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BGL Update

End of an era – Simple Fund Desktop team releases final tax update

By BGL Update, Simple Fund 360No Comments

On 8 July 2021, the BGL Team released the last tax update for Simple Fund Desktop. While no date for the end of Simple Fund Desktop software support has been set, this signals the upcoming end of product life for Simple Fund Desktop.

“It’s the end of an era at BGL” said BGL’s Managing Director, Ron Lesh. “Simple Fund Desktop was the market leading product for its time and even today has some sensational features many years ahead of their time.”

Launched in 1997, Simple Fund Desktop changed the game when it came to SMSF administration, offering an alternative to completing calculations in Excel and very manual and cumbersome processing and report generation through general ledger software.

However, with a number of significant changes to superannuation law in 2021, BGL made the difficult decision not to implement these changes in Simple Fund Desktop. Instead, focusing its resources and development on its award-winning cloud solution, Simple Fund 360.

“I want to thank the hundreds of people who have worked on Simple Fund Desktop at BGL over the past 24 years” says Lesh. “We should all be very proud of our achievements in paving the way for today’s SMSF administration software.”

“I also want to take this opportunity to thank the thousands of clients that put their trust in us and allowed us to come on their SMSF administration journey. We hope that we made your lives just a little bit easier and we hope we can continue to do so with Simple Fund 360” added Lesh.

BGL currently has large numbers of Simple Fund Desktop clients making the transition to Simple Fund 360 with great results. The process is simple, automated and complete ensuring all your valuable data and documents move to Simple Fund 360.

To learn about the benefits of Simple Fund 360 or find out just how easy it is to migrate from Simple Fund Desktop, reach out to your Account Manager today.

You can also check out the below resources:

July 13, 2021
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CAS 360 Software Update Release June 2021

By BGL Update, CAS 360No Comments

There is no other way to describe this release… It’s a whopper! In CAS 360 Version 65 we bring a heap of new features across Australia and New Zealand while completing our Open Beta feature set for CAS 360 Singapore.

Custom Sender Email Address

You can now use a specific email address when sending emails from CAS 360!

Since the launch of CAS 360 all emails have been sent from [email protected], now you have the ability to use your own email address to have the emails sent from. 

The feature does require some setup and we have provided a help article here >>>

The feature does also have a once-off setup cost of $550 inc GST.

New Document Listing Report

You can now export a listing of all Documents inside CAS 360 at the click of a button!

This export will allow you to download a .csv file, once you have opened the file in MS Excel you will be able to use all the powerful filtering and sorting features in MS Excel to create the document listing report of your dreams.

Trust Distributions

We know it’s that time of year so we have developed a number of new features for discretionary trust distributions to help you complete this work quickly and efficiently!

Specify order – For all three distributions types ‘$’, ‘%’ and ‘Free Text’ distributions you can specify an order on each income component, this order will then be used when preparing the distribution resolution. 

In addition to this, you can now add the same beneficiary twice, when they are receiving two amounts for the same income type. The ‘Free Text’ field has been expanded, and more merge fields have been added so you can make the distribution resolutions look perfect. 

Also if the distributions don’t change from year to year, we have now added the ability to copy a previous distribution. Simply open ‘Review Distributions’ and click ‘Copy’.

Document Review

You can now set who the email is sent from when the document has been through a review!

A new drop-down menu has been added to the email settings screen allowing the user to set the sender as the ‘preparer’ of the documents or as the ‘reviewer’ of the documents.

Dividend Enhancements

Two new improvements to preparing dividends in CAS 360 with the implementation of a new decimal places drop down and the ability to ‘set all TFNs as provided’.

We have also added ‘Manager’ to the selectable options in the Company Selection screen columns, added Trust Deeds to the Trust Documents screen, improved the UI for all system messages and now we will show the user name of the user when overwriting company data with ASIC information.

June 18, 2021
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BGL achieves industry leading results for Customer Support!

By BGL Update, Culture, In the Media, TechnologyNo Comments

BGL is 14.7 hours faster at first support replies and 54 hours faster at providing a full resolution!

BGL introduced Zendesk as its technology solution for client support in mid-2018. Since that time, the BGL Team has worked to implement Zendesk in all areas of the BGL business, replacing old help databases, telephone support systems and, giving BGL the ability to add chat support.

Zendesk recently provided BGL with performance comparisons. The data showed BGL was 14.7 hours faster at first support replies and 54 hours faster at providing a full resolution to client problems than those in similar industries. 

“These results are amazing and were achieved through the skills and expertise of our Support, Client Success, Account Management and Data Services Teams” said Ron Lesh, BGL’s Managing Director. “I am really proud of our teams and their commitment to providing clients with excellent customer service”.

“I am also really impressed with the work of our Documentation Team” added Lesh. “27.74% of our clients took a first look at our documentation to try to resolve their queries – this is 21.71% higher than the industry benchmark of just 6.03%”.

“This is one of the reasons BGL won the 2020 National Australian Achiever for Excellence in Customer Service” noted Lesh. “We understand it does not matter how good a software is if customer service is bad. At BGL, our focus has always been on providing the best software and remarkable client experiences.”

Zendesk Support is integrated with BGL’s software platforms CAS 360, Simple Fund 360, and Simple Invest 360, giving users access to Live Chat with a member of our team and the ability to log a  telephone support call without leaving our applications helps to provide our clients with a seamless support experience.

Find out more about BGL’s omnichannel customer support: bglcorp.com/hub/support/

May 3, 2021
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CAS 360 Software Update Release April 2021

By BGL Update, CAS 360No Comments

Introducing Multi Annual Reviews Processing!

In the April 2021 CAS 360 release we have focused on improving the most commonly used feature in CAS 360, the Annual Review.

Since the launch of CAS 360 we have focused on completing Annual Reviews quickly, while still treating them with the care and attention that is required to make sure the information you deliver to your clients is correct and shows the quality of your firm’s work.

In this update, you can now process these Annual Reviews in bulk. Allowing the processing of the Annual Reviews to be done once. Per day, per week or per month.

It starts with being able to select all the Reviews you want to process in bulk, you can do this easily from the new drop down menu. You can focus on just the Reviews that are “Passed” or all Reviews ready to process.

Once the Companies are selected, you are now ready to process the Reviews. We have developed a new Multi Company Document production process; step 1 is to select the document pack and templates for each company. This also includes great existing features, such as Digital Signing, Document Order and Annual Review deadline alerts.

Once you are ready to proceed, CAS 360 will then validate all companies and all document templates in the background, a huge task across so many companies, and if there are any validation issues you are able to correct these issues in the workflow, without leaving.

Once the validations have all passed, you are now ready to proceed to see who you are sending the reviews out to. As part of this process we will show you who is going to receive the review for each company. Again, we have built in validations of email addresses, and users are able to add email addresses from within the workflow.

We have also built in the manager review process, if these reviews are required to be signed off, then this process has also been included.

Once the reviews have been sent to the client, you will receive a new notification that allows you to track the progress of the Annual Review delivery. This is a new notification!

The Multiple Annual Reviews Tracking screen will also show you each company, and a delivery status per recipient, so you can have confidence that each client has received their Annual Review.

Watch our video below to see this incredible new feature in action!

April 29, 2021
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BGL recognised as the 6th best technology workplace in Australia & New Zealand

By BGL Update, Culture, In the Media, Industry, NewsNo Comments

BGL Corporate Solutions, developer of Australia’s leading SMSF administration and ASIC Company Compliance software solutions, is proud to announce it has been recognised on 2021 AFR BOSS Best Places to Work List as the 6th best technology workplace in Australia & New Zealand.

“We are honoured to rank #6 on the technology list from nearly 700 nominated organisations across Australia and New Zealand” says Ron Lesh, BGL’s Managing Director. “The assessment, conducted by Inventium, requires a written submission from BGL and a Team survey, with questions relating to policies, practices, and programs at BGL. The methodology is underpinned by Inventium’s Workplaces of the Future framework, which identifies ten key factors critical to employees feeling motivated and engaged at work”.

“This is an absolutely fabulous achievement by the BGL Team and especially our People and Culture Team”, added Lesh. “Over the past 30 years BGL has grown to become the leading provider of SMSF administration and ASIC company compliance software solutions in Australia and we would not be here without our amazing team of 170+ committed professionals. We believe great goals can only be achieved with inspired and passionate people! This award recognises our efforts and practices to provide our staff with a safe, flexible, inclusive, and friendly work environment, where they feel inspired, motivated and produce amazing results for our clients”. 

“Inventium is proud to announce the 2021 Best Places to Work list in conjunction with the Australian Financial Review. We have undertaken extensive research into what truly makes a brilliant workplace and we are thrilled to recognise many organisations who are leading the way with innovative practices that drive key elements such as flexibility, wellbeing, and equality”, Inventium said.

ABOUT THE AFR BOSS BEST PLACES TO WORK LIST 

The AFR BOSS Best Places to Work list recognises and ranks the best places to work in Australia and New Zealand, by industry, and is the premier list of its kind. The list is judged and compiled by Inventium – Australia’s leading behavioural science consultancy, using unique research-based methodology. In 2020, the list comprised ten industry lists, compiled from nearly 700 nominations. More info

ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW 

For more than 50 years The Australian Financial Review has been the authority on business, finance and investment news in Australia. It has a reputation for independent, award-winning journalism and is essential reading for Australia’s business and investor community. The Australian Financial Review is owned by Fairfax Media Limited [ASX:FXJ], a leading multi-platform media company in Australasia. More info

ABOUT INVENTIUM 

Inventium is Australia’s leading behavioural science and innovation consultancy. Inventium applies the latest findings from science to help organisations unlock growth through innovation and to create brilliant workplaces that get the very best out of their people. Inventium is the official methodology partner of the AFR Boss Best Places to Work List and the AFR Boss Most Innovative Companies list. More info

April 21, 2021
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Price vs Cost: What to think about when considering your options?

By BGL Update, In the Media, Industry, No Drama with TrammaNo Comments

Price vs Cost: An interesting point of consideration and discussion

On a daily basis, we are confronted with choices about price. As ingrained in all of us, when looking at a product or software to perform a function, we are often drawn to the cheaper option. Let’s admit it: We all love a good deal and price point!

However, should price be the determining factor when making a decision?

I am from the accounting software world. I love software that makes my life easy. I love software apps that save me time, effort and ultimately money. While I focus on what to look for and consider in making software decisions, some of these considerations can be used across a broad range of decisions and choices we make every day.

Knowing what problem you need to be solved is a great place to start and it will provide you with a clear understanding of exactly what is required to deliver optimal outcomes. Understand the issue at hand, the outcomes, and ultimately, the end customer experience you want to deliver.

Here’s my list of what to think about when considering your options:

1

Features:

Do your due diligence and thoroughly compare features. Line the products against each other. Be clear on your must-haves, don’t need and the nice to have. Features differences can end up costing you a lot of money later down the road.
2

Support:

What help is available and how readily available the help is. When it comes to learning and using software, we at all times will come across questions. Having access to the right resources and support can save you a lot of downtime, reduce write-offs and can help reduce WIP.
3

Updates:

Great software companies are continually updating, improving and adding new features to further delight their clients and the experience. A lack of updates is a red flag on many fronts including, but not limited to, a lack of commitment to the product, the state of the underlying technology, potentially the wrong people leading products, culture, or lack of focus. Do your research!
4

Processing Times:

Great technology reduces the manual time required to complete tasks. Run products in parallel and compare what it takes to achieve the same outcomes. Remember, time saved equals a reduction in costs that is often far, far greater than price differentials.
5

Tasks replaced:

Technology should replace repetitive, predictable and mundane tasks. You do not need people doing these. Great technology will free your people up to focus on value-added services and relationship building which we know are so important in today's space.
6

Integrations:

Beware of software companies that claim to do it all. Great software companies are focused on their core competency. They focus on their strengths and integrate well with other products and services that you may need to fully complete required tasks. The strength of a software company and product is closely aligned to who they play well with.
7

Brand:

An extremely important consideration. Look at their reputation, trust, track record, longevity of employees and leaders. Develop an understanding of the Why they exist and ensure that it aligns with your values and how you want to position your business and services.
8

Customer Experience:

Great software delivers a great internal and external customer experience. Internally, software can equip and empower employees to better perform their tasks while at the same time embracing and learning great technology. Externally, great software will deliver to your clients an experience that generates a greater appetite for engagement, which promotes client longevity and loyalty.

Wow! That’s an extensive list and hopefully it provides you with a little more direction when making purchases.

Yes, price is a factor but just because something is priced less, it does not mean that it costs you less!

At BGL, we have never designed our products to be the cheapest. Our products are designed to drive value and reduce inputs that allow users to deliver superior outcomes and maximise the return for their efforts and investment. At BGL, we love clients who engage with us for who we are, what we represent, and the value we deliver to our clients. That my friends, is foundational to a longstanding and loyal customer base.

April 14, 2021
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CAS 360 launches in Singapore!

By BGL Update, CAS 360, In the Media, Industry, News, TechnologyNo Comments

BGL is proud to announce the launch of the CAS 360 Company Compliance Solution in Singapore!

“The CAS 360 team has been working tirelessly to build CAS 360 Singapore”, said Ron Lesh, BGL’s Managing Director. “I’m excited to announce the BETA version is now available for our Singapore clients. CAS 360 Company Compliance and Trust Management software will help Singapore company compliance professionals streamline their processes with innovative and unique technology. It will save them heaps of time so they can focus on their many, many other responsibilities.”

“BGL is the first business approved by Singapore’s Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) to lodge Company Annual Returns electronically in Singapore” added Lesh. “Our CAS 360 Team has worked tirelessly with ACRA to help make the Singapore electronic filing system work for software providers. The first stage is Annual Returns and company data downloads with the electronic lodgement of company change documents available later in 2021.”

“CAS 360 Singapore supports the preparation of the forms and documents required for Company Address, Company Officers and Company Shareholder changes in Singapore” noted Lesh. “CAS 360 also supports the Singapore XBRL for the preparation and lodgement of XBRL Financial Statements with ACRA. CAS 360 is the complete package and will provide the same incredible efficiencies for our Singapore clients as we do for 500,000+ companies in Australia”.

BGL has been operating in Singapore for over 20 years and has over 400 businesses using our market-leading CAS Desktop Singapore software. “CAS 360 is the natural progression for our clients” says Lesh

“As a trusted company with over 30 years of experience and innovation in Regtech, BGL can guarantee our clients will always be compliant with ACRA’s requirements”.

April 12, 2021
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GuestTrack connects to the VIC Government COVID-19 Check-in System

By BGL Update, In the Media, Industry, News, TechnologyNo Comments

BGL Corporate Solutions proudly announce that GuestTrack, our QR code-driven and browser-based COVID-19 check-in solution, is now connected to the Victorian DHHS via Victorian Government Visitation API!

Built using BGL’s multi-award winning BGL SmartDocs technology, GuestTrack was launched in mid-2020 as a free QR code check-in app for businesses. Since then, almost 20,000 businesses throughout Australia and overseas have implemented GuestTrack as their check-in solution. 

From the end of April 2021, all Victorian businesses and organisations using electronic record-keeping must only use QR Code providers who are connected to the Victorian Government Visitation API, and GuestTrack is 1 of 3 approved applications. “I’m so proud of the team! They’re continually working to further develop this amazing app for the community”, said Ron Lesh, BGL’s Managing Director.

“GuestTrack connecting with VIC DHHS Visitation API will allow contact tracers to request check-in data directly from GuestTrack system in case of a COVID-19 outbreak. Visitors’ names, contact numbers, check-in dates and times are extracted from GuestTrack to help contact tracers” noted Lesh.

“What started out as an initiative to help our clients’ clients, has turned out to be a spectacular tool. Apps like GuestTrack will be a necessity for all organisations for years to come” says Lesh.

Since its release in 2020, GuestTrack now supports over 18,000 organisations across 183 countries with a satisfaction rate of 99.88% and over 21 million guest check-ins.

“This has been a great opportunity for BGL to give back to the community” added Lesh. “From an idea at Saturday brunch to 21 million check-ins in 9 months is a fantastic achievement by the BGL Team.”

To find out more about GuestTrack, go to guesttrack.com.au 

April 8, 2021
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CAS 360 Great News!

By BGL Update, CAS 360No Comments

CAS 360 Singapore Company Compliance Software Released to Beta!

For the March 2021 release of CAS 360 we have completed our beta development for CAS 360 in Singapore, and we are very excited to be putting CAS 360 in the hands of a number of beta firms in Singapore.

CAS 360 Singapore, is hosted in Singapore through our infrastructure partner Amazon Web Services (AWS)

CAS 360 Singapore has some amazing features, never before seen in Singapore. CAS 360 is approved for electronic filing of the Singapore company annual return with ACRA. This is done through the seamless filing project. This unlocks huge efficiency gains for CSPs as they can now complete the filing without leaving CAS 360.

We have also added full document support for Company Address, Company Officers and Company Shareholder changes in Singapore.

The April CAS 360 Singapore release will also see some fantastic features, more on that next month.

For CAS 360 New Zealand, we have released a series of new features and improvements. We have continued to build our AML / CDD functionality with the introduction of a new AML / CDD compliance report, and a new AML / CDD compliance listing report.

CAS 360 New Zealand March 2021 update also sees improvements to company imports, improved shareholder imports, improved share transactions being filed to Companies Office, and a few more.

While this release focuses more on CAS 360 Singapore and CAS 360 New Zealand, the CAS 360 Australia team has been hard at work with improvements to adding emails in document production, improved information hovers for trustee companies, enhancements to trust information in Address Usage report and Trust vesting date being added to the Trust Listing Report.

We have a huge new feature for Australia & New Zealand set to drop in early April, this one has taken a few months to develop, and when you see it, you will know why. Oh, and you will be able to complete Annual Reviews/Returns faster than ever before…

See you in April 🙂

March 30, 2021
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