- CASE STUDY – BUSINESS STRUCTURE & ASSET PROTECTION
From $90K to $12 Million: How the Right Accounting Support Helped a Business Scale Nationally
- Acctivate Business Accountants
- April 2026
- Brisbane
5-star reviews
- How One Smart Move Took a Business from $90K to $12 Million
The owner of a concrete pumping equipment business started out repairing pumps, turning over about $90,000 a year. Good work, reliable income, around $90,000 a year.
Not a bad position, but a limited one. The business had no obvious path to grow the business beyond the work coming through the door.
Two years into working with Elle Green, Co-Founder of Acctivate Business Accountants, an opportunity came up to become the sole Australian dealer for a concrete pumps brand. It was the kind of opening that doesn’t come twice. It could also, if handled badly, break the business.
Becoming Australia’s sole dealer meant importing expensive equipment, funding builds, and carrying large upfront costs before a single sale came through. Banks needed to see a clear picture before committing to finance. The margin for error was thin. It could accelerate everything or stretch the business past its limits.
- WHAT ACCTIVATE DID
A cash flow forecast that got the deal done.
Elle sat down with the client and worked through the numbers properly. Not a rough estimate, a detailed cash flow forecast showing exactly how the business could handle upfront import costs, build schedules, and repayments alongside day-to-day operations.
That forecast was what got the trade finance facility across the line. The bank had the certainty it needed, and the client had the funding to move forward.
- HOW THE CASH FLOW FORECAST SECURED TRADE FINANCE
Elle built a cash flow model that mapped the client’s upfront import costs, construction timelines, expected sales, and repayment schedule. This gave the lender a clear picture of serviceability, which is what converted the loan application into an approved trade finance facility.
As the business grew, Elle stayed involved. Not just at milestone moments, but week to week:
Deferred GST scheme
Elle set up the deferred GST scheme to push back GST payments on imported goods, easing cash flow at the point of highest pressure.
Monthly BAS lodgements
Moving to monthly BAS improved the timing of GST input tax credit refunds, giving the business more predictable cash inflows.
Weekly involvement
Elle kept working with the client every week, staying across decisions as the business grew and new complexities emerged. Signing the trade finance facility wasn’t the end of it. It was the start of it.
Most accountants show up at tax time. Elle showed up every week for seven years.
Annual revenue (up from $90K)
$
0
M
Working with Elle Green
0
yrs
Sole Australian dealer for a concrete pumps brand
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0
- THE RESULTS
$90,000 to $12 million
a year revenue
Before any property purchase happened, we mapped out a clear restructure plan. Getting the structure right before the purchase is the part most business owners miss, and it’s the part that determines how much tax you pay.
- Trade Finance Secured a trade finance facility to fund the Australian dealership - unlocked by a cash flow forecast prepared by Elle Green, Director of Acctivate Accountants.
- Cash Flow Improved cash flow timing through GST deferral on imports and a move to monthly BAS lodgements.
- Finance Structure Built a financial structure that could keep up with rapid growth, supported by weekly accounting advice given by Elle.
- National Footprint Grew from a local repair operation to a nationally operating business as Australia's sole concrete pumps dealer.
Today our client runs a business that looks nothing like where they started. They recently bought their dream apartment. The numbers tell the story.
Elle has been with us every step of the way. She understood what we were trying to do and helped us figure out how to actually do it.
Acctivate Client
Concrete Pumping Business
- THE SITUATION
Elle Green, CA
Co-Founder, Acctivate Business Accountants
Elle Green is a Chartered Accountant (CAANZ), Registered Tax Agent and Co-Founder of Acctivate Business Accountants, with over a decade of experience supporting small businesses across taxation and cash flow management. Holding a Bachelor of Commerce and a Xero Advisor certification, Elle is known for translating complex financial concepts into clear, practical guidance for business owners.
This case study is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Client details have been kept confidential. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Please seek professional advice before acting on any information contained in this document.
- FREQUENTLY ASKED
Australian Businesses ask about importing, cash flow and finance.
What is the deferred GST scheme for importers in Australia?
The deferred GST scheme lets eligible Australian importers delay paying GST on imported goods until their next BAS lodgement, rather than paying at the border. For businesses that import regularly, this can meaningfully improve cash flow, you’re not tying up working capital in GST at the point of import. Eligibility is based on your BAS lodgement history and ATO registration.
How does trade finance work for small businesses importing goods?
Trade finance helps businesses cover the cost of goods before payment is received from customers. For importers, it bridges the gap between paying a supplier overseas and selling the product locally. Banks call for detailed financial documentation before approving a facility, and most importantly, a cash flow forecast showing you can manage repayments alongside ongoing operations.
How can an accountant help a business secure a bank loan or trade finance?
An accountant who understands your business can build the financial case that lenders need to say yes. That means preparing detailed cash flow forecasts, modelling different scenarios, and presenting your numbers in a way that demonstrates serviceability. Acctivate’s forecast mapped the client’s import costs, build timeline, and expected sales, providing the bank the certainty it needed to approve the trade finance facility.
Should a growing business switch to monthly BAS lodgements?
For businesses with significant GST input tax credits, such as those importing goods or making large equipment purchases, monthly lodgements can improve cash flow by returning refunds more frequently. Quarterly lodgements mean waiting longer for that money back. It’s worth discussing with your accountant whether the administrative commitment makes sense for your volume and cash flow cycle.
How long does it take to grow a business from $90K to $12M in revenue?
There’s no universal answer, it depends on industry, opportunity, and the financial infrastructure in place. In this case, the business reached $12 million over approximately seven years, with the major jump triggered by securing an exclusive Australian dealership backed by trade finance. Having the right financial structure and ongoing accounting support made the difference between taking the opportunity and walking away from it.
This case study is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Client details have been kept confidential. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Please seek professional advice before acting on any information contained in this document.
