The Victorian Government has launched the new $5 million Small Business Specialist Advice Pathways Program for Victorian employing small business owners to access financial and legal advice from qualified services providers.
As a Chartered Accounting firm we qualify as a service provider and we are happy to provide the services that meet the requirements under the program so that you could receive a $2,000 grant.
However, there are some conditions.
- The business must satisfy all 3 of the following:
- Be registered in Victoria with an active ABN and has held that ABN since 1 July 2020
- Be registered with WorkSafe Victoria
- Employ 1 to 19 Full-time equivalent employees.
- Engage in services for a minimum of eight hours where the minimum project cost is $2,000 (ex GST).
- The services provided supports at least one or more of the following scope of services listed below:
- Advice and analysis regarding the management of cash flow, preparation or cash flow budgets and projections,
- Profitability analysis and formulation of financial management and/or operational business strategies,
- Strategic analysis to revise business planning and/or governance arrangements,
- Advice regarding the management of debts and liabilities,
- Advice and/or representation regarding commercial agreement contract terms (i.e. commercial leases or commercial supply contracts)
Expenditure that does not comply with the above is considered ineligible. This includes but is not limited to general compliance services such as preparing financial accounts or tax returns or discussing ongoing & routine accounting & tax business requirements.
How the program works
Applicants that participate in this program will progress through three key steps:
Step 1 - Submit an application via the Business Victoria website
Step 2 - If eligible, payment of the first grant instalment of $1,000 so the project can commence with their Qualified Service Provider (us)
Step 3 - On project completion, the final grant instalment of $1,000 will be paid.
The person making the application must be a person identified on the Australian Business Register as either the owner, co-owner, associate, or authorised contact of the applicant business. Unfortunately we cannot apply for the grant on your behalf.
Lastly, the service must also be provided and the final claim made before 31 January 2023. Upon the final claim the applicant will be asked to provide a statutory declaration stating that the activity has been completed and that we have been paid.
We believe that we would be well placed to assist you and your business in providing some of the eligible services. If you would like to nominate us as the qualified service provider here are our details you will need when applying:
If nominating Chris Shaw
Professional membership number: - CPA - 1165224
Mobile Number: 0410 414 064
Email address: [email protected]
If nominating Simon Aukstin:
Professional membership number: - CA - 96435
Mobile Number: 0425 727 275
Email address: [email protected]
If nominating Annette Myintoo
Professional membership number: - CA - 236 395
Mobile Number: 0408 031 157
Email address: [email protected]
Our Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) registration number is 71 098 001
The program has also compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Please click here to view them: https://business.vic.gov.au/grants-and-programs/specialist-advice-pathways-program/frequently-asked-questions
For a full copy of the guidelines please click here: https://business.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/2093993/Specialist-Advice-Pathways-Program-Guidelines.pdf
The program is open for applications now and you have until 4:00pm on Friday 30 September 2022 or when funds are exhausted, whichever is earlier.
There is already in high demand and therefore they have opened up a waitlist. If you would like to join the list please click here. https://business.vic.gov.au/grants-and-programs/specialist-advice-pathways-program
If you have any further questions or would like to discuss this further please contact our office on 03 9817 0700, we are more then happy to answer any questions you may have.
