Highly respected global business advisor, Steven Bowman, has released a new app called Board Essentials aimed at directors of corporate and non-profit organisations. This is the first app of its type in the world.

The app is the culmination of over 35 years in the business world and the result of holding numerous CEO and Board positions in the finance, nonprofit and private sector.

"We developed the app based on feedback received from personally dealing with over 1000 Company Directors and senior executives each year. The most common questions I’m asked by Directors is how they can add real value to board meetings, before, during and after the meeting. Many of them believe their primary role is to make sure the staff is busy but the gift of a good director is the questions they are willing to ask, rather than the answers they provide. This app will step them through how to do that and view their role in a different way.”

Steve is a renowned public speaker and global advisor to Boards and CEOs and worked as a senior executive team and Board specialist for large companies such as ANZ, Melbourne University and the Department of Health, to name only a very few.

The app also includes 29 videos on topics such as vision statements and how to use them to strategic advantage; secrets to developing and reading financial reports; using risk for strategic advantage as well as numerous other tools based on what his clients have found most useful over his time in the sector.

"I think we need to go back to the basics of what a board's role is in the first place. " says Bowman.

"What if all the governance processes policies, strategies , financial reporting and risk management programs we put in place were just tools to assist the board to “make the choices that create the future for the communities they serve”? I really hope to be able to get those in senior positions asking the questions which can help create outstanding organisations where both innovation and productivity are at optimum capacity."

To purchase and download the app ($12.99)
http://strategicboardessentials.com/board-apps/

Comments from users of the app
“I have acted on a few of the new insights i.e. adapted my agenda already for next weeks Board meeting, we were about to review the performance so I have amended based on the tips in the app, and beefed up the focus on variances. More change will follow. “
CEO, Te Waipuna Puawai, New Zealand

“After downloading and familiarising with the app I have recommended to the rest of my board that this is an essential tool to have in their arsenal and look forward to utilising at our next meeting.”
Chair, ETCO, AUstralia

“A very special app! An awesome investment-lots of tools that work!
Incredibly thought provoking and invaluable for any organisation and anyone who wants to make a difference in their organisation. Thank you for making this available at this time.”
CEO, Aura-Soma UK; Director and Partner, Streets Tax Advisors & Chartered Accountants UK

Do you know a successful young leader with a passion to grow New Zealand’s tourism industry, or an individual who has made a fantastic contribution to the industry over many years?

Entries are now open for the 2014 Tourism Industry Awards, organised by the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand to celebrate excellence in New Zealand’s $24 billion tourism industry.

The PATA New Zealand Trust Young Tourism Leader Award will be presented to a young person (35 years or under as at 31 March 2014) who is successfully contributing to their workplace and also engaging in improving the wider industry.

PATA New Zealand Trust chairwoman Glenys Coughlan says the Young Tourism Leader Award aims to recognise the efforts of young tourism leaders who have the vision and capability to take the industry forward.

“If our tourism industry is to continue to remain competitive on the world stage and grow the contribution it makes to New Zealand then we need to be growing our pool of outstanding young leaders," she says.

The Crowe Horwath International Sir Jack Newman Award is for an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to New Zealand’s tourism industry over many years.

Stephen Hamilton, a Director of Horwath HTL, a member of Crowe Horwath International, says the Sir Jack Newman Award amounts to the New Zealand tourism industry’s Hall of Fame.

“This is the industry’s most prestigious individual award. Past recipients are individuals whose actions and achievements have helped grow tourism into one of the country’s largest and most successful industries, generating jobs and wealth throughout New Zealand.”

The Awards judges will also select the winner of the inaugural ServiceIQ Visitor Experience Award. This award is being sponsored by ServiceIQ to mark the launch of its new Visitor Experience industry training programme.

“The winning business will deliver a world-class visitor experience and contribute to ServiceIQ’s vision of having a world-class service industry in New Zealand, through qualified people,” says ServiceIQ Chief Executive Dean Minchington.

“ServiceIQ is right behind the tourism industry’s Tourism 2025 growth strategy. Recognition and celebration of excellence is important in achieving that, and we’re proud to be involved with these Awards.

“As the industry training organisation for tourism, we’re also helping the industry towards success with an exciting new on-job visitor experience upskilling programme. We’ll be working with tourism businesses to help them fill any skills gaps their people might have, and give them new skills and knowledge.”

Please find more information here.

ACC levy rates have been set for the 2015/16 year and the average New Zealand vehicle owner will be $135 better off.

Snapshot for small business
The average motor vehicle levy will fall from around $330 to $195. This includes reductions to the licence fee and a drop of 3 cents per litre off the petrol levy.

Risk rating for cars is being introduced, which along with the overall reduction of motor vehicle levies means that owners of petrol-driven cars in the safest group will see the ACC component of their annual vehicle licence fee fall by 66%.

The average levy paid by employers and self-employed people is also falling, from 95 cents to 90 cents per $100 of liable earnings, meaning a lower ACC bill at year end.

The Work and Earners Account levy regulations will come into effect from 1 April 2015 and the Motor Vehicle Account changes from 1 July 2015. Levy rates are reviewed and set each year.

Please find more information here

Thinking of rewarding a star player on your team with a bonus? Working out how much PAYE to deduct from bonuses or lump sums can be tricky but it’s all about choosing the right PAYE rate.

Bonus and lump sum payments can be things like annual or special bonuses, cashed-in annual leave, back-pay and retirementor redundancy payments. Overtime or any regular payments aren't considered lump sum payments.

How to work out the PAYE for lump sums
Follow these steps to work out the PAYE rate to use for a lump sum payment:

1. Work out what your employee has earned (before PAYE) over the past four weeks.
   
2. Multiply this figure by 13.
   
3. Add the lump sum payment to the figure in step two.
   
4. Use the table below to work out what income bracket your employee is in.
   
5. Deduct PAYE from the lump sum payment at the rate shown in the right-hand column for that income bracket.
   

Please find more information here

AuSAE member and former Melbourne Chapter Committee Member, John Clohessy passed away on Saturday the 27 September after a three year battle with cancer, a fight fought well and unknown to many. John had been a long term member of AuSAE was a great contributor the Association and to the sector.

John was passionate about his vision for the betterment of cleaning and property services industry, and will be remembered through his companies Changing Directions, Better Managed Contracts and CiMAS technologies. He was dedicated to the time he gave to the Building Service Contractors Association of Australia (BSCAA) for more than 10 years, as well as four years as the Victorian association’s executive director. John is survived by dear friend Pat in Melbourne, his children and grandchildren in Perth.

All registered charities should review their governing rules following the release of a Draft Special Conditions Ruling on– Income Tax by the Australian Tax Office, according to law firm, Makinson d'Apice Lawyers.

In August the ATO released draft ruling TR 2014/D5 regarding the proposed application of special conditions inserted by the Tax Laws Amendment (2013 Measures No. 2) Act 2013 requiring that:

• A charity must comply with all the substantive requirements in its governing rules (Governing Rules Condition); and
• A charity must apply its income and assets solely for the purpose for which the entity is established (Income and Assets Condition).
  

According to law partner Bill d'Apice the ruling is important for a number of reasons.

“It clarifies the special conditions and how they will be applied (and can be adhered to) with more certaintyand as the ruling is retrospective, any disentitlement to an income tax exemption may be retrospective,” d’Apice said.

“While an entity is in breach of either or both of the special conditions, its ordinary and statutory income will not be exempt from income tax.”

He said it clarifies what will happen in the event of breach of the special conditions and simultaneous failure to comply with the ACNC governance standards, and which authority will act depending on the circumstances.

The ruling applies to a number of income tax exempt entities (but not all) which are listed at Section 50 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA).

These entities include:

• registered charities;
• scientific institutions;
• public educational institutions;
• funds established to enable scientific research;
• societies, associations or clubs established for the encouragement of science;
• societies associations or clubs established for community service purposes;
• employee associations or employer associations;
• trade unions;
• public hospitals;
• hospitals carried on by a society or association;
• societies, associations or clubs established for the encouragement of animal racing, art, a game or sport, literature or music; and
• societies, associations or clubs established for musical purposes.
  

The substantive requirements in a charity’s governing rules include the rights and duties of the organisation such as those:

• that give effect to the object or purpose of the entity;
• relating to the Not for Profit status of the entity;
• relating to the winding-up of the entity; and
• that require financial records to be kept.’
  

“All registered charities should review their governing rules and identify the substantive requirements of their governing rules,” d’Apice said.

“If a breach or misapplication is identified the charity should immediately take steps to rectify the situation and a notification to the Commissioner of Taxation may be required.”

- Sourced from: http://www.probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2014/09/charities-should-review-governing-rules-following-tax-ruling

An organisation helping empower people to achieve heath and well-being through work, culture and leisure has developed a more bicultural approach to include tangata whenua.

Occupational Therapy New Zealand (OTNZ) has adopted a Maori name and a Maori president of the association.

Karen Molineux, of Tainui descent, has been appointed as the president of Whakaora Ngangahau Aotearoa.

The chair of the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand, Jane Hopkirk of Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, says OTNZ - a branch of the board - is determined to foster some Maori values.

Ms Hopkirk said it wants the organisation to become more culturally sensitive to the needs of tangata whenua and made a deliberate choice to include a Maori name to the organisation to acknowledge the bicultural partnership.

The organisation also decided to appoint kaumatua - not just for the ceremonial roles - but to help guide the organisation and the development of a governance model has also come out of that initiative, she said.

Sourced from: http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/254987/health-association-adopts-biculturalism

 

The External Reporting Board (XRB), in conjunction with DIA Charities Services, has arranged seminars to update Registered Charities on the accounting requirements that become mandatory in 2015. The seminars are aimed at Registered Charities with annual expenditure less than $2 million. These charities will be able to report using Simple Format Reporting standards.

The two hour seminars will be run throughout the country in October 2014 and will include:

• The new legislative requirements for Registered Charities to follow XRB Accounting Standards from 1 April 2015;
  
• An overview of the requirements of the Simple Format Reporting Standards issued by the XRB in November 2013;
  
• How the final standards differ from the proposed standards as a result of consultation with the sector during 2013 (which was the focus of the last seminar series);
  
• What Charities need to do now to get ready to apply the Simple Format Reporting Standards next year; and
  
• Future opportunities to learn more about the Standards and how to apply them.
  

Click here for details and to register
http://xrb.govt.nz/tools/events/list.aspx?SECT=News

Aspedia Australia is very pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Dan Keller as its new Sales Manager for the Member Evolution product. Dan commenced his new role with Aspedia Australia on 1 September 2014 and comes with a wealth of experience working with many associations, particularly after having previously worked as Sales and Marketing Director at another Australian based specialised software solutions provider.

As you could appreciate, after having spent many years in the association and not for profit industry, Dan has an in-depth understanding of NFP needs and the issues that are faced on a day to day basis and is looking forward to working further with NFP businesses to share this knowledge and help build better membership management, membership retention and engagement strategies.

As an IT sales professional with over 25 years’ experience in direct and channel roles with local and international companies, Dan will be a dynamic addition to the Aspedia and Member Evolution team.

The Goods and Services Tax Act 1985 has recently changed in relation to persons engaged as directors, chairpersons or members of local authorities or statutory boards, councils, committees or similar bodies. Two changes have been made:

1. When a person is engaged by a third party such as a board to be a director, board member, or a similar position, and the person is required to remit any payments received from the third party to their employer, the employer will be treated as supplying services to the third party. Therefore, the employer will return GST and the third party will be able to claim input tax on the payments.

2. When a person, in carrying on a taxable activity, accepts an office (ie, engagement) such as a director or board member who sits on a board, the person is required to account for the GST on any payments for their services to the board.

The changes apply from 30 June 2014.

More information is given on page 123 of the commentary to the Taxation (Annual Rates, Employee Allowances, and Remedial Matters) Act 2014 and in the Tax Information Bulletin Vol 26, No 7 (August 2014) page 96.

With regard to withholding tax, work or services performed by statutory and non-statutory chairpersons or board members continue to be "schedular payments" and so are subject to withholding tax (at 0.33 tax rate) - unless that person holds a valid certificate of exemption (COE) or special tax code certificate (STC). In some instances the person may be under a fiduciary obligation to pass fees on to their employer, partnership or trust. Where this occurs the fees are considered to be earned by the employer, partnership or trust and if they hold a valid COE, STC or are otherwise exempt from the withholding regulations (for example, the employer is a company), the COE, STC or exemption will apply to that fee.

Soruce: http://www.ird.govt.nz/aboutir/newsletters/business-tax-update/2014/btu-issue-055-09-14.html#08