Frequently asked questions

Yes. Farm CFO doesn't prepare tax returns or BAS or give tax advice, so your accountant keeps all of that. We work from the same numbers, usually your Xero file, and plan ahead rather than report on last year.

Not through Farm CFO. Equipment and vehicle finance is arranged by Levelhead Business Advisors, which is run by the same company, through The Lending Lab under Australian Credit Licence 387856. Livestock finance isn't offered there: we refer you to stock agents and lenders that offer it, such as Elders, and receive no referral fee. If you use Levelhead Business Advisors, it earns a commission from the lender, which is disclosed to you in writing before you decide. You're free to take your bank pack to any lender.

Your last three years of financial statements, your loan and overdraft details, and access to your Xero or your accountant's files. For piggeries we'll also ask for herd performance figures, and for cattle and sheep your stock numbers and sale history.

Most of the work is done by phone and video, so you're not waiting on a visit to get an answer. Farm CFO retainer clients get an on-farm visit once a year, and Nick visits east coast clients more often when there's a reason to.

If things are tight, the Rural Financial Counselling Service NSW offers free, confidential help on 1800 319 458, and we're happy to put you in touch. Farm CFO suits businesses planning ahead, whether that's a bank review, a major purchase or a change in the stock mix.

Yes. We budget the new enterprise beside the one you run now, map the cashflow through the build-up and test it against lower prices, higher feed costs and a slower start. It's quoted as project work before we start. Approvals and production advice come from your council, vet and nutritionist.

Start with our free New to farming guides, which explain the costs, ways in without buying land and your first budget in plain English. When you're ready, we can build a start-up budget and cashflow with you, quoted before we begin.

Yes. That's what Farm Optimiser is for. Over a month we go through every cost line, how the business runs and how the debt is set up, then give you written recommendations ranked by dollar value and train you and your team to keep the gains. It costs $3,100 plus GST and runs by phone and video.

Because it's usually the first thing people want to know. Every fee is plus GST and confirmed in writing before work starts, and larger one-off jobs are quoted first.

Your accountant looks back at last year and works out the tax. A CFO looks forward: what the cash will do month by month, what the bank will want to see, and whether a big decision fits. Farm CFO does that part-time, for a fixed fee, alongside your accountant.

Livestock businesses are our speciality. Mixed farms with cropping are welcome too, and each enterprise gets its own budget so the bank can see which one is carrying the business.

Yes. We work with farm businesses Australia-wide by phone and video. Nick makes regular farm visits on the east coast. If you're further afield, you can cover the travel costs for one visit on farm each year, and we'll quote those costs before booking.

Allow about six weeks from booking to your bank meeting. Most of that time is gathering figures and checking the draft with you, so the earlier you book the better.

With your permission, yes. Nick can send the pack, answer the credit team's questions and attend the meeting with you. The bank will still want to hear from you directly, because they lend to the people running the business.

It's used only for the work you've engaged us for, stored securely, and shared only with people you nominate, such as your bank or accountant. Our privacy policy sets out the details.

Yes. A RIC application needs the same budget, cashflow and financial position as a bank review, so preparing it is included in the Bank Review Pack where it applies.