The Canberra Business Chamber says its future is secure despite an independent auditor warning the lobby group might be at risk of financial collapse.
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RSM Australia Partner's audit, prepared for the chamber's 2017-18 annual report, said there was a "material uncertainty" in the organisation's financial position, which "may cast significant doubt" on its capacity to continue operating.
The report will be tabled at the business chamber's annual general meeting on Wednesday, when the organisation will also vote on replacements for outgoing board members, including chairman Glenn Keys.
The chamber reported a $109,440 surplus last financial year, but posted a deficit of almost $560,000 in 2016-17.
It's acting chief executive, Lorcan Murphy, said the financial situation was the product of "legacy issues" arising from the 2014 merger of the Canberra Business Council and ACT Chamber of Commerce, which created the new chamber.
"There was some significant challenges around some legacy debt that was brought in [after the merger]" Mr Murphy, who is also the chamber's treasurer, said.
"Canberra is obviously a very small town. It's not like you can terminate two entities, at a cost to the participants, and then start a new one. That would not be very good for your reputation."
Mr Murphy said the chamber's board decided to "take the pain" and reduce the debt in a short period of time, which explained the loss posted in 2016-17.
He said the chamber's finances had recovered strongly, and was forecasting a surplus of about $170,000 in 2019-20.
But he warned the organisation - which counts Canberra Airport, Canberra Metro and ActewAGL among its principal members - would need to be more active than it has in the past in supporting and advocating for members in order to remain relevant.
He said this wouldn't necessarily mean the chamber would become more vocal in pushing business interests. Rather, it meant it would place a greater emphasis on delivering programs to assist its members.
"The era of traditional membership organisation is definitely a thing of the past," Mr Murphy said.
"I think the traditional way that they operated was a bit like a fire escape in the restaurant - you never really used it until you had to. With the chamber now, we want to be front and centre, rather than just there when the problems arise."
The chamber's annual general meeting on Wednesday comes amid a period of change at the top of the organisation.
Mr Keys will step down following the end of his two-year term, while three new members will be voted onto the board. Fairfax Media understands six candidates have put their names forward to fill the positions.
The chamber is also searching for a new chief executive following the resignation of Robyn Hendry in September.
Ms Hendry spent four years in the role.
