Swanson Reed | Australia

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Managing Director of BlueHorizon Marketing Group

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

BlueHorizon Marketing Group is a data-driven digital agency that bridges the gap between creative marketing and advanced technology. We specialize in developing custom marketing automation software, high-performance web applications, and integrated CRM solutions for enterprise-level clients. Our core services include full-stack software development, performance-based digital advertising, and strategic brand positioning. By combining engineering precision with marketing insights, we build scalable digital infrastructures that optimize customer acquisition and drive measurable business growth. We are particularly recognized for our innovation in AI-driven consumer analytics and the development of proprietary technical tools that enhance marketing efficiency.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Swanson Reed | Australia to accomplish?

• We hired Swanson Reed to help us identify and claim R&D tax incentives for several internal software projects we developed. Our goal was to ensure full compliance with tax regulations while maximizing the financial return on our technical innovation and R&D investments.

SOLUTION

How did you find Swanson Reed | Australia?

• Referral
• Clutch Site
• Other

Why did you select Swanson Reed | Australia over others?

• Good value for cost
• Referred to me

How many teammates from Swanson Reed | Australia were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

The scope of work involved a comprehensive, multi-stage audit of our digital agency’s internal software development and technical innovation projects. Swanson Reed was tasked with identifying eligible R&D activities under the government’s tax incentive program. Their work included conducting technical interviews with our software engineering team to extract details of 'technical uncertainty' and 'experimentation.' They performed a deep-dive financial analysis of our payroll and contractor costs associated with these projects, ensured that all documentation met strict regulatory compliance standards, and managed the end-to-end preparation and lodgment of the R&D tax claim with the relevant authorities.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The outcomes were highly successful. We secured a significant tax offset that was 15% higher than our initial internal estimates. Every project they identified for the claim was accepted without any technical queries from the regulators, demonstrating the accuracy and robustness of their documentation.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Their project management was methodical and highly professional. They used a secure portal for document exchange and maintained a strict timeline with clear deadlines. Communication was frequent and transparent; we always knew exactly what stage our claim was at and what information was required next.

What was your primary form of communication with Swanson Reed | Australia?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

What sets Swanson Reed apart is their rare ability to bridge the gap between complex tax law and advanced software engineering. Most accounting firms we’ve worked with in the past struggle to understand the nuances of technical uncertainty in coding and system architecture. In contrast, Swanson Reed’s team possessed a deep technical literacy that allowed them to translate our developers' daily challenges into a robust R&D narrative without losing the technical context. Their 'technical-first' approach is incredibly unique. They didn't just look at our spreadsheets; they looked at our GitHub repositories and project sprints to truly understand the innovation occurring. This specialized focus meant they could identify eligible activities that we would have otherwise overlooked, ensuring we maximized our claim while remaining 100% compliant. Their professionalism and niche expertise in R&D are truly world-class.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Swanson Reed | Australia could have done differently?

The only minor suggestion for improvement would be to provide an even more automated data collection tool for the initial project onboarding phase. While their manual interview process is incredibly thorough, a digital pre-screening dashboard could have streamlined the very first stage of gathering technical sprint data. However, it’s worth noting that once the interviews began, their efficiency was unparalleled. They were very receptive to this feedback and mentioned they are already working on enhancing their digital client portal. Aside from this small logistical preference, the quality of their advisory and the final outcome of the claim were flawless.