BUSINESS ACCOUNTING SERVICES

Business Structure and Planning for Adelaide Businesses

Choose the right structure, manage risk and build a stronger foundation for growth

The structure you choose for your business can affect how you pay tax, your personal liability, your asset protection, your reporting obligations and the way you plan for the future.

Vitas provides business structure advice for Adelaide business owners, entrepreneurs and investors. We help you choose, establish or review companies, trusts, partnerships and other business and investment structures, with practical accounting and tax support connected to your wider goals.

Whether you are starting a new business, growing an established operation or considering a restructure, we help you understand the options and make decisions with greater confidence.
How We Help

Business structure advice built around your goals

More than choosing between a company or trust, we help you understand the commercial and tax implications of each option

There is no single business structure that is right for everyone. The best option depends on your business activities, ownership, risk profile, expected growth, tax position, asset protection needs and long-term plans.

We work with you to understand where you are now and where you want to be. Then we help you consider the practical implications of each structure before you commit to a decision or make a change.

Our business structure planning focuses on 3 key areas.
Choose the Right Structure
Set your business up with astructure that reflects your current circumstances and future plans.
  • Compare the options: Understand the differences between sole trader, company, trust and partnership structures.
  • Consider your goals: Assess tax, ownership, risk, growth and asset protection considerations.
  • Plan before you start: Avoid unnecessary costs and complications by getting advice early.
Review and Restructure
As your business changes, your existing structure may no longer be the best fit.
  • Growth and complexity: Review your structure as revenue, employees, assets or entities increase.
  • Risk and asset protection: Consider how ownership and structure may affect personal exposure and business assets.
  • Transition planning: Underst and potential tax, stamp duty and professional costs before restructuring.
Plan for What Comes Next
Connect your business structure to your wider financial and personal goals.
  • Tax-effective planning: Consider how the structure may affect tax outcomes and future transactions.
  • Business and investment structures: Coordinate business, property and investment ownership decisions.
  • Succession and continuity: Build a foundation that can support ownership changes or future succession planning.
The right structure can help you manage risk and create flexibility. The wrong structure can be expensive to change, so it is worth getting advice before you act.
Why It Matters

Why your business structure matters

A structure is more than a registration. It shapes the way your business operates and grows

Your business structure can affect:
How much tax you pay
This is some text inside of a div block.
Different structures can have different tax treatment and reporting requirements.
Learn More →Button Text
Your responsibilities as a business owner
This is some text inside of a div block.
Companies, trustees, partners and sole traders have different obligations.
Learn More →Button Text
Your potential personal liability
This is some text inside of a div block.
The way a business is owned and operated can affect exposure to business risks.
Learn More →Button Text
Your asset protection
This is some text inside of a div block.
A considered structure may help separate business and personal assets, subject to your circumstances and professional advice.
Learn More →Button Text
Your reporting requirements and costs
This is some text inside of a div block.
Each structure brings its own administration, accounting and compliance responsibilities.
Learn More →Button Text
Your ability to grow or change ownership
This is some text inside of a div block.
The right structure can make future investment, ownership changes or succession easier to plan.
Learn More →Book Now
Professional advice is particularly important before commencing a business, acquiring an investment or changing an existing structure. Restructuring can involve capital gains tax, stamp duty, legal requirements and professional costs.
Services

Our Business Structure and Planning Services

Practical support for new businesses, established companies, trusts, partnerships and investors

Company and Trust Accounting
Ongoing accounting and compliance support for companies and trusts.
  • Company accounting: Financial reporting, tax returns, ASIC obligations and ongoing accounting support.
  • Trust accounting: Trust tax returns, distribution planning and record-keeping support.
  • Financial reporting: Balance sheets, profit and loss statements and management reporting.
  • Tax-effective strategies: Advice connected to your business performance and wider plans.
New Business Set-up
Get your financial and compliance foundations right from the beginning.
  • Structure selection: Compare the options for your business idea, ownership and goals.
  • Registrations: Support with ABN, GST, company and business name registrations where required.
  • Accounting systems:  Set up practical bookkeeping and reporting processes
  • Business planning: Consider start-up costs, funding needs, market assumptions and financial viability.
Partnerships and Ownership
Clear accounting and planning support whenmore than one person owns or operates a business.
  • Partnership accounting: Support with financialreporting and partnership obligations.
  • Ownership considerations: Understand how ownership arrangements may affect control, tax and risk.
  • Changes in partners: Plan for new owners, exitsor changes to the partnership
  • Documentation: Coordinate with legal professionals where formal agreements or documentation are required.
Our Approach

How Vitas helps you make a confident structure decision

Clear advice before you commit, and practical support after you decide

Business structure decisions can feel complex because they sit across tax, accounting, legal, commercial and personal considerations. We make the process easier to understand and help you focus onthe issues most relevant to your circumstances.
Understand your plans
This is some text inside of a div block.
We discuss your business model, ownership, activities, assets, risk profile and future goals.
Learn More →Button Text
Compare the options
This is some text inside of a div block.
We explain the relevant structures and the commercial, tax and compliance implications of each.
Learn More →Button Text
Identify the practical impacts
This is some text inside of a div block.
We consider set-up costs, reporting requirements, cash flow, tax timing and ongoing administration.
Learn More →Button Text
Implement the agreed structure
This is some text inside of a div block.
We can help with registrations, accounting systems and ongoing compliance support, working with legal specialists where required.
Learn More →Button Text
Review as your business evolves
This is some text inside of a div block.
We revisit your structure when your circumstances change, so it continues to support your plans.
Learn More →Button Text
Book a Structure Consultation
This is some text inside of a div block.
Learn More →Book Now
Who We Work With

Business structure planning for owners at every stage

Advice for founders, family businesses, investors and established SMEs

Vitas works with clients who want a structure that supports the way they operate today and the opportunities they may pursue tomorrow.
Entrepreneurs deciding how to structure a new business
Learn More →Button Text
Established SMEs reviewing their company, trust or partnership arrangements
Learn More →Button Text
Business owners considering a restructure as their business grows
Learn More →Button Text
Investors assessing business and investment structures before acquiring assets
Learn More →Button Text
Family businesses thinking about ownership, continuity or succession
Learn More →Button Text
Partners who need clearer accounting and planning support
Learn More →Book Now

What Clients Say

Joe and his team at Vitas Advisory have been a vital part of our business's success. As trusted Adelaide accountants, they've provided us with valuable insights and professional service. As a small business owner managing finances can often feel overwhelming, but Joe and his team have consistently brought clarity and efficiency to our financial landscape. Thanks to Vitas Advisory we have peace of mind knowing our finances are in excellent hands.
Trevor Kelly
Managing Director, Oakleigh Civil Pty Ltd
I've had the pleasure of directly working with Joe Maurici at Vitas Advisory as well as having referred many of my clients, all of whom have been extremely satisfied with the expert business advice provided. Joe's expertise and dedication stood out, significantly contributing to the success of any goals a business owner may have in planning. His sharp analytical skills and insightful guidance were instrumental in helping not just my clients but myself navigate complex financial matters. I highly recommend Joe Maurici for his proven ability to deliver exceptional service.
Ben Williams
Director, Loan Market
We've partnered with Vitas Advisory for 2.5 years, and they've always gone above and beyond to ensure our tax and financial matters are handled efficiently. They're the go-to accountants in Adelaide. Joe's professionalism, expertise and dedication to our financial well-being truly set him apart. His proactive approach has saved both time and money, allowing us to focus on growing our business with confidence. Not only does he provide services for all our business tax needs, he also goes above and beyond by offering scheduled monthly meetings to help grow our business.
Sonya Storic
Director, S and J Steel Fixing Pty Ltd

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a business structure?

A business structure is the legal and tax framework used to own and operate a business. Common structures include sole traders, companies, trusts and partnerships. Each has different responsibilities, costs, tax treatment and risk considerations.

What business structure should I choose?

The right structure depends on your business activities, ownership, expected growth, risk profile, tax position, asset protection needs and future plans. We can help you compare the relevant options before you decide.

Should I register my business as a company or a trust?

There is no universal answer. A company and a trust have different legal, tax, reporting and administration requirements. We can help you understand the accounting and tax considerations, while coordinating with legal professionals where legal advice is required.

Can Vitas help set up a new business structure?

Yes. We can help with the accounting and tax elements of setting up a new business, including structure considerations, ABN and GST registrations, company registration support, accounting software and ongoing compliance.

Can you help with company and trust accounting?

Yes. We provide company and trust accounting services including financial reporting, tax returns, compliance, ASIC support, trust distribution planning and ongoing accounting advice.

When should I review my business structure?

Consider reviewing your structure when your business grows, ownership changes, you employ more people, acquire property or other assets, your risk profile changes, or you begin considering succession, investment or a sale.

Can I change my business structure later?

It may be possible, but restructuring can have tax, stamp duty, legal and professional cost implications. It is important to understand those implications before making changes.

Can you help with partnership accounting?

Yes. We can assist with partnership accounting, financial reporting and tax obligations. Where partnership agreements or changes to ownership are involved, we can work alongside relevant legal professionals.

Does the business structure affect tax?

Yes. Different structures can have different tax treatment, reporting requirements and opportunities. We can help you understand the tax considerations relevant to your circumstances and wider plans.