Defence

RSM’s Business Advisory team provide organisations in the defence supply chain with the financial insight and strategic guidance they need to make confident decisions, protect assets, and drive sustainable growth. 

RSM can help with:

• Profitability & Balance Sheet Health

Diagnose margin pressures and capital inefficiencies through peer benchmarking and driver-based analytics. We help you rebalance cost structures, optimise funding sources and strengthen your capital base.

• Cash Flow Sustainability & Budgeting

Build rolling cashflow models, stress test for contract timing risks and implement budgeting frameworks that deliver early warnings and clear accountability.

• Data, Financial & Management Reporting Strategy

Design and automate tailored dashboards and KPI scorecards—integrating ERP, project and procurement data—to give leadership real-time visibility into contract profitability, burn rates and capital utilisation.

• Tax, Asset Protection & Corporate Structuring

Advise on tax efficient entity structures, asset protection strategies and governance frameworks. From trust or holding company setups through debt equity mixes, we align your structure with both growth objectives and compliance requirements.

By combining sector specific experience with practical, hands-on support, RSM helps you optimise performance today while building resilience for tomorrow.
 

In today’s evolving threat landscape, cyber security is mission-critical for organisations operating within the defence sector. Whether you're seeking DISP accreditation, managing sensitive information, or delivering secure systems to defence, RSM’s cyber security and risk team offers the end-to-end support you need to stay secure, compliant and resilient.

Our experienced professionals combine technical depth with strategic oversight — helping defence businesses protect their people, data, and reputation while meeting defence and regulatory expectations.
 

Our services to the Defence Sector include:

• DISP Accreditation Support

End-to-end assistance with Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) compliance — from initial gap assessments to the development of governance frameworks, policies, and documentation aligned with DISP’s four security pillars: governance, personnel, physical and ICT security.

• Cyber Security Risk Assessments & Maturity Reviews

Assessment of your current cyber posture against industry frameworks (such as the ASD Essential Eight and ISO 27001), with practical, prioritised recommendations to uplift your security maturity and readiness for Defence work.

• Penetration Testing & Threat Simulation

Tailored penetration testing and vulnerability assessments — covering networks, applications, endpoints and cloud environments — designed to uncover exploitable risks specific to the defence ecosystem.

• Incident Response Planning & Cyber Resilience

Development of incident response plans, business continuity strategies, and cyber playbooks to enhance resilience and minimise operational disruption in the event of a cyber event.

• Governance & Controls Framework Development

Creation and review of cyber policies, procedures, and technical control frameworks aligned with defence procurement and security requirements.

With a deep understanding of defence compliance, DISP, and evolving cyber threats, RSM helps organisations safeguard critical assets, maintain contract readiness, and deliver with confidence in a high-stakes environment.

RSM’s Corporate Finance & Financial Modelling team combines deep defence sector insight with technical rigour to support capital transactions, valuations and strategic decision-making. 

Whether you’re planning an acquisition, preparing for an IPO or seeking to optimise your capital structure, our experts deliver end-to-end support tailored to your objectives.

Our Corporate Finance services include:

• M&A (Buy  & Sell Side) 

From target screening and deal structuring, business divestments, negotiation and integration.

• Transaction Advisory

Comprehensive financial and commercial due diligence services, optimal deal structuring, and SPA advisory.

• Business Valuation

Independent valuations for sale processes, joint ventures, capital raising, strategic planning and statutory compliance

• Financial Modelling & Scenario Planning 

Detailed, driver-based models to support Defence bids, contract renewals and long-term service agreements. Integrated modelling of debt capacity, covenant testing, equity raises and dividend policies

• Capital Raising & IPO Readiness

Advice and execution support for equity and debt financings, IPO assessments and investor roadshow preparation.
 

RSM’s R&D tax & government Incentives team help defence organisations maximise innovation funding, optimise tax outcomes and navigate complex grant programs—so you can focus on breakthrough technologies and capability delivery. 

Services our team offer include:

• Access to funding through government grants 

Identify and prioritise relevant grant programs, develop compelling project briefs, manage submission timelines and liaise with government assessors, oversee post award compliance, milestone reporting and financial acquittal.

• R&D tax incentive and financial advice 

Assess eligible R&D activities, compile technical and financial evidence to satisfy ATO requirements, calculate and prepare R&D tax offset claims, ensuring maximum benefit within legislative thresholds and provide end-to-end support during ATO reviews, including risk profiling and tailored responses

• Early-Stage Innovation Company (ESIC) advice

Guide the formation and certification of ESICs to access concessional tax rates and attract investors, manage annual ESIC registration, ongoing eligibility tests and investor communications.
By combining sector insight with end-to-end   grant and tax support, we help you access every dollar available to maximise your innovation potential.

RSM delivers independent, high-quality audit and assurance services to organisations operating within the defence ecosystem. Our experienced audit professionals help ensure financial transparency, compliance with regulatory standards, and readiness for Defence-related contract requirements.

With deep knowledge of the Defence Industry Security Program (DISP), government procurement frameworks, and Defence-specific compliance obligations, we provide tailored audit solutions that instil confidence in stakeholders and support long-term operational integrity.

Our audit-focused services include:

• Statutory and financial statement audits

Independent audits of financial reports to ensure accuracy, transparency, and compliance with Australian Accounting Standards.

• Compliance and grant acquittal audits

Verification that funds received under government grants or Defence contracts have been used in accordance with program conditions.

• Internal controls and systems reviews

Assessment of financial and operational control environments to identify risks, strengthen governance, and improve efficiency.

• DISP-related governance and risk assessments

Independent review of policies, structures and practices to support DISP applications, renewals, and ongoing compliance.

• Assurance over Defence and government funding use

Targeted audits to demonstrate appropriate use of public funds in line with contract terms, milestones, and accountability requirements.

Strong audit practices are the foundation of financial integrity, trust, and contract readiness in the defence sector.

RSM’s audit specialists provide clear, independent assurance that helps defence-aligned businesses meet compliance obligations, build stakeholder confidence, and operate with clarity in a highly regulated environment.
 

RSM helps defence-sector businesses navigate an increasingly complex risk environment — from cyber resilience and fraud prevention to ESG compliance and operational risk. Our team delivers practical, forward-looking risk solutions designed to strengthen internal controls, safeguard reputation, and meet the expectations of government, defence primes, and regulators.

Whether you're preparing for DISP accreditation, scaling operations, or delivering on high-value Defence contracts, our insights help you identify and manage critical risks with confidence.

Our risk advisory services include:

• Enterprise risk management and DISP readiness

Design and implementation of risk frameworks aligned with DISP and Defence procurement expectations, including governance, internal controls, and compliance protocols.

• Fraud and forensic investigations

Independent investigations into suspected fraud, misconduct or financial irregularities, with clear reporting and expert support for legal or regulatory follow-up.

• ESG risk and reporting

Assistance with identifying, assessing, and reporting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks — including Defence-relevant metrics like supply chain transparency, carbon management and monitoring, and modern slavery compliance. In addition, we can support you in preparing for mandatory ESG and climate related disclosures in both the public and private sector. 

• Internal audit and assurance programs

Design and delivery of tailored internal audit programs focused on high-risk areas such as cyber security, project governance, procurement, and contract management.

• Third-party and supply chain risk assessments

Evaluation of supplier and subcontractor risk — from financial stability to ESG exposure — to support secure and compliant supply chains across the defence ecosystem.

With increasing scrutiny on compliance, governance, and ethical operations across the defence sector, proactive risk management is more important than ever.

At RSM, we bring deep experience and sector-specific insight to help defence-aligned businesses identify, manage, and mitigate risk — ensuring they remain resilient, credible, and contract-ready in a dynamic and high-stakes environment.