Contact Andy

E: [email protected]
T: +61 7 3225 7800

Biography
Publications

Andy Graham
Managing Partner - Brisbane

Offices : Brisbane, Toowoomba

Services : Business Advisory Services, Business strategy and development, Cloud accounting, Succession planning and estate planning

Sectors : Family Law, Property and Construction, Agribusiness Business Services & Support

Biography

As a director of the Business Advisory division and managing partner of RSM in Brisbane, Andy is a trusted confidant who operates in the ‘inner sanctum’ with clients, providing both business and personal counsel and advice.

^{Andy Graham is a Partner of RSM Australia Partners and a Director of RSM Australia Pty Ltd.}

Working closely with his clients to deliver results and outcomes that make a real difference to their business and personal goals, Andy brings a wealth of significant business experience and a proven track record of strategy development and managing growth to deliver substantial improvements to businesses and clients.

“I believe whilst all people and businesses are unique, along with their challenges and opportunities, personal care and attention is constant.”

With over 30 years’ experience in international accounting firms and the commercial sector, Andy has developed an intimate understanding of business and client’s specific needs and requirements, and specialises in providing commercial advice and solutions to his clients across a number of key areas.

Andy enjoys keeping fit and is a keen runner living by the motto ‘healthy body, healthy mind’ but that said, he also enjoys his wine.

Solutions Andy GRAHAM provides

Tax and business structuring
Strategic and business planning
Profit and business performance improvement
Commercial negotiation and due diligence
Asset protection and preservation
Business mentoring and outsourced CFO services
Succession planning
Commercial project feasibility assessment

Significant projects

Provided financial due diligence services for an overseas inbound corporation acquiring a subsidiary of a global corporation in Australia
Developed an exit strategy and project managed the sale of a large vet hospital group, maximising the sales value for the vendors
Restructured a large agricultural dealership, implemented reporting structures and business mentoring
Developed business cases including implementation strategies for priority industries for a local council
Prepared a business diagnostic review for a big 4 bank as part of the bank's credit management process
Developed a strategy and plan for a large family business to assist them in becoming investor/sale-ready to exit their business

Professional associations

Fellow, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
Associate, Australian Institute of Management

Qualifications

Bachelor of Business (Accountancy/Economics) - Charles Sturt University
Harvard Business School (Leading Professional Services Firms, Organisational Leadership)
Accredited Mindshop facilitator

Publications

The importance of making a profit

19 July 2018

Entering into a franchise agreement may be the best business decision you ever make. However, it’s important to look at its long-term potential rather than seeing it as a trade-off of hard earned money and/or going into debt in return for a lifestyle with a modestly paying job, warns Andy Graham, Managing Partner – Brisbane and Director, Busine...

The Economist Intelligence Unit whitepaper released

9 November 2017

National Executive Partner and Managing Partner of the Brisbane office, Andrew Graham, recently took part in research for the Connecting Commerce: Business confidence in the digital environment whitepaper, written by The Economist Intelligence Unit and commissioned by Telstra. The whitepaper explores digital transformation across 45 cities from ...

Failure to seek commercial and strategic advice crippling SMEs

2 August 2017

Many Australian business owners are frustrated at not reaching their growth targets because they haven’t identified the need to transition from an accountant providing basic tax compliance advice to a business advisor who can help implement the right growth and profit targets via strategic advice. Many smaller businesses only need basic accoun...

SMEs eye the ABCs of SMSFs in retirement

11 July 2016

Much of the whopping 25 percent jump in the uptake of bank debt recorded within our thinkBIG survey 2016, may be attributed to an increasing number of SME’s buying their own premises. Having picked up on the rare opportunity of ‘owner-occupying’ being a cheaper option than leasing, more SMEs now favour buying office space in...

Tax planning 2016

26 May 2016

As it is coming close to the end of the financial year, it is again time to review your tax position and consider your end of year tax planning options.

Minimising the risks of franchisee non-compliance

17 March 2016

Franchises are currently under the spotlight following breaches by high-profile brands. As a result, franchisors should take steps to ensure their franchisees are complying with all legal and contractual requirements. Often, when franchisees fail to comply, it is to save money but, while this may save pennies in the short-term, the potential...

10 things business owners should focus on in 2016

22 December 2015

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) forecast suggests the domestic economy will remain stable into 2016 and low interest rates are set to continue. [1] This is likely to create some growth in consumption, which is good news for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, continued competition in most industries means savvy business own...

Small businesses instant asset write-off

29 May 2015

Instant write-off for small businesses Small businesses will be able to claim an immediate tax deduction for each asset that costs less than $20,000 (net of GST credits), to the extent the asset is used for tax-deductible purposes. This new threshold of $20,000 applies for a limited time only for depreciating assets acquired and install...

What are the cash drivers in your business?

5 May 2015

There three primary cash drivers in any business and three secondary drivers. The primary drivers are responsible for the overall amount of cash that you generate. The secondary drivers are responsible for the amount that you have access to at any given time. It is often the secondary drivers that are overlooked. We will focus on the secondary driv...

Ten step process to maximising the value of a business on exit

1 April 2015

There are ten steps that can be used to maximise the value of a business which can be grouped into three distinct phases: Phase 1: optimum performance Phase 2: polishing the business Phase 3: creation of the sale The global financial crisis (GFC) has delayed the exit plans of baby-boomer business owners but their need to exit has not gone a...

Ten financial terms every franchisee should understand

30 March 2015

Many people go into business because they are passionate about the products or services they can offer as part of that business. Often, franchisees have chosen to purchase a franchise because it is a lower-risk business option than a start-up. While most business owners have a trusted accountant to advise on the company finances, it pays to underst...

Selling a business - the basics

25 March 2015

Preparing your business for sale Take a good look at your business as if you were the buyer. Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses. You need to prepare and implement a detailed plan of action to get the business ready for close examination by potential buyers. Some of the key issues to address are: make sure your financial records have...

How to finance your franchise

27 February 2015

One of the most pressing concerns for many franchisees is to find a way to cover the costs involved in purchasing and running a franchise, including the initial purchase, plant and equipment, premises fit-out, working capital requirements and more. In a 2014 survey, Griffith University in Queensland found that more than half of the franchisors s...

Managing your cashflow

16 February 2015

Managing your cashflow is crucial to running a successful business. Running out of liquid capital is one of the most common reasons that small businesses fail. Monitoring your cashflow and planning accordingly is important at every stage of the business lifecycle; however, it is especially critical that businesses experiencing rapid growth remain a...

Make sure that fringe benefits are beneficial

11 February 2015

The end of the FBT year is fast approaching, and it is a good time to reflect on your FBT plans for 2015-16. Fringe benefits are benefits that you provide to your staff that fall outside the categories of traditional wages and salaries. Examples of common fringe benefits include cars, low interest or interest-free loans and school fees. Fring...

Make innovation part of your company culture

10 February 2015

Innovation is fundamentally important to long-term business success. While you may be able to take on the main role of envisioning breakthroughs for your business, it never hurts to get input from your employees. In order to ensure that your employees’ contributions towards innovation are as valuable as possible, you need to create a workplace en...

Improving your sales pitch

9 February 2015

Getting a sales pitch right is incredibly tricky and there are many things that you need to consider. Even the slightest moment of uncertainty or hesitation can cost you the customer’s trust, and you need to be able to think on your feet in order to respond to difficult questions. The benefits of having refined sales skills also go beyond deal...