Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you’re looking for an accountant, exploring tax strategies or seeking advice to support your business, you may have questions about where to start. Our FAQs provide clear, practical answers to commonly asked questions, helping you better understand your options and make informed decisions.
What accounting and advisory services does Stannards offer clients?
At Stannards, our clients are at the heart of everything we do. We take the time to understand your unique circumstances, priorities and ambitions, building trusted relationships and providing advice that is tailored to your needs.
We provide commercial accounting and advisory services to clients across Australia, including compliance, taxation, business advisory, audit and assurance, valuations, corporate finance, grants and incentives, SMSFs and Virtual CFO services.
With deep technical expertise and practical commercial insight, our experienced team helps you navigate complexity, manage risk and identify opportunities. Whatever your goals or stage of business, you can place your trust in our expert hands, knowing our focus is always on achieving the best outcomes for you.
Who does Stannards work with?
We work with privately owned businesses, small cap ASX listed companies, entrepreneurs, high-net-worth families/individuals and growth-focused organisations across a diverse range of industries.
As trusted accountants for business owners, we understand that business and personal financial priorities are often closely connected. That’s why we take a holistic approach, considering both the commercial goals of your business and the broader ambitions of the people behind it.
Wherever you are in your journey, from building strong financial foundations and navigating growth to restructuring, succession or exit, our focus remains on you. We take the time to understand your circumstances, anticipate your evolving needs and provide considered advice that supports you at every stage.
How is Stannards different from other accounting firms?
We have a ‘hands on’, owner, operator approach to business. Our senior team are all equity owners and take pride in serving clients. The most effective advice starts with truly understanding our clients. Technical expertise is fundamental, but so are accessibility, responsiveness and building trusted, long-term relationships.
As a boutique accounting firm, we combine personalised service and direct access to experienced advisers with broad specialist expertise, giving you confidence that your business and financial needs are in expert hands.
Our approach is proactive, practical and commercially focused. We take the time to understand where you are today and where you want to be, allowing us to anticipate challenges, identify opportunities and provide considered advice that supports your goals for the long term. Finally, it’s important to note that we look after our staff and have a great culture. This has lead to high staff retention which contributes to servicing happy clients.
What is a Virtual CFO and does my business need one?
As a business grows, its financial management requirements often become more sophisticated. Business owners may require greater visibility over cash flow, forecasting and performance, as well as experienced financial input into strategic decisions.
Via our virtual CFO division, we can service businesses and provide them access to senior financial expertise without necessarily requiring the appointment of a full-time CFO.
Depending on your needs, Stannards can assist with financial strategy, budgeting and forecasting, cash flow management, scenario modelling, management and board reporting, KPIs and finance function improvement. We work closely with business owners and leadership teams to provide greater financial clarity and help translate financial information into practical, commercially focused decisions.
How can Stannards help me minimise my tax?
Effective tax planning requires more than considering your position at the end of the financial year. It requires an understanding of your business, structures, transactions and longer-term objectives on a regular basis.
Our clients are always seeking legal means to minimise tax. Stannards considers legitimate tax planning opportunities within the context of your broader commercial and financial circumstances.
Our advisers work with clients to identify potential opportunities, address risks early and ensure tax considerations are incorporated into significant business and financial decisions. Our objective is to help you achieve commercially appropriate and sustainable tax outcomes while ensuring your obligations are properly understood and managed.
What is an SMSF and how can Stannards help?
A Self-Managed Superannuation Fund, or SMSF, can provide greater control and flexibility over the management of your superannuation. However, that control also brings significant trustee responsibilities, regulatory requirements and ongoing compliance obligations.
As a firm with experienced SMSF expertise, clients can turn to us for specialist support. Stannards can assist with SMSF establishment, administration and compliance, audit facilitation, contribution and pension strategies, LRBA strategies, fund wind-ups, tax considerations and estate planning support.
Our approach begins with understanding your circumstances and objectives. We then provide clear, practical guidance to help you understand your responsibilities, make informed decisions and manage your SMSF appropriately over the long term.
Where is Stannards located and do you work with clients outside Melbourne?
Stannards is based at 60 Toorak Road, South Yarra, Victoria, and has been providing professional services to clients since 1946.
As established accountants operating from South Yarra, in inner Melbourne, we are proud of our Melbourne foundations while supporting clients beyond our immediate location i.e. Australia-wide. Technology enables our advisers to work effectively with clients across different locations while maintaining the personal service and accessibility that are central to our approach.
Wherever our clients are based, our priority remains consistent: to understand their circumstances, build trusted professional relationships and provide timely, practical and commercially relevant advice that supports their objectives.
How do I get started with Stannards?
The first step is a conversation. You do not need to determine which service or specialist you require before speaking with us.
When you contact Stannards, we will take the time to understand your circumstances, your current priorities and what you are seeking to achieve. From there, we can identify the appropriate expertise within Stannards and discuss how we may be able to assist.
To speak with our team, call 03 9867 4433, email contact@stannards.com.au, or submit an enquiry through our website.
Our focus from the outset is to understand your needs and establish how Stannards can provide the most appropriate support, both now and as your circumstances evolve.
