Guidance on Setting Up a New Company Structure

Description

The Guidance on Setting Up a New Company Structure Template is built exclusively for Australian accounting and taxation professionals who need a clear, regulator-aligned way to brief clients on incorporating and running a company. It distils the end-to-end process—structure benefits, ASIC and ATO registrations, core tax obligations, governance, record-keeping, and the first 90-day action list—into a polished, client-ready letter. With explicit references to ASIC, ATO and the Australian Accounting Standards (AASB 101/112/124), the template improves client understanding, reduces back-and-forth, and creates a consistent paper trail your reviewers will recognise.
Best features & benefits
• Customisable via easy-to-use merge fields for letterhead, organisation details, client name/address and dates—personalise and issue in minutes.
• Step-by-step incorporation checklist covering: ASIC registration (ACN, directors/secretaries, registered office), ABN/TFN via ABR, constitution & shareholder agreement, business-name registration, company bank account set-up, and required licences/permits.
• Clear summary of company tax obligations—company income tax lodgment, GST registration and BAS cadence, PAYG withholding for employees, Superannuation Guarantee, and the FBT lens where non-cash benefits are provided.
• Standards & best-practice alignment baked in—explicit call-outs to AASB 101 (Presentation of Financial Statements), AASB 112 (Income Taxes) and AASB 124 (Related Party Disclosures), with supporting ASIC/ATO/CPA references for credibility.
• Governance & record-keeping framework—what to retain (ASIC certificates, constitution/shareholder agreement, board/shareholder minutes, BAS/payroll/tax filings), five-year retention guidance, and a corporate calendar for renewals and lodgments.
• Forward-planning options that add value—holding-company/subsidiary structures, trust integration for asset protection, Division 7A guardrails for shareholder/director loans, employee share schemes (ESS), and exit/succession readiness prompts.
• Client-friendly, plain-English structure—Overview → Key Steps → Tax Obligations → Standards & Best Practice → Record-Keeping & Governance → Additional Planning → Tools → Next Steps keeps the conversation focused and minimises clarification emails.
• Practical tools & templates included—Company Setup Checklist, Sample Shareholder Agreement, ASIC/Business-Name Renewal Calendar, and PAYG & Super Setup Guide to accelerate delivery and QA.
• Action-oriented “Next Steps & Consultation” section—prewritten call-to-action to book a setup session, confirm tax registrations, and select any add-on structuring elements—ideal for delegation to junior staff with partner review.
• Optional cross-sell hooks—a tidy “You may find the below useful” footer lets you reference related topics without bloating the core message.
Conclusion
This template is a time-saving, informative, process-streamlining tool for Australian accounting professionals. By packaging a standards-aligned roadmap, regulator citations, governance and record-keeping expectations, and ready-to-use checklists into one reusable letter, it helps you brief clients once and collect complete information the first time—reducing rework, strengthening compliance files, and speeding engagements from scoping to implementation. Because it’s reusable, your practice can rely on it not just once, but every time you onboard a new company client—delivering consistent quality and faster outcomes within your licensed organisation.