Best Business Structure Advice: Choosing the Right Setup for Your Business | Cantor Accounting North Sydney

 

Starting a business is exciting — but one of the most important decisions you’ll make early on is choosing the right business structure. The structure you select affects everything from taxes and liability to funding options and long-term growth. At Cantor Accounting, we specialise in helping entrepreneurs, startups, contractors and established businesses in North Sydney choose the structure that best aligns with their goals.

This guide will help you understand the main types of business structures in Australia and how to determine which one is right for you.

Why Business Structure Matters

Your business structure influences:

• How much tax you pay

• Your personal liability and asset protection

• How profits are distributed

• Compliance and reporting obligations

• Ability to raise capital

• Future business flexibility

Choosing the wrong structure can create tax inefficiencies, legal risks and unnecessary costs. That’s why professional advice is crucial — especially before you start trading.

Common Business Structures in Australia

1. Sole Trader

The simplest and most common structure for freelancers, tradies and small businesses.

Pros

• Easy and inexpensive to set up

• Full control of the business

• Simple tax reporting

Cons

• No asset protection — owner is personally liable

• Harder to scale

• Limited tax planning flexibility

Best for: Low-risk businesses, new entrepreneurs, contractors.

2. Partnership

Two or more people operate a business together.

Pros

• Shared responsibility

• Easy to form

• Low compliance costs

Cons

• Joint personal liability

• Potential disputes between partners

• Profit sharing may limit income

Best for: Family businesses, professional partnerships, small groups of founders.

3. Company (Pty Ltd)

A company is a separate legal entity — offering stronger asset protection and tax advantages.

Pros

• Limited liability

• Full asset protection

• Lower tax rate (currently 25% for base rate entities)

• Access to dividends and flexible tax planning

• Attractive for investors

Cons

• Higher compliance and reporting requirements

• Setup costs are higher

Best for: Growing businesses, startups, online businesses, trades, professional services and companies looking to scale.

4. Trust (Discretionary or Unit Trust)

A trust holds assets or runs a business on behalf of beneficiaries.

Pros

• Excellent tax planning flexibility

• Strong asset protection

• Ideal for family businesses and investment structures

Cons

• More complex

• Must follow strict trust rules

• Higher ongoing administrative costs

Best for: Investment businesses, asset protection strategies, family enterprises.

Which Business Structure Is Best?

The best structure depends on your:

• Risk level

• Income expectations

• Growth plans

• Industry type

• Number of owners

• Personal asset protection needs

For example:

• A tradie starting out may begin as a sole trader but later transition to a company as income grows.

• A family business may benefit from a trust structure for flexibility and asset protection.

• A scalable startup will typically choose a company structure for liability protection and funding opportunities.

How Cantor Accounting Helps You Choose the Right Structure

At Cantor Accounting, we offer customised, practical and strategic advice to ensure your business starts on a solid foundation.

Our Business Structure Advisory Includes:

• Assessing your short-term and long-term goals

• Reviewing your risk exposure and asset protection requirements

• Analysing tax efficiency for each structure

• Setting up ABN, TFN, GST and PAYG if required

• Registering companies and trusts

• Providing ongoing bookkeeping, tax and compliance support

Our goal is to simplify the process and help you make the smartest financial decision for your business.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Business Structure Advice

• Choosing the cheapest structure instead of the most effective one

• Not considering long-term tax implications

• Operating as a sole trader when turnover starts increasing

• Setting up a company without understanding director responsibilities

• Not reviewing structure as the business grows

We help you avoid these pitfalls with expert, tailored advice.

Final Thoughts

The right business structure advice can save you tax, protect your assets and support long-term business success. The wrong one can cost you thousands. That’s why working with professionals like Cantor Accounting ensures you make informed, strategic decisions from day one.

Whether you're starting a new business or reviewing your current structure, our team is here to help.

Key Areas of Smart Superannuation Advice Strategy

 

Introduction

Superannuation is one of the most powerful long-term wealth-building tools available to Australians, yet many people fail to optimise their super strategy. With the right planning, your Smart Superannuation Advice can deliver tax efficiencies, investment growth and retirement security. Cantor Accounting provides clear, strategic guidance to help individuals and business owners make smarter superannuation decisions.

Why Smart Superannuation Advice Matters

Superannuation is more than a retirement fund — it is a tax-effective investment vehicle. Strategic contributions, investment alignment and ongoing compliance can significantly increase your wealth over time. Smarter decisions today reduce future tax burdens and strengthen long-term financial security.

Key Areas of Smart Superannuation Advice Strategy

1. Maximising Tax-Effective Contributions

Super contributions benefit from favourable tax rates, making them one of the strongest wealth-building channels.
Cantor Accounting helps clients optimise:

• Concessional contributions (before-tax): up to the annual cap, taxed at 15% inside super.

• Non-concessional contributions (after-tax): ideal for accelerating balance growth.

• Carry-forward unused cap amounts: allowing higher deductible contributions if eligible.

• Salary-sacrifice strategies: shifting more income into low-tax super environments.

2. Choosing the Right Super Fund Structure

The right fund structure influences control, fees, investment flexibility and estate planning.
Cantor Accounting advises on:

• Retail and industry super funds: low-maintenance, simple setup options.

• SMSFs (Self-Managed Super Funds): for clients wanting full investment control, property investment options or tailored wealth strategies.

• Small APRA funds: a hybrid option combining SMSF flexibility with APRA oversight.

Each client’s structure is aligned to their income, risk profile, compliance capacity and long-term financial goals.

3. Smart Investment Allocation

Investment strategy inside super should reflect your retirement goals, income level and risk tolerance.
Cantor Accounting supports clients with:

• Diversified portfolios balancing growth and defensive assets.

• Lifecycle investment strategies aligned to retirement timelines.

• Property and specialist asset investment strategies within SMSFs.

• Reviewing under-performing funds or high-fee investment options.

4. Transition-to-Retirement (TTR) Planning

For individuals nearing retirement age, a TTR strategy can optimise income and reduce tax.
Cantor Accounting assists with:

• Structuring TTR pensions to draw income tax-effectively.

• Boosting super using salary sacrifice while working.

• Balancing pension withdrawals with contribution strategies.

5. Super Strategies for Business Owners

Business owners benefit significantly from structured super planning.
Key advice areas include:

• Using concessional contributions to reduce taxable income.

• Holding business property inside an SMSF (where appropriate and compliant).

• Contribution reserving to manage tax timing.

• Succession and estate planning integration.

6. Compliance, Caps and Regulatory Requirements

Super is a regulated environment. Cantor Accounting ensures clients remain compliant with:

• Annual contribution caps.

• Transfer balance caps (TBC).

• Minimum pension requirements.

• SMSF lodgements, audits and trustee obligations.

When to Review Your Super Strategy

A review is recommended when:

• Income increases or employment changes.

• You start or expand a business.

• You approach retirement.

• You inherit funds or receive a windfall.

• Fund performance lags or fees rise.

• Your family or estate-planning needs change.

Cantor Accounting performs structured super reviews to ensure your strategy remains aligned with current legislation and financial goals.

How Cantor Accounting Supports You

• Contribution planning and tax-optimisation strategies.

• SMSF setup, administration and compliance.

• Investment strategy structuring based on goals and risk profile.

• Retirement planning and transition-to-retirement strategies.

• Fund performance assessment and rollover guidance.

• Integrated advice across tax, super and business planning.

Conclusion

Smart superannuation advice can profoundly impact long-term wealth, tax efficiency and financial peace of mind. Cantor Accounting helps individuals and business owners understand their options, avoid costly mistakes and build a stronger retirement future through clear, structured super strategies.