- Articles
- Changes to overseas working holiday tax
- Exciting new service offering at YML!
- Right Corporate Structuring
- Stamp Duty
- Annual Wage Review
- Interest Only Loans
- GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO THE WORKING HOLIDAY VISA MAKER PROGRAM
- Six Things that Can Keep a Business from Growing
- ATO ANNUAL REPORT
- How The Cloud and Automation Make Business Management Easier
- Avoiding the Wealth Creation Con Artists
- Why Business Owners Should Think Like Futurists
- Buying Property? Why You Should Care About Interest Rates
- Buying property through SMSF – what are the rules?
- 4 reasons to consider refinancing your home loan
- Big data for small business
- Does your super fund provide enough life insurance cover?
- HIFX - INTERNATIONAL PAYMENT EXPERTLY DONE
- Succession plan basics for small business
- Budget Alert – Should you put in place a Transition to Retirement strategy?
- FBT 2016 - WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
- How New Laws May Impact Your Use of an Earnout Right when Buying or Selling a Business.
- Transfer of Business Assets & Private Company Shares
- Financial Future Checklist
- Matters to Consider Before Setting Up an SMSF
- 6 Things that Work Better in The Cloud
- Can better inventory management improve business performance for Manufacturers?
- Should you register for GST?
- 5 Top Causes Of Stress for Small Business Owners Open page Preview for 5 Top Causes Of Stress for Small Business Owners
- 5 Reasons for Cash Flow Problems in Small Businesses
- Key man insurance, who do you need to insure?
- Finance options for buying a car
- Buying A Business? 5 Red Flags to Watch Out For
- Should You Take Your Small Business National?
- Upfront costs when buying a home and how you could save
- Insourcing vs outsourcing vs co-sourcing
- 7 Useful Web-Based Software Programs for SMEs
- Saving Tax Through Successful Loan Structuring
- Buy/sell agreements - do you need one?
- Newsletters
- New Work Tax Exemption (WTE) granted to SMSF Members
- YML Finance – LOOK at these loan Interest Rates…
- New Tax Relief Introduction – Parliamentary Bill 2019
- Australian Immigration Visa Changes from 1st July 2019
- Single Touch Payroll (STP) Phase 2: What Your Business Will Have to do to Comply and How YML can Help
- Land Tax Surcharge and You
- YML Insight April 2015
- Tax Liabilities to be reported to Credit Agencies
- Insurance in your Superannuation Policy
- Business Process Improvement
- Intelligent Process Automation (IPA) is here to stay
- Carry forward your unused Concessional Contributions
- 2015 Federal Budget Report
- Business Valuation
- Skilled Nominated Migration (190 Visa) – Live & Work in NSW
- YML Insight June 2015
- Prepaying Interest
- Superannuation Contributions at EOFY
- Financial Year End Planning
- It’s time to apply for a Director Identification Number (DIN)
- Small Business Cyber Security
- Australia’s Company Tax Rate lowered to 25%
- How Business Process Outsourcing can bring value to your customers through technology
- Economic Stimulus 2021 – Latest Government Incentives – What can your business receive?
- Equity Crowd-Funding
- Low and Middle Income Earners – Tax Offsets
- Mortgage Insurance
- RBA Cash Rate Reductions - What it means for your Loan
- Insurance in Super
- Gift or lend to your child?
- GENERAL SKILLED MIGRATION (GSM)
- Proposed Superannuation Guarantee Amnesty – Have you correctly paid your staff super?
- How RPA and Bots are making Employees happier
- It’s time to apply for a Director Identification Number (DIN)
- Super Guarantee – What Happens When You Get It Wrong
- Business Process Outsourcing – Take the Technology View
- The Importance of Estate Planning
- Transfer Balance Caps and what they mean for your Superannuation and Succession Plan
- PRINCIPAL-AND-INTEREST VS INTEREST-ONLY
- UPDATE YOUR WILL
- SAFE HARBOUR FOR DIRECTORS OF STRUGGLING COMPANIES
- COVID-19 and Estate Planning – Your Will
- Why wait for interest rates to go up before considering a fixed interest loan from 1.89% p.a.?
- ATO is Auditing Rental Property Expense Claims
- JobKeeper 2.0 – Extension 1 and Extension 2
- How a Mortgage can improve your Financial Position / How a Mortgage can grow your Wealth
- Cryptocurrency – What are the Taxation Implications?
- REMINDERS! LAND TAX REGISTRATION and DEED OF VARIATION
- 2020-21 Federal Budget – Update
- Economic Stimulus 2022 – Latest Government Incentives – What can your business receive?
- UPDATING SMSF TRUST DEEDS
- SMSF - $1.6 MILLION TRANSFER BALANCE CAP
- ACT NOW – YML can help you with Phase 2 Single Touch Payroll (STP)
- CONTRACTOR vs. EMPLOYEE – EMPLOYER OBLIGATIONS
- FBT
- Economic Stimulus 2022 – Latest Government Incentives – What can your business receive?
- RPA for VEHICLE FLEET MANAGEMENT
- CRYPTOCURRENCY
- Using your Equity to Lower your Rate AND to Invest
- TRUST DISTRIBUTION IN 2018
- TAX PLANNING
- Superannuation Guarantee – Quarter 2 Late Payments Due and New 2022 Threshold Removal
- THE IMPORTANCE OF WITHDRAWING YOUR MINIMUM PENSION
- Bookkeeper Service – Why does your business need it?
- AUDIT INSURANCE – ATO Increasing Audit Activity in the Areas of Income Tax and Supe
- 5 Everyday Examples of IPA in Practice
- Transferring asset ownership to a SMSF is an in specie contribution
- Deed of Variation – NSW Surcharge Land Tax
- Deed of Variation – NSW Surcharge Land Tax
- Is Your SMSF Investment Strategy Compliant?
- GST on Property Transactions has changed from 1 July
- INVESTMENT LOANS – IS IT WORTH TAKING OUT PRINCIPAL + INTEREST at 3.89% RATE*?
- GLOBAL TALENT SCHEME – Get the expertise your company needs…
- Business Intelligence (BI) in Small Business
- It’s started – Single Touch Payroll (STP)
- CAR LOAN – HERE’S AN OFFER
- Should you pay principal + interest on your investment property?
- Over 65? Downsize your home to contribute to your super!
- NEW Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy
- Limitations to the Superannuation Death Benefit
- Did you know YML Group offers CFO Services?
- Trust Distributions – Draft Section 100A – What you need to know?
- JobKeeper 2.0 – Extension 2 Commencing Soon
- It’s time to apply for a Director Identification Number (DIN)
- NSW State Budget 2020-21 – Economic Stimulus Packages
- Do yourself a Service – Partner with YML’s Bookkeeping Service and be ready for FYE 2022
- Would your business withstand one of its key people falling ill or dying?
- Superannuation Guarantee Amnesty – Self-Correct your past Super Guarantee Liability
- Be ready before refinancing or applying for a new loan
- Non-Residents and SMSFs – Tax Alert!
- Managing your Money through this Crisis!
- Proposed Partner Visa Changes – NEW Two-Step Process
- YML Insight – Special Edition COVID-19
- Divorce Order – Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSF
- FBT 2020 – What do you need to consider?
- Annualised Salaries – New Rules from 1 March 2020
- ATO Increased Audit Activity – Including JobKeeper
- JobMaker Hiring Credits – Explained
- Economic Stimulus Package – JobKeeper Payment
- Superannuation and Pension Payment Changes
- Should I ‘fix’ my home loan?
- Economic Stimulus Package – Small Business Grants
- Working with Remote Staff – Business Process Outsourcing
- HR in the Australian Hospitality Sector – Specialist Service Available
- ATO Payment Arrangements – Avoid Overseas Travel Ban
- Australian Director Identification Number (DIN) – Introduction
- Refinance and get up to $4k bonus OR renegotiate with your current lender?
- JOBKEEPER INCENTIVE – ENROLMENT REQUIRED 30/04/20
- GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES UPDATE
- Taxable Payments – New Compliance for Couriers and Cleaners
- Superannuation Guarantee Amnesty 2020
- Government announces Changes to the Working Holiday Maker Programme
- NEWS! CGT Main Residence Exemption to End for Foreign Residents
- EOFY Removal of Main Residence CGT Exemption for Non-residents
- YML Insight July 2015
- Economic Stimulus Package Updates
- Land Tax NSW – Have you registered? Will you pay a surcharge?
- BUY / SELL Insurance – What is it and how can it help your business?
- YML Insight August 2015
- Working from home: What deductions can you claim?
- CBA has increased its 4-year Fixed Rate – Is now the time to fix your loan
- COVID-19 – Rent Moratorium + Financial Support
- Applying For A Mortgage Is No ‘Walk in the Park’
- NEW Superannuation Contribution Caps from 1 July 2021
- MyGov – What is it and how do you apply?
- SMSF – Would it suit you?
- Cryptocurrency – What are the Taxation Implications?
- Small Business – Fees & Charges Rebate – Up to $1500
- Economic Stimulus Package – Small Business Grants
- Small Business Instant Asset Write-Off : NOW up to $25,000
- POWER BI - BUSINESS DATA TOOL
- Employees : Time and Attendance Platforms
- When are Superannuation Pensions available to Younger People?
- COVID-19 – Travel Bans and Exemptions
- Australia’s Federal Budget 2021-22 – What’s new and what’s in it for you?
- Australian Taxes Payable as a Foreign Resident
- COVID-19 – Workers Compensation and JobKeeper
- Car Loans - In your Business or Personal Name?
- Funding to help small businesses re-open after COVID-19
- Is it time you outsourced your business processes with YML?
- Digital Automation supporting Remote Work
- The Importance of Estate Planning
- Superannuation Increases – Trust Members + Contribution Caps + Guarantee Contribution Base + Pension Caps – from 1 July 2021
- Is your lender charging your SMSF a KILLER interest rate?
- Property Development – Deed of Partition and Transfers (NSW)
- Buying Property through your SMSF
- FBT 2019 – What’s new?
- Tax Time Checklist for Individuals
- Single Touch Payroll – NOW Mandatory for ALL Businesses
- Economic Stimulus Package Updates
- Should I leave my savings in the offset or in the redraw?
- Virtual Bookkeeping at your Service
- Splitting your Superannuation Contributions with your Spouse – A Way to a Better Retirement for Couples
- Tax Planning and Restructuring to suit your Business
- Economic Stimulus 2021 – Latest Government Incentives – What can your business receive?
- Federal Budget 2019 – Immigration to Australia NEWS
- Superannuation Contribution Laws are changing – Boost your Retirement Savings from 1 July 2022
- NOW is the time to consider your Year-End Super Contributions
- Economic Stimulus 2021 – Latest Government Incentives – What can your business receive?
- Federal Budget May 2016 - Superannuation and Social Security
- Buy your own Premises NOW – Business Loans at 2.45% per annum
- Federal Budget 2014-15 Update
- NOW is the time to re-look at your SMSF loan’s interest rate
- Federal Election 2019 Outcome – What it means for you
- Deduction of Interest on Vacant Land – Draft Ruling
- STP – COMPULSORY Cloud-based Payroll Reporting
- 2022 Year-End Tax Planning – Our Tips
- AI and RPA changing the Future of Work
- SuperStream Deadline for Small Employers
- Superannuation Year End Considerations Continue!
- YML Insight February 2015
- Happy NEW Financial Year – ATO Changes Update
- Economic Stimulus Package Updates – JobKeeper 2.1
- Does your SMSF have an investment strategy?
- Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) – Remote / Offshore
- YML Insight March 2015
- General Outsourcing Services provided by YML
- How to get on top of your finances post COVID-19
- Other Topics
- RPA
- FAMILY TRUST DEED VARIATION
- ENCOURAGING NEWS FOR Permanent residency (pr) APPLICANTS
- WORK RELATED CAR EXPENSES - WHAT'S LEGAL?
- WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO PAY OFF YOUR DEBTS?
- Business Protection Insurance
- Aiming to Make a Final Non Concessional Superannuation Contribution for 2016? Be Careful!
- Getting Organized and Planning Effectively This EOFY
- New Withholding for Non Residents
- Four Per Cent Stamp Duty Surcharge for Overseas Investors Buying Residential Real Estate in NSW
- Co-Sourcing: An Alternative To Out-Sourcing
- What Small Business Expenses Can You Claim?
- Israeli Tax of Trusts
- New Superannuation Rules
- YML Group App - Coming Soon
- Obtaining a Business Skills Visa
- Quick Tips to Pay Off Your Mortgage Sooner
- FBT on Christmas Gifts and Tax Deductibility of Christmas Parties
- Changes to the Assets Test for Centrelink Aged Pensions from January 1st 2017
- Why You Should Consider Co-Sourcing for your Business
- Is It Worth Fixing Your Loan?
- Co- Sourcing
- Shareholder's Agreements
- Tax
Buying A Business? 5 Red Flags to Watch Out For

Buying a business is a big investment, and it can be a nerve-wracking process – especially for a first timer. If you’re thinking of taking the plunge and becoming a business owner, here are five obvious warning signs that an enterprise might be a bigger risk than you’re prepared for.
1. The books don’t quite add up
Figures don’t always tell the whole story. Perhaps the books are in the black and the business has little debt, but there don’t seem to be many customers coming and going. Or maybe the owner assures you that they are taking much more ‘off the books’ – this is a definite warning sign! It may or may not be true, but as the turnover of the business will be a major factor in your decision, considering anything that’s not there for all to see in black and white is a big risk.
Understanding the books is a real skill, and it’s a good idea to get a business accountant in Sydney to give them the once-over for your peace of mind. A good accountant may be able to identify potential anomalies by reviewing the expenses and income of the enterprise.
2. The premises are a shambles
The business’s premises are also a key factor to consider. Is the building dirty, in need of repair, or badly presented? A poorly kept premises with broken equipment that hasn’t been replaced is a red flag that may indicate all is not what it seems.
3. There are no signs of 21st Century technology
It’s worth taking a hard look at the business’s systems and infrastructure. Does the business use obsolete technology, or rely on old and inefficient equipment? Check out what competitors are using. Outdated technology and the cost of updating could be a key reason why the business is being sold, and is another red flag.
4. The business’s reputation goes before it – not in a good way
The business may look great on paper but if it has a poor reputation or lacks a core of loyal repeat customers, you’re facing an uphill battle from the moment you take over. Check out the business’s reputation online and by talking to customers if you can. Complaints about poor customer service, the business not delivering on promises, or even lawsuits are an obvious warning sign.
5. It’s facing competition
You’ll likely be in for a rough ride if a major chain is about to open up nearby, or the business is located in a precinct that’s full of competition. Make sure you check out what’s happening in the local area. Too much competition can be a red flag.
It’s also a good idea to think about other factors that could affect the business. For example, is emerging technology about to impact the turnover, and the owner has seen the writing on the wall?
You never want to be complacent about buying a business. Keep an eye out for these common warning signs, do your homework, and consult with an accountant to avoid ending up with a very expensive lemon!
Latest News
Subscribe to our newsletter