The End of the Financial Year (EOFY) can create timing issues that come back to bite years later—this year, it’s tomorrow.

The Perils of EOFY

Here's the potential snag: some businesses close their books on Tuesday night, while others finalise them the next morning. This creates timing differences, where the same transaction can be recorded in different financial years by different organisations.

This means invoices, credit notes, and payments may not align. Add Australia Post delays or processing delays, and important documents might not appear in your records until after EOFY. As a result, your figures may not match those of your suppliers or customers.

This may become a problem during an ATO audit. The ATO may compare your records with other businesses and ask why the figures differ. Since audits often occur years after the fact, it can be difficult to explain what caused the discrepancy. You end up trying to reconstruct events you barely remember.

We experienced this firsthand. A supplier issued a credit note to us just before EOFY, but we didn’t receive it until a few days later. During an ATO review, that timing difference worked against us, and it ended up costing us. The ATO argued that we should have known about the credit note in the previous financial year.

Taking Control

You can reduce the risk of these issues with a few simple steps:

• Ensure your POS and accounting systems can clearly explain your figures if needed. Putting notes in can be a big help.
• Contact suppliers now if there are large or outstanding amounts.
• Start chasing missing invoices and credit notes.
• If timing cannot be resolved, get written confirmation (email is ideal).
• Where possible, delay closing your EOFY slightly to allow final documents to come in.

One advantage of our POS system is that it allows adjustments after EOFY, so you can continue processing and correcting entries as information arrives.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

For SMBs, there is little in the budget of2026/7, which looks like a grab for money.

Key Takeaways

• The 2026/27 financial year for SMB retailers is a cost reset driven by higher wages, 12% super, and tighter cash flow.
• Retail Award wages rise by 4.75% from 1 July 2026.
• The National Minimum Wage increases to $26.44 per hour.
• The Superannuation Guarantee is now payable within 7 days, placing greater pressure on payroll.

How Much Will Wage Rises and 12% Super Cost SMB Retailers in 2026/27?

Award wage increases raise payroll costs and also increase super costs because super is calculated on eligible earnings.

What will really hurt our cash flow is that this super must be paid within 7 days.

Super Calculation Formula Changes

I suggest that you use a computer program or accounting software to calculate superannuation, as the formula is changing.

Conclusion

There are some other changes to the accounting rules, but I suggest you discuss them with an accountant.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

EOFY is almost here, 6 days to go, and soon, the best POS hardware deals of the year will be unavailable. If you've been sitting on a slow or ageing checkout setup, this is your window to fix it at a better price.

Key Takeaways

• EOFY supplier discounts on POS hardware are only available until 30 June.
• Retailers who upgrade now can claim the purchase this financial year.
• Limited stock means deals disappear once suppliers close out the month.
• A modern POS system reduces checkout headaches and daily retail friction.

Why Are EOFY POS Deals Available Right Now?

POS Suppliers now want to clear warehouse stock before the financial year closes; they need money now, and they would rather get rid of it than count it. That pressure works in your favour. We've negotiated directly with our technology partners to bring you current POS equipment at sharp EOFY pricing, deals that won't be available soon due to limited stock.

Is It Worth Upgrading Your POS System Before 30 June?

For most retailers, yes. Upgrading before 30 June will allow you to claim the purchase as a business deduction in this financial year. That is a potential double benefit: an upfront discount on the hardware, plus better equipment.

Beyond the financials, if your current setup is slow, unreliable, or causing headaches at checkout, carry that problem into the new financial year.

What POS Hardware Is on Sale?

We have included information about selected POS hardware and upgrade packages in our newsletter. If you have specialised needs we maybe able to help you too. Stock is strictly limited to what our suppliers have on hand, and once it's gone, I doubt we can offer these prices to you again.

Act Before the 30 June Deadline

These deals close when the financial year does. If you've been putting off a hardware upgrade, now is the time to get it sorted.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

Readers here already know that the temporary Armaguard bailout that has been keeping Australia's cash-in-transit network afloat expires on 30 June 2026. Less clear is exactly how the incoming new pricing model will affect us after that. 

Key Takeaways

• A cash-in-transit crisis is a severe disruption to Australia's physical cash collection network that threatens to raise retail costs.
• Utility-style pricing will charge businesses based on distance, severely impacting independent retailers across regions.
• Point-of-sale (POS) systems provide the exact tender-mix data needed to forecast your margin exposure.
• Financial auditing of your recent bank statements reveals your current baseline cash expenses before new fees apply.

What Is the Cash Crisis?

Australia's cash-in-transit crisis, spoken about here, is the financial instability threatening the cash infrastructure that collects, transports, and processes cash. Currently, the dominant provider, Armaguard, relies on a temporary bailout to keep its armoured trucks running. Armaguard funding arrangements officially end on 30 June 2026. We now know that new funding models will shift the financial burden directly onto end users, which is confirmed and will soon start. The inevitable cost increases for retailers begin soon.

Why the Cash Crisis Matters

The cash-in-transit crisis matters because it will fundamentally alter the cost of doing business for retailers that accept cash. Major supermarket chains will leverage their massive daily volumes to negotiate better cash contracts, leaving smaller players exposed. Up to now, regardless of size, independent retailers have been able to compete equally with the majors on cash handling.

Furthermore, regional businesses face an extreme risk under the new model. If distance-based pricing takes effect, this will accelerate the current increases in banking charges for manual cash deposits that the industry is quietly seeing.

Tracking Cash With POS Systems

The first point is to get real figures for what you are banking. Review the bank deposit reports in your POS system to see exactly how exposed your business is to cash transactions today. For example, knowing that cash makes up exactly 12% of your weekly revenue gives you the hard data needed to forecast your vulnerability to rising bank fees. Once you have the exact cash figures from your POS reporting, you should approach the bank. Sometimes, the banks can help you restructure your deposit schedules or even waive certain fees. You will not get them unless you approach them proactively.

Conclusion on Cash

We may need to rethink our payment types for our business soon.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

A stocktake is one of the most important disciplines in retail. It shows whether your inventory records match what is actually on your shelves, in the back room, and in storage. It can be a big job, but it remains one of the best ways to control stock, test your inventory system, and uncover problems that are costing you money. I have spent a lot of time around stocktakes over the years, and I've seen firsthand how the more organised the business is before the count, the faster and more accurate the stocktake will be.

Why stocktaking matters

Good inventory management matters because bad stock figures hurt businesses. It is also, for most Australian businesses, a strict ATO requirement. 

A good stocktake helps you:

• Find excess stock and dead stock.
• Improve the accuracy of your inventory records.
• Examine your stock.
• Support your stock values for accounting and tax purposes.

Before you start

A successful stocktake begins before stocktake day.

Look for every place where stock is held in your business. Do not just think about shelves. Include drawers, counters, office shelves, back rooms, warehouses, promotional displays, window displays, bargain bins, and any odd storage spots. We find that these forgotten areas often cause the most stocktake errors.

Now, start to tidy the stock. The tidier it is, the easier it will be to count:

• Move stock to the correct area.
• Straighten mixed and messy sections.
• Separate similar-looking items with different barcodes.
• Pull out damaged, unsaleable, or returned stock.
• Put laybys, consignment stock, customer orders, and goods waiting for dispatch into clearly marked holding areas.

Now divide the business into counting sections. Each section should be clearly defined and, as a rule, take 1-2 hours. This makes it easier to keep organised and focused.

Pick a quiet time if possible.

Select your people for the stocktake, make sure they know their role and what they need to do. We have prepared a video to help them here:

First, organise your people. Counting usually works best in teams; two people counting and one person recording is often an effective combination.

Before anyone starts, hold a short staff briefing so everyone understands:

• How the count will be done.
• The counting order to follow.
• How to handle problem stock.
• Be clear about how units are handled. Everyone must know they are counting singles. If a carton is open, tell them to check it properly and not to assume it is full.
• Who is available during the stocktake if there are questions? If each team handles problems differently, your stocktake will quickly become inconsistent.
• Set up a designated problem area. Rather than holding the count up, put problem stock in that area and move on.

Check your equipment

Before the day, test your technology. There is nothing worse than getting everyone ready only to find out something does not work:

• Test your stocktaking software.
• Check scanners, laptops, and PDTs.
• Charge batteries.
• Have chargers ready.
• Make sure everything connects properly to your POS software.

If you can use laptops or PDTs, do it. They save time because staff can move with them around the shop.

Also have the basics ready:

• Pens.
• Clipboards.
• Labels.
• Tape.
• Markers.
• Spare batteries.

Start counting

When the count starts, use one method and stick to it.

I recommend a simple system of counting from left to right and bottom to top. If you want something different, make sure everyone follows the same rule.

Then work through the stocktake in order:

• Count one section completely before moving on.
• Mark finished sections clearly.
• Use place markers to clearly mark counted areas.
• Keep teams in their allocated areas.

It also helps to start with the hardest or messiest sections first, while everyone is fresh.

Count every location where the same item is kept. It is easy to count the shelf and forget the backup stock in a drawer, cupboard, or storeroom.

Handling problem stock as you go

Keep the process moving.

If a team finds a product with a missing barcode, a damaged label, or another issue, do not let it stop the count. Put it into a problem holding area and keep going.

As you count:

• Spot-check completed sections.
• Recount anything that looks wrong.
• Keep unnecessary staff away from the counted areas.
• Keep customers out of completed sections where possible.
• Clearly note where estimates were used.

Some stock always needs extra care:

• Greeting cards in packed pockets.
• Books displayed in multiple places.
• Magazines on shelves, in pockets, and in return areas.
• Gift lines with display stock out front and backup stock in storage.
• Stationery items that look the same but differ in colour, size, or barcode.

Before you finish

Do one final sweep before you sign off.

Walk the whole business and check every area on your stocktake map. Make sure each section has been counted and marked off. This final check often picks up forgotten displays, cupboards, drawers, and odd corners.

A stocktake can take more than one day, and that is fine. What matters is that it is done carefully, consistently, and completely.

Conclusion

A good stocktake is all about preparation, clear rules, and a disciplined counting process. Do that well, and you will end up with better stock figures, better buying information, and fewer surprises.

If I missed something, please let me know.

Happy stocktaking!

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

EOFY is coming, and we all have excess stock that needs to move. June is your window to do so.

Almost every major retailer is doing it, why not you too?

Key Takeaways

• EOFY is Australia's second-largest retail season, generating $8.8 billion in sales, 11× more than Mother's Day.
• Moving dead stock now beats counting it during your July stocktake.
• Bundling slow-moving items with popular ones protects your margin while clearing volume.
• Your existing customers are your fastest path to a profitable sale.
• Your POS System pinpoints exactly which lines need discounting, no guesswork required.

What Should You Actually Discount?

Run a slow-moving stock report from your POS terminal before you do anything else. You want items that haven't sold in 90 days or more. Those are your prime clearance candidates. For example, seasonal gift lines that missed their window, discontinued colourways, or last year's dated products.

Resist the urge to discount your bestsellers. Deep discounts on fast-moving stock destroy the margin you don't need to sacrifice. Target the dead weight and leave your strong performers at full price.

How Do You Move Stock Fast?

Bundle It

Pair a slow-moving item with something popular at a flat promotional price. The customer perceives great value, and you clear two lines at once. For example, a slow-moving scented candle bundled with a popular greeting card for $15 moves both.

Set Up a Clearance Zone

A clearly marked dump bin or clearance table near the entrance immediately captures impulse buyers. Keep it tidy, clearly priced, and refreshed regularly so it looks intentional rather than neglected.

Spend Thresholds

For your clearance bin, it often works to offer a discount when customers reach a spending threshold. It lifts your average transaction value without requiring heavy markdowns across the board, for example, 10% off for all items, 20% at a $30 spend, 35% off at a $60 spend.

How Do You Capture EOFY Foot Traffic?

Shoppers are already in a buying mindset during June. Your job is to intercept them. Bold, clear window signage with specific dollar savings outperforms vague "sale" messaging every time. For example, "Books from $5" beats "Big EOFY Sale" because it sets a concrete expectation.

If your store sits near an anchor tenant like a supermarket, position your most eye-catching clearance offers where their exit foot traffic naturally passes your storefront.

What Role Does Your POS System Play?

A modern POS system in Australia does the heavy lifting for an EOFY sale. It tells you exactly what to discount, lets you apply bulk pricing changes across entire categories in seconds, and tracks your recovery in real-time throughout June.

Without it, you're guessing. With it, every decision is backed by actual sales data. For example, applying a 50% discount to an entire "Winter Clearance" category takes one click rather than manually repricing 200 individual items.

Our clients are very lucky as they can go to register reports > stock titled "Old Stock on hand by Date last received" and get an instant list.

This will give you a list of your stock by when you received it. Unfortunately, this stock will not improve with age, and it costs you to hold it.

Here are a few thoughts to help you prepare for your EOFY deal.

1. What about bundling some of this with something that sells?
2. Make a bargain bin.
3. Collect some business products together.

Now put them out and put a sign marking them in your shop.

Let me know how it goes. I doubt you will be sorry if you try, but I am sure you will be if you do not try!

Update:  Current figures suggest that End of Financial Year (EOFY) sales will be one of Australia's most significant retail events, but new research suggests this EOFY spending forecast will grow by just 1.9 per cent this year – well below inflation.

https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/10256-arc-roy-morgan-end-of-financia…

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

Now, at the end of the financial year is coming, we are releasing this video, which provides a complete YouTube tutorial on how to perform a physical stocktake using our POS Software.

We walk you through this essential inventory management system and explain the options and best practices. This video would be useful as a training and reference resource for anyone who needs to perform stock control using POSBrowser. 

It covers the two main approaches—doing the full shop at once or breaking it down into smaller location-based sections. Although both work, we advocate the location-based approach, which we find more efficient. Prepare your plan by dividing the shop into sections. Then, stocktake each section one at a time. This makes the process more manageable and accurate. 

The video demonstrates how to create a new stocktake, correctly scan/count items, and record it. We also cover the necessary settings like "Check Stock Movement" if you are doing it during trading. It shows how to run reports to see discrepancies, cost valuations by department, and more. The reporting capabilities highlighted allow you to analyse and audit your stock position.

The clear explanations and visual demonstrations make it a valuable reference for new and experienced users. I suggest getting your staff to run through it, too.

"The integration between stocktake data and our ordering process has streamlined our operations significantly. We've reduced carrying costs, minimised stock-outs and given us accurate reporting." 

Mastering stocktakes is essential for the success of any retailer.

I suggest using this guide as a staff training tool

Make sure that your staff who will be doing the stocktake run through it too. 
 

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

Amex was not covered by the RBA's NO Surcharge rule after 1 October. The RBA now gave non-designated card schemes like Amex, Discover and China UnionPay a temporary green light to apply a “no surcharge” rule from 1 October.

After 1 October, you will not be allowed to charge a surcharge on Amex. Many of your payment providers intend to enforce this.

American Express has also stated that it will enforce this ban and is asking your customers to report you if you try to apply it.

This will be a problem as Amex fees are very expensive.