The Holistic Accountant

Stuart Wemyss & Mena Abraham
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A holistic accountant goes beyond tax returns, aiming to offer proactive advice to maximise clients' wealth after all taxes. Stuart Wemyss and Mena Abraham explore multifaceted considerations weekly, highlighting the need for a holistic approach. Each episode is succinct and to the point with no fluff or sales pitches. For further details, check out www.prosolution.com.au.

  1. 1D AGO

    Ep 167: The Finance Function Evolution: bookkeeper → controller → virtual CFO

    Send a text Many business owners feel stuck in the uncomfortable middle: too big for basic bookkeeping, but not ready or willing to pay for a full-time CFO. The result? Numbers that exist, but don’t drive decisions. In this episode, Stuart and Mena break down the three distinct layers of the finance function and why skipping or compressing them causes so many businesses to stall. They explain what bookkeeping is meant to do (and where it stops), why the controller role is the most misunderstood yet most critical layer, and when a Virtual CFO actually adds value. You’ll learn how clean data becomes reliable information, and how reliable information turns into better capital allocation, pricing decisions, hiring choices, and risk management. They also call out a common trap: jumping straight to “strategy” conversations without trustworthy inputs. This isn’t about job titles or org charts. It’s about matching financial capability to business maturity, so decisions are grounded in reality rather than guesswork. If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform. It helps us reach more incredible listeners like you. Thank you for being a part of the journey! Click here to subscribe to our weekly email. SPECIAL OFFER: Buy a one of Stuart's books for ONLY $20 including delivery. Use the discount code blog here. Work with Mena & Stuart's team: At ProSolution Private Clients we encourage clients to adopt a holistic and evidence-based approach when making financial decisions. Visit our website. Follow us: Stuart: Twitter/X and LinkedIn. Mena: LinkedIn IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.

    10 min

  2. FEB 10

    Ep 166: Philanthropy at Scale: Private Ancillary Funds & Giving With Governance

    Send a text Philanthropy changes when wealth reaches a certain scale. It stops being about one-off generosity and starts becoming a question of structure, intent, and legacy. In this episode, Stuart and Mena explore Private Ancillary Funds (PAFs) and why they are increasingly used by high-net-worth families who want to give back in a deliberate, governed, and sustainable way. They unpack what a PAF actually is, how it works, and why it’s best understood as part of a broader wealth architecture, not a tax tactic or emotional response to causes. Mena discusses the real costs and responsibilities involved, including setup, compliance, governance, and ongoing decision-making, as well as when a PAF clearly doesn’t make sense. More importantly, they explore when it does, particularly following liquidity events, within family offices, and where philanthropy is viewed as part of intergenerational identity. This episode reframes giving as stewardship: aligning wealth creation, investment philosophy, family values, and long-term impact. For the right families, a PAF isn’t just a vehicle, it’s transformational. If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform. It helps us reach more incredible listeners like you. Thank you for being a part of the journey! Click here to subscribe to our weekly email. SPECIAL OFFER: Buy a one of Stuart's books for ONLY $20 including delivery. Use the discount code blog here. Work with Mena & Stuart's team: At ProSolution Private Clients we encourage clients to adopt a holistic and evidence-based approach when making financial decisions. Visit our website. Follow us: Stuart: Twitter/X and LinkedIn. Mena: LinkedIn IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.

    10 min

  3. FEB 3

    Ep 165: When choosing an accountant on price may quietly cost you more

    Send us a text Most business owners believe accounting is a commodity. The tax return gets lodged, the ATO is paid, and everything looks fine, so why pay more? In this episode, Stuart and Mena unpack why choosing an accountant purely on price can quietly cost you far more over time, even when nothing appears “wrong”. They explain why tax and accounting stop being mechanical once a business grows, and why judgment, not compliance, is where real value (or damage) occurs. Stuart explores how seemingly harmless defaults around profit extraction, entity structures, retained earnings, and Division 7A can compound silently over the years. No audits. No penalties. No obvious mistakes. Just missed opportunities, locked-in constraints, and future problems that become expensive to unwind. You’ll hear why high-quality accounting isn’t about getting this year “right”, but about understanding how today’s decisions shape the next five years. Mena also discusses the difference between compliance-driven habits and strategic thinking, why conservative isn’t always optimal, and how many businesses only discover the cost of “cheap” accounting when they try to grow, restructure, or exit. Finally, they share practical questions business owners can ask to assess accounting quality without needing to be accountants themselves. If your business is evolving, this episode will challenge how you think about fees, value, and the decisions currently running on autopilot. If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform. It helps us reach more incredible listeners like you. Thank you for being a part of the journey! Click here to subscribe to our weekly email. SPECIAL OFFER: Buy a one of Stuart's books for ONLY $20 including delivery. Use the discount code blog here. Work with Mena & Stuart's team: At ProSolution Private Clients we encourage clients to adopt a holistic and evidence-based approach when making financial decisions. Visit our website. Follow us: Stuart: Twitter/X and LinkedIn. Mena: LinkedIn IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.

    13 min

  4. JAN 27

    Ep 164: Financial Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make in Their First Three Years

    Send us a text In the early years of running a business, most financial mistakes aren’t dramatic; they’re subtle, common, and quietly destructive. And by the time many entrepreneurs realise something is wrong, the damage is already done. In this episode, Stuart and Mena break down the most common financial mistakes entrepreneurs make in their first three years and, more importantly, how a CFO would approach them differently. We cover why mixing personal and business money creates blind spots, why profit does not equal cash, and how underpricing can quietly turn a business into an exhausting hobby. We also unpack the risks of unplanned debt, ignoring tax obligations, and trying to do everything yourself instead of building systems early. You’ll learn how CFO-style business owners think about cash flow forecasting, pricing, debt, delegation, and financial targets, and why understanding your numbers is not optional if you want sustainable growth. We also explore when and why business structure matters, and how early decisions can either limit or accelerate long-term wealth creation. If you’re in your first few years of business or planning to start, this episode will help you avoid the mistakes that derail otherwise great ideas, and replace guesswork with clarity, discipline, and control. If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform. It helps us reach more incredible listeners like you. Thank you for being a part of the journey! Click here to subscribe to our weekly email. SPECIAL OFFER: Buy a one of Stuart's books for ONLY $20 including delivery. Use the discount code blog here. Work with Mena & Stuart's team: At ProSolution Private Clients we encourage clients to adopt a holistic and evidence-based approach when making financial decisions. Visit our website. Follow us: Stuart: Twitter/X and LinkedIn. Mena: LinkedIn IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.

    16 min

  5. JAN 20

    Ep 163 : Best of 2025 - How to read financial statements like a CFO 

    Send us a text Most business owners glance at their financial statements and move on. CFOs do the opposite; they use them as a decision-making tool to spot risks early, improve performance, and protect cash flow.  In this episode, Stuart and Mena break down how CFOs actually read financial statements, in plain English, without jargon or accounting theory. They walk through the three core questions every set of numbers should answer: is the business profitable, is it financially healthy, and is it actually growing? You’ll learn why revenue is rarely the starting point, why gross profit margin tells you more about your business model than sales ever will, and how “subscription creep” quietly erodes profits over time. They then unpack the balance sheet, the most misunderstood report, and explain how CFOs assess working capital, debt levels, asset quality, and whether a business can survive a downturn. From there, Mena shifts to the statement CFOs obsess over most: cash flow. Because many profitable businesses still fail, simply because cash comes in too late. Finally, Stuart explores the CFO mindset itself, focusing on patterns, ratios, and trends rather than isolated numbers, and outlines a simple set of practical steps you can apply immediately to take control of your finances. If you want to think more clearly, spot problems earlier, and run your business with confidence, this episode is essential listening. If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform. It helps us reach more incredible listeners like you. Thank you for being a part of the journey! Click here to subscribe to our weekly email. SPECIAL OFFER: Buy a one of Stuart's books for ONLY $20 including delivery. Use the discount code blog here. Work with Mena & Stuart's team: At ProSolution Private Clients we encourage clients to adopt a holistic and evidence-based approach when making financial decisions. Visit our website. Follow us: Stuart: Twitter/X and LinkedIn. Mena: LinkedIn IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.

    14 min

  6. JAN 13

    Ep 162: Best of 2025- How to tax effectively get money out of a company

    Send us a text In this episode, Stuart and Mena explore one of the most common and misunderstood questions business owners face: how to tax-effectively get money into and out of a company. Whether you’re starting a business, investing in one, or managing retained profits, understanding the right structure from the outset can save you from costly mistakes later on. They walk through the key ways to fund a company, either by loaning money in or contributing share capital, and explain when each method is most appropriate. If there are multiple owners involved, Stuart and Mena highlight the importance of setting clear expectations upfront to avoid confusion between lenders and shareholders. They also cover how to extract profits tax-effectively, including dividend strategies, managing franking credits, and how using a discretionary trust as the shareholder can create valuable flexibility. Division 7A traps are explained in simple terms, with guidance on how to avoid triggering unintended tax liabilities when accessing company funds. Finally, they compare company structures with trusts, and outline why companies may be ideal for trading businesses, despite their added complexity. This episode is packed with strategic tips and practical insights to help you set up and manage your company the smart way, right from day one. If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform. It helps us reach more incredible listeners like you. Thank you for being a part of the journey! Click here to subscribe to our weekly email. SPECIAL OFFER: Buy a one of Stuart's books for ONLY $20 including delivery. Use the discount code blog here. Work with Mena & Stuart's team: At ProSolution Private Clients we encourage clients to adopt a holistic and evidence-based approach when making financial decisions. Visit our website. Follow us: Stuart: Twitter/X and LinkedIn. Mena: LinkedIn IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.

    12 min

  7. JAN 6

    Ep 161: Best of 2025- Navigating the main residence 6-year rule CGT exemption

    Send us a text In this episode, Mena and Stuart unpack the ins and outs of Australia’s often misunderstood 6-year CGT exemption rule for main residences. They explore how this powerful tax concession can help homeowners maximise profits when selling a property they no longer live in, particularly those who rent it out after moving. Listeners will learn the exact eligibility criteria, including how to ensure a property still qualifies as your main residence for tax purposes even while it’s earning rental income. Stuart explains how the exemption resets if you move back in, while Mena walks through common scenarios, including how a full exemption applies if the sale occurs within six years, and how pro-rata tax is calculated if you exceed the threshold. They also highlight important strategies such as resetting the 6-year clock, obtaining accurate property valuations, and the critical CGT implications for couples with multiple properties. The conversation also covers mistakes to avoid, like poor record keeping, incorrect main residence elections, and confusion around land tax. Finally, they issue a clear warning for expats: non-residents lose access to the CGT exemption entirely. It’s a must-listen for any property owner looking to sell smart and avoid unexpected tax bills. If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform. It helps us reach more incredible listeners like you. Thank you for being a part of the journey! Click here to subscribe to our weekly email. SPECIAL OFFER: Buy a one of Stuart's books for ONLY $20 including delivery. Use the discount code blog here. Work with Mena & Stuart's team: At ProSolution Private Clients we encourage clients to adopt a holistic and evidence-based approach when making financial decisions. Visit our website. Follow us: Stuart: Twitter/X and LinkedIn. Mena: LinkedIn IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.

    13 min

  8. 12/30/2025

    Ep 160: Best of 2025- Strategies to minimise CGT

    Send us a text In this episode, Stuart and Mena take a deep dive into one of the biggest and often most misunderstood taxes investors face, Capital Gains Tax (CGT). Whether you're dealing with property, shares, or business assets, they explain why the smartest CGT strategies begin not at the point of sale, but before you even buy the asset. They start by breaking down how CGT works, who gets the 50% discount, and why holding structures, like companies, individuals, or discretionary trusts, make a huge difference in the final tax bill. Mena explores how to maximise your cost base by tracking all deductible expenses, while Stuart walks through the power of discretionary trusts to stream gains and reduce tax across beneficiaries. Listeners will also learn about the generous small business CGT concessions, how to use financial year timing to their advantage, and when it may make sense to hold assets in a company structure. The duo highlights real-world examples, including property strategies that stagger gains over multiple years, and tactical planning tips for EOFY. This episode is a must-listen for anyone wanting to reduce or eliminate CGT and understand why strategic ownership from the start is the real secret to long-term tax efficiency. If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform. It helps us reach more incredible listeners like you. Thank you for being a part of the journey! Click here to subscribe to our weekly email. SPECIAL OFFER: Buy a one of Stuart's books for ONLY $20 including delivery. Use the discount code blog here. Work with Mena & Stuart's team: At ProSolution Private Clients we encourage clients to adopt a holistic and evidence-based approach when making financial decisions. Visit our website. Follow us: Stuart: Twitter/X and LinkedIn. Mena: LinkedIn IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.

    16 min
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Hosts & Guests

About

A holistic accountant goes beyond tax returns, aiming to offer proactive advice to maximise clients' wealth after all taxes. Stuart Wemyss and Mena Abraham explore multifaceted considerations weekly, highlighting the need for a holistic approach. Each episode is succinct and to the point with no fluff or sales pitches. For further details, check out www.prosolution.com.au.

Information

  • Creator
    Stuart Wemyss & Mena Abraham
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    167
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Holistic Accountant
  • Show Website
    The Holistic Accountant

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