The Lat Chat

Hosted by Latitude Accountants

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143

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Hey small business heroes, we’re John Saade & Jacob Fahmy from Latitude Accountants and we are the hosts of The Lat Chat, your go-to podcast for insightful discussions on the world of small business. Join us as we dive deep into the intricacies, challenges, and triumphs of entrepreneurship, offering practical advice and invaluable insights for aspiring and seasoned business owners alike. Each episode, we bring to the table a wealth of experience and expertise along with special guests ranging from successful entrepreneurs to industry leaders. Together, we explore a wide range of topics

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November 10, 202618 min

Money Is Changing Powerlifting. Is That a Good Thing?

Powerlifting is changing fast. More money is entering the sport, more athletes are breaking records and major competitions are becoming bigger, faster and more competitive. In this episode, Beth Parker breaks down why she thinks prize money is having a direct impact on performance, including competitions where athletes can earn thousands of pounds for breaking world records. Beth also ranks what actually matters most at the elite level, including talent, effort, money, coaching, judging and equipment, and explains why having the freedom to train and recover properly can completely change an athlete’s potential. The conversation also explores why powerlifting continues to grow, particularly among women and younger lifters, whether the sport is really as dangerous as people think, and how social media can exaggerate rare injuries. Beth also looks at the future of powerlifting, including bigger prize pools, broadcasting, sponsorships, the Olympics and whether increasing commercial pressure could eventually cause elite athletes to burn out. And finally, Beth explains the rule she would change immediately, let the girls bench. Bethany Parker Powerlifting Coach Instagram https://www.instagram.com/beth_output/ Need an accountant? GET A FREE CONSULTATION FOR ALL ABN HOLDERS https://forms.zohopublic.com/john205/form/GENERALENQUIRYFORM/formperma/VYEBrsCV_ompEVvnkA0eygWlJxXO5OajFsjjngf_jzw OUR SERVICES https://latitudeaccountants.com.au/accounting-services/ Info@latitudeaccountants.com.au TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@latitudeaccountants Instagram https://www.instagram.com/latitudeaccountants/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@LatitudeAccountants LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/latitude-accountants/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/latitudeaccountants/ Website https://latitudeaccountants.com.au/ This content is general information only and does not constitute financial, tax, accounting, legal, property or business advice. Speak with a qualified adviser about your own circumstances. #Powerlifting #BethParker #StrengthTraining #PowerliftingAustralia #WomenInStrength #StrengthSports #LatitudeAccountants

November 9, 202620 min

What Actually Makes a Good Man? Justin Makhlouf on Fatherhood, Faith & Discipline

What does it actually mean to become a better man? In this episode, Jacob Fahmy sits down with Justin Makhlouf for a conversation about fatherhood, faith, discipline, marriage, sacrifice and the values that shape the way you live. Justin explains why honesty and serving others sit at the centre of his values, and how becoming a father completely changed the way he thinks about responsibility, time and the example he sets every day. They also discuss why your children are watching more than you realise, why being present matters more than simply being around, and why fathers have an opportunity to shape what their kids see as normal. The conversation moves into marriage, faith and discipline, including how Justin balances family life with training up to 150 to 160 kilometres a week, work and the demands of everyday life. Jacob and Justin also unpack the difference between achieving a result and actually becoming a better person. Whether it is fitness, business, money or family, the lesson is the same, the real value comes from what you learn along the way and whether you can carry those lessons into the rest of your life. They also touch on shortcuts such as Ozempic, modern ideas around masculinity, social media, self discipline and why success in one area means very little if the rest of your life is falling apart. FOLLOW JUSTIN Instagram https://www.instagram.com/justinmakhlouf/ Need an accountant? GET A FREE CONSULTATION FOR ALL ABN HOLDERS https://forms.zohopublic.com/john205/form/GENERALENQUIRYFORM/formperma/VYEBrsCV_ompEVvnkA0eygWlJxXO5OajFsjjngf_jzw OUR SERVICES https://latitudeaccountants.com.au/accounting-services/ Info@latitudeaccountants.com.au TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@latitudeaccountants Instagram https://www.instagram.com/latitudeaccountants/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@LatitudeAccountants LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/latitude-accountants/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/latitudeaccountants/ Website https://latitudeaccountants.com.au/ This content is general information only and does not constitute financial, tax, accounting, legal, property or business advice. Speak with a qualified adviser about your own circumstances. #Fatherhood #Discipline #Faith #Family #Masculinity #JustinMakhlouf #JacobFahmy #TheAccountRant #LatitudeAccountants

November 6, 202630 min

CBA Warns of Biggest Housing Fall on Record. How Far Can Prices Drop?

Australia’s housing downturn is getting worse, and Commonwealth Bank is now forecasting what could become the largest national house price decline in the history of its 45 year data series. In this episode of The CEO Breakdown, John Saade looks at what is happening across the property market, with Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide all under pressure. He breaks down falling auction clearance rates, weaker borrowing power and why buyers and investors are pulling back. At the same time, the RBA has lifted the cash rate to 4.85%, the highest level since 2008. John looks at what another rate rise means for mortgage holders, household spending and an economy already showing signs of serious pressure. The problems are also spreading beyond property. NSW builders are abandoning projects, major employers are cutting jobs, households are running down their savings and businesses are feeling the impact of weaker consumer spending. John also looks at the growing debate around government spending. Should Australia cut spending to help bring inflation down, or could austerity during a downturn make the economic slowdown even worse? This is a huge week for Australian property, households and small business. Need an accountant? GET A FREE CONSULTATION FOR ALL ABN HOLDERS https://forms.zohopublic.com/john205/form/GENERALENQUIRYFORM/formperma/VYEBrsCV_ompEVvnkA0eygWlJxXO5OajFsjjngf_jzw OUR SERVICES https://latitudeaccountants.com.au/accounting-services/ Info@latitudeaccountants.com.au TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@latitudeaccountants Instagram https://www.instagram.com/latitudeaccountants/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@LatitudeAccountants LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/latitude-accountants/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/latitudeaccountants/ Website https://latitudeaccountants.com.au/ This content is general information only and does not constitute financial, tax, accounting, legal, property or business advice. Speak with a qualified adviser about your own circumstances. #AustralianProperty #HousePrices #RBA #InterestRates #AustralianEconomy #MortgageStress #SmallBusiness #CEOBrakedown #LatitudeAccountants

November 5, 202612 min

How To Take Time Off While Your Business Still Makes Money

Everyone wants a holiday, but for business owners, taking time off is not always as simple as booking a flight. In this episode of The Account Rant, Pat and James break down how to actually plan and pay for a holiday without creating a financial headache when you come home. They start with the personal side, including how to work out what a trip will really cost, how much you need to save each week, the expenses people often forget, and why putting an entire holiday on a credit card can leave your future self paying for it long after the trip is over. Then they turn to business owners. What happens if your income stops when you stop working? Pat and James discuss how much cash you may need before taking time away, how to prepare for bills and expenses while revenue slows, and why clients need to know what is happening before you disappear. They also look at what happens when a business has employees but still depends completely on the owner. If every decision, client issue and problem still comes back to you, can you really take a holiday? The conversation covers delegation, trusted staff, client communication, cash flow, budgets, systems and processes, and why building a business that can operate without you is an important part of growing beyond being a sole operator. They also discuss whether business owners should remain contactable while away, the opportunity cost of taking time off, and why constantly working without a break can eventually hurt both the owner and the business. Need an accountant? GET A FREE CONSULTATION FOR ALL ABN HOLDERS https://forms.zohopublic.com/john205/form/GENERALENQUIRYFORM/formperma/VYEBrsCV_ompEVvnkA0eygWlJxXO5OajFsjjngf_jzw OUR SERVICES https://latitudeaccountants.com.au/accounting-services/ Info@latitudeaccountants.com.au TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@latitudeaccountants Instagram https://www.instagram.com/latitudeaccountants/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@LatitudeAccountants LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/latitude-accountants/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/latitudeaccountants/ Website https://latitudeaccountants.com.au/ This content is general information only and does not constitute financial, tax, accounting, legal, property or business advice. Speak with a qualified adviser about your own circumstances. #BusinessOwners #SmallBusiness #HolidayBudget #CashFlow #Budgeting #CreditCards #TheAccountRant #LatitudeAccountants

November 4, 202612 min

RBA Just Raised Rates Again. How Much More Can Homeowners Take?

The RBA has raised interest rates again.The cash rate is now 4.85%, its highest level since 2008, putting even more pressure on Australian mortgage holders, first home buyers and anyone trying to get approved for a loan.In this episode of The Account Rant, John Saade sits down with mortgage broker Karen Wirihana to break down what the latest RBA decision actually means for borrowers.Karen explains what she is seeing inside real loan applications right now, including households already cutting their spending, buyers sitting at the edge of their borrowing capacity and the way another rate rise can be the difference between someone getting the property they want or being priced out completely.They also unpack how banks calculate borrowing capacity, why your actual living expenses are not always the number a lender will use, and how servicing benchmarks can work against people who are genuinely disciplined with their money.The conversation then turns to one group facing an even harder battle, single income buyers.Karen explains why the lending system can favour two income households, the additional hurdles facing single women and mothers rebuilding after separation, and how second jobs, overtime and child support can be treated when banks assess a loan.John and Karen also discuss the Help to Buy scheme, low deposit buyers, falling property prices and why the current downturn may finally be giving buyers something they have not had for years, negotiating power.If you already have a mortgage, are trying to buy your first home, are refinancing, or simply want to understand what this latest RBA rate rise could mean for the property market, this episode is for you.GUESTKaren Wirihana Founder and Mortgage Broker, Kaleo Finance Instagram: @propertywithkarenhttps://kaleofinance.com.au/Need an accountant?GET A FREE CONSULTATION FOR ALL ABN HOLDERShttps://forms.zohopublic.com/john205/form/GENERALENQUIRYFORM/formperma/VYEBrsCV_ompEVvnkA0eygWlJxXO5OajFsjjngf_jzwOUR SERVICEShttps://latitudeaccountants.com.au/accounting-services/Info@latitudeaccountants.com.auTikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@latitudeaccountantsInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/latitudeaccountants/YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@LatitudeAccountantsLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/latitude-accountants/Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/latitudeaccountants/Websitehttps://latitudeaccountants.com.au/This content is general information only and does not constitute financial, tax, accounting, legal, property or business advice. Speak with a qualified adviser about your own circumstances.#RBA #InterestRates #MortgageRates #AustralianProperty #PropertyMarket #HomeLoans #FirstHomeBuyer #MortgageBroker #TheAccountRant #LatitudeAccountants

October 29, 202615 min

Fitness Advice Online Is Out of Control. Who’s Actually Right?

Social media has completely changed the way people learn how to train.Every scroll brings another form check, exercise hack, “perfect technique” video or coach telling you the last person was wrong. So how do you actually know who to listen to?In this episode of The Account Rant, John sits down with powerlifting athlete and coach Bethany Parker to discuss how Instagram, TikTok and online fitness culture have changed powerlifting, both for better and worse.They break down why Beth doesn’t believe there is always one universally “right” or “wrong” technique, how conflicting advice can confuse newer lifters, and why social media can encourage people to chase heavy lifts, attention and views instead of long term progress.Beth also opens up about her own experience with ego lifting, how social media attention affected her early powerlifting career, why coaches need to be willing to change their minds, and the importance of trust and communication between an athlete and coach.Then the conversation turns to AI. If ChatGPT can build a training program, analyse numbers and provide coaching advice for free, do you still need a human coach?Beth explains where she believes AI can genuinely improve coaching, but also why the emotional, competitive and human side of working with an athlete is much harder to replace.The bigger question is whether technology is making athletes better informed, or simply giving them more noise to filter through.Bethany ParkerPowerlifting CoachInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/beth_output/Need an accountant?GET A FREE CONSULTATION FOR ALL ABN HOLDERShttps://forms.zohopublic.com/john205/form/GENERALENQUIRYFORM/formperma/VYEBrsCV_ompEVvnkA0eygWlJxXO5OajFsjjngf_jzwOUR SERVICEShttps://latitudeaccountants.com.au/accounting-services/Info@latitudeaccountants.com.auTikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@latitudeaccountantsInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/latitudeaccountants/YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@LatitudeAccountantsLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/latitude-accountants/Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/latitudeaccountants/Websitehttps://latitudeaccountants.com.au/This content is general information only and does not constitute financial, tax, accounting, legal, property or business advice. Speak with a qualified adviser about your own circumstances.#Powerlifting #SocialMedia #FitnessAdvice #EgoLifting #AI #ChatGPT #StrengthTraining #BethanyParker #TheAccountRant #LatitudeAccountants

October 28, 202613 min

How To Pay Yourself As A Business Owner

How much should you actually pay yourself from your company?Should you take a salary, pay yourself a dividend, repay money the company already owes you, or leave the profit sitting inside the business?In this episode of Money Meeting, Jacob Fahmy breaks down how business owners should think about taking money from a company and why simply transferring cash whenever you need it can create much bigger tax problems later.Jacob explains how to work out a sensible salary based on your personal cash flow and your commercial value to the business, when genuine shareholder loan repayments can put cash back in your hands without creating new taxable income, and how to decide what profit should stay in the company versus what should be distributed.He also covers Division 7A, how seemingly innocent personal transfers can quietly build into a large director loan, why dividends and franking credits need to be planned properly, and when Personal Services Income rules can stop you from simply leaving profits inside a company and paying tax at the company rate.The key takeaway is simple: do not wait until tax time to decide what the money was.Plan how you are going to pay yourself before the money leaves the company.Need an accountant?GET A FREE CONSULTATION FOR ALL ABN HOLDERShttps://forms.zohopublic.com/john205/form/GENERALENQUIRYFORM/formperma/VYEBrsCV_ompEVvnkA0eygWlJxXO5OajFsjjngf_jzwOUR SERVICEShttps://latitudeaccountants.com.au/accounting-services/Info@latitudeaccountants.com.auTikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@latitudeaccountantsInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/latitudeaccountants/YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@LatitudeAccountantsLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/latitude-accountants/Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/latitudeaccountants/Websitehttps://latitudeaccountants.com.au/This content is general information only and does not constitute financial, tax, accounting, legal, property or business advice. Speak with a qualified adviser about your own circumstances.#CompanyTax #BusinessOwners #Division7A #Dividends #Salary #TaxPlanning #MoneyMeeting #LatitudeAccountants

October 26, 202617 min

He Ran 442KM Without Stopping. Here’s What Happened

442.6 kilometres. 66 loops. Almost three days of running with barely any sleep. In this episode of The Account Rant, we sit down with Justin Makhlouf, winner of Sydney’s Backyard Ultra, to understand what it actually takes to keep running every hour on the hour until everyone else has stopped. Justin breaks down the training behind a Backyard Ultra, what happens when sleep deprivation kicks in, why your mind starts exaggerating pain and telling you to quit, and how he learned to focus on nothing more than the next step and the next loop. But this conversation goes much deeper than running. Justin opens up about losing his gym, rebuilding his career, his faith, discipline, fatherhood and why the race became something much bigger than simply trying to win. After 442 kilometres, one of Justin’s biggest motivations was showing his kids that when life gets difficult, Dad still does what he says he is going to do. FOLLOW JUSTIN Instagram https://www.instagram.com/justinmakhlouf/ Need an accountant? GET A FREE CONSULTATION FOR ALL ABN HOLDERS https://forms.zohopublic.com/john205/form/GENERALENQUIRYFORM/formperma/VYEBrsCV_ompEVvnkA0eygWlJxXO5OajFsjjngf_jzw OUR SERVICES https://latitudeaccountants.com.au/accounting-services/ Info@latitudeaccountants.com.au TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@latitudeaccountants Instagram https://www.instagram.com/latitudeaccountants/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@LatitudeAccountants LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/latitude-accountants/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/latitudeaccountants/ Website https://latitudeaccountants.com.au/ This content is general information only and does not constitute financial, tax, accounting, legal, property or business advice. Speak with a qualified adviser about your own circumstances. #JustinMakhlouf #BackyardUltra #Ultramarathon #Running #Endurance #Discipline #Mindset #TheAccountRant #LatitudeAccountants

October 23, 202640 min

Every Capital City Just Fell! Is This the Start of a Crash?

Every Australian capital city has just fallen at the same time for the first time in 15 years, and some of the latest housing data is getting ugly. In this episode of The CEO Breakdown, John looks at Morgan Stanley’s forecast for a 10 to 15% national property correction, falling sales and auction clearance rates, and why he believes there are still very few signs that the bottom of the market is in. He also breaks down Stockland’s 71% fall in buyer enquiries, the pressure hitting developers and construction businesses, and what another potential RBA rate rise could mean for borrowing capacity and property prices. Outside housing, John looks at NAB cutting thousands of roles, rising unemployment, the growing risk of a 2027 recession, government spending and the massive cost blowout surrounding Snowy 2.0. Plus, John reacts to the number of Australian politicians who own investment property, discusses the recent changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax, and responds to the growing pressure being felt by Australian small business owners. The bigger question is whether Australia is simply going through a property correction, or whether the problems are starting to spread through the wider economy. Need an accountant? GET A FREE CONSULTATION FOR ALL ABN HOLDERS https://forms.zohopublic.com/john205/form/GENERALENQUIRYFORM/formperma/VYEBrsCV_ompEVvnkA0eygWlJxXO5OajFsjjngf_jzw OUR SERVICES https://latitudeaccountants.com.au/accounting-services/ Info@latitudeaccountants.com.au TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@latitudeaccountants Instagram https://www.instagram.com/latitudeaccountants/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@LatitudeAccountants LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/latitude-accountants/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/latitudeaccountants/ Website https://latitudeaccountants.com.au/ This content is general information only and does not constitute financial, tax, accounting, legal, property or business advice. Speak with a qualified adviser about your own circumstances. #AustralianProperty #PropertyMarket #InterestRates #RBA #AustralianEconomy #Recession #HousingMarket #CEOBreakdown #LatitudeAccountants

October 22, 202620 min

Accountants React to ASIC’s 10 Budgeting Tips: Do They Actually Work?

ASIC MoneySmart has plenty of advice on how Australians should budget, save and manage their money. But how realistic is it when you actually try to follow it? In this episode of The Account Rant, Patrick El-Bitar and James Lamb work through 10 budgeting tips from ASIC MoneySmart and give their take on whether they actually work in the real world. They cover tracking every dollar you spend, separating spending and savings accounts, automatic transfers on payday, needs versus wants, subscription creep, saving for annual bills, weekly spending limits, meal planning, round up savings and how often you should review your budget. They also discuss offsets, credit cards, mortgages, streaming subscriptions, grocery shopping and why the best budgeting system ultimately depends on your goals and how disciplined you are with money. The key takeaway? A budget should help you control your money, not make your life unnecessarily complicated. Need an accountant? GET A FREE CONSULTATION FOR ALL ABN HOLDERS https://forms.zohopublic.com/john205/form/GENERALENQUIRYFORM/formperma/VYEBrsCV_ompEVvnkA0eygWlJxXO5OajFsjjngf_jzw OUR SERVICES https://latitudeaccountants.com.au/accounting-services/ Info@latitudeaccountants.com.au TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@latitudeaccountants Instagram https://www.instagram.com/latitudeaccountants/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@LatitudeAccountants LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/latitude-accountants/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/latitudeaccountants/ Website https://latitudeaccountants.com.au/ This content is general information only and does not constitute financial, tax, accounting, legal, property or business advice. Speak with a qualified adviser about your own circumstances. #Budgeting #MoneyTips #PersonalFinance #ASIC #MoneySmart #TheAccountRant #LatitudeAccountants