As expected, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has lifted the official cash rate for the third straight month to address the high inflation rate brought about by COVID-related disruptions to supply chains, the war in Ukraine and strong demand which is putting pressure on productive capacity.

With the talk about the town being all doom and gloom we thought it would be good to look at how your business can actually thrive during a recession or challenging economic climates. The key is for agile businesses to be well-positioned to be able to seize opportunities as they arise.

Inside this month, we explore the ATO's tax time targets and the common problem areas where perception does not match reality. Plus, what can we expect from the Albanese Government in a difficult environment?

As expected, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has lifted the official cash rate for the second straight month to address higher than expected inflation while consumer confidence fell amid cost-of-living concerns, although the size of the increase surprised most economists.

There is one risk that many business owners are taking right now that is not calculated and not going to pay off well in the end. That is the risk of not paying attention to the current economic storm that is brewing. ‘Sleep walking’ is how some leaders are describing it right now. Putting your head in the sand and hoping it will all work out in the end. However, margin compression, if unattended to, could silently kill your business.

With the recent rise in the official cash rate by the RBA, many people are now concerned about what they should be doing with their current mortgages. Everyone is asking us the question - ‘should I fix my interest rates?’