Business Consulting

At Countrywide Management Services our purpose is really quite simple: To help make your business more profitable and more valuable, no matter how big or how small your business may be.

We’re not just Accountants. Of course we provide tax and compliance services just like all other Accountants, but our specialty is working with business owners to help them build the business they really want to have.

Countrywide Management Services works closely with our clients to monitor and assess the areas which are key drivers of your business. We offer a comprehensive range of services and advice including:

• Business Start Up Services
• Cash flow budgeting and reporting
• Assistance with Loan Applications
• Assistance with Interest Subsidy Applications
• Property Purchase / Sale Advice
• Business Valuations
• Ratio Analysis
• Succession Planning
• Business Planning & Management Consultancy
• Marketing Plans
• Government Grant Applications
• Market Research (including Client Advisory Board)
• Recruitment, Training & Evaluation for Your Team
• Benchmarking and Analysis

A brief overview of our services is listed below; but why not make an appointment and sit down with us to discuss your needs and see how we can help your business grow?

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Business Start Up Services

When starting a new business it is important to get it right. Countrywide Management Services offer clients invaluable advice when starting up their business. To give your business the best start involve CWMS in the earliest stages of your business planning. This might include the areas of:

• Financing the Venture
• Selecting the type of Business Structures
• Preparation of Operating and Cash Flow Budgets
• Insurances
• Taxation and Other compliance
• Government Grant Applications
• Corporate Services

Cash flow budgeting and reporting

Whether you are in retail, are a service based business or operate a farming enterprise, you should prepare a cash flow budget every year. Preparing a cash flow will force you to firstly, anticipate the peaks and troughs in your business activity and secondly, motivate you to actively seek solutions to improve your cash flow during these high and low periods. By analysing your cash flow you will be in a better position to judge how your business is performing against your budget.

The preparation of a cashflow assists in maintaining a strong relationship with your Bank or Finance Company and is necessary in the event of borrowing funds or re-financing.

Assistance with Loan Applications

Should you need to borrow money from the Bank or re-finance your business, you will need to prepare a detailed Finance Application. Countrywide Management Services can assist you with your submission along with providing the necessary cashflows.

Assistance with Interest Subsidy Applications

The interest subsidy is provided by the government for farmers with an overdraft / loan facility, who are operating in a drought affected area. It is imperative that you follow the guidelines when applying for these subsidies. We have experts in this field who can assist you to complete the application.

Property Purchase / Sale Advice

Before making a decision regarding a property sale or purchase, you should always consult your accountant. There are a number of factors that must be considered when making property decisions, such as the impact on your tax position, cashflow and loan structuring.

Preparation and Assistance with Business Valuations

If you are looking at buying a business it is vital that you contact Countrywide Management Services before signing any contract. Our aim is to act in your best interests, and we have considerable experience and expertise to assist you in both buying and selling a business. It is important to ensure you pay a realistic purchase price, otherwise you may continue to pay the price over the years of the business.

On the other hand, if you are selling a business, Countrywide Management Services can provide a business valuation indicating our opinion on what your selling price should be.

Ratio Analysis

Ratio analysis is a tool that is used to compare various relationships between elements of your Profit & Loss Statement and Balance Sheet. The most important aspect in undertaking ratio analysis is firstly, the correct interpretation of the result and secondly, to take action based on the findings. CWMS can conduct a ratio analysis to compare your past performance and advise appropriate strategies to meet your goals.

Succession Planning

Succession planning is the planning necessary to ensure longevity of the family farming or business operation. It should address all aspects of generation trading and outline policies to ensure that the business is preserved through various family member ownership. The plan should be prepared with open communication between all family stakeholders, your accountant and your solicitor. There are also cashflow and tax consequences that must be considered.

Business Plans

A business plan is a blueprint that gives your business direction, it should be a realistic document that sets out objectives and goals for the business. A business plan should help you prepare for the best and the worst and outline contingencies to deal with such situations.

Marketing Plans

Marketing is not just about advertising, it covers a broad range of areas that need to be addressed by every business. A Marketing Plan should set out how you will use price, promotion, production and distribution, to attract customers, meet their needs and ensure repeat patronage.

Government Grant Applications

There are a number of Government grants available in the area of Business Development, such as business expansion, export assistance, innovation investment fund programs and research and development. CWMS has been successful in the past in preparation and submission of such grants to the Government. Talk to us to find out if there is a grant to suit your needs.

Market Research (including Client Advisory Board)

Market Research is the collection of data to gain knowledge on a particular market. It is vital to undertake market research to gain a better understanding of your customer, to ensure you tailor your product or service to meet their needs. One very successful form of market research that can be conducted by CWMS is a Client Advisory Board or Focus Group.

Recruitment, Training & Evaluation for Your Team

CWMS offers a wide range of services such as fantastic service team training, recruitment format and selection criteria, development of internal policies and training systems, assistance in hiring new team members and evaluation of effective workflow systems. Team training and development of internal policies are vital to providing a consistent level of high quality service to your customers.

Benchmarking and Analysis

CWMS has access to the latest and most up to date benchmarking data for a number of industry sectors. Benchmarking compares your results with the performance of businesses in the same industry. The benchmarking analysis gives a comprehensive report and recommendations that can be used in decision making. Such reports can also be useful for interested investors and financial institutions, providing an impressive set of data analysis that can be used for the sale of a business or to justify expansion.