End of financial year isn’t just about the numbers

For many small business owners, the end of financial year is a mix of relief, stress and uncertainty.

There are BAS statements to finalise, tax returns to prepare, bills to pay and, for some, a sinking feeling as they look at the numbers and realise things are tighter than they’d hoped.

If that’s you, you’re not alone.

Running a small business has become harder.

Costs have increased, customers are spending differently and many business owners are carrying the weight of trying to keep everything afloat while making it look easy from the outside.

But here’s something we don’t talk about enough.

Financial hardship doesn’t usually happen overnight

It often creeps in slowly…

You delay paying yourself.

You put off paying a supplier for another week.

You rely on the credit card a little more than last month.

You hope next month will be better.

And before long, asking for help feels harder because you think you’ve left it too late.

The reality is that some of the strongest businesses we work with aren’t the ones that never experience challenges. They’re the ones that recognise when they need support and reach out early.

Whether that’s having an honest conversation with your accountant, speaking with your bank, contacting the Australian Taxation Office about a payment arrangement, talking with a business adviser or simply asking another business owner how they’re managing, taking that first step can make all the difference.

At Resilient Ready, we often say that resilience isn’t about preventing every challenge…it’s about building the capability to navigate them.

Financial resilience is part of that.

Just as you wouldn’t ignore a leaking roof until the whole ceiling collapsed, it’s worth paying attention to the warning signs in your business before they become overwhelming.

The end of financial year is actually a great opportunity to pause and ask yourself a few simple questions.

• Do I really understand the financial position of my business?
• Am I paying myself what I need to?
• What risks keep me awake at night?
• Who could I talk to if things became more difficult?
• Do I have a plan if my income dropped for the next three months?

These aren’t easy questions, but they’re important ones.

One of the biggest lessons we’ve learnt through creating our Business Ready Together program is that resilient businesses don’t build resilience during a crisis. They build it beforehand, through lots of small actions that make them stronger over time.

Sometimes that’s creating a backup of your business data.

Sometimes it’s diversifying your income.

Sometimes it’s simply asking for help before you desperately need it.

If you’re feeling the pressure this end of financial year, know this. Needing support doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re running a business in one of the toughest operating environments we’ve seen in years.

The strongest thing you can do isn’t pretend everything is okay. It’s take the next small step. Because resilience isn’t about facing challenges alone.

It’s about knowing when to reach out… and having the confidence to do it.

Ready to lead?

If you’re a council, industry body, or regional leader looking to strengthen business resilience, this is your opportunity to take a proactive, connected approach that works.

Because the future belongs to communities that are not just prepared – but ready, together.

Let’s connect!