Tell us what is changing
Include your current structure, the change you are considering and your preferred timing. Our Southport team can discuss the scope and records needed for a review.
Business structuring for Gold Coast owners.
Moving from sole trader to company, adding an owner or reviewing an existing structure? Start with your numbers, the ongoing obligations and a practical transition plan.
Discuss a structure reviewSole trader to company: review the decision before registering
A company registration is one step. The broader job is deciding whether the structure fits, understanding the cost of running it and planning how the business will move across. We discuss your accounts, ownership plans and personal cash needs so the comparison reflects the business you actually run.
What to bring to a structure review
- Your current structure, ABN and details of the owners
- Recent accounts and tax returns, plus current profit and cash figures
- A list of business assets, loans and any existing companies or trusts
- Details of proposed owners, staff changes or significant new contracts
- Your reason for changing and any planned commencement date
A transition checklist
- Compare the options. Consider the overall tax position, costs, ownership and legal responsibilities.
- Check the transfers. Identify assets, agreements and licences that need attention before the change.
- Arrange the registrations. Establish the new entity and relevant registrations in the correct sequence.
- Plan the accounting handover. Agree the start date, opening records, invoicing and banking arrangements.
- Set ongoing responsibilities. Clarify who handles reporting, payroll, tax and company administration.
For builders, an entity change can also affect licensing: include a QBCC reporting and licence review in the planning. For a purchase, start with the business financial review before settling the structure.
Agree the scope before implementation
Discuss the review, recommended next steps and implementation work as separate parts of the engagement. Ask which registrations, accounting changes and follow-up work are included, and what your solicitor will handle. Once the structure is agreed, our business setup service covers the accounting and registration steps within the agreed scope.
Need value evidence for a sale or the July 2027 transition? Discuss business valuations and CGT planning as a separate scope.
Discuss your business structure
FAQ
Changing business structure: your questions
When should I move from sole trader to a company?
Growth, new owners or changing commercial risks can prompt a structure review. There is no single profit figure at which everyone should incorporate. Compare your personal cash needs, tax position, operating costs and ongoing company obligations before deciding. We can assess the accounting implications and coordinate with your legal adviser where needed.
Does setting up a company automatically reduce my tax?
No. The comparison needs to account for company tax, how you take money out, your personal tax position and additional administration. Keeping profits in a company and paying them to an owner can have different consequences. We compare the overall position using your figures instead of assuming a lower company rate means a lower total tax bill.
Can I keep the same ABN when changing to a company?
A company is a separate entity and needs its own ABN. The transition can also involve new tax registrations, bank arrangements, invoices and changes to contracts or licences. Plan the handover before trading through the new entity. We can help identify the accounting and registration tasks, with legal and licensing questions checked by the appropriate adviser or authority.
Can I restructure without triggering tax or duty?
That depends on the assets, entities and transaction. Relief may be available if the relevant conditions are met, but it is not automatic. Before transferring assets or signing documents, establish the tax and duty treatment and obtain legal advice where required. The costs and timing of implementation belong in the decision alongside any expected ongoing benefit.
What will a business structure review cost?
The scope depends on the existing entities, assets, owners and changes being considered. Ask for a quote separating the initial review, implementation, registrations and ongoing compliance. Legal work and government fees may be additional. Start by telling us what is changing and whether there is a proposed commencement date so we can discuss the work required.