Professions

• Hostile territory

  04 March 2010 | Judith Tydd

  Rising share prices and renewed investor confidence have created favourable conditions for takeovers, which translate into more work for lawyers.

• hands across the globe

  

  04 March 2010 | Judith Tydd

  International networks introduce Australian members to their overseas counterparts and create business opportunities and access to local knowledge.

• Regulating the rules

  

  04 March 2010 | Comment: Alex Malley

  Strong policy is needed to prevent improper business activities, but not at the expense of the good, honest and hardworking majority.

• Clayton's reporting

  

  04 March 2010 | Agnes King

  The increasing use of 'adjusted profit statements' has got the authorities worried.

• Big four take on the consultants

  

  25 February 2010 | Agnes King

  PwC and its peers are snaring talent and winning work that usually goes to McKinsey and the like.

• On the way back

  

  25 February 2010 | Judith Tydd

  The top law firms are reporting a return of confidence and expansion plans are on the agenda.

• fund hunt Superannuation money is one option for financing infrastructure, but many obstacles stand in the wayComment: Peter Fagan

  

  25 February 2010 | Comment: Peter Fagan

  Superannuation money is one option for financing infrastructure, but many obstacles stand in the way ...

• Churn 'n' earn

  

  18 February 2010 | Judith Tydd

  The entry into Australia of London firm Allen & Overy has led to a spate of high-level defections and hasty promotions.

• A matter of value

  

  18 February 2010 | Judith Tydd

  Fast-growing companies invariably need the services of a lawyer, but who they choose depends on specialisation and charges.

• Enter the labyrinth

  

  18 February 2010 | David Kenney

  Capital gains tax may be complex, but concessions can make a big difference to taxable income.

• The planners are back

  

  18 February 2010 | Agnes King

  Having sold its financial planning arm at the market's peak, a Victorian accounting firm is returning to the business as the economy recovers.

• Foreign funds flood in

  

  11 February 2010 | Judith Tydd

  Australia's high-quality companies and easy business environment are adding momentum to the steady influx of large overseas investors.

• Tug-of-law

  

  11 February 2010 | Judith Tydd

  Big dollars or work-life balance? Flexibility or specialisation? The reasons behind a lawyer's decision to work in private practice or as in-house general counsel are as diverse as the work up for grabs.

• Man of action

  

  11 February 2010 | Agnes King

  Insurer QBE's finance chief has one golden rule when a funding crisis grips the market - don't wait until it's too late.

• Show them the exit

  

  11 February 2010 | Agnes King

  Succession planning promises to be a big earner for the accounting profession, at least for the next decade.

• Divorce season upturn

  

  04 February 2010 | Judith Tydd

  Every Christmas lawyers note a rise in the number of separation proceedings, but 2009 was worse than usual, thanks to the strain of the downturn.

• Material reform

  

  04 February 2010 | Judith Tydd

  Attempts to strengthen the Trade Practices Act may have little effect in constraining the competitive practices of Australia's most powerful retailers.

• 2010 client choice awards

  

  04 February 2010

  Professional services firms have emerged from the downturn in good shape.

• Mid-tier marriage

  

  04 February 2010 | Agnes King

  A Grant Thornton-PKF merger may present competitive challenges for the big four firms. Report: Agnes King

• Growth spurt

  

  28 January 2010 | Agnes King

  Australia's finance sector could balloon in the next few years if the recommendations of a new report are adopted.

• Fraternity, equality

  

  28 January 2010 | Judith Tydd

  The new head of the Law Society of NSW has plenty on her plate, including proposed national reforms to the profession.

• Firm feedback

  

  21 January 2010 | Judith Tydd

  Constraints imposed by the economic downturn were not lost on staff at Allens Arthur Robinson.

• The case for change

  

  21 January 2010 | Judith Tydd

  Proposed reforms to government-imposed structural restrictions on legal firms would result in many partner-based practices incorporating themselves.

• Downgrade brings doubt

  21 January 2010 | Agnes King

  Engineering giant WorleyParsons' problems may be deeper than it is suggesting.

• Check, mate

  

  21 January 2010 | Mark Pizzacalla

  Families will no longer be able to use trusts as tax shelters if draft legislation is passed.

• Banks' bad behaviour

  

  21 January 2010 | Agnes King

  The country's large financial institutions are risking the economic recovery, accountants believe, by putting good customers under undue pressure.

• Direction finders

  

  14 January 2010 | Judith Tydd

  It's not always the big strategy changes that make a law firm work - it can be about changing the state of mind.

• Count them out

  14 January 2010 | Agnes King

  More accountants are expected to abandon the field of auditing as new rules prove to be an unwanted burden.

• Value back in vogue

  

  14 January 2010 | Agnes King

  Auditors know the coming year will be mostly about how to revalue badly impaired assets.

• Auditors feel the pressure

  

  14 January 2010 | Agnes King

  The imposition of impossible workloads is forcing internal audit committees to seek outside help.

• Long on complications

  

  03 December 2009 | Judith Tydd

  Attempts to standardise leave entitlements across the nation have been put in the too-hard basket.

• Talent drought

  

  03 December 2009 | Judith Tydd

  Building a country practice may sound like a dream career option, but retiring from one can be a nightmare.

• Low tax over-rated

  03 December 2009 | David James

  Business loathes what it sees as high tax rates in Australia, but nations with higher rates are prospering.

• Stay in touch

  

  03 December 2009 | Anthony Sibillin and Agnes King

  Accountants need to be better at forecasting than recording, according to chief financial officers.

• ASIC on the case

  

  26 November 2009 | Judith Tydd

  Directors beware - the corporate watchdog isn't about to change its spots just because of the One.Tel setback.

• New broom in brisbane

  

  26 November 2009 | Judith Tydd

  The December 1 merger of two legal firms will create real competition for the market leader.

• Comes a time

  26 November 2009 | Judith Tydd

  Ageing partners present their firms with tough challenges and their associates with exciting opportunities.

• Crunch forces CFO hand

  

  19 November 2009 | Agnes King

  A side effect of the global financial crisis is its impact on the role of chief financial officers.

• Keep it in the family

  

  19 November 2009 | Judith Tydd

  Clayton Utz is unlikely to appoint an outsider to succeed the retiring David Fagan as chief executive partner.

• Hours in the balance

  

  19 November 2009 | Judith Tydd

  Few employers and employees clearly understand new flexible employment standards, but the law could have a big impact on work arrangements

• Work it out

  

  19 November 2009 | Comment: Gavin Houchell

  Shedding talent in a downturn can be costly. Smart accounting firms have learnt to manage staff levels in readiness for the inevitable recovery.

• Watch doggedness

  

  12 November 2009 | Judith Tydd

  Being on the net is not out of regulatory sight - the ACCC says online retailers are subject to the same laws as shop-front owners.

• Building bonanza

  

  12 November 2009 | Agnes King

  The New South Wales government is in the sights of engineers, fed up with infrastructure delays.

• It's not size that counts

  

  12 November 2009 | Kate Mills

  Law firms don't need to get any bigger. They would be better off figuring out how to get smarter.

• Few are chosen

  12 November 2009 | Judith Tydd

  A subdued economy is influencing negotiations over the reappointment of legal panels within the financial sector.

• Best foot forward

  

  12 November 2009 | Comment: Judy Reynolds

  Times are tough, yes, but clients are sure to notice if a business starts cutting corners.

• Two-faced taxpayers

  

  05 November 2009 | Comment: Mark Pizzacolla

  Ordinary investors who try to minimise their tax by claiming to be professional share traders invite a world of scrutiny.

• Franchise with care

  

  05 November 2009 | Judith Tydd

  Franchise agreements are binding and anyone doing merger deals in the sector must avoid cutting corners.

• Someone's got to pay

  

  05 November 2009 | Agnes King

  The tax office is taking an aggressive approach to debt recovery, perhaps hoping to jump the creditors queue when businesses go bust.

• A world of M&A work

  

  05 November 2009 | Judith Tydd

  Good overseas relations will be paramount for firms hoping to ride the next wave of corporate activity to financial success. Report: Judith Tydd