The best business advisors in Canberra

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Andrew Sykes

RSM Director of Business Advisory, Andrew Sykes – one of Canberra’s most recommended business advisors. Photo: Region Media.

Business owners can struggle with the many components of running a business. Keeping up with finances, developing and sticking to budgets, developing growth strategies and building wealth are just a few essentials requiring attention. These and other elements take time and energy.

A quality business advisor can help. Such an advisor can be a cost-effective way to leverage specialised knowledge. The best business advisors offer quality advice and help guide you through the complex world of business. They’ll present great ideas and eliminate stress and worry.

In this article, we’ll outline the qualities to consider when choosing a business advisor, and share where to find the best in Canberra.

What makes a great business advisor?

Choosing the right business advisor can help on many fronts, including with growth and prosperity, but picking the right one can be a challenge.

It can be helpful to keep the following in mind when choosing a business advisor.

  • Qualified. The best business advisors are certified and/or have formal qualifications (such as a Bachelor degree in commerce, business, business administration or a related field). You’ll want a qualified advisor who will give you confidence.
  • Expertise. You’ll want a business advisor who is an expert in guiding you on areas like finances, strategy, growth and bookkeeping. This is because running a business is complex and multi-faceted.
  • Experience. You’ll want assurance that your business advisor has years of experience and has helped businesses with needs like yours.
  • Results-oriented. Select a great business advisor who focuses on real results and gets you focused on results too.
  • Passion and commitment. When you work with a business advisor, you’ll want to be 100 percent sure they’re on your side and have your best interests at heart. Choose a business advisor who is committed to the financial wellbeing and future of your business.

The best business advisors in Canberra

Riotact’s editorial team has combed through 20 years of on-site comments to compile a list of the most recommended businesses according to you.

To be listed in our Best of Canberra series, each business needs to have consistently received positive feedback on Riotact and Facebook as well as maintaining a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google.

Aero Group

Aero Group works with businesses wanting to grow and maximise their financial potential. The firm supports small and medium businesses through taxation and business advisory services, aiming for “tax made simple”. Aero Group assists business clients to perform at a high level across six pillars – grow, tax, wealth, protect, optimise and exit.

Aero Group has an easy-to-use client portal, streamlining the tax process and making it easier. The Group provides in-office tax services, online tax services, free tax assessment, tax checklists and an online tax return calculator.

With each client, work begins with understanding cores drivers and needs so Aero Group can then deliver the best outcomes and support business clients to reach their true potential.

Aero Group guarantees that business clients pay the least amount of tax legally possible. Each client is assigned a trusted business advisor and mentor who offers advice in plain English and provides value-for-money and peace-of-mind. Dedicated staff are proactive in keeping clients informed and up-to-date on matters relevant to business and financial health.

Growing businesses, increasing profitability, improving cash flow, protecting assets, creating wealth, being financially organised and developing strategic planning are all part of Aero Group’s service equation. The firm offers great value and services at reasonable prices.

RSM Australia – Business Advisory

For over 30 years, RSM Australia’s team of Canberra-based professionals has been supporting businesses with specialist corporate and advisory services. The team at RSM listen, ask the right questions and delve deep. They develop tailored and sound business solutions and help businesses leverage technology to the fullest, to save time and money.

RSM offers business advisory, business planning and business development services to enhance operations, find efficiencies, reduce costs, control risks and support businesses to become more competitive. RSM also assists businesses with profit and growth improvement. If need be, RSM helps businesses assess if continuing into the future is the best option.

Other services RSM provides includes tax, audit and insurance, as well as consulting, risk advisory, restructuring and recovery, wealth management and self-managed superannuation. RSM supports clients to get Cloud-based accounting systems up and running—to maximise efficiency and effectiveness.

RSM partners with clients, meeting them as often as required to provide advice and be a sounding board. They also work with other stakeholders on behalf of clients, such as internal accountants and bookkeepers.

George Cassimatis wrote on Google, “If you want good tax, financial or planning advice, RSM is the place to go.”

Nexis

Nexis is the link to growth for many businesses. The firm specialises in business advice. Nexis can help with starting, buying or managing a business or help established businesses with growth and succession. Business advisors build trusted relationships with clients, providing advice all year round, not just at tax time.

On Google, Oliver Tester wrote, “A very professional and friendly service from the team at Nexis. Always willing to go above and beyond. Highly recommended.”

Callaghans

Callaghans has worked with Canberrans for over 40 years. Based in Belconnen, its experienced team can help you buy and sell a business, as well as with planning, budgeting, cash flow issues, leasing, tax planning, and other financial issues.

Callaghans’ goal is to help you attain personal wealth and financial independence, so that you can work on your business, not just in it.

Synergy Group

Challengers at heart, Synergy Group employees are pragmatic explorers seeking to uncover what could be, so it can be. With a strong resolve to deliver success, the team prides itself on collaborating with clients to understand their true potential. Synergy Group provides real impact and is involved with businesses irrespective of size and scale. The highly experienced individuals that make up the Synergy Group excel in small and large-scale transformation. Synergy Group provides an end-to-end, whole-of-life service, from strategic planning to change management, creative, digital technologies, financial management and resourcing. The team at Synergy Group delivers professional services and solutions, but aims to develop lasting relationships with clients.

If you’re looking for more information on accountants and financial services in Canberra, you might like our articles on the best chartered accountants, best tax accountants, best financial planners, best auditors, best bookkeepers and best defined benefit super financial planners Canberra has to offer.

Your experience with business advisors in Canberra

Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback. If you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.

Have you had experience with any of the business advisors listed above? If so, share your feedback in the comments below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all business advisors the same?

Not all business advisors are the same. Some are formally educated and some aren't. You'll want to choose a business advisor who is certified and/or holds formal qualifications.

How do business advisors charge?

Not all business advisors charge the same. Their fees will depend on the type and depth of services you need. It’s important to know what you’ll be paying in advance, however, so you can factor this into your budget. The best way to test the market is to ask a couple of business advisors to detail their fees and fee structure.

Will my information be confidential?

You should sign a formal agreement with your business advisor that includes a confidentiality clause. This is important because your business advisor will need access to a lot of information about your business, including financials.

Do business advisors want to bother helping small businesses?

Some business advisors may only work with larger businesses, but many offer services to all small and medium-sized businesses too. Be upfront about the size and nature of your business when you first make contact, to make sure you get the right business advisor.

Is it worth it to fork out money for a business advisor?

Engaging a business advisor can be a cost-effective way to get quick and reliable access to specialised knowledge. You’ll want to discuss specific ways your business advisor will help and weigh up the benefits against the costs.

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Nilanthi Wilson11:06 pm 14 Jun 21

Highly recommend Rubix3. Do not recommend Horizon one or Capital recruitment. Both of them are useless and a waste of your time. Horizon one never responded to tour communication and Capital recruitment wanted to know all your personal information then just not put you forward to any positions.

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