech to help SMEs better protect their trade marks

The national intellectual property agency has introduced world-leading trade mark image recognition technology to make it easier for Australia’s small businesses and entrepreneurs to protect their logos and brands.

Credit ManagementNews

Transparency of unsettled tax debts to affect business credit ratings

A new arrangement will come into effect from 1 July 2017 that will allow the Australian Tax Office to contribute information to credit reporting bureaus (including CreditorWatch) about Australian businesses with unsettled tax debts over $10,000 that are 90 days overdue.

Past due
Cash FlowFinance

Call for government to consider UK regs to help ensure big businesses pay SMEs on time

The Coalition has been urged to follow the example set by the UK Government and introduce legislation to deter big business from making late payments to SME suppliers.

Money floating in the ocean
CreditorWatch

A permanent $20,000 instant asset tax write-off for businesses tops SME wishlist, MYOB finds

Seven in ten small businesses want the $20,000 instant asset tax write-off to continue past 30 June, this year, when it is due to expire, according to accounting software provider MYOB.

Cash FlowExperts

Seven Simple Steps to Gear Your Business for Success in 2017

We all start the new year with the usual well-intentioned resolutions (lose weight, get fit, find love…) but after a few weeks (or sometimes, hours) we are back to our old habits.

Economy
CreditorWatch

How will the economy Impact SMEs in 2017?

September 2016 was a mixed month for the Australian economy, and one that brought both incredible milestones and sudden, unexpected troughs.

Placeholder
CreditorWatch

Square launches new e-commerce and point of sale payment solutions for Aussie businesses

Square has expanded its range of secure payment solutions for Australian business owners, with the launch of two new APIs it says will reduce the complexity of accepting and tracking payments in-store and online.

Travel
CreditorWatch

How can businesses capitalise on (and avoid the pitfalls of) key travel trends this year?

Business travel can be the best way for your burgeoning business to network and make the most of opportunities both within and outside of your home market, and it appears that many businesses plan to grow their business through international travel this year.

cash flow, cashflow
Cash FlowCredit Management

How to Improve Your Cashflow Within 60 Days

Cashflow is the lifeblood of any business and more SMEs have been destroyed through cashflow issues than from any other cause. The last thing you need is to be stressing…

Part-Time-Work
CreditorWatch

Work part time and manage your finance

Many people are questioning the advantages and disadvantages of working part-time rather than full-time. The reasons vary from personal choice to simple economic realities.

Business-Risk
Credit ManagementNews

Quarterly risk insights for small business

CreditorWatch have released insights from an analysis that reviewed registered payment defaults and trade payment data from over 40,000 active customers for the year following the third quarter of 2015.

CreditorWatch

ACCC alleges online directory made small business pay for unwanted advertising

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is taking legal action against an online business directory provider, alleging unconscionable conduct that resulted in numerous small businesses paying significant amounts of money for unwanted advertising.

Invest startup
CreditorWatch

New start-up fund affords investors tax breaks

With the launch of its second co-investment fund, this month, Sydney Angels is seeking to raise between $10 and 20 million to invest in high-growth potential early-stage ventures.

Christmas spend
CreditorWatch

Keeping end of year expenses under control

During the ‘silly season’ it can be easy for expenses to get out of control. Employees are starting to relax and may feel comfortable claiming team lunches or other entertainment expenses back from the business.

Placeholder
CreditorWatch

SMEs not buying recession talk: MYOB survey

The bi-annual survey of more than 1000 SME operators found that 26% expect the economy to improve over the next year, while a further 33% expect it to remain the same. The biggest optimists were Queensland operators, with 34% expecting an improvement, and operators whose businesses had grown revenue in 2016 (40%).

cash flow, cashflow
CreditorWatch

'Tried and true' cash flow methods costing businesses $6.12b in growth opportunities

Australia’s mid-size businesses are missing out on $6.12 billion in growth opportunities annually due insufficient or variable cash flow, according to new research from American Express.

New business
CreditorWatch

One in four SME owners are juggling businesses

Two in five SME owners either operate multiple businesses or plan to, according to new research from MYOB with Tim Reed, the cloud accounting provider’s CEO, declaring “the great Australian entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well.”

Zone_RV
CreditorWatch

Meet the start-up juggling Queenslander bringing a $19b industry out of the 1960s

If he wasn’t already busy enough heading up three manufacturing start-ups, Queensland’s Dave Biggars has set his sights on leading the $19 billion-dollar caravan industry out of the bygone era of timber into the era of smart design.

CW-new-office
CreditorWatch

CreditorWatch on the rise and on the move

CreditorWatch is excited to announce the relocation of its Sydney headquarters! After spending close to three years in our current office, we decided it was time to move. There were three main factors that influenced the move: company culture, space and team collaboration.

B2B consumers
CreditorWatch

B2B transactions in Australia’s small business ecosystem worth $204 billion, report suggests

Commissioned by American Express in support of Shop Small Month, which ends 30 November, The Economy of Shopping Small: Custom Counts report reveals small businesses in Australia source goods and services from 4.4 other small suppliers each month, with an average monthly spend of $8,600 or $104,000 annually.

CreditorWatch

HR start-up Employment Hero lands third Series A investor and sees funding balloon to $4.5m

Cloud-based HR automation platform Employment Hero has added AirTree Ventures to team of Series A investors, bringing its total funding to $4.5 million. 

CreditorWatch

How the magnificent seven can increase profitability

When reviewing the financial performance of a business, the primary measure I look at is Return on Capital Employed (ROCE). ROCE not only measures the profitability of a business but also the efficiency with which its capital is employed.

Plumbing
Small Business

Three top tips for running a successful plumbing business

Plumbing is a very competitive trade. If you want to be successful in running your own plumbing business you need to make sure that you have all of the right skills, priorities and marketing in place.

Innovation_Lightbulb
CreditorWatch

The leadership traits that inhibit innovation

Throughout the world, the pace of digital disruption is increasing by the day. Business models are being challenged, workplaces altered and career paths brought into question. Change has become the only constant.

risk
CreditorWatch

Why developing risk awareness within your small to medium business is an absolute must

Businesses must navigate a multitude of risks daily. While large companies tend to have dedicated “risk management” departments, which monitor threats to profitability, among SMBs, risk management often begins and ends with physical risks, including those posed by work health and safety hazards.

Working Capital
CreditorWatch

Working capital: the hidden risk that your small to medium business must prioritise

Visibility into working capital is essential to manage cash flow and ensure a business can remain sustainable, yet research shows that companies frequently miss quarterly working capital forecasts by up to 23%.

Tiwi Islanders (photograph by Glenn Campbell)
CreditorWatch

Indigenous islanders win Japanese contract

Even the toughest of business people are taking their hats off to the Tiwi Islanders nowadays. Only seven years ago, the islanders committed themselves to resurrecting an abandoned acacia plantation business on their homeland.

Brain-investment
CreditorWatch

Smart capital: the case for seeking start-up funding from investors who lend their smarts

By seeking out ‘smart capital’, as distinct from seed funding, early stage SMEs can enhance their business acumen, avoid unnecessary start-up mistakes and increase their appeal to prospective investors, according to Kylie Hammond, founder and CEO of Director Institute.

CreditorWatch

Fonebox founder Jordan Grives sells telco service provider for a reported $30 million

A multi-billion dollar NASDAQ-listed company has purchased Fonebox from founder and chief executive Jordan Grives for a reported $30 million.

Innovation box
CreditorWatch

How finance teams can fuel SMB innovation while safely navigating disruptive change

Disruption has become ‘business as usual’ in many markets and, as such, it is necessary for entrepreneurs to adopt a disruptive mindset. Disruption is forcing business leaders to act quickly and decisively to remain relevant in their industry or to leverage new market opportunities.

Times up
CreditorWatch

The SuperStream deadline (28 Oct) won't be pushed back again, small businesses warned

Businesses with 19 or fewer employees have less than two weeks to transition to SuperStream – the new, mandatory electronic standard for paying superannuation contributions.

Card payment
CreditorWatch

Small retailers urged to trial not surcharging ahead of next year’s ban on excessive fees

In May, this year, the Reserve Bank of Australia released a new surcharging standard, which introduced a ban on excessive surcharges. The ban, which is being enforced by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), commenced for large retailers this month but all other merchants have until 1 September 2017 to comply with it.

Vincent Turner, founder and CEO of uno Home Loans
CreditorWatch

Westpac invests $16.5 in fintech start-up uno

Westpac has invested $16.5 million in uno Home Loans, a Sydney-based digital mortgage service that has attracted a number of investors since launching in May.

Turia Pitt
CreditorWatch

Telstra NSW Business Women's Awards: finalists

The finalists of the 2016 Telstra New South Wales Business Women’s Awards have been announced, with mining engineer and motivational speaker Turia Pitt (pictured above) among the 20 nominees.

Placeholder
CreditorWatch

Data dungeon: the small business case for making ANZSIC code information available

The Federal Government’s Public Data Policy Statement, released last December, flagged its commitment to make non-sensitive government data ‘open by default’, with the aim being to stimulate innovation and drive productivity improvements across all sectors of the economy.

Trevor Folsom, co-founder, Investible
CreditorWatch

Investible co-founder Trevor Folsom on the value created by astute start-up investors

By supporting the local start-up ecosystem, angel investors not only stem brain drain but keep IP in Australia. According to Trevor Folsom, co-founder of Sydney-based start-up generator Investible, problems arise when investors are seduced by opportunities that see them invest ‘too heavily and too early”.

Tim-McDougall
CreditorWatch

Aged care start-up Curo attracts $1m from HCF

Not-for-profit health fund HCF has invested $1 million into aged care tech start-up Curo Technologies.Founded by brothers Matt and Tim McDougall, the Melbourne-based company uses sensor technology to monitor the wellbeing of elderly residents in their own home or in an assisted living environment.

TRIBE
CreditorWatch

Influencer marketing start-up TRIBE to expand into new regions with $5.35m Series A funding

Marketing tech company TRIBE has closed its Series A funding round, having raised $5.35 million from investors led by Sydney-based VC fund Exto Partners.

Entrepreneur-cycle
CreditorWatch

How to survive seasonality as an entrepreneur

Running a small business can be an empowering experience, but also an unpredictable one. You have to work incredibly hard to make sure new business is walking through the door, but inevitably, you’re going to run into slower periods.

Entrepreneur
CreditorWatch

The unique challenges facing entrepreneurs demand a different mindset and solutions

Entrepreneurialism is its own class of business, even being studied as a distinct subject. It’s no surprise then that entrepreneurialism comes with its own unique challenges, which requires a different mindset and approach than other business areas.

24_7
ExpertsFinance

Small business banking in the on-demand economy: Curtains on nine-to-five services

In today’s always-on, always connected world, the swift and immediate provisioning of goods and services is no longer a nice-to-have, but an absolute necessity.

Cash FlowExperts

New export loan opening up international markets for Aussie businesses: Frankland Islands Cruises and Intersective

Australian small businesses Frankland Islands Cruises and Intersective are among the first to benefit from Efic’s new Small Business Export Loan.

Handshake
CreditorWatch

Before getting hitched, solidify your business: Oneflare's CEO on securing the right investors

After discovering there was a gap in the local services vertical, I launched Oneflare to assist those looking to attract expert help.

fast-business
CreditorWatch

Tips and tools for streamlining your accounts

It’s has become much easier for business leaders to streamline their accounts and financial processes. Here are some tips and tools to get you started.

Receipts
CreditorWatch

Taxing times: How to take the pain out of making a tax claim on work-related travel

It’s that time of year again: tax time. When the challenge of filing personal taxes is compounded by the need to sift through work-related travel expenses, it’s no wonder many workers would rather visit the dentist.

PIggy Bank
CreditorWatch

Let millennials use super to start a business

What if we could start putting superannuation to better use? The internet has changed the way we view and treat money. Paypal pioneered the idea of sharing money online, while services like ApplePay allow consumers to ditch their wallets for good.

Tax
CreditorWatch

Google Tax: an incubator fund for start-ups

Taxes are high in Australia. But when it comes to taxation policies, our government is too lenient on some large businesses and too hard on small business. Some large multi-national companies…

Fraud
CreditorWatch

Fraud case highlights need for due diligence

Mark Steven Grevsmuhl, the superannuation fraudster who swindled 74 people, including friends and family out of $6 million, has been hit with a permanent ban by ASIC.

Image of paper, eyeglasses, pen and electronic data in touchpad on workplace
Cash FlowSmall Business

Are your credit terms enforceable?

Small and microbusinesses too often get the short end of the stick when it comes to getting paid, because they are usually the easiest for big businesses to bully. So how can you ensure that you have a leg to stand on when it comes to chasing payment?

Law Judge And Justice Symbol
Cash FlowCredit Management

Take action when customers don't pay

You’ve sent your invoice. It is now overdue. It’s time to make The Call: “Regarding the invoice I sent a month ago, it’s now overdue. When do you think that will come through? … The cheque’s in the mail you say?” I encourage you to scream along with me.

Tax Time
CreditorWatch

Missed opportunities for SMBs that go it alone at tax time

Many of Australia’s small businesses might be missing out on potentially valuable tax deductions by not consulting with a financial expert, according to research highlighted by finance and tax software developer Intuit.

Expenses
CreditorWatch

Ad-hoc expense management systems a burden for financial controllers and sales staff

Small businesses can take the pain out of meeting EOFY tax-time requirements by ditching the shoebox overflowing with expense claims and invoices.

hand shake
Cash FlowCredit Management

Three rules to find the right customers for your business

When you start a business, it isn’t just about what you do well that ensures your path to success, but your customers. Don’t fall into the trap of accepting any client because you’re desperate for business: if you are careful and patient at the beginning, it will pay dividends for your business and your reputation in the long run.

piggy
CreditorWatch

SuperStream extension for small businesses

More than 450,000 small businesses have become SuperStream compliant ahead of the 30 June deadline. If your businesses will struggle to adopt the new payment standard in time, don’t worry: the ATO has announced it is extending the deadline by four months.

Economic outlook
CreditorWatch

SMEs pessimistic about economy but start-ups forecast revenue growth: MYOB survey

Despite federal election promises of greater support for SMEs, businesses owners remain pessimistic about the Australian economy, with two in five expecting it to worsen in the coming year, the latest MYOB Business Monitor revealed.

accounting
CreditorWatch

Getting your finances in order for EOFY

The end of the financial year can be a stressful time for small businesses, especially if your finances aren’t completely in order.

Placeholder
CreditorWatch

Intellectual Property: Asset Depreciation

Intellectual property, such as patents and copyrights can represent a significant portion of a company’s assets - particularly for highly innovative start-ups. Currently, intangible assets are subject to a legislative…

Business idea
ExpertsFinance

17 Essential Tips for Australian Entrepreneurs

Malcolm Turnbull’s recent announcement putting economic growth and development at the top of the national agenda is welcome news to me.

Advisory Board
CreditorWatch

How to get your dream team advisory board

When you are starting out in business, you will recognise that it can be a very lonely experience.You may have a couple of key people who are your ‘go to’ resource for advice. It is quite common for business owners to reach out to a former colleague, mentor, maybe a family member or even their accountant.

Tax
NewsTechnology

SMEs call for reduced company tax rates in upcoming Federal Budget

With three business days remaining before the the Federal Budget is announced, small to medium business owners have voiced a united desire for company tax rates to be reduced, according to the latest MYOB Business Monitor.

unfair dismissal
NewsRisk Management

When a small business is not a small business

The definition of a small business has been further clarified in legal terms in a decision by Fair Work Australia that could have ramifications for small business owners across the country.

business board
Experts

Leadership lessons learnt serving on boards

Beside the normal regulatory and governance requirements, most business owners, entrepreneurs and CEOs realise the need for and benefit of reporting to a board.

ExpertsFinance

Innovation and export: How SMEs can get ahead overseas

Australia’s small business exporters have three things in common: they are optimistic, they are confident and most importantly, they are innovative. When this translates to the international market through exporting, these traits are even more important to success.

bankrupt
Cash FlowExperts

Debunking common misconceptions about bankruptcy

Personal insolvency is a growing market with more and more people declaring bankruptcy or entering into other personal insolvency arrangements to address credit issues arising out of consumer credit, business related debt or over leveraging problems, amongst other things.

Finance
FinanceNews

Budget 2016: Employment a key battleground for small business

Across Australia some two million businesses cashed in on $5.5 billion in tax breaks as the government attempted to stoke the home fires of the economy.

Cash FlowCredit Management

Risks of legal non-compliance

Undertaking an annual legal health check of your company is one of the best decisions you will make for it’s reputation, growth and for your sanity.

Busy Father Working From Home With Son
CreditorWatch

Managing flexible working arrangements: 4 things SMEs must understand

As the owner of an SME, it’s more important than ever in this rapidly-changing business environment to get flexible working schemes right.

Small BusinessTechnology

How Atlassian built a $4.4 billion business without sales staff

The story of Atlassian is the perfect tech startup fairy tale; two humble guys from Sydney bootstrap a company with a $10,000 credit card and pull off a successful IPO with a market cap of $4.4 billion (USD).

Business Growth
Cash FlowFinance

The journey from a start up to an established company

A business is established as a “brand” after many success stories. However, what we all don’t hear often are the failures faced by the business. Entrepreneurs who are lucky to see their business venture grow into something big from a small idea will relate to this thought – the one thing that is constant is change.

Successful conference
Cash FlowCredit Management

Pitching for funding: hitting the right note

The startup world is alive and bustling with entrepreneurs, investors, accelerators and a growing network of support industries. The Startup Economy study undertaken by PwC and commissioned by Google highlights that with the right support and growth, this could contribute over $100 billion to GDP and create over half a million new jobs by 2033.

Cash FlowExperts

A story rarely told: Some start-ups refute alarming failure statistics and exceed expectations

Small business failure rates are alarming – or so we are told. Along every avenue of research an enthusiastic entrepreneur will take, their spark, at some point, will be doused by bold assertions:

Business Car Hire
Cash FlowExperts

Jumpstart Your Business with a Corporate Car-Hire Purchase

We’ve heard the bleak stats time and again: nine out of 10 startups will fail. As if small business owners didn’t have enough to worry about. The trick is to learn from the lessons of the past to ensure success in the future.

Australian Export
ExpertsFinance

Rich Commodity Exporters

Australia and Canada used to depend a lot on resource extraction for the Australian Government. During the mid – 2000s commodities super – cycle, China absorbed new supplies of metals and energy as quickly as projects could be brought on stream, keeping global prices high.

Pile of coins and chart. Success and failure of investment.
Cash FlowExperts

Unlocking your business growth with sticky revenue

Starting a business is all about communicating the benefits of your service or product to the appropriate audience. Although fairly straight forward in principle, the complexities of executing this vary for every business.

Cash FlowDebt Collection

The best internal collection practices for your small business

This article will focus on the best internal collection practices for your small business. This article assumes your business already has a credit policy in place and a collection policy in place. Also keep in mind that this article is focused on commercial as opposed to consumer collection matters although there are similarities between the two.

Know the rules !
Risk ManagementSmall Business

5 Things you need to do to ensure your company is compliant in 2016

The end of a calendar year marks a moment in time when we consider the goals we set for ourselves and measure them against what we achieved. We reflect on what went well and what needs improvement and we use those reflections to set our goals for the year ahead.

Container Cargo freight ship
ExpertsFinance

Export opportunities await in South Korea for SMEs

South Korea is one of Australia’s closest economic and trading partners, and with its high-income economy, there is a strong market for Australia’s high quality goods and services.

Christmas investments
Cash FlowExperts

Keep your cash flow working while you take a Christmas break

Setting ambitious growth targets for the new year can ensure you hit the ground running, but the effort could be wasted without the cash flow to fund them.

China Finance
ExpertsFinance

Australian businesses must pay attention China’s economic slowdown

The Atradius 2015 Payment Practices Barometer for the Asia Pacific region found that Australia and Indonesia, both of which are heavily dependent on commodity exports to China, were particularly susceptible to the economic slowdown.

CFO Strategy
Cash FlowExperts

Three things CFOs need to know about their data

To unlock the real value of a company’s data, CFOs must develop an enterprise-wide strategy, and set clear priorities that map to business and financial outcomes.

debt help
Cash FlowCredit Management

Knowing when to outsource your debt collections

Is it time to outsource your debt collection? Growing debt levels, rising bankruptcy rates and positive industry reform stemming from revised debt collection guidelines issued last year have led many Australian businesses to seek professional help in recovering their customer debts.

Cash FlowCredit Management

The Founder doing big business by selling simplicity secures $15 million funding

Since launching in regional NSW in 2002, the Australian fintech start-up, invoice2go, has gone from strength to strength.

Business strategy concept on blackboard with light bulb
Small Business

Managing your business journey from a startup to an established company

Creating a business is an incredible journey made up of both success and failures, and entrepreneurs who are fortunate enough to watch their venture grow from a simple idea to an established company will understand that it involves constant change and management – From experience, here’s some advice in managing these changes.

Cash FlowExperts

An industry “slow to embrace technology” – until there’s a real need for a solution

“Universities will want to play a role, industries will want to play a role, start-ups will want to play a role.” These were the words of NSW Premier Mike Baird recently speaking to the ABC about plans to transform Sydney’s inner-west foreshore into a new tech hub.

Placeholder
ExpertsFinance

Top tips when switching to new accountants

There may be times in your business where as a small business owner you may have to look for a new accountant. This could be because you are setting up a new business in itself or in conjunction with your existing businesses, and would like advice on tax planning.

Businessman climbing gold coins stacks on the gray background
ExpertsSmall Business

How to increase your business tenfold in less than two years

When you first set up your business, you probably dived in head over heels, researching, forming new relationships, setting up an office space, and organising your daily operations. Your blood, sweat, and tears were most likely sacrificed for the cause, alongside investing your time and money.

networking
Small Business

Networking physically, not digitally

The digital age has given us a lot to be thankful for. With the ability to transfer information freely and quickly, we have never been better connected with information, resources and people.

Small Business

The arrival of the unprepared: Your first leadership job

Rarely does anyone step into a new leadership role knowing everything they need to be successful. People naturally celebrate this change (I got this, how hard can it be?) but too often ignore the challenge of the transition (you’re unlikely to be aware of what you don’t know!).

Website analytics and SEO data analysis concept. EPS10 file and included high resolution jpg
Small BusinessTechnology

Website monitoring: A make or break necessity for every business

Today, there are businesses that rely extensively on their websites to create various touch-points with their stakeholders. Consumers can find everything from clothes, accessories, and electronics to even carton boxes for their packaging needs and nannies for their little ones, online.

young attractive Hispanic couple in love sitting together on sofa couch at home living room with computer laptop shopping online Christmas presents with credit card on internet
Small BusinessTechnology

Is your online shopping experience geared to maximise the splurge of the silly season?

As the end of the year draws near, online retailers need to turn their mind to making the most of the spending silly season – you don’t want to find yourself caught out when December rolls around.

Business loan from a bank employee. finance concept
Cash FlowExperts

7 Business loan myths busted

Business owners can be cautious thinkers, looking out for every possible roadblock their business may encounter. It is a both a blessing and a curse, as there are situations when it can serve a business owner well and other times, being ultra conservative can be a hindrance.

Facebook login on Apple iPad Air
Risk ManagementSmall Business

6 Ways to protect your business and personal information on Facebook

We all love to connect with our friends and family online. Whether it’s the fun of choosing the best angle for your selfie, finding long-lost school friends or talking about the latest trends or news, 11 million Australians make Facebook a daily habit.

Searching for a new job in a local paper....maybe this one.
NewsSmall Business

Businesses more confident under Turnbull’s leadership

A survey of over 1,200 businesses across Australia has revealed that 45 per cent of businesses are more confident under Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s leadership with only 11 per cent reporting to be less confident.

Car Insurance
Cash FlowExperts

Car Insurance Explained

When you’re in the market for a new car, you will have to pay compulsory third party insurance (CTP) along with your registration. This might be included with registration or available on the open market. This covers you for accidents in which you inflict injuries on other people. It does not cover you for property damage.

Business people discussing the charts and graphs showing the results of their successful teamwork
NewsSmall Business

Accounting firms may review tax accounts in place of ATO

An ATO pilot program – the external compliance assurance process – that allowed taxpayers to self assess has been named success and could be rolled out more widely.

The authoritarian boss in front of his employees
ExpertsSmall Business

Six things SMBs can learn from large enterprises

Small businesses are the heart of the Australian economy, but how do they compete with the big end of town? The big end of town is big businesses that have been successful for a reason and have learnt not only from peers, but also their mistakes.

Cash FlowExperts

Choosing the right equipment finance for your business

Are you looking for the right deal on equipment finance? Equipment finance isn’t as straightforward as something is as car finance is. Equipment finance is tricky depending on what kind of equipment you’re looking to acquire.

Prospa
Cash FlowExperts

SMEs prospering with Prospa as more turn to alternative lenders

From and early age, Greg Moshal has always been involved in small business. With his beginnings in a family venture to owning his own, the struggles of obtaining finance to start and grow a business became an all too familiar story.

Woman orders a taxi from her mobile phone
CreditorWatch

ACT to be world’s first capital to legalise ‘disruptive’ Uber

The ACT is set to be the first national capital to regulate online ride-sharing service, Uber, as the service prepares to legally enter the Canberra market from October 30th.

ExpertsSmall Business

8 Things small business owners must do to prevent burnout

Have you noticed yourself feeling more anxious, exhausted, susceptible to mood swings, or unable to sleep at night? If any of these symptoms sound familiar, you may be a small business owner on the brink of burnout.

Placeholder
ExpertsSmall Business

How to build customer loyalty when starting out

Building customer loyalty can be a challenge when getting a new business off the ground. The secret is to get to know your customers, find a way to relate to them and exceed their expectations at every turn. This will create positive word-of-mouth, and bring in more business for you. Here are some tips to generate customer loyalty for your business.

Any ideas on blackboard
Cash FlowExperts

Embrace disruption and reap the rewards

We’ve all heard the word ‘disruption’ being bandied around in a business context, but how does it really impact businesses and as its urgency increases, how can they respond to it?

Risk ManagementSmall Business

ACCC pursues photography business for unconscionable conduct

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court against Lifestyle Photographers Pty Ltd, trading as Expression Sessions.

the macro image of the brown eye
Small Business

Keeping your eye on the ball

Humans are creatures of habit; we subconsciously drift into routines that provide predictability and a sense of comfort and security. Habits and routines have their place – they get us up in the morning and into work on time but as soon as we stop achieving the desired result, we change them. As individuals, we own them.

Small BusinessTechnology

A leap of faith: One man’s journey into online retail

With exposure to a wider customer base, lower overheads, greater choice and more competitive prices, the benefits of online retailing are obvious.

Australian Parliament House illuminated at twilight. Slight motion blur on flag due to long exposure.
NewsSmall Business

Bruce Billson removed as Minister for Small Business in bittersweet move

Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, announced yesterday that Victorian MP, Kelly O’Dwyer, will replace Bruce Billson as Small Business Minister in a move that sent “shockwaves” through the small business community.

Model house with a jar and coins scattered.
Cash FlowFinance

5 Tips to create a debt killer budget

Ever wonder why some people get ahead, buy a car, buy a house and go on fantastic holidays while you continually struggle to make ends meet?

Small Business

Businesses flock to Australian Made branding

According to Australian Made Campaign an increasing number of Australian businesses are registering for certification schemes to demonstrate quality, safety and ethical values.

Build up a business: Machines building business-word.
NewsSmall Business

Tech leaders and start ups excited by Malcolm Turnbull as Prime Minister

Tech leaders have expressed new found enthusiasm and excitement following Malcolm Turnbull’s appointment to Prime Minister this week.

Canberra Parliament House
CreditorWatch

This is not the “Rudd-Gillard-Rudd” government

Resonating around the business community, these were the words of newly appointed Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, at a press conference late on Monday evening.Mr Turnbull’s move to challenge the leadership was met with predictable critique – it made the Liberal Party just like the Labor Party of June 2010.

Credit ManagementSmall Business

Moving to the cloud – Benefits for the accountant/small business client relationship

Cloud migration is a growing trend among small to medium sized businesses in Australia. Accounting practices are also embracing cloud technology – The May 2015 Cloud Readiness Survey from Digital First demonstrates that the shift to the cloud is happening. Nearly half of the respondents (43%) see a major shift to cloud software likely to be happening within the next twelve months.

Woman holding tablet pc and credit card , on line Shopping Concept
CreditorWatch

Young yet growing rapidly: Australia’s sharing economy

Airtasker and Pureprofile have released Australia’s first study revealing the size and use of Australia’s sharing economy.

FinanceNews

Calls for certainty on the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has said the Labor Party needs to declare its support for the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) in order to deliver certainty to Australian exporters seeking to use the improved trade arrangements to create jobs at home.

Australian money background. Soft focus, shallow DOF, with lots of copy space.
FinanceSmall Business

AUD: Seeing the wood for the trees

In August 2011 the Australian dollar peaked above 110 US cents, but while many Australians were relishing in cheap overseas travel and milking the internet for bargain commodities, economists were left wearing a cautious frown

Dissatisfied red circle
ExpertsSmall Business

The real cost of complaints for your business

How many complaints does your business get every week or month? Hopefully it’s not very many but even a small number of dissatisfied customers can cause a lot of damage, especially to businesses that rely on word of mouth referrals or who don’t have hundreds of customers buying from them every day.

folder with label audit
Credit ManagementFinance

400 businesses in Melbourne and Perth to be audited by FWO

250 businesses in Melbourne’s Dandenong region will be audited by the Fair Work Ombudsman as part of a new campaign to check that employers are paying the correct minimum hourly rates, penalty rates, allowances, loadings and providing appropriate meal breaks.

Crane and building construction site against blue sky
Small Business

Construction industry shows August expansion

After declining or remaining stable for 9 months, Australia’s construction industry expanded during the month of August. The Australian Performance of Construction Index (Australian PCI) increased by 6.7 points to 53.8. Readings above 50 indicate an expansion in activity.

business mechanics
Small Business

Growth strategy: Reading between the lines

When business leaders think about growing their business, there are a variety of options that will roll off the tongue: diversification, strategic partnerships, multiple locations, increased sales – to name a few. But are they really just stating the obvious and are they missing the fundamental subtext to a successful growth strategy?

NewsSmall Business

ATO announces 3-month compliance operation

The Australian Tax Office (ATO) will be targeting up to 90,000 small businesses over the next three months as part of a major compliance operation.

Australian money background. Soft focus, shallow DOF, with lots of copy space.
FinanceNews

RBA leaves cash rate unchanged for September

The Reserve Bank of Australia has left the cash rate unchanged at 2 per cent for September. This will be the fourth consecutive month the rate has remained unchanged.

Placeholder
NewsSmall Business

NSW Government’s Dispute Resolution Unit growing in popularity

The NSW Government’s Dispute Resolution Unit (DRU) has handled over 37,000 enquiries over the last three years according to new data. The number of enquiries from small businesses has increased each year over this period.

7 Eleven
NewsRisk Management

7-Eleven says model not “dependent” on underpayment and will repay staff

After a joint investigation by Fairfax and Four Corners uncovering widespread underpayment of staff by 7-Eleven franchisees, 7-Eleven has said in a statement that it will pursue franchisees to repay money owed to present and former staff.

Placeholder
NewsSmall Business

Baby boomers to struggle as buyers market looms

According to the Exit Smart Survey conducted by national chartered accounting and advisory form William Buck, almost 80 per cent of business owners are over 50 years of age with 65 per cent expected to sell in the next five years.

7 Eleven
NewsRisk Management

7-Eleven store owner faces Court over $50,000 underpayments

7-Eleven store owner and operator, Harmandeep Singh Sarkaria will face the Federal Circuit Court over allegations that he underpaid two migrant workers almost $50,000 and created erroneous records for the workers.

weather
Cash FlowFinance

Toughen up and brave the weather

With a faltering Chinese economy causing shockwaves in the financial markets there are reasons to be cautious about future economic conditions for today’s business.

FinanceRisk Management

Study reveals SMEs spend 10 days per year managing finances

The Commonwealth Bank has introduced a Real-time Alerts feature for their Business Transaction Accounts following a new study that revealed small businesses spend more 10 days a year managing finances.According to the survey of over 500 small business decision makers, 75 per cent of the time spent included tasks such as chasing payments, scheduling payments and forecasting cash flow.

credit score
Cash FlowCredit Management

Customer service vs. chasing payments: Getting the balance right

Customer service vs. chasing payments – it can be tough to get the balance right between keeping a customer happy and getting your bills paid on time.

Placeholder
Small BusinessTechnology

How to make annual company financials more engaging

When the annual financial results come onto the agenda at work, you’ll probably notice everyone’s eyes glazing over. This is incredibly unfortunate, with many not realising the huge opportunity missed to clearly and effectively communicate a company’s value and impact to both their employees and potential investors.

Store Owner Turning Open Sign In Shop Doorway
FinanceNews

$20,000 Tax break: Putting small business “front and centre”

Three months after the 2015 Budget announced a $20,000 tax break to small businesses, Tim Reed, CEO of MYOB, provider of business management solutions, shares his professional view with Dynamic Business on the effect these budget measures can have on the Australian small business community.

Cash FlowCredit Management

Can cloud accounting improve operational efficiencies?

There are plenty of reasons to start your own business – being your own boss and master of your own destiny, following a passion and fulfilling a dream and vision are just a few of them. Whatever the dream, the reality of running a business is that it requires a lot of hard-work, sacrifice and constant energy and motivation.

Small BusinessTechnology

How to keep control of business travel expenses

Business travel can turn complicated if it’s not well managed, specially when it comes to travel expenses and making sure these are under control and within budget.

Advice
Risk ManagementSmall Business

Behaviours that save

Deciphering good advice from bad and knowing what to take and what to leave is no easy task when looking to ‘maximise efficiency’ and save money. The challenge here lies not only in the credibility of advice but also the relevance to your operations or industry.

Contact Us Web Icons Globe
Small Business

Getting with the digital game at the Small Business Festival Victoria

With consumers juggling multiple digital devices, the value in having a digital presence as well as a physical presence has never been greater.

DMP acronym
Cash FlowCredit Management

Business chained to debt? These 5 steps will set you free?

Some of the leading causes of small businesses failures are unrealistic budget, unnecessary costs, overexpansion and ignoring debt payments. Though borrowing makes sense for start-ups, sometimes entrepreneurs are borrowing large amounts of money without sufficient capacity for returning it.

FinanceNews

Bigstone Capital and The Interface Financial Group to provide invoice finance services to Australian small businesses

Bigstone Capital, a start-up Australian loan market dedicated to small business, and The Interface Financial Group (IFG), one of the North America’s largest alternative finance sources for small businesses have signed a deal to deliver a flexible invoice finance product funded by peer-to-peer market platform.

Angry Boss
Cash FlowFinance

Navigating alternative finance loans: What to look out for

The Australian SME market is undergoing an exciting change with more options available to business owners looking for alternative finance solutions to the ones offered by the big banks.

Global finance and trade
FinanceNews

Finance key for helping Australian businesses succeed overseas

As the mining boom continues to lose pace, Australia’s trade and investment profile is changing. While the growth of our commodities sector may have diminished, other sectors are performing well as demand for Australian products and services overseas is strong and, in many sectors, growing.

Two young handsome engineers working on electronics components
NewsSmall Business

NSW Business Chamber takes steps to drive Australian innovation

In a movement to help drive Australia’s innovation agenda, the NSW Business Chamber has established the Industry Research Collaboration Advisory Alliance.

Cash FlowSmall Business

Xero announces strategic partnerships to benefit small business

Xero has announced a number of strategic partnerships today at Australia’s largest accounting technology conference in Melbourne, Xerocon Australia.

Cash FlowFinance

State-backed loan guarantee scheme for small business proposed

The Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) has introduced an Australian Small Business White Paper renewing its call for a state-backed loan guarantee scheme for small business.

Placeholder
CreditorWatch

Growth of Australian exporters inhibited by financing constraints

Access to finance continues to challenge the growth of Australia’s internationally-active businesses according a new survey commissioned by the Export Council of Australia and supported by Efic, the Australian Government’s export finance agency.

Small Business

5 Management styles that cultivate the most productive teams

This is just one of the excuses I hear from managers when I ask why they haven’t delegated low value work to someone else in their team.

employment contract document form
Small Business

New industry code highlights need for national regulation of employment services

The Recruitment and Consulting Services Association (RCSA), the peak body for the private employment services sector, has released a proposal for an Employment Services Industry Code (ESIC).

Cash FlowFinance

Accounting practices ‘warm’ to cloud solutions

A survey involving more than 400 practices across Australia shows that accounting firms are embracing cloud technology for themselves and clients. According to The Cloud Readiness Survey from Digital First, 43 per…

Placeholder
Cash FlowSmall Business

The importance of personal financial planning for partnership businesses

Like many interesting learning experiences, they can arise from the most unorthodox of circumstances. I was on a chairlift with a newly found ski companion in a relatively unknown corner of Hokkaido. It was snowing heavily. I was the spritely age of 27. My ski companion was in his late 50’s (specific age undisclosed).

handshake icon
Small Business

The powers combined

Businesses are constantly asking themselves how they can gain the edge on their competitors. The harsh reality is – many do not possess the knowledge, skills or resources to compete with their larger rivals – at least not in the short term.

Young men paying for order in a cafe
NewsRisk Management

Penalty rate reduction expected to support further growth in retail sector

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has said that penalty rates must be reduced to support further retail growth. This comes as retail figures for June 2015 have shown further growth while the Productivity Commission has opened discussion on the matter of penalty rates.

Receipts
Cash FlowCredit Management

New App takes the headache out of tax returns

The ATO is helping Australians to better monitor their tax deductions with the introduction of a new online tool called myDeductions. The tool will allow users to capture work related expenses on the go.

Cash FlowFinance

Are small businesses using ATO as bank?

According to national SME finance specialist, Scottish Pacific, many small businesses may be using the Australian Tax Office (ATO) as a line of credit being unaware of alternative funding solutions.

NewsSmall Business

Growing a small business is even easier with further cuts to red tape

Further cuts to red tape will save NSW business owners $815 million making owning and growing a business in NSW even easier. The red tape reforms have exceeded the $750 million June target according to the Minister for Small Business, John Barilaro and Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation, Victor Dominello.

CreditorWatch

Show me the money! Understanding funding options for start ups

Entrepreneurs are famous for developing new ways to do old tasks. As surely as a person’s greatest strength will also be their greatest weakness, so too are entrepreneurs often poor at doing old tasks the new way.

CreditorWatch

The battle between the human and leader

With technology advancing at an incredible pace, unprecedented levels of competition and customer demand, businesses are feeling the heat more than ever in the race to stay afloat.

Tax Time
Cash FlowExperts

Piece of advice on ATO payment arrangements

Part of our role as small business accountants is to act as a barrier or intermediary between the tax office and the small businesses of Australia. It’s not that we don’t trust the two different interests to get along but it’s more about using our experience and knowledge to protect the best interests of the client.

Placeholder
NewsRisk Management

Revised code of conduct for solar retailers

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has proposed to grant reauthorisation of a revised Solar Retailer Code of Conduct for five years.

Customer
Small BusinessTechnology

Collect the breadcrumbs, connect the dots and serve up success: The importance of customer experience consistency

Today’s customer journey is increasingly fragmented and complex as consumers interact with brands offline and online across multiple channels. We might have a quick browse online during our lunch breaks,…

Technology

Reports on the run: New Dashboard App gives small business owners greater visibility

Small business owners now have greater visibility of their business performance following the global launch of the new free Square Dashboard App.

Cardboard Box for delivery . Stock Vector illustration
Cash FlowFinance

Online GST Changes: Welcome relief for domestic online retailers

An agreement by national leaders to lower the GST-free threshold to capture online transactions under $1000 is hoped to put domestic retailers on a more equal footing with their international competitors.

Women shopping in supermarket
NewsSmall Business

New food labelling system set for phased roll-out to small business

A new country of origin food labelling system is set to be in place by mid-2016 with a phased implementation period for small business.

Success and Failure Green Road Sign with dramatic blue sky and clouds.
Risk ManagementSmall Business

Three mistakes people make when starting a business

Whether you’re taking on a franchise, buying an existing business or establishing a start-up, starting a business comes with a never-ending list of challenges and, while each business is unique, there are a few common mistakes that people make when starting out.

Small Business

What the Telstra Business Awards teach us

I was unable to attend this year’s Telstra NSW Business Awards, however two of my key staff were able to experience the evening themselves. Looking back at the previous awards I have attended, they press those who don’t own a business to consider what they can learn from the nominees.

Cash FlowExperts

SME alternative finance market leader undergoes global rebrand and announces new major partnership

Capify (formally AUSvance), Australia’s most experienced and leading alternative finance provider powered by proprietary technology and analytics, today announced its global rebrand to become the most diverse, worldwide alternative small and medium sized enterprise (SME) finance platform.

NewsSmall Business

2015 Telstra NSW Business Awards: And the winner is…

Health food business, Amazonia, stole the title for 2015 Telstra NSW Business of the Year at the awards ceremony in Sydney.

Coins and background stock ticker
FinanceNews

Business spending defies challenges

Commbank’s latest Business Sales Indicator (BSI) report shows Australian businesses are continuing to respond positively to Government stimulus measures. According to the report, June sales are maintaining momentum and growing at a solid pace.

Businessman running away
News

Time off over remuneration? Changes to time-off-in-lieu of overtime provisions

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has developed a clause which will allow employees to claim one hour of time off per hour of overtime worked.

Young mother working with her son at home
CreditorWatch

Mumpreneurs receiving $1 million from QLD budget

Grants of up to $5,000 are being made available to home-based entrepreneurs in Queensland thanks to a commitment put forward in the Government’s Queensland budget.

CreditorWatch

Innovation: more than a buzzword

How many times do we hear the word ‘innovation’ from those discussing business? Whether it’s at seminars, roundtables, or all-out conferences, everyone’s on the innovation bandwagon. Yet, how many of us are actually taking this word on board, putting it into practice, and infusing it into the backbone of our business?

Male Owner Of Coffee Shop
Cash FlowFinance

Central QLD small businesses to benefit from $770,000 in new funding

A new wave of Federal Government funding is set to provide entrepreneurs and small businesses in Central Queensland with more advice and support.

Placeholder
Cash FlowCredit Management

How you can save money on accounting software as your small business grows

As your small business expands, you may want to look into new accounting software to keep up with the growing number of invoices, bank transactions and other everyday accounting tasks you are bound to face.

stock image of the dollar sign and roll of paper
Cash FlowCredit Management

The value of a lost receipt: Why businesses should capture every expense

Many business owners pay for business expenses out of their own pocket, usually when cash is the only option or the most convenient option.

Image of paper, eyeglasses, pen and electronic data in touchpad on workplace
Cash FlowFinance

Post-budget business confidence holds, but nevertheless poor

Australian business confidence continues to stay around the level it hit following the Government Budget unveiled in May, yet it still remains below the five-year average of 117.2.

Job allocation concept
CreditorWatch

The importance of delegating in small business

Many small businesses start as the brainchild of one person or a small group of individuals. It’s the entrepreneurial spirit that drives us to stop dreaming, to get the wheels in motion, and to work our backsides off in the hope of running our own business.

Small Business

The importance of thought leadership for businesses

Business today shouldn’t just be focused on the next sale, the next big social media post, or being the best of the best. For a business to maintain growth and longevity in the current global market, they need to invest resources in creating, maintaining, and building strong, long-lasting relationships.

Tax planning
FinanceSmall Business

Tax tips for budding startup businesses

These days, it’s become a lot easier to juggle multiple engagements. You can have a day job in the office to guarantee a regular flow of income, and have a side business.

Sadness businessman going down in arrow graph escalator
Cash FlowFinance

Overseas economic woes cause drop in Australian consumer confidence

Most of the upswing in consumer confidence that came as a result of the Government’s Budget has been reversed this week, according to the latest ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence findings.

Startup word painted on asphalt road
Cash FlowSmall Business

Starting up? 5 big questions to ask yourself before you do

Often people who are starting up gain encouragement from well-meaning friends enthusing about how experienced and skilled the start-up candidate is. Ksind words can perhaps unintentionally disarm an entrepreneur into believing that it is obvious they will succeed.

business man using binoculars
CreditorWatch

4 points to consider when making forecasts

As businesses wrap up EOFY and prepare for the following financial year, business plans are reformed and forecasts are reworked.

home-office
CreditorWatch

Tax tips for employees with a home office

Working from home is a way of life for many Australians. In fact three-quarters of small business employees, and not to mention the majority of freelancers, maintain an office in their home. But a proper workspace at home doesn’t come cheap.

Law Judge And Justice Symbol
CreditorWatch

Businesswomen who underpaid because minimum pay rates are “just crazy” fined $228,000

A $228,000 fine has been handed down to the operator of a travel services company for underpaying an employee because she thinks the requirement of minimum pay rates is “just crazy”.

Question Marks on Blackboard
CreditorWatch

Incumbent businesses struggling to put customers first

With the end of the financial year behind us now is the time of year to come up with resolutions, especially for small to medium sized enterprises.

business people shaking hands in office.
CreditorWatch

Xero and Dropbox announce partnership

The partnership deal is being marketed as a benefit for small businesses, which will now be able to access and share Dropbox files within Xero. Other features are to be shared throughout the year, including an offer for SMEs to “simplify their accounting workflows”.

business-working
CreditorWatch

Reverse engineering your business

Change is never easy. Changing the structure of a business takes time, effort and introspective thinking to get it right. The last few months, we have been reverse engineering our business, website and services to evolve and the process has been interesting, but challenging.

CreditorWatch

Further legislation introduced to support small business

Three measures aimed at supporting small business were introduced yesterday as part of the Government’s $5.5. billion Jobs and Small Business package.

hospitality-waiter
CreditorWatch

FWO crackdown on hospitality industry unveils over $1.2 million in underpayments

The Fair Work Ombudsman has conducted spot checks in restaurants, cafés and catering companies throughout the country, finding over $1.2 million in underpayments in the process.

Office life
CreditorWatch

The 5 deadly investor sins entrepreneurs make when meeting with investors

A sharp business plan will impress potential investors, but the risk for the investor is not always in the plan but in the people who are going to implement it. Personal character and motivation of the entrepreneur is often the defining issue for an investor.

Angry Woman
CreditorWatch

Value the customer that is NOT always right

The customer isn’t always right. As small business owners, we know this. Certain customers simply have it wrong; they’re being unreasonable, they’re asking for more than what was agreed upon, they’re just plain rude.

metal industy factory indoor
CreditorWatch

Manufacturing sector continues improvement

Australia’s manufacturers are seeing improving conditions, according to the latest ACCI-Westpac Survey of Industrial Trends. The survey has revealed strengthening conditions for the third consecutive quarter, with a rise in building activity and an improvement in service sector investment cited as positive contributors.

Law Judge And Justice Symbol
CreditorWatch

Underpaying backpackers leads to $100,000 in fines

Almost $100,00 in penalties has been handed down to a Cairns businessman and his tour company after he was found guilty of underpaying five backpackers.

Business women put coin stack money
CreditorWatch

Business spending hits 3-year high

The latest Commonwealth Banks Business Sales Indicator (BSI) has revealed spending by Australian businesses peaked in May, reaching the highest sales growth in three years.

Placeholder
CreditorWatch

Senate approves site blocking in bid to tackle piracy

In a big move to crack down on piracy, the Senate has passed legislation that will see infringing websites blocked in Australia. Yesterday saw the Copyright Amendment (Online Infringement) Bill 2015 passed with 37 votes in favour and 13 against. There was plenty of support for the Bill, with the Government and the Opposition both coming together on the decision.

leave application
NewsSmall Business

Fair Work Commission introduces changes to annual leave

Changes to Australia’s annual leave system have today been introduced by the Fair Work Commission (FWC). A review of annual leave award provisions has resulted in a range of changes, including new capabilities for employers to direct employees to take paid annual leave when the worker is accumulating a excessive amount of leave.

Super woman
NewsSmall Business

Colouring outside the lines: saying goodbye to beige leadership

What colour is your leadership style? Shades of beige, or a riot of ideation and colourful innovation? The time of beige leadership values and the self-propagating disaster that shadows them have an ever-shortening life span as innovation, business structure and cultural and societal changes evolve at an increasingly rapid speed. Take these statistics to heart as an example of the need for active change from a lack of colour in the workplace.

Time concept
ExpertsFinance

Time to prioritise and get ready for EOFY

As we move towards the end of this financial year, all businesses are taking steps to get everything in order for July 1st. The recent budget has given small businesses a lot to think about, and it’s no wonder some are struggling to prioritise what needs to be done in the next couple of weeks.

money collect
Credit ManagementDue Diligence

4 ways to help chase payments

There are few things more frustrating when trying to run your business, but the fact remains that many SMEs will sooner or later run into a client that won’t pay on time or, worse still, won’t pay at all.

Two Business Men Shaking Hands And A Blue Cartography Of The Wor
FinanceNews

SMEs do not understand foreign direct investment

A surprising amount of Australia’s small-medium enterprises (SMEs) lack a working knowledge of foreign direct investment (FDI) and how it relates to the economy and their business.

Piggy Bank and Coins
Cash FlowFinance

ATO extends SuperStream compliance date for medium and large businesses

Medium and large-sized businesses now have more time to ensure they are SuperStream compliant after the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) extended the June 30 due date.

Cash FlowFinance

Small business tips to play it safe when gathering investors

Keep a tight limit on the amount you want to raise. I’ve seen many startups and small businesses hold one number in mind when eyeing investors: MORE. While it would be great to inject a huge amount of dough across the areas of growth you think your business needs to see, an overly high amount can have detrimental effects.

businessman say no on corruption .concept
Credit ManagementFinance

Surprise visits crack down on phoenix businesses

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has sprung surprise visits on business and residential sites across Sydney in an effort to tackle widespread phoenix activity.

uncertainty
FinanceSmall Business

Business confidence remains rocky despite budget boost

The latest Roy Morgan Research Business Confidence levels have revealed a May increase of 9.6 points from April, which still leaves confidence below the five-year average.

Hand holding money - Australian dollar (AUD) bills
News

Budget windfall: Have a go by spending for a better business

The Federal Government’s budget measures delivered a raft of benefits designed to encourage small businesses to ‘have a go’. While the $5.5 billion package has been well received, the questions facing Australia’s two million-plus small business owners are two-fold: what does it mean for me and what to do with the incentive?

Sydney CBD Telephoto day
NewsSmall Business

Manufacturing sector expands for first time in 6 months

The Australian level of manufacturing exports has seen its first rise since in November 2014, according to the latest readings from the Australian Industry Group Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index (Australian PMI®).

Business man with multiple exposure holding tablet computer
Cash FlowCredit Management

Sage One hits the cloud accounting market with a focus on SMEs and Accountants

Sage One is aiming to disrupt the cloud accounting market with a competitive solution aimed at Australia’s small businesses and accountants.

Weight tax concept
FinanceNews

Tax reform should put everything on the table: PwC

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has released their submission to the Tax Reform White Paper process, calling for a need to hold no “sacred cows or panaceas” when reviewing the country’s tax system.

global concept
Cash FlowExperts

How to use the End of Financial Year to strengthen your business

Many small business owners fall into the trap of managing business operations in a routine way without looking at their “side mirrors” or “blind spots” where new opportunities might come into view.

Cash FlowExperts

4 areas your business should look at as EOFY rolls around

June 30 is right around the corner and chances are many businesses out there are yet to move on what is needed to ensure the end of financial year is passed smoothly.

The Leader Of The Business People Giving A Speech In A Conferenc
Experts

Top 5 tips for being a disruptive innovator

Disruption – or the potential for disruption – is relevant to every business and industry today. Navigating threats and opportunities effectively in this environment is critical to the strategy of every savvy business.

business-support-partnership-together
Cash FlowExperts

For SMEs it doesn’t always pay to DIY

In increasingly competitive domestic and international markets, Australian SMEs have grown accustomed to running lean. Small business owners double up as HR Managers, salespeople or CFOs and as such are applying a do-it-yourself (DIY) attitude to many aspects of their business in search of larger profit margins and competitive advantage.

ExpertsNews

EOFY tax planning for shareholders

With the End Of The Financial Year on the not so distant horizon, it’s a good time to organise your financial affairs and assess whether your investments are structured to give yourself the best tax advantage.

closed
Cash FlowCredit Management

Recent surge in ATO wind ups – Directors failing to consider the utility of Voluntary Administration

Despite the recent tax amnesties granted to wealthy individuals with monies in offshore tax havens the Australian Tax Office has been militant in its recent debt recovery efforts against SMEs.

growing-staff-business
ExpertsSmall Business

The power of accountability

In a recent conversation a client was telling me how frustrated he is from continually having to remind his staff to do basic things. Then, when he does remind them, he gets push back, which ends up turning a simple reminder into a discussion he can’t be bothered having.

Placeholder
Small BusinessTechnology

5 tech trends your business should be embracing

As the reach of technology makes its way into more and more areas of everyday life, it’s only natural that the age of technology affects how we run our businesses.

Businesswoman Addressing Meeting Around Boardroom Table
NewsSmall Business

Pointless workplace meetings a productivity drain

A new study has found the number of workplace meetings is rapidly on the rise, taking up increasing amounts of time, reducing productivity and providing little value to employees. 

team businessman
NewsSmall Business

Business confidence continued to falter prior to Budget: ACCI Survey

The latest Small Business Survey from the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) revealed a continuing trend of poor confidence prior to the release of the Government’s Budget last week.

Success: red graph over coins
FinanceNews

Budget release boosts Consumer Confidence

The release of last week’s Budget has boosted Consumer Confidence by 3.6 per cent, according to the latest ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence results.

2015 budget word with graph an pencil smartphone
ExpertsFinance

Budget 2015: The Winners and Losers

Our national economy has been feeling the stagnating effects of a mining boom that is winding down and a relatively flat global economy for the past twelve months.

FinanceNews

SuperStream: Business compliance looms

There are always changes and developments occurring in the business sector going overlooked by many. As the CEO of a commercial credit bureau I know all too well the repercussions for businesses being unaware, whether that be unaware of changes to certain services or movements in wide-reaching legislations.

anz bank
Cash FlowFinance

Consumer confidence rises after RBA cut

Consumer confidence has strengthened following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to cut the cash rate to a record low of 2.0 per cent.

budget
Cash FlowFinance

Budget: What’s in store for small business

The Abbott Government has unveiled the 2015-16 Budget, unveiling a $5.5 billion package driven by tax breaks aiming to support the nation’s 2 million-plus small businesses.

A person putting coins into a piggy bank
Cash FlowFinance

Budget: Small business said to benefit from tax cut

Australia’s small businesses are said to be receiving a tax cut in tonight’s budget, part of a portfolio that Small Business Minister Bruce Billson described as “delicious” and “delightful”.

business concept dollar
FinanceNews

Budget: Telcos & ISPs to receive $131 million to retain metadata

The Abbott Government is to provide telecommunication companies and internet service providers with $131 million in order to help cover the cost of storing customer metadata over the next two years.

Money In Business (MIB)
News

Welcome to the new Money in Business

Money in Business has been merged into the CreditorWatch website as its official blog, however it will continue to provide the same news, information and advice around all things business.

business apps
NewsSmall Business

5 apps to boost business

The digital age is well and truly upon us and you're falling behind if you aren't on board. But the number of apps available is almost dizzying; with so many out there, how are you supposed to know what to get?

Money trap with hundred dollars, eps10 vector format
NewsRisk Management

Counterfeit currency bringing real costs

The use of counterfeit money in Australia may not be too prevalent, but the potential costs can nevertheless affect both business and the general public.

Businessman presenting a sustainable decrease development
Cash FlowFinance

RBA drops rates to record low

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has today cut the cash rate by 25 basis points to 2.0 per cent, a record low that comes one week away from this year’s delivery of the Federal Budget.

Sadness businessman going down in arrow graph escalator
FinanceNews

Businesses less satisfied with banks

Business customers are less satisfied with their banks than personal customers, the latest Roy Morgan Business Single Source survey revealing a further drop in the satisfaction level during the month of March.

workplace-safety-helmets-construction
NewsRisk Management

Unions pushing to make Company Directors liable for workplace death

Company Directors should be fined and/or imprisoned for up to 20 years as a result of workplace death, according to a new call to action from the Australian Council of…

Cash FlowExperts

Navigating business in an uncertain economic climate

Every business is a boat on the economic seas. Although bigger boats have a better chance of riding out storms, the small ones can have just as much of a…

Cash flow on black blackboard with businessman
Cash FlowCredit Management

Cash flow is a whole of business system, not just an invoice and collect system

In recent times the amount of articles and blogs in business circles written surrounding the topic of small business debtors and the ability to get paid on time, if printed,…

Retro image of a man signing a contract over dark background.
FinanceNews

Small business the focus of unfair contract terms draft legislation

The Abbott Government has today released a draft legislation put forward to further protect small businesses from unfair contract terms.  Businesses with less than 20 employees undertaking transactions under $100,000,…

gold the coins and graph them
Cash FlowExperts

Top 8 golden rules to investing

The stock market is a great option for those looking to invest due to its history of high returns and attractive tax benefits. However, the sheer volume of options (there…

chasing-customers-money
Cash FlowCredit Management

What to do when your customer doesn’t pay

No matter the size of your business, if you’re offering credit to your customers it’s highly likely at some point you will do work for a customer who will blatantly…

Placeholder
Cash FlowFinance

Under 50 per cent of bank shareholders are customers

Only 41.1 per cent of the country’s 1.5 million bank shareholders are customers of the bank, according to new findings released by Roy Morgan Research. Based off interviews with over…

Failure of a businessman due to crisis
Cash FlowCredit Management

Poor bookkeeping horror story: a bean counter’s tale

If you think that bookkeeping and accounting fees are high, consider this horror story, which could be the one tale that gets business owners thinking about their own business. Brisbane-based…

Placeholder
Cash FlowFinance

Chasing finance: Keep it real

Financing. It’s one of the biggest concerns plaguing small businesses around the world. The search for that much-needed dough to kick-start a business plan into fruition can prove to be…

Money trap with hundred dollars, eps10 vector format
Cash FlowCredit Management

Fake government grants: How to avoid scams

As small business numbers increase and more entrepreneurs look for capital, a growing amount of organisations claiming to be affiliated with the Government are looking to take your money.  SMEs…

business-trade
FinanceNews

Lack of information holding back businesses from international trade

Compliance issues, red tape, and a lack of knowledge relating to free trade agreements (FTAs) are holding back many of Australia’s businesses from engaging in international trade, according to a…

corruption download
NewsSmall Business

Business corruption still high, companies still ill-equipped

Australian and New Zealand companies are being affected by bribery and corruption, according to results from a Deloitte survey. The Deloitte Bribery and Corruption Survey 2015 revealed 23 per cent…

PPSR
Credit ManagementExperts

Personal Property Security: It’s In The Ts & Cs

The Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (PPSA) was quite the landmark move for Australian business, providing a single national law that replaced separate Commonwealth, State and Territory laws, leading to the establishment of the Personal Properties Securities Register (PPSR).

cyber attack
Technology

$1 billion stolen from banks in unprecedented cyber attack

As much as $1 billion is expected to have been stolen in what is being called “the most highly sophisticated criminal attack” ever seen. Kaspersky Lab, a Russian computer security…

tax
FinanceNews

Government to await white paper before enacting tax reform

According to the Inspector-General of Taxation (IGT) Ali Norooz, there are a number of changes the government could make to the landscape of taxation which would make it cheaper and…

Placeholder
Cash FlowCredit Management

Battle to recover super from phoenix operators intensifies

The Australian Taxation Office is ramping up its response to rogue phoenix operators who exploit seasonal workers, and pocket their superannuation entitlements.

debt settlement
Cash FlowCredit Management

Personal Insolvency: Ending Bankruptcy Early

Not all bankruptcies have to run their ordinary course, in fact it is possible to end a bankruptcy earlier than expected. Bankrupts may make an offer to settle their bankruptcy through a composition or scheme of arrangement under section 73 of the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth).

Cloud Accounting
Credit ManagementSmall Business

Why would anyone opt for desktop accounting over cloud?

The debate may seem won, but desktop accounting software is hanging around longer than many cloud-converts would have thought.

sugarcane
Cash FlowSmall Business

Green paper tax concessions to help farmers’ cashflow

The latest agricultural green paper aims to give a leg-up to struggling farmers by tweaking with a range of key tax concessions to help improve cashflow in periods of drought and economic turbulence.

cash flow growth
Cash FlowCredit Management

Don’t let cash flow stifle your growth

We all know that cash is king, or rather – cash flow. In today’s volatile economic climate it’s more important than ever to have a good handle on your company finances. Without appropriate systems and processes to maintain positive cash flow, finances can quickly spiral beyond control.

Vintage phone
Cash FlowCredit Management

How to Make a Debt Collection Call

It sounds simple, right? Pick up the phone, ring your customer and let them know you’re expecting them to settle their overdue account. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy.  If you haven’t prepared, the call can quickly take a wrong turn. Or, an emotional reaction from the recipient can easily throw you off your game.  Here are a few tips for making a successful debt collection call.

abacus
Cash FlowCredit Management

ASIC launches National Financial Literacy program

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has launched a new program to boost the financial literacy of business owners and the broader Australian public.

A treasure chest with a maze.
Cash FlowCredit Management

How to Find a Missing Debtor

There’s no need to write off the debts of a missing debtor Getting a debtor to pay a delinquent account can be tricky, especially if they’ve left town with no…

Debt collection
Cash FlowCredit Management

The Risk of Dodgy Debt Collection

‘Cynical’, ‘unconscionable’ and ‘clearly unfair’ are words most business owners never want to hear. When a federal court justice uses these very terms to describe your debt collection activity, chances are it’s going to be coupled with a hefty fine that could financially cripple your business and the individuals involved in it.

Placeholder
Cash FlowCredit Management

Insolvencies: trending up over the long-term

The rate of business failures has more then doubled over the last 15 years according to the Jones Partners Insolvency report. The findings of the report conducted by economist Christopher Nadarajah and consultancy IBIS World were published by NewsCorp Australia this week.

Placeholder
Cash FlowCredit Management

How to reinvigorate your business in 2014-15

One of the keys to shake-up your business in the new financial year is to keep your records up to date. Doing this increases your business’ value, provides easier access to finance and allows a better insight into how you are performing.

Placeholder
Cash FlowExperts

Amendments to the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payments Act 1999 (NSW)

Despite its ubiquity over the past 15 years the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payments Act 1999 (NSW) (“the Act”) has recently been amended by the New South Wales government in response to the Collins Inquiry.

past due invoice
Credit ManagementFinance

Brandis weighs in on credit report grace period

Attorney General George Brandis requests the current five-day grace period for late payments recorded on a consumer’s credit report is extended to 14 days

gen y debt
Cash FlowCredit Management

How to recover debt from Gen Y

Struggling to recover debt from your Gen Y customers? If you understand their spending attitudes, you can work on planning to help motivate them to pay.

debt collection
Cash FlowCredit Management

Choosing a debt collection strategy

Most businesses have to chase debtors at one time or another, so a debt collection strategy will go a long way in helping to recover monies owed.

Hey, Wait…

Subscribe to our newsletter

You’ll never miss our latest news, webinars, podcasts etc. Our newsletter is sent our regularly so don’t miss out.