Visit our dedicated small business restructuring site for small business owners facing financial distress.
Mid North Coast - Advisor Services
Clear advice when your clients are struggling with debt.
When a client is under financial pressure, you need clear answers and someone who can help. TTJ Advisory works with accountants, bookkeepers, lawyers and advisers across the Mid North Coast. We assess your client's position, explain their options and help them take the next step. You stay their trusted adviser. We bring the specialist support they need.
Based in Moorland · Local and virtual appointments · Personal and business debt support · Direct access to the practitioner
Local support for you and your clients
When a client is under financial pressure, having a specialist in the region makes it easier to start the conversation.
Based locally in Moorland. We support advisers and their clients across the Mid North Coast.
Meetings that suit you. Arrange a local meeting or speak with us by phone or video.
Clear communication. We agree on how you'll stay involved and keep you informed as the matter progresses.
We support advisers and their clients across Forster–Tuncurry, Taree, Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Nambucca Heads, Coffs Harbour and surrounding communities.
When to seek help
When to give us a call
You may be concerned that:
Tax debt keeps growing, or your client can't keep up with an ATO payment plan.
Bills are falling behind, including suppliers, wages or superannuation.
A formal notice has arrived, such as a Director Penalty Notice, statutory demand or winding-up application.
Personal savings or credit cards are keeping the business going.
Your client can't manage their personal repayments.
You need an insolvency assessment before advising them on what to do next.
You can talk through your concerns with us before introducing your client. We'll help identify what needs urgent attention and what information is needed.
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WHO YOU WILL WORK WITH:
Thyge Trafford-Jones
Thyge is an ASIC Registered Liquidator (No. 458321), Registered Small Business Restructuring Practitioner and AFSA Registered Bankruptcy Trustee (No. 1582).
He is a member of the Australian Reconstruction, Insolvency & Turnaround Association and CPA Australia. He is also a Justice of the Peace.
Thyge handles the assessment himself. You won't be passed to a case manager, and you'll get a straight answer about what is and isn't available.
WHO ELSE YOU WILL WORK WITH:
Melissa Daubney
Client Liaison
Melissa brings a rare blend of business acumen and compassion to her role at TTJ Advisory.
With a background in sales and marketing, and firsthand experience running her own small business, Melissa is known for going above and beyond to support individuals and small business owners through challenging times, ensuring they feel heard, understood, and in control of the path forward.
When she’s not supporting clients, Melissa is a proud mum of four boys and a master of juggling family life with work. Her secret weapons? Coffee, spreadsheets, and a great sense of humour.
We work alongside you
You know your client and the circumstances that brought them here. We add the specialist advice they need.
Whether you manage their personal affairs, business accounts or legal matters, we agree on our roles, how your client is contacted and how updates are shared.
Your client gets specialist help, with you still involved.
When personal and business debts overlap
Your client may owe money personally, through a company, or both. Personal guarantees and money borrowed to support a business can make the position harder to untangle.
You don't need to sort all of that out before calling us. Our experience in both personal and company insolvency helps us assess how the debts fit together and explain the options that may apply.
If a separate independent practitioner is needed for part of the matter, we'll flag that early.
CASE STUDIES
Building contractor facing personal exposure
The notice arrived. The clock had already started.
Challenges
Fixed-price work, higher costs and delayed progress payments pushed a busy contractor behind with ATO and super obligations. A Director Penalty Notice brought the director's personal position into the matter.
Assets
Work in progress, contract receivables, vehicles, tools and equipment.
Debts
ATO and super liabilities, suppliers and finance commitments, with possible personal exposure for the director.
Proposal
The director's commercial lawyer brought Thyge in urgently for the insolvency assessment while retaining the legal matter. The company's position, the notice and the director's exposure would be reviewed separately, with timing treated as critical.
Outcome
No outcome is assumed. What remains available depends on the notice, lodgement history, timing and the underlying viability of the business.
Services Rendered
PRIMARY: Small Business Restrucuring
SECONDARY: Directors Penalty Notice Amendment, Statutory Trustee, Bankruptcy Advice
Retail or lifestyle business
Stock was on the shelves. Cash was not.
Challenges
A local retailer overbought stock before demand slowed. Cash became tied up in inventory while rent, suppliers and tax obligations continued to fall due.
Assets
Saleable stock, online store, customer relationships, fixtures and equipment.
Debts
ATO liabilities, suppliers and lease commitments.
Proposal
The bookkeeper saw aged payables and tax liabilities worsening and suggested an early conversation. Thyge would assess whether a profitable core remained, what value could be recovered from stock and whether the cost base could realistically be reset.
Outcome
No restructuring outcome is promised. Early review helps determine whether the business can be stabilised or whether an orderly exit would preserve more value.
Services Rendered
Professional services firm
A major client left. The tax debt stayed.
Challenges
An established consultancy relied heavily on one client. When the contract ended, receivables slowed but staff, software and occupancy costs continued. BAS and PAYG liabilities accumulated before the cost base could be reset.
Assets
Debtors, work in progress, client relationships, business IP and equipment.
Debts
Legacy ATO debt, employee entitlements and ordinary trade creditors.
Proposal
The firm's accountant made an early introduction. Thyge would first test whether the business remained viable at a lower cost base, then compare the available informal and formal pathways against a revised forecast.
Outcome
No outcome is assumed. The point is to assess the position while the client book, staff and underlying business may still hold value.
Services Rendered
Hotel and pub
Paid 18c in the dollar
Challenges
COVID-19 lockdowns, a 70% drop in monthly sales and high fixed and operating costs.
Assets
Debts
$280,000 unsecured, including $200,000 owed to the ATO
Proposal
A payment plan arranged with the ATO and other creditors to repay $40,000 over ten months.
Outcome
Creditors accepted the proposal. Unsecured creditors received their scheduled payments. The business avoided liquidation and the cost of voluntary administration, enabling future profitability and stability.
Services Rendered
Restaurant group
Paid 22c in the dollar
Challenges
COVID-19 lockdowns, a significant drop in customer foot traffic and increased supply costs.
Assets
Debts
$240,000 unsecured, including $180,000 owed to the ATO
Proposal
$52,800 to unsecured creditors, paid over eight months, supported by a cashflow forecast prepared for the repayment plan.
Outcome
Creditors accepted the proposal. Employees received their full superannuation and kept their jobs. Unsecured creditors received their scheduled payments. The business avoided liquidation and the cost of voluntary administration, allowing for future growth and stability.
Services Rendered
Custom cabinetry business
Paid 20c in the dollar
Challenges
Supply chain issues, higher material costs, fixed expenses and the impact of COVID-19.
Assets
Debts
$150,000 unsecured, including $125,000 owed to the ATO
Proposal
$30,000 lump sum for unsecured creditors, presented as a better return than liquidation.
Outcome
Creditors accepted the proposal. The business continued trading without significant debt and avoided voluntary administration.
Services Rendered
Construction business
Paid 15c in the dollar
Challenges
COVID-19 restrictions, supply chain disruption, increased material costs and project delays.
Assets
Cash at bank, vehicles and equipment
Debts
$300,000 unsecured, including $240,000 owed to the ATO
Proposal
$45,000 to creditors as a lump sum, supported by a detailed cashflow forecast and a private investor.
Outcome
Creditors accepted the proposal. Unsecured creditors received their dividend. The business avoided liquidation and the cost of voluntary administration, and continued trading.
Services Rendered
Get to know Thyge before you need him.
You don't need a client to refer to start a conversation. We'd welcome the chance to learn about your practice, introduce our services and explain how we work with you. An introduction now means you know who to call when a difficult matter comes up.
Arrange a local meeting with our Director, Thyge Trafford-Jones, or a phone or video catch-up.
What happens when you contact us?
Talk through your concerns. You can start without sharing your client's name or identifying details.
Clarify the position. We identify urgent issues and the information needed for an assessment.
Agree on the next step. We discuss the introduction, responsibilities and how you'll stay informed.
Not every referral ends in bankruptcy or liquidation.
The first thing Thyge looks at is whether the business is viable once the legacy debt is dealt with. That answer shapes every option after it. A formal appointment is only one possible next step.
Eligibility, timing and outcomes depend on the facts of each matter. Nothing on this page is advice about your client's situation. That's what the first conversation is for.
FAQ
The questions Mid North Coast accountants, bookkeepers and lawyers ask us most often.
Can my client and I meet you together?
Yes. Our Moorland office is available for confidential, pre-arranged meetings with advisers and their clients. Phone and video meetings are also available.
Which areas do you cover for advisers?
We work with advisers and their clients across Forster–Tuncurry, Taree, Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Nambucca Heads, Coffs Harbour and surrounding communities.
Does every referral lead to bankruptcy or liquidation?
No. We assess the circumstances and explain the options that may be suitable. A formal appointment is only one possible next step.
Will I stay involved?
We agree on your involvement with your client, including updates, information requests and ongoing responsibilities.
Can we meet locally?
Yes. We can arrange appointments locally on the Mid North Coast, or meet by phone or video—whatever works best for you and your client.
Do you help with personal debts as well as company debts?
Yes. We assess both, including matters where personal and business finances overlap.
Can we meet without a client to refer?
Yes. We welcome the chance to get to know you and your practice before you need our help.
Can I call before speaking to my client?
Yes. You can discuss your concerns confidentially before making an introduction.
Tools & Resources
SBR eBook for Accountants
Sole Trader Bankruptcy in NSW: Complete 2025 Guide by Licensed Trustee
Read Our Blog
SERVICES
LEGAL
EVERYTHING ELSE
AUSTRALIA OFFICES:
NORTHERN BEACHES:
Suite 222, 20 Dale St
Brookvale NSW 2100
Thyge Trafford-Jones
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Principal — ASIC Registered Liquidator (No. 458321) · AFSA Registered Trustee (No. 1582)
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Member, Australian Restructuring Insolvency & Turnaround Association (ARITA)
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Member, CPA Australia
TTJ Advisory is a registered business name of Restructure My Small Business Pty Ltd (ACN 670 511 476).
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
© 2026 TTJ Advisory.
TTJ Advisory acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we operate, live and gather as employees, and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
