New Small Business Financial Counsellor for Fraser Coast

STRUGGLING small businesses on the Fraser Coast now have access to free financial counselling from a government funded service based locally.

Small Business Financial Counselling Service SQ (SBFCSSQ) Financial Counsellor, Craig Hilton is based at Hervey Bay and services the entire Fraser Coast Region.

“A parochial Queenslander, I have worked in some great locations including Toowoomba, Gympie, the Sunshine Coast, Townsville and Mount Isa, where I met my wife,” Craig said.

The SBFCSSQ provides free, impartial, confidential financial counselling to small businesses facing financial challenges.

“Particularly now with the trade restrictions and after weeks of no trade, businesses are looking for access to government stimulus packages and investigating diversification measures.”

Funded by the Australian and Queensland governments, the SBFCSSQ initially examines a client’s business model and identifies current or impending challenges.

The service offers an extensive referral service to Government support packages and helps with debt restructuring or refinancing.

“I can support clients get to a position where they can make productive informed business decisions,” Craig said.

The service assists business operators to prepare a cash flow and identify specific options for their business.

“Our service is designed to identify solutions and goals with the business owner and support them as they move forward.”

“We do not make the decisions, we enable the client to make the decisions,” he said.

Craig has 25 years of small business experience predominantly in banking and operated his own small business for a number of years.

“I enjoy working with small businesses who are making productive informed business decisions for their own benefits and operating my own enterprise gave me an appreciation for small business owners and the challenges they face on a day to day basis.”

For more information about Small Business Financial Counselling, call Craig on 0436 009 837, the Small Business hotline, 1300 732 777 or visit www.rfcssq.org.au.