Participate in the NFP Risk Survey - Great prizes to be won

I received this email recently and I hope you are able to help out this charity.  You may win yourself some great prizes while doing so.

A local charity was collecting gifts for underprivileged children for Christmas. They worked very hard and collected a number of gifts from people in the community. A member of the public donated a small electric toy of the more "economical" variety that, unfortunately, must have bypassed safety testing on the way into the country. While in storage it caught fire and burned down all the donated gifts AND the offices of the charity concerned. I wonder if this was a type of risk that any of the devastated staff at the charity have even considered?

The management of risk plays an enormous role in the success of your organisation. It is with this in mind, I'd like to invite you to participate in the 2010 Not-for-Profit Risk Survey. The survey is being undertaken to gain an understanding of the risks facing not-for-profit organisations from around the world. The results will be used to make nonprofit organisations more aware of the key risks that could impact on the success of their organisation. As a participant you will be one of the first to recieve a copy of the final report on its release.

The survey is designed to be simple to complete and should not take more than 15 minutes. If you wish, you can choose to remain anonymous but if you complete the survey by 10 April and provide your details, you will go into the draw to win one your choice of four fabulous prizes ...

64GB Apple iPod Touch valued at approx $540;

Playstation 3 Console (Slim) 120GB valued at approx $465;

Dell S561207AU Inspiron Mini 10” Netbook valued at approx $490; or

Olympus Tough 8000 Black 12 MP Digital Camera valued at approx $475.

All participants who provide their contact details will receive a copy of the survey findings. I would really appreciate it if you also could forward this along to others in the sector from around the world to help us to create the most comprehensive resource possible. Click here to complete the survey.

The survey will be authored by Lisa Bundesen, a PPB Partner and one of Australia's foremost experts in risk management and fraud control in the Not-for-Profit sector along with Andrew Morgan, a PPB Director with considerable experience in the identification and management of risk in business.

The deadline for participation is Friday 10 April 2010 to complete the survey. If you have technical difficulties or would like any clarification on questions, please contact Andrew Morgan of PPB at amorgan@ppb.com.au
I hope you'll be able to be a part of this great initiative. Please click here to complete the survey.

Changes to BAS Tax Agent Legislation

The new BAS Tax Agent Legislation has come into effect 1st March 2010 and it is likely to have an impact on you.  It sets the new standards for BAS and Tax Agents.

The new Tax Practitioners Board says that  "Bookkeepers who prepare business activity statements (BAS) other than as employees will be required to register as BAS agents. To help them transition into the new arrangements, those who have been providing BAS services immediately before 1 March will be able to register by notifying the board within six months."

There is a FAQ section on the website which explains the changes in detail including arrangements for transitional agents.

From now on when you use the services of a bookkeeper you will need to be sure that they meet certain requirements including registration and experience levels.  From 1 July 2011 BAS Agents will need to have professional indemnity insurance.

If you use the services of a bookkeeper you need to familiarise yourself with these changes for your own protection.

For more information, please visit the Tax Practitioners Board website at http://www.tpb.gov.au/.