Our Story

Imax Business Group (IBG) was founded by Arthur Ioannou in 1994 as an accountancy practice. Within a few years and a steady stream of loyal clients, it soon grew from a one-man operation into a busy accountancy business.

In 1999 IBG relocated into larger premises in North Fitzroy and then in July 2005 moved into its own premises at 652 Smith Street Clifton Hill. The warm yet professional atmosphere of this historical and architecturally renovated building reflects IBG as a dynamic and well-established centre for accountancy, management consultancy, and financial planning. As IBG grew, so too did its staff. IBG’s management and staff come from diverse professional backgrounds including accountancy; economics; management consulting; financial planning and justice.

The original intention and naming of Imax was a blend of two ideas. One was a passion to work closely with clients, by being able to have ‘real and honest financial conversations. Number two was to assist them to grow and prosper financially. Collectively it was about taking Individuals to their MAXimum.

This still remains the cornerstone of our commitment to our client's growth and financial wellbeing. This philosophy also forms the foundation of the relationship we have with our staff; through ongoing training and development - to take Individual staff to their MAXimum.

Arthur Ioannou

CEO and Founder

Arthur’s key role at Imax Business Group is to define and develop tailored business strategies for clients. What Arthur brings to IBG clients is his extensive financial and business background including running business programs for the Federal Government and advising private company boards.

In addition to his extensive taxation knowledge and skills he had been selected by CPA Australia to run education programs for other accountants and businesses throughout Australia.

Over the years he has been invited to sit on at on ASX listed public boards, written the book Simply Business Money and assisted various organisations in high value consulting work; at times acting as an external CFO to turn businesses in difficulty into high performers.

Arthur has a background in education working as a trainer, facilitator, educator and lecturer. He has developed a special interest in health and wellbeing, has obtained number of qualifications in mental health and is actively promoting the value and benefit of holistic and conscious business learning.

In his recreational pursuits is a lover of high performance sports, developing people and perhaps most importantly being the co CEO of his family of 4 young kids, helping them to be the best they can be.

Accounting & Taxation

We’re delighted to offer you this Revolutionary way of working together! For an up-front agreed monthly amount, we will provide you with these services:

12 Month Cash Flow Projection & Profit Plan

FREE Accounting Software

Quarterly & Annual Financial Statements

Quarterly “On-Track” Review

Business Activity Statements (BAS)

Annual Needs Review

Year-End Tax Planning Review

Tax Returns

Annual ASIC Company Review

Unlimited Telephone and Email Access

Key Advantages of this Proposal

Management Consulting

Helping our clients grow, strengthen and develop their businesses is our main aim. Whether small, medium or large receiving expert help in areas such as strategy development, management accounting, cost analysis and budgeting is very important to attaining a business’s short and long term objectives.

We work to enable you and your business to maximise potential and profitability. We do this by providing the appropriate technical and commercial solutions to resolve issues that might impair the attainment of your goals. We work with many private family clients.

This gives us the expertise and experience to provide succession strategies that allows for the effective transfer of wealth to future generations. We specialise in the following:

• Corporate Structures
• Strategy development and facilitation
• Strategic board and management reporting
• Budget preparation and review
• Updating your business plan
• Business value maximisation
• Systems review
• Sustainability
• Financial and operational diagnostic analysis
• Cash flow, profitability and increased equity
• Business succession planning and implementation
• Business valuations for acquisition, mergers or sale. We also prepare all the documentation to provide potentially interested parties.
• Estate planning
• Asset protection structuring

Business Owner Checklist

Contact us today to discuss how we can work together: (03) 9481 6244 or email us at info@imaxbg.com.au

Software Integration

Streamlining your business

We are uniquely positioned to organise the management software you use, or could use, to maximise the efficiencies gained by your business for employing such technologies.

For example:

1. Begin by ensuring all your financial information, KPIs and compliance obligations are correct and up to date.
   
2. Analyze the software you have such as Service Mate, Xero, and Receipt Bank to ensure they work together in the most efficient and business developing manner. We will also recommend other technologies that we feel will add to what you already have.

Once the clean-up phase is complete and your accounts are up to date, we will shift to the Growth phase that will include the following:

1. Perform the bookkeeping, reconciliation, compliance, and reporting tasks needed for good management.
2. Perform Company and Individual Tax Returns
3. Meeting throughout the year to ensure your plans are on track.

You will have access to your account manager whenever required.

Contact us today to discuss how we can work together: (03) 9481 6244 or email us at info@imaxbg.com.au

Lending Solutions

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Wealth Accumulation

You are establishing and building a career, starting a family, and beginning to accumulate assets which will form the bedrock of your financial position. Types of Financial Planning advice you may require include:

• Establishing a budget to achieve your goals such as purchasing a home or paying for a wedding
• Ensuring you have a sufficient safety net in place should you be unable to work due to injury or illness
• Advice on how to provide for your family in the event you die?
• Advice on debt management and cash flow
• Advice on how to meet ongoing lifestyle items such as family holidays, car purchases, and private school education
• Putting in place the right superannuation plan and strategies to maximise entitlements including discussions around the appropriateness of self-managed superannuation funds
• Personalising a strategy that enables you to meet your wealth accumulation goals via superannuation, direct shares, direct property or a combination of the three
• Walking you through things that you need to consider when starting a business (eg. Business Strategy, Insurances, Employee Super)
• Discussing how you wish for your assets to be distributed via your Will and the requirements for a Power of Attorney

Services we provide to assist you with the above:

• Investments
• Budgeting
• Tax Minimisation
• Financial Planning

Contact us today to discuss how we can work together: (03) 9481 6244 or email us at info@imaxbg.com.au

Self Managed Superannuation Funds

Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs) offer an alternative strategy option for many individuals, families and small business owners to build tax effective wealth and protect assets over time. SMSFs are becoming popular for those who are ready to take control of their own super investments as they give you ultimate control and flexibility to manage your retirement benefits.

It must be noted though, that you will have increased responsibilities as a trustee of the fund. As a SMSF Trustee, you need to keep up to date with all required SMSF regulations and be aware of changes occurring in financial markets.

We can work with you to understand your personal financial situation and decide whether a SMSF structure is appropriate for you. We will also help you to invest your assets in the most effective way to maximise your retirement benefits, whilst complying with your fund’s investment strategy.

It is generally agreed that there are a number of benefits of an SMSF, but it is important that you also understand that an SMSF may not suit your situation. Outlined below are some of the reasons why a SMSF needs to be considered carefully before establishment:

Benefits:

• Control - trustees make the investment decisions;
• Asset allocation – trustees are in control of asset allocation decisions, as well as issues related to borrowing;
• Tax strategies – trustees have control of tax strategies and other planning options;
• Transparency – your SMSF provides you transparency concerning investments and visibility and control of taxation treatment as a result of investment decisions taken within the fund;
• Cost – expenses of running and administering a SMSF fund are not based on a percentage of the value of the fund, but more on the time needed to prepare reports and address relevant compliance matters;

Disadvantages:

Running and managing a SMSF may not be suitable to everyone. Many of the advantages are also a disadvantage:

• Costs may be relatively high where the asset balance in the fund is insufficient to generate economies of scale due to the fixed costs of running the fund.
• There can be too much flexibility for prudent investing and the fund’s assets must remain within its Investment Strategy.
• Remaining on top of trustee responsibilities is complex and will require an investment of your time.
• Poor personal knowledge of the investment landscape can have serious consequences.

Should you wish to consider establishing a SMSF then we can help with:

• Portfolio creation, providing research and recommendations on investments for the fund.
• Ongoing Portfolio Reporting Services, assisting with ongoing investment management of the fund, including corporate actions and share purchase plans.
• Referrals to professionals who can assist with the accounting and audit requirements of the fund, providing support with the compliance burden on you as Trustee.
• Asset sales and contribution strategies to maximise the benefit you achieve through the fund.
• Pension advice including reference to the legislative requirements helping you meet your obligations as a Trustee and manage the fund effectively on an ongoing basis.
• Superannuation contribution and ongoing strategy support, utilising legislation to build a solid retirement benefit.

Contact us today to discuss how we can work together: (03) 9481 6244 or email us at info@imaxbg.com.au

Professional Services

Many of Australia’s best and most successful businesses are privately owned but such ownership comes with its own unique needs and challenges. Imax Business Group have many years experience working in this area and understand well the unique challenges facing owners of family businesses.

While family businesses face the normal ups and downs of business life there is always the added complexity of family relationships that can make business decisions more difficult. At Imax Business Group we are able to manage all businesses aspects of such ventures due to our long experience working with family businesses that means we look to address other issues that might impact more heavily than they should. Issues such as:

• Lack of quality succession planning and inadequate training of junior family members.
• External investments draining cash from operations and diverting focus on core operations.
• Poor governance and management systems.
• Lack of capital investment and financial support.
• Has the business adequately distinguished business and family governance?
• Is there a degree of independent guidance?
• Is the management team adequately equipped?
• Generational transition planning, business coaching and mentoring.
• Operational and strategic management structuring: family versus independent management.
• Objective external advice on family issues and conflict resolution processes.
• Assistance with the development and implementation of a family charter, family forums, family councils and advisory boards.
• Responsive financial, accounting and business advisory support.
• Family business succession planning.

We pride ourselves on the strength of the relationships we build with our clients and the depth of knowledge and understanding we develop over time. Nowhere is this more important than with our family business clients.

Contact us today to discuss how we can work together: (03) 9481 6244 or email us at info@imaxbg.com.au

Construction & Property Developers

The process of running a construction business can be profitable though extremely time-consuming at points. Client deadlines, management of construction supplies, Occupational Health and Safety on site, along with overseeing staff and subcontractors is a lot to deal with it as it is.

Effective management of your cash flow and other financial requirements such as taxation can make the difference between your building business flourishing or struggling. Using a professional accountant that understands the financial issues of running a business can provide a benefit to you and your business, such as giving you more time to focus on your business and personal life, rather than worrying heavily about taxation.

With years of industry experience, Imax Business Group has provided accounting services to building businesses in the suburbs of Melbourne, delivering comprehensive tax services and knowledge in the industry.

COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES

We provide a wide range of accounting services and advice to businesses and individuals, including:

• Payroll and bookkeeping services and options
• Advice relating to claiming motor vehicle expenses
• Preparing income tax returns and certain financial documents
• Advice on record keeping software, spreadsheets and tools for recording income and expenses of your business
• Equipment finance (tools, construction supplies, etc)
• Advice in relation to the sale and purchase of a business
• Tax planning strategies
• Advice for business start-ups
• Plus much more support.

Whatever direction you’re looking to take your business or contracting, we’re here to help with your taxation and accounting needs. It’s a common situation where builders, trades people and businesses are using software that is beyond their requirements, potentially leading to confusion along with a waste of time and money. We can provide advice with record keeping in regards to your expenses and income, based on your accounting skill level and what is appropriate for your business and goals.

Contact us today to discuss how we can work together: (03) 9481 6244 or email us at info@imaxbg.com.au

Health & Allied Services

Working in the medical industry can be incredibly fulfilling though also extremely time consuming. Potentially long and extended hours, keeping up to date with patient or client details, travelling and on call jobs can leave you exhausted.

With all this on your plate, worrying about parts of your taxes shouldn’t be an issue. A professional accountant can assist you with your taxes and accountancy, giving you more time to focus on your career and personal life. Not only can accountants reduce your taxation work load but they can also assist with evaluating your expenses to reduce the amount of tax payable or enhance your tax return depending on your situation.

Imax Business Group have helped a range of doctors and medical professionals with their accounting and taxation needs for years in Melbourne. With a devoted team of accounting experts, we focus on providing great service and support for all our clients, whether an individual, small practice, organisation or large business.

Not only do we provide accounting services to doctors but also a large range of medical professionals and careers, such as the following:

• Patient transport service (PTS) drivers and ambulance care assistants
• Art therapists
• Audiology staff and businesses
• Biomedical scientists
• Chiropractors
• Counsellors
• Chiropodists/podiatrists
• Dentists, dental hygienists, nurses, technicians and therapists
• Dieticians
• General practitioners (GPs)
• Housekeepers
• Learning disabilities nursing
• Massage therapists
• Mental health nurses
• Music therapists
• Myotherapists
• Neurophysiology and neurosurgery
• Osteopaths
• Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians
• Psychiatrists
• Psychologists
• Psychotherapists
• Practice secretaries and typists
• Speech and language therapists
• Sterile services management
• Plus many more medical areas.

Contact us today to discuss how we can work together: (03) 9481 6244 or email us at info@imaxbg.com.au

General Calculators