Hall Chadwick QLD has 40 years of experience in providing advice to businesses in the agricultural and agribusiness sectors. As proud Queenslanders we are passionate about providing quality service to rural and regional Australia with branch offices in Roma, Emerald, Toogoolawah, Longreach, Redlands and Sunshine Coast. In addition, we regularly visit Mackay, Toowoomba and Mt Isa.
Our agribusiness Partners have practical hands on experience, with rural backgrounds ranging from country Victoria and central New South Wales through to southern and central western Queensland, and a continued direct involvement through family operations. Our unique personal and professional experience allows us to understand the challenges faced by the agricultural sector and the solutions that may be available. Our experienced team can apply their knowledge of your industry and business challenges, tailored to your specific set of circumstances, to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Taxation
- Detailed specialist knowledge of industry specific issues including capital write off provisions, income deferral options, farm management deposits and livestock provisions
- Regular detailed taxation planning process conducted prior to year end to optimise the tax position of a business
Accounting and Structuring
- Provision of accounting services to all types of structures
- Provision of advice in respect of appropriate, alternative structures for operating the business, versus holding assets, including, Sole Trader (Individual), Partnerships, Trusts and Companies
- Detailed knowledge of accounting standards and principles as they relate to livestock (cattle, sheep, pigs) and cropping operations
- Experience in agribusiness such as stock and station agents, feedlot operators, fertiliser manufacturers, meat wholesaling, saleyards, agriculture consultants, etc.
- Close understanding of financial software systems specifically developed for agribusinesses including the suites of products offered by Phoenix, Agrimaster, Saleg8 and Xero Primary Production add ons
Estate and Succession Planning
- Due to the firm’s long association with rural clients, we have been involved in the succession planning of a large number of clients as their business and assets are passed from one generation to the next
- A number of our Directors have been personally involved in this process within their own family environment
- Our firm has both the financial and interpersonal skills to assist clients with this transition
- We also have close, long term relationships with legal experts working in this field
- A recent successful Estate plan involved the reorganisation of a family business worth in excess of $150m, and included multiple families across 3 generations and multiple properties and business structures
Corporate Advisory
- We represent both foreign and domestic corporate owned agribusiness, including private equity agribusiness investors
- We bring both a knowledge of the of agribusiness sector, and the technical taxation, financial reporting and management reporting skills
- We have knowledge and experience with the financial and taxation reporting requirements for foreign companies
- Our corporate clients include investments in the livestock, cropping, horticultural, poultry and water assets
- We offer a full range of audit, specialised tax advice and corporate advice to corporate clients
Property Transactions
- Detailed knowledge of rural property issues including title and apportionment advice
- We have been closely involved in family and corporate transactions, chiefly in the $5m to $150m range
Government Programs
- Successful preparation & lodgement of applications for funding from:
- Regional Investment Corporation (RIC)
- Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA)
- NSW Rural Adjustment Authority (NSWRAA)
- Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF)
- During drought regular successful applications have been made for Exceptional Circumstance support
- During natural disasters including the Queensland and NSW floods successful applications for grants and loans were made through QRIDA
- Other grants received by clients include QRIDA Business Ready Grants and DAF freight and fodder grants
- We have been involved in advocacy on behalf of the rural industry and assisted government in policies aimed at improving the sustainability and viability of the agriculture sector
Banking and Finance
- We maintain close relationships with brokers and the agribusiness divisions of NAB, CBA, ANZ, Westpac, Rabobank, Suncorp, Bank of Qld, Rural Bank and StockCo
- Multiple successful applications for agribusiness facilities for a wide variety of transactions including property and business acquisitions, carry on funding and working capital requirements
- We also assist in providing requirements for the bank financing, including reporting and forecast modelling
- We have extensive experience in assisting clients when issues arise with current financing arrangements and ongoing viability issues including liaising with banks
Insolvency
- We have provided advice to insolvency specialists in relation to agribusiness matters in the following circumstances:
- Providing specialist advice in an Independent Accountants Report for secured creditors,
- Providing specialist advice in relation to ‘trade on’ or asset realisation strategies,
- involving agribusiness assets,
- Providing consultancy services in relation to turnaround or enhancement of the performance of agribusiness enterprises
Coal and Gas Compensation
- We have been closely involved in negotiating with Coal Seam Gas companies with respect to Conduct & Compensation Agreements, Easement Agreements and Option payments in Queensland
- We have been involved with the taxation considerations for Solar and Wind Turbines compensation payments
- We have negotiated with multinational Coal Companies compensation agreements due to resumption and proximity of coal developments
- In addition, we have also been involved in negotiation valuation methodologies with respect to the quantum of compensation
- Our firm has acted for both Landowners and Coal Seam Gas and Coal Companies
- We are a recognised panel expert for Queensland Gas Company (a subsidiary of Shell)
- We are in close contact with legal experts with respect to the uncertain taxation environment surrounding compensation payments
Litigation Support
Hall Chadwick QLD has provided expert reports in relation to agribusiness matters including:
- A product liability case involving 1,200 applicants in a class action against a chemical manufacturer where an unregistered chemical accumulated in fat tissue and caused an interruption to the export markets for all affected animals. The matter proceeded to trial and was eventually settled,
- A professional negligence matter involving feasibility advice provided by a Chartered Accounting firm to a client in relation to a peanut farming venture in the Northern Territory. The matter proceeded to trial and was subsequently settled,
- A contract dispute related to cattle missing in the purchase of a Walk In Walk Out property deal in the Northern Territory,
- Provision of Expert Evidence in the Land and Resources Tribunal in relation to the Mineral Resources Act and the Petroleum and Gas Act
Due Diligence and Valuation
- Our consulting division has prepared multiple due diligence reports in respect of acquisitions of agricultural aligned businesses
- They have also acted as experts in litigation with respect to disputed acquisitions
- As stated above, our firm is a panel expert in respect of the valuation of land and business interruption due to coal seam gas development and pipelines
Business Planning
- We regularly prepare 5 year business models for agribusiness clients. In particular we prepare 5 year integrated herd and financial models allowing clients to understand the financial consequences of changes made to their herd composition or selling program
- We also regularly prepare 3 way cashflow modelling for business clients
- For a number of agribusiness clients we act in an outsourced CFO role and sit on the board
Clients
While we work across a range of clients, as an example we have worked with businesses in the following range:
- Sheep & Wool – in excess of 50,000 head
- Cattle – in excess of 150,000 head
- Wheat/Grain – in excess of 20,000 acres
- Cotton – in excess of 12,000 acres (irrigated)
