About Us
SV Partners provide a comprehensive suite of services for professionals and their clients encompassing insolvency accounting, forensic accounting, turnaround strategy advice and fee funding solutions.
Our Solution Suites
SV Partners was established in 2003, with a vision to provide expert and focused accounting services to accountants, financial institutions, corporations, financial and legal advisors, and their clients.
With our staff of over 130 and offices in metropolitan and regional areas in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia, we are well positioned to provide the expertise that comes from being a national firm while delivering the high level of service expected from a local professional.
We strive for excellence in delivery of our expertise, having built lasting relationships across the industry by taking a commercial but sensitive approach to our work. Our objective is to provide a suite of professional services to other professionals, allowing them to enhance their services to their clients and concentrate on their core business.
Complementing our core service offerings are our affiliate businesses:
SmartFee is a fee funding service developed by accountants for professionals and their clients.
SmartFee offers payment options that enable business owners to spread the cost of their accounting fees over periodic instalments. The SmartFee relationship driven service means our clients can get the solutions they need, when they need it, without the issue of cash flow restrictions. smartfee.com.au
At SV Partners, we’re different. Not just because our people are different, but because we approach our work with a perspective different from our competitors. We’ve honed our approach to set ourselves apart, providing expert advice with a human touch.
We adapt to the changing needs of our industry and our clients in order to provide the most up to date and effective solutions.
Business Savers are experts at helping businesses and individuals dealing with financial stress.
Business Savers works with individuals, sole traders, partnerships, SME’s and large companies, helping clients navigate their financial challenges and reach the best possible outcome. Regardless of the situation, Business Savers can help you get back on track with financial stress management solutions tailored to your unique situation. businesssavers.com.au
We understand that each business is unique and requires timely and cost effective solutions. That’s why we offer a free initial consultation and are transparent around potential outcomes and costs.
Accessible
With our national presence in metropolitan and regional areas and direct access to Directors across our business, we have the resources to successfully meet the needs of all engagements, including those which extend across borders.
Responsive
We make ourselves available at all times, ready to support and guide at each step. Our solutions are designed to help and we take the time to listen to the needs of our clients and share our knowledge and expertise openly.
When SV Partners was established in 2003, it was with a vision to provide expert and focused accounting services to fellow accountants and lawyers, and their clients.
Since then, we have built a reputation as a firm that exceeds expectations, provides first class service and strives to deliver the very best for our clients. We do this by being transparent in all our dealings and holding ourselves to the highest professional standards.
Our values of respect, service and teamwork reflect the way we do business with our clients, work with our employees and how we approach the wider community.
With 17 offices and over 130 highly skilled and passionate staff across Australia, we possess extensive experience across all types of engagements and across a multitude of industries.
We continue to evolve and grow, driven by our vision and commitment to provide access to the highest quality specialised services, ensuring we are well placed to continue delivering on this vision, now and well into the future.
Terry van der Velde MANAGING DIRECTOR
Our technical expertise allow us to take a commercial but sensitive approach to our work. We approach assignments with a critcal mindest and professional scepticism.
Our Executive team have in excess of 70 years cumulative experience, each having developed their own specialisations throughout their varied careers.
“ The nature of business in Queensland means we’ve developed significant experience across engagements in key industries including Building & Construction, Tourism & Hospitality, Retail and Professional Services. ”
David leads a team of over 60 staff and specialises in the building industry. With a network of industry experts he can call on, David and his team have been involved in engagements across Queensland and have conducted a number of large building administrations.
Businesses can be impacted by a variety factors, both in and out of their immediate control. From economic conditions and legislative changes to shifts in market trends. These can all have significant implications for the sustainability of a business. There are significant consequences for company directors who may face potential legal, financial and reputational risk for failing to ensure a business does not trade insolvent.
Continuing losses
David Stimpson Queensland“ With Sydney serving as a base for many large organisations, we have been exposed to complex matters across the Retail, Hospitality, Transport, Finance and Manufacturing sectors. ”
Jason is a specialist in complex corporate insolvency matters and bankrupt estates and leads a team of 25 in New South Wales. His team have been involved in trade-ons, liquidations, complex investigations and matters with national media attention.
Overdue taxes
Not being able to obtain further finance from your existing or alternative banks
Not being able to produce timely and accurate accounts
Not paying your creditors within agreed trading terms
Making rounded payments not against specific invoices
Threats of legal action or legal action for debt recovery
Suppliers placing your business on COD or demanding payment before further supply is made or demanding payment plans
Michael Carrafa Victoria“ The diversity of industry in Victoria means our team has acquired experience in dealing with a variety of businesses across Retail, Manufacturing, Construction, Agriculture and Professional Services. ” Leading a team of 29, Michael specialises in retail and construction, having conducted a number of administrations requiring the company to trade on with a view to sale. The team have experience dealing with complex matters across Victoria including liquidations, receiverships, voluntary adminstrations and more.
Our team of experts act quickly and decisively to conduct a solvency review. We can then advise the best way to proceed - refinancing, restructuring, re-aligning the company’s activities or appointing an external administrator.
Jason Porter New South WalesWe are not only technical experts, we take a sensitive but commercial approach to our work. SV Partners’ approach to insolvency services focuses on recovery and reconstruction. We also operate one of the largest private Bankruptcy Practices in Australia.
Corporate Insolvency
SV Partners can provide a range of options to companies in financial distress.
Voluntary Administration
Creditors Voluntary Liquidation
Court Liquidation
Personal Insolvency
Receiverships
Members Voluntary Liquidation
Turnaround Management
SV Partners can provide a range of options to individuals in financial distress.
Bankruptcy
Personal Insolvency Agreements
Administration of Estates of Deceased Persons Part XI
Statutory Trustee
SV Partners take great pride in providing a thoughtful, tailored approached to each matter. Every situation is different and our team ensure that clients understand all of their options in navigating through debt relief.
On average, more than 10,000 businesses in Australia experience insolvency per year. There are a diverse range of factors that can contribute to a business facing insolvency including but not limited to poor cash flow, trading losses and poor strategic management.
If a company is unable to meet its liabilities, the directors must decide what action to take to maximise the return to creditors, while also avoiding the possibility of insolvent trading, which can make them personally liable.
We have worked on a range of cases, many of them unique, most of them complex. In the vast majority of these matters, we are able to act quickly and determinedly, focusing on restructure, turnaround and ongoing risk management. Our Services
Voluntary Administration
Creditors Voluntary Liquidation
Court Liquidation
Receiverships
Members Voluntary Liquidation
Turnaround Management
SV Partners’ broad range of expertise extends across industries including but not limited to Retail, Manufacturing & Wholesale Trade, Transport & Logistics, Building & Construction, Agriculture, Hospitality & Tourism, Finance and Professional & Administrative Services.
Our longstanding relationships with key bodies across a wide array of industries means we can provide the most comprehensive advice to clients and ensure the best possible outcome is achieved in each matter.
How can we help?
Our experts have considerable experience in Voluntary Administration matters across a range of industries and businesses.
A voluntary administration (VA) is an insolvency process that aims to resolve the company’s future as quickly as possible.
When company directors suspect their company is or may become insolvent, an administrator should be appointed promptly in order to maximise the chances that the business will survive.
What causes a Voluntary Administration?
The company directors suspect the company is likely to become insolvent
A secured creditor who is entitled to enforce a security interest over the company’s property, appoints a voluntary administrator
Pressures from creditors demanding payments for debts and company directors are at personal financial risk of insolvent trading
Pressures from the banks or secured creditors demanding payment
Disputes between directors or shareholders
What are the expected outcomes of a Voluntary Administration?
Allows the company breathing space to deal with creditors and prepare a proposal to give the best return to stakeholders
May allow a company to stay out of liquidation
An independent person reviews the company’s affairs and deals with the pressures of creditors
Reduces the possibility of secured creditors proceeding against the assets of the company
At the end of the administration, the company usually enters into a Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA)
A creditors voluntary liquidation (CVL) occurs when the company’s members determine that the company can no longer satisfy its debts and is likely to become insolvent or is insolvent.
A creditors voluntary liquidation allows for the winding up of a company’s affairs without the need for Court intervention. This type of insolvency provides for an orderly realisation and distribution of a company’s assets among its creditors and investigations as to why the company failed.
What causes a Creditors Voluntary Liquidation?
A creditors voluntary liquidation can occur at the end of a voluntary administration if creditors vote for a company to be liquidated or a Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA) has been terminated
When an insolvent company’s shareholders agree to liquidate the company and appoint a liquidator
Recovery actions by the ATO and Director Penalty Notices (DPNs) cause pressure on company directors
Directors become at risk of insolvent trading
What are the expected outcomes of a Creditors Voluntary Liquidation?
Once all assets have been realised, investigations are completed and distributions to creditors are made, the liquidator will apply to ASIC to deregister the company
Creditors no longer have any claim against the company
How can we help?
We act as an independent third party to ensure to the Creditors Voluntary Liquidation process is conducted appropriately.
How can we help?
We ensure the appropriate investigations are undertaken and the best possible outcome is achieved for our clients.
A court liquidation is a type of insolvency that requires an application to the Court by creditors, company members or other interested parties to wind up a company due to unpaid debts.
A liquidator is appointed by the Court in order to realise the company’s assets and distribute funds to creditors. The liquidator will investigate the company’s affairs and report any offences and other relevant matters to shareholders.
What causes a Court Liquidation?
Non-payment of debts to stakeholders, causing interested parties to apply to the Court in order for the company to be wound up
Recovery actions by the ATO and Director Penalty Notices (DPNs)
On-going losses and inability to improve trading performance
Directors, shareholders or investor disputes
Directors at risk of insolvent trading
When creditors become concerned that assets are being removed from the company
What are the expected outcomes of a Court Liquidation?
Once all company assets are realised, investigations are complete and distributions to creditors are made, the liquidator will apply to ASIC to deregister the company
Creditors will no longer have any claim against the company and the company will no longer exist
Secured creditors are still able to exercise their rights
Certain transactions can be recovered by a liquidator for the benefit of all creditors
What sets us apart?
We are committed to understanding individual circumstances & exploring key concerns to provide solutions. Our effective communication, responsiveness and ease of doing business is what sets us apart.
We provide objective, professional and experienced advice in all aspects of insolvency. As a professional advisor, our role is to help address an insolvency situation, with the advice and skills required, before it gets out of control.
A Receivership is a type of insolvency that occurs when a secured lender, such as a bank with security over company assets, wishes to recover its loan. In this situation, the secured creditor will appoint a receiver to administer the process of recovering debt owed by realising and selling company assets.
What causes a Receivership?
A company is unable to pay debts and secured creditors intend to recover money owed
Interested parties such as shareholders, directors or investors make an application to Court to recover debt owed
Pressure from creditors for unpaid debts
Major failure in business control and management systems
Disputes between directors and shareholders
Defaults on loan repayments to secured lenders
On-going losses and inability to improve trading performance
What are the expected outcomes of a Receivership?:
An independent person controls and manages company assets to recover debt for a secured creditor
Potential to continue to trade on the company and sell the business in some circumstances
Usually concludes when the receiver has collected and sold all of the assets or enough assets to repay the secured creditor, completed all their receivership duties and paid their receivership liabilities.
The receiver resigns or is discharged upon completion. Unless another external administrator has been appointed, control of the company and remaining assets return to the directors.
How can we help?
We have proven success working with banks, lenders and company directors to assist throughout a receivership.
How can we help?
We can ensure the right approach is adopted and can provide assistance to clients considering a Members Voluntary Liquidation.
A Members’ Voluntary Liquidation (MVL) occurs when a company’s members no longer wish to continue trading or have sold their business and wish to wind down and distribute the company’s surplus assets. To qualify, the company’s directors must be able to confirm that the company can meet its financial obligations within 12 months after the winding up of the company has been initiated.
A Members’ Voluntary Liquidation is commonly used when members of a company wish to make tax effective use of the company’s assets or to independently resolve disputes between directors and shareholders.
Below is a table that summarises the different tax treatments of distributions made by a Liquidator compared to the company’s directors:
Equity Ordinary Course Distribution (Tax Treatment) Liquidator’s Distribution (Tax Treatment)
Paid Up Capital Capital Capital
Retained Earnings Dividend Dividend
Pre-CGT Capital Profit Reserves Dividend Capital
Post-CGT Capital Profit Reserves Dividend Dividend
What are the benefits of a Members Voluntary Liquidation?
Capital distributions from a Liquidator either have no tax payable or the member may be able to access various CGT concessions
The cost of a Members’ Voluntary Liquidation (if paid by shareholders) is deductible in the shareholder’s income tax return; and
By the time a potential liability claim is identified, the company may have already been dissolved and it is unlikely that any further action would be undertaken.
Turnaround management involves the review and analysis of a company to determine why it may be failing or in financial distress.
What causes Turnaround Management?
Changes in market conditions putting a company at risk
New competing products in the market that put existing business activity at risk
Major failure in business control and management systems
Management does not have the skill set to continue and often business is already strained due to past activity
What are the expected outcomes of Turnaround Management?
Comprehensive company led turnaround plan that will be used to ensure the continued support from all key stakeholders
Continued support and assistance with negotiations and execution of the turnaround plan in addition to mentoring the board and senior management team
Understanding the finance options available to the company
Manage and overcome business threats and weaknesses
Improvement in business control and management
Build and develop on existing strengths
How can we help?
SV Strategic Solutions specialises in areas of turnaround management and business improvement for SMEs and are able to adapt specific solutions to fix a crisis. Our main focus is the long-term running of the business and improvement of business performance
The objective of the firm is to provide a suite of professional services to other professionals allowing them to enhance their services to their clients and concentrate on their core business.
Simplified liquidation is one of two new formal insolvency processes introduced by the Federal Government. Simple liquidation is designed to help struggling businesses resolve their financial distress in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The simplified liquidation process reduces both the cost and time involved in completing a company’s liquidation, providing relief for business owners and creditors more rapidly than other liquidation processes.
A simplified liquidation is a type of creditors’ voluntary liquidation (CVL). The process can be adopted once a company has been placed into a CVL where the company meets certain eligibility criteria.
What are the expected outcomes of a Simplified Liquidation?
Simplified liquidation follows much of the same processes as a standard liquidation
Company assets are realised, investigations are completed
Distributions are made to creditors
Liquidator will apply to ASIC to deregister the company
Once the business has been deregistered, creditors will no longer have any claim against the company
How can we help?
Our role as Liquidators in a Simplified Liquidation is to act as an independent third party and ensure the process is administered according to the relevant legislation. The SV Partners team are highly qualified and have worked with businesses across a wide array of industries.
We understand that insolvency not only affects the owners and directors of a business, but can also have a lasting impact upon its employees, creditors, shareholders and the greater community.
The Small Business Restructuring Process (SBRP) is one of two new formal insolvency appointments introduced by the Federal Government in 2021. Small business restructuring is intended to assist small businesses with resolving their financial distress. Under the small business restructuring process, directors and management remain in control of the company under the supervision of a restructuring practitioner.
The purpose of the Small Business Restructuring Process is to provide directors and the company time to put forward a plan to creditors to pay off their liabilities, in full or in part, within a period not exceeding 3 years.
We always seek to deliver the best possible outcome for all stakeholders and take pride in providing expert advice with a human touch.
What are the expected outcomes of a Small Business Restructuring Process?
Once a restructuring plan has been developed by directors and approved by creditors, the business continues to trade under the control of the directors. The Restructuring Practitioner administers the plan and distributes funds to creditors.
The plan is complete when its terms are satisfied. The company is then released from its admissible debts.
The plan may be terminated early under certain circumstances.
If the plan is not approved by creditors, the company does not automatically enter other forms of formal insolvency. Rather, the directors remain in control of the company and creditors may continue enforcement action. In this case, the directors may consider placing the company into Voluntary Administration, or Creditors Voluntary Liquidation, but are not obligated to do so. Likewise, creditors may consider winding the company up by way of an application to court.
How can we help?
Contact us to speak confidentially about your situation. Our team will work with you throughout the process and help you get back on track.
More than 25,000 individuals enter personal insolvency per year on average. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for people to ignore the signs of financial distress and consequently find themselves worse off than if they were to seek professional advice early. When an individual can no longer pay their debts and are receiving letters of demand and writs from creditors, debt collectors and solicitors, time is essential when looking for a solution.
Our Services:
Bankruptcy
Personal Insolvency Agreements
Administration of Estates of Deceased Persons Part XI
Statutory Trustee
Financial hardship can be triggered by many factors. Yet, no matter how it occurs, it is important to recognise financial difficulty early. Every situation is different and our team ensure that all options in navigating through debt relief are understood. We firmly believe bankruptcy is the last resort and will work to find alternative solutions for our clients.
Bankruptcy is a legal process that provides protection to people who are unable to repay their debts or reach a suitable arrangement with creditors.
We believe bankruptcy is the last resort, although in some instances, may be the most suitable avenue that allows a client to be released from most debts.
What causes Bankruptcy?
A situation where an individual is unable to pay all their debts
An individual’s personal guarantees provided for company debts are called up
A situation where an individual receives letters of demand, writs and/or bankruptcy notices from creditors, debt collectors or solicitors
When a creditor is experiencing non-payment of a debt, dishonoured payments, trading terms extended or not met by the individual
What are the expected outcomes of a Bankruptcy?
A Registered Trustee is appointed and manages the bankruptcy
The Trustee recovers and sells assets for the benefit of the creditors
Relief is provided to the individual in bankruptcy from debt problems and extinguishes existing debts
The ability for the indiviual to start life afresh after bankruptcy, free from debt
How can we help?
We operate one of the largest Bankruptcy Practices in Australia and if bankruptcy occurs, we provide objective, practical and expert advice.
How can we help?
Our role is to help provide objective and practical solutions to the situation in order to provide relief from debt and financial pressures. We endeavour to make the bankruptcy process as transparent and manageable as possible.
A personal insolvency agreement (also known as Part X or Part 10) is a formal arrangement for a debtor to deal with their creditors by making a proposal in satisfaction of their debts.
This option can be feasible for a debtor that does not meet the eligibility requirements of a debt agreement because their assets and liabilities are considered too great.
What causes a Personal Insolvency Agreement?
A situation where an individual cannot pay all their debts
A situation where an individual receives letters of demand, writs and/or bankruptcy notices from creditors, debt collectors or solicitors
An individual’s personal guarantees provided for company debts are called up
A Personal Insolvency Agreement can occur in lieu of bankruptcy
What are the expected outcomes of a Personal Insolvency Agreement?
The individual debtor is relieved from debt problems and is able to extinguish existing debts
Creditors are often provided higher and quicker dividends than under a bankruptcy
A binding agreement between all parties, however, the arrangement can be flexible
The impact on a debtor’s credit rating is less severe than if the debtor was to be made bankrupt
How can we help?
Our role is to address a personal insolvency situation with the advice and skills required before it gets out of control. We will report to creditors and structure a proposal based on our investigations, guiding the client thorough each step of the process.
SV Partners understands the loss of a loved one can be a difficult burden to carry, more so when the Estate has insufficient assets to pay any debts owing. Our aim is to deal with such matters in a professional and respectful manner, providing the best possible outcome for all parties concerned.
What causes an administration of a deceased estate (Part XI)?
An individual that is insolvent passes away, leaving unresolved debt
The deceased estates become insolvent due to debts incurred by the legal personal representative of the deceased estate
A creditor of the deceased estate or the administrator, executor or legal personal representative of the deceased estate wants to bankrupt a deceased estate
An order for the administration of a deceased insolvent estate can only be made by the Federal Circuit Court or the Federal Court
What are the expected outcomes of an Administration of Estates of Deceased Person (Part XI)?
Potential realisation of assets of the deceased estate and proceeds be divided equitably amongst creditors
If administered by a Trustee; investigations, reviewing creditor claims, reporting to creditors and paying dividends
Independent Trustee may set aside voidable transactions and potentially increase the value of the Estate
How can we help?
SV Partners can conduct independent investigations and administer the deceased estate in a sensitive and understanding manner.
How can we help?
SV Partners have the required experience and qualifications to act as the Statutory Trustee in situations of disputes between parties over assets.
A Statutory Trustee is a person or persons appointed by the Court for the purpose of selling real property in the event where a dispute arises between one or more co-owners over the sale of a property or where one party cannot raise sufficient funds to pay out the other party’s interest in the property.
What causes a Statutory Trustee?
This occurs when one of the co-owners is bankrupt and the other is not. If the non-bankrupt coowner is unable to raise sufficient funds to purchase the bankrupt estate’s interest in the property, or does not agree to a joint sale of the property, the Trustee may consider an application to Court for the appointment of a Statutory Trustee to sell the property, regardless of whether the nonbankrupt co-owner agrees.
What are the expected outcomes of the appointment of a Statutory Trustee?
Quantify the amounts owing to any creditors who hold security over the property (e.g. mortgagees, caveators, etc.)
Determine the respective ownership interests in the property
Obtain vacant possession of the property
Undertake a marketing campaign for the sale of the property
Pay out the valid security interests held over the property
Distribute the balance of funds held after payment of the selling costs to the property owners
SV Voidables is a national first service offering, providing support services in recovering or defending voidable transactions.
Typically, a voidable transaction can arise where you receive monies for services rendered or goods supplied or you purchase an asset from a business, at a time when:
The business was insolvent
you knew, or should have reasonably known, that the business was insolvent
Our national presence and extensive experience uniquely places us to provide specialist consulting services to liquidators, lawyers, accountants and their clients to recover or defend voidable transaction claims.
Through our innovative approach to road mapping voidable claims, we provide strategic and tactical dispute resolution services, expert and shadow expert services, solvency or insolvency expert reports and defence analysis.
Investigative or due diligence reports provide recommendations or opinions on the identification and potential recoverability of voidable transaction claims.
We apply a forensic due diligence to internal controls and documented trading terms and conditions to mitigate you or your clients exposure to possible voidable transactions.
How can we help?
If your client has received a demand from a Liquidator or Registered Trustee in Bankruptcy for repayment of monies, we can help. Our investigative role is to mitigate losses should such a demand be received.
SV Partners Forensics is a leading forensic accounting division that brings unsurpassed professional and technological expertise to each assignment.
Forensic accounting relates to matters that are, or likely to, come before a Court. Forensic accountants serve as independent expert witnesses, providing critical evidence to assist the Court deciding the matter before it.
SV Partners provides business valuation reports for family law, commercial litigation and for general appraisal purposes.
SV Partners’ commercial litigation services aim to assist parties to understand complex financial and accounting related aspects of the matter at hand. We are experienced in dealing with complicated business issues that may lead to litigation, mediation or arbitration.
Our team provide highly skilled advice, producing reports that provide a different view to the problem at hand. Experienced in most jurisdictions, our expert reports make complex issues easier to understand.
Before buying or selling a business, it is important to seek advice from an independent specialist allowing you to make an informed decision.
In the event of injury or death, our team of experts are able to conduct personal injury economic loss reports providing a detailed assessment of the potential economic loss suffered from that event.
At SV Partners, we approach investigative assignments with a critical mindset and professional scepticism. Opinions are only expressed where specifically requested.
SmartFee helps businesses pay invoices issued for professional fees over a monthly instalment plan.
We do this by funding the invoice, so your firm gets paid up front (by SmartFee) for the total amount of the invoice and the business owner pays the total amount owed on the invoice over a monthly set schedule .
SmartFee also funds recruitment fees for Accountants and Lawyers, allowing firms to spread out the cost of recruitment invoices over 3 to 12 months.
Why use SmartFee?
No cost to firm & no lock in contract
Simple transparent online signup process for clients
Full invoice payment to firm within 3 business days of client making their first instalment
No application or administration fees
How does it work?
Approval within 1 business day for client
Free ongoing training and support
Dedicated Customer Relationship Manager to look after client accounts and minimise potential missed payments, including reminder communications
The client receives a tax invoice from their accountant or lawyer
The firm completes a simple online application with their client
SmartFee confirms the application details
Full invoice is paid to the firm by SmartFee
Client pays off their invoice in instalments over a 3-12 month period
