6 Tips for Peace of Mind: Stay Stress-Free When Away from the Office
We all want peace of mind about our businesses, more so when we are away having some well-earned rest and relaxation. Ensuring the safety and security of your business is crucial, especially in an era where cyber threats and scams are on the rise.
Here are a few timely reminders for business owners:
Prioritize Computer Backups
Check your computer backups before you go away.
Your computer backups are only as good as when you last tested them to ensure you could read the data on your backup device.
As a business owner you have a duty of care to your customers to keep their data safe, which means safe from cyber attacks, safe from hardware failure, safe from any form of disaster.
Whilst we should check our backups at least every month, if this has slipped during the year, what better time to check than just before going on holidays?
Beware of Suspicious Links
With the increase in Christmas greetings, do not click on any link you are not 100% sure of its origin. We know of many businesses that have been hurt by “Cryptolocker” where they either have to pay a ransom to access their computers or restore from backup. This happened recently to a business in the next street to us, who didn’t have reliable backups.
Stay Wary of ATO Scams
ATO (Australian Taxation Office) scams are rife in the community. If the ATO contacts you and you are not expecting it, ask for a reference number and then call them back on a publicly listed phone number OR contact us and we can clarify that the call is genuine.
Know ATO Procedures
It’s crucial to understand the standard procedures of the Australian Taxation Office. The Australian Taxation Office will NOT phone up and ask for on-the-spot payment. Stay informed about legitimate communication channels and always verify before taking any action.
Lodge Your BAS on Time
All businesses on quarterly lodgement have until 28 February 2017 to lodge their BAS to December 2016. Meeting tax obligations promptly contributes to a stress-free return to work after the holidays.
Address Tax Debts Proactively
If you have any tax debts that you need more time to pay, please call us so we can arrange a payment plan before the festive season and give you peace of mind. Taking care of financial matters beforehand can provide peace of mind during the holidays.
In conclusion, a stress-free holiday is within reach for business owners who take the necessary precautions. By prioritizing cybersecurity, staying vigilant against scams, and addressing financial obligations, you can enjoy your well-earned break with true peace of mind.
First Published Dec 2016
About me
Hi, My name is Karen McDonald, I am a business analyst and accountant with a passion and strong focus on efficient business systems to empower business owners to focus more delivering great value to their clients.
In 2011, I founded Wise Owl Legal Practice Management as a response to seeing so many lawyers caught up with the struggle of old out of date inefficient software. I believe software should lighten your load and empower you to focus on your core mission. As a qualified accountant and tax agent, many of you will know me from my consulting business commenced in 1997, Cascade Consulting Services Pty Ltd (Cascade).
Cascade has helped many businesses, including many law firms, over the last 20+ years, some in the software applications consulting space, others in the accounting and tax practice space as well. Fundamentally in our accounting business, we aim to empower our clients to better run their administration more efficiently; eliminate redundant processes, and understand their finances and lighten the load of compliance.
If you would like to learn more about how I could help your law firm become more efficient, please book a discovery call with me at https://wiseowllegal.com.au/
Mostly I am in GMT +10 time zone.
