Kelly+Partners Culture Book 2013-2014

The publication of our ‘Culture Book’ is an effort to help our growing team, clients, suppliers and friends to better understand why we are in business and how we make a difference by collating some information on our activities and approach!

Our number one priority has always been attracting, developing and retaining the best and brightest talent in the market to serve our clients – the outcome of pulling together great people is a really special culture that has developed in its own way.

We continue to experience rapid growth as we are asked by clients and professionals in our industry to help them get somewhere using our unique systems, approach and understanding to serving clients –delivering a service that allows our clients to achieve their financial goals so they can live their lives less concerned about money matters.

Rather than me prescribing what and how we are – this book shows the reality in a small way of the difference Kelly+Partners is making. Thanks for helping us make a difference.

Brett Kelly fOunder

life events

births

Welcoming all the little ones to the world.

Amelia – Granddaughter of Albert Cachia

Torah – Granddaughter of Denise Gumley

Isaac – Son of Daniela Zachariou

Amelie – Granddaughter of Graham Wren

Julian – Son of Ada Poon

Maddison – Granddaughter of Graham Wren

Kirahn – Son of Estrella Garcia

James – Son of John Manjariotis

Samuel – Son of Sarah Bell

Keirra – Granddaughter of Chris Pettitt

Grace – Daughter of Amy McDougall

Christian – Son of Charbel Geagea

Kirahn

Kirahn

Amelie

Maddison

Christian

Amelia Isaac Grace

James

Samuel Julian

marriages

Congratulations to the happy newly weds!

Amie + Andrew Hammond

Marija + Paul Murray

Emma + Adrean Micallef

Dylan + Emily Barry

Charbel + Mirna Geagea

MArIJA + PAuL MurrAy SeACLIff, WOLLOngOng

eMMA + AdreAn MICALLef beLgenny fArM, CAMden

AMIe + AndreW hAMMOnd The dISTILLery bOTAnICA erInA

ChArbeL + MIrnA geAgeA ST ChArbeL S ChurCh, PunChbOWL

dyLAn + eMILy bArry rOyAL bOTAnIC gArdenS Sydney

with Kelly+Partners

It’s a people business

North Sydney

Wollongong

CrAIg buLLOCK, JOdIe, ChLOe, SAAC KhIA + JOShuA

TrOy APPS TAnIKA PreSTOn, SAVAnnAh + ArIAn

dyLAn bArry + eMILy

ben TWyfOrd, brId e, bILLIe rOSe, LOCKe + AMeLIe

AdA POOn, PATrICK OnAThAn + JuLIAn

PeTer dAWKInS, LOuISe, nICOLLe, erIn, LILLy, dAVId + SAMueL

ryAn MCCAbe + LISA

Central Tablelands

Western Sydney

Sunshine Coast

TOny nuneS MArIndA ChIArA OShuA AurIA + dAnIeL

Ohn MAnJArIOTIS VALyA, JAMeS, PeTer + MArK

AnnA LeWIS, PhIL ruby + ArChIe

TOnI MCCuLLOCh, rIChArd + CLAIre

MATT rIChArdS, JuLIAnne, nOAh, CLeO + LuCIA

Central Coast

PAuL KuChTA Jenny, brOd e + TATuM

SCOTT eLWIn, KyLIe, MILLAr, nICOLAS OLIVIA + dreW

Norwest

South West Sydney

AndreW ZOghbI ChAnTeLLe, PATrICK ISAbeLLe, ChArLIe, heLen, ZAChAry + nAdA

ChArbeL geAgeA, MIrnA + ChrISTIAn

dAn eL KuChTA AddISOn, KAyLee + LOgAn AdAM QuInn + LAuren

KIM MeredITh, KAyLA + JArred

PeTer CAMPbeLL JennA OLIVIA + ThOMAS

We know our stuff. And we don’t just settle for being at the topwe’re continuously looking to improve and innovate, so we’ll get better all the time.

client, supplier + staff comments

Kelly+Partners has been a key part of our startup and growth right from the outset - we often discuss decisions large and small with Kelly+Partners bringing professional input or just being a sounding board. I particularly value having instant access to someone by phone, email or in person. Their input is always professional and considered, as well as timely, helping me to make better decisions more quickly.

My name is Peter Gossayn. I moved to Australia 10 years ago from South Africa. It was a frustrating time trying to find the right accountants to guide me through the laws and regulations pertaining to business and tax. Fortunately, I managed to link up with Adam and the team at Kelly+Partners and they took over, assisting me with my businesses and even arranging introductions with people to assist me with legal, financial and insurance issues.

Over the past eight years Adam and his team at Kelly+Partners have worked closely with me to prepare accurate and timely financial reports that provide me with the information I need to make informed decisions about my business. We catch up frequently to discuss my business which ensures that they are across any issues I am facing.

I have two small businesses both in the automotive industry. I have been a client of Kelly Partners, in particular Ben Twyford’s for many years. I consider Ben to be a business partner in many ways and have come to depend on his advice and expertise to assist me in many of my major business decisions. Ben is a highly knowledgeable and professional accountant who is focused on my best interests and my business success.

I am most impressed with the way in which Kelly+Partners and all of their people make my customer service their priority, they always call me back straight away, follow up on my customer experience and always, always keep their promises. just can’t think of another accounting firm that is this good.

I would definitely have no hesitation in recommending Ben and Kelly+Partners to anyone, and have in fact done so on numerous occasions in the past.

Jacqui Morrison-White – Women On Wheels

As a startup business it’s been important for us to get good quality accounting support to get our business established, work with an accounting firm whose services can grow as we do and have all this provided at a reasonable price we can afford. Kelly+Partners has provided just that. They’ve been able to help with the basics like our annual tax returns and board reporting, then more complex issues like international company structuring as we’ve grown. They’ve been a great partner to us and I’d recommend them to other startups.

Our relationship is beyond professional. know that Adam genuinely cares about me and my family, and that gives me confidence that he will always look after us.

look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with Adam and Kelly+Partners.

I own a small local building company which constructs between 30 – 50 homes per year. Our association with Kelly+Partners commenced from a relationship with Bill Bartlett some 30 years ago. When we decided to create Elmwood Homes in 2004, Bill was of the upmost assistance in helping establish the company. Our account was then handed to Ben Twyford who is now a part of our business. Ben continues to provide sound accounting advice on restructuring the business.

I am more than happy to recommend Kelly+Partners as know the personal attention provided is of the highest standard.

I’ve been with Kelly+Partners for as long as Rex Hoeben has. Rex, I’ve known for probably 30 years or more. When Rex’s previous business changed and he went to join Brett, went with him, and so I’ve been with them ever since and it’s been terrific. Kelly+Partners has helped my business by always being there. Whenever I’ve had a question any time of the year, I’ve been able to pick up the phone, contact the relevant person relatively easily they always come back promptly. I’ve always had confidence that if I have a question about one of my businesses that I can get a reply, pretty much straight away, and that’s been really supportive, because I don’t feel I’m on my own.

Compared to other accountants, can’t really give much of a comment, because really haven’t had need to consult any other accountants, there’s never been a problem that they haven’t been able to answer or come up with. I’ve been confident about the response, about the information I get, so I haven’t needed to look elsewhere.

When people ask me; “what do I do, who do I use and why”, tell them all those things. I have no hesitation to recommend Kelly+Partners to a person who wants to find a firm that is competent yet small. What like about it is that, when I go there I’m talking to basically owners of the business. People with a large equity stake in the business and I’m not talking to one of the Big 4, where you’re talking to some third level partner who’s one of 300 or 400, I don’t want that, not interested in that. They’ve been terrifically professional and prompt and immediate. I’ve never had a question unanswered, if they can’t provide the question immediately, they come back in a few days time to consult. They’re not afraid to say they’re not sure, they’ll find out, they don’t pretend to know everything instantly. think it’s very professional and I’ve been pleased with it, very impressed.

Peter Gossayn – Panarottis

David Young – Elmwood Homes

Dr Ross Glasson

Michael Fox – Shoes Of Prey

Mark Capps –Sneaking Duck

am the Senior Partner of Marsdens Law Group, a law firm based primarily in South West Sydney.

We are a practice that has been operating for in excess of 45 years with offices at Campbelltown (our principal office), Liverpool, Camden and the Sydney CBD. We are a firm of 14 Partners and 13 Associates, as well as another 25 lawyers.

Historically our practice has been primarily “people law”. However, over the years we have grown and developed the practice to include specialities such as Local Government, Planning and Environment, Commercial Litigation, Commercial Law and a very significant Property practice (particularly in the growing South Western Sydney region).

am writing to give unqualified praise to the accounting and advising firm of Kelly+Partners Chartered Accountants. Marsdens’ relationship with Kelly+Partners began when the former practice known as BCP became Kelly+Partners in 2011. However, our association with the firm goes back in excess of 25 years. The relationship between Marsdens Law Group and Kelly+Partners is excellent at all levels. Kelly+Partners is the firms’ accountants. They are the accountants for each individual Partner and most of our Associates. More importantly, however,

Jim Marsden OAM – Marsdens Law Group

We started our business on April Fools Day 1993, an easy day to remember and since then we’ve imported a huge range of electronics accessories into Australia and New Zealand. More recently we’ve moved heavily into the commercial AV world since we took on the Philips commercial TV and Panel products.

Now along with retailers Australia wide and the B2B market we have a wide range of customers. Generally, we are a solutions selling organisation and are a small team based in Seven Hills Sydney. We look forward to growth this year after having been really hurt by the GFC way back in distant memory. Hopefully sunny days ahead.

deal with Paul and Amy from the Kelly+Partners office in Norwest. I know it’s a cliché but Paul is definitely a partner in

whenever we see an opportunity to refer a client in need of significant financial/accounting advice, Kelly+Partners is always our first port of call.

Whilst Kelly+Partners is always first on our referral list, they are particularly important in this region at the higher level. This includes but is not limited to strategic planning for privately owned and family owned businesses, tax advice, tax structures and structuring in general, as well as succession planning.

It is not a one way street. Kelly+Partners appear to have the same respect for Marsdens Law Group and we receive the benefit of their referrals on a regular basis.

Our practices in a way have grown together. We share many mutual clients and the benefit from that level of commonality is immeasurable. The growth of both practices has ensured that the level of expertise displayed is of the highest standard.

Finally, would say that with any client who is seeking financial/ accounting advice or assistance, I would have no hesitation in recommending Kelly+Partners in the first instance.

As hard-bitten business people for over 30 years, my wife and have spent thousands of hours managing our SMSF for close to 18 years and have had varied investments over this period. Through some research and a long relationship with Bill Croker we decided that our best interests would be served by a partnership with Kelly+Partners.

Kim Meredith bought us on board in a no fuss manner and from day one we received quick, courteous and insightfully strategic advice. Our Fund has benefitted as a result. This was a welcome change to say the least compared to our previous accountant.

Kim’s own advice and her unique ability to know when to seek generalised internal professional advice as well as external specialist advice has made the difference for our fund. There could have been disastrous consequences had we acted without advice or with other far less skilled help than was provided by Kim. Kelly+Partners has a broad skill base that is critical in today’s fast paced, time sensitive and legislatively complex environment for SMSF Trustees.

Toni McCulloch of Kelly+Partners

(Sunshine Coast) is our Company’s Chartered Accountant. We first met Toni in 2001 as a new graduate with Accounting North; Toni provided her knowledge and guidance and was fundamental in the creation and structure of our Company, Family Trust and Business and has been providing her expertise ever since.

For Toni, nothing is ever too much effort or too much of a challenge. Toni has always come through in supporting our Company’s fast and constant growth and she is an Asset to our Company and us.

my business. I’ve asked him to make sure that I have a clear and unbiased opinion on what and where we are going. You could say he is the logical side of my work brain. Paul and his team are with us or on the phone to us weekly and sometimes daily when there are projects on the go which is always these days. It’s strange but I have longer conversations with Paul than do my wife………So you could say we have an awesome working relationship!

Paul has had much more of an impact than our previous long term accounting partners. With Kelly+Partners, you get real people working in real businesses. Real people who seem to get that business is NOT just about the financial results.

have now been using Peter and the team at Kelly+Partners for the last 6 months. can honestly say that without their help would not have been as comfortable to start to grow my business as successfully and professionally as we have done in such a short period. The communication lines are always open, and very often I have the information need regarding any relevant business planning and tax implications may encounter within moments of asking the question. Unlike most accounting firms, the team from Kelly+Partners are proactive rather than reactive, and it’s this attitude combined with friendly personal service that sets them apart from the others.

Bottom line, I would recommend their services to anyone!!

In Toni, we have a mutual relationship of open and honest communication, trust, support and respect. She provides us with a wealth of knowledge and experience that is second to none. We value Toni’s advice and guidance in the best financial direction for our business and personally, allowing us to grow from strength to strength.

It is an honour and pleasure to have Toni a part of our business and our life. Toni has provided us with the professional backbone that our business required in order to have been able to succeed, for which we thank her.

Gil Carver – Avico Electronics

Di and Greg Roberts – SMSF Trustees

Rob & Jane Stevens

Jarman Ace Pty Ltd

Shane Smith – Wollondilly Electrical

have a small mining consultancy business specialising in underground mine ventilation across all Australian States and many parts of Asia and the US.

The staff at the now Wollongong office of Kelly+Partners has been looking after my accountancy needs since my company was originally incorporated back in 1998.

Not only do they look after a number of other commercial entities on Dallas Mining’s behalf they have also serviced the taxation and financial needs of my whole family on a personal level during that period.

Staff at Kelly+Partners in Wollongong, and in particular Mr. Troy Apps who has been personally looking after all of our needs for the last 8 years have been an absolute delight to deal with on every level.

It is refreshing to have an accountant who is thinking ahead to keep on top of an ever changing financial environment and often changing regulatory environment to ensure that the business is supplied with up to date information relevant to its needs at all times.

Without the varied advice both supplied by Kelly+Partners and acted upon by Dallas Mining under their direction am sure my business would not be in as a strong and stable financial position as it currently is.

Rowland – Dallas Mining Services

Kelly+Partners have introduced a number of new strategies and information seminars/streams available to clients since it took over the Wollongong office. This has further enhanced the service it is able to offer its clients and further improved its standing and reputation as a leading accountancy firm here in Wollongong. would have no intention of looking any further than Kelly+Partners whilst they continue to offer the sort of professional but personalised service that they currently offer. If you are on a good thing as the old saying goes….

When asked to recommend a service provider am somewhat hesitant to do so in case the supplied service doesn’t meet expectations but in Kelly+ Partners case am happy to recommend them as a leading accountancy firm if someone is looking for such a service.

A number of years ago advised a local Wollongong building firm to give Kelly+Partners a try. Discussions with them since have revealed that it was prudent advice and that particular company could not be happier with the service provided by Troy and the team at Kelly+Partners in Wollongong.

Summarily Kelly+Partners in Wollongong and in particular the service afforded to Dallas Mining Services by Mr Troy Apps show it to be a firm of honesty, diligence, intelligence and integrity and could not recommend the firm highly enough given the service that they currently provide to Dallas Mining Services and associated entities. It is second to none.

We are a SME specialising in the manufacture of quality leather goods and are a family run company located in Wollongong, NSW.

Kelly+Partners manage the taxation and general accountancy aspects of our business and have also offered financial consultancy for a range of matters including company valuations and family estate planning.

Kelly+Partners has allowed for us to be more professional in our approach to how our business operates. The attention that Troy Apps has paid to the business and our plans for the future has greatly aided the way in which we now plan for the years ahead. Kelly+Partners is attentive to our needs and offer a personal approach to the way in which they professionally handle our accountancy matters.

Tanya Van Der Water – Buckaroo Leatherworks

Urban Timber is a bespoke timber furniture maker focussing on building quality with recycled materials with contemporary design.

The team at Kelly+Partners help me navigate the general regulation but not only that I trust and rate their opinion on other matters be it business investments or personal financial decisions. see them as not my consultant but part of my team.

Kelly+Partners has provided continual support throughout the year and someone is always there to discuss, advise and assist. They are always looking for ways to help me improve my personal and business outcomes.

Shane King – Urban Timber

John

It’s been another great year working with Kelly+Partners. Our team at ARIA is always all too happy to accommodate when Kelly+Partners is in-house. The ease and professionalism that Matthew Weisse and Natasha Braybrooks bring to each event makes organising the ‘Strata in Conversation’ lunches a breeze! Matthew and Natasha have been a delight to work with these past few years and we are certainly looking forward to another fantastic year for 2015!

SuPPLIer COMMenTS

Cavalry are providers of IT&T to businesses across Australia. Our diverse portfolio of clients ranges from hospitality to financial services and major retail chains.

We have partnered with Kelly+Partners since they commenced operations in 2006. It has been a wonderful journey working closely with Brett and his team as Kelly+Partners has grown from one location to nine in only eight years.

We really enjoy working with Kelly+Partners because as IT&T providers we are deeply involved with many of the innovations and growth initiatives of the firm. It is incredibly interesting and inspirational to collaborate with a team who are genuinely passionate about changing the lives of their clients and shaking up an industry in the process!

Cavalry are proud to have been Gold Sponsors of the Kelly+Partners Annual Awards Dinner for the last couple of years and are very exciting about continuing our relationship with Kelly+Partners into the future.

Karen Tsui –ARIA Restaurant

IMA provides marketing services for a wide variety of businesses from large multinationals to very successful family businesses and across all types of industries. The work we do for Kelly+Partners is so different to every other client. You guys actually produce the tools and materials that most companies only talk about.

You are doing so much activity for both clients and staff. While most companies have trouble getting any initiative happening, Kelly+Partners don’t stop. From our end we feel that it must be a workplace that is never boring and it must be a business that is always looking for an edge.

Living Image Photography is a leading boutique studio based in Crows Nest, NSW. Photography is our life and passion and our specialty is natural, artistic portraits of children and families on location around our beautiful Sydney Harbour or in our fully equipped studio. We enjoy creating natural corporate portraits of all the specialty team members at Kelly+Partners, our goal is to reflect a professional yet down to earth nature of each individual helping them to connect with clients and business partners on a more personal level.

Dashing is a fast growing and multi-award winning Print, Marketing and Technology company.

Kelly+Partners have been our accounting firm for approximately seven years now. We started working with Kelly+Partners when there were only four people in the business. Our Businesses have grown together at an extremely fast pace. love working with Ada and the Kelly+Partners team as they are like Dashing obsessed with exceptional client service.

Being an entrepreneur I am extremely impatient! Kelly+Partners efficient response times are the key reason I enjoy working with them. I have also worked with the same Partner, Ada, for many years now and it is great to have someone that truly not only understands our business but has a clear understanding of my personal finances and financial goals.

Kelly+Partners is a dynamic and customer focused organisation with amazing leadership which in-turn attracts high calibre individuals, making each individual a sheer delight to photograph allowing us to capture the handsome imagery displayed on the websites and print materials.

At Living Image Photography we feel privileged to have been selected by Kelly+Partners as their photographer from the very foundation of the organisation, we are delighted to have been part of this journey and are excited to continue our creative support into the future.

Sturt McLennan, Barry Silic + Peter Low – Cavalry

Simon Carroll Living Image Photography

Russell Kavnat – Dashing

Karl Boothroyd – IM Advertising

I have always been given opportunities to develop myself professionally and personally enabling to achieve my career objectives.

In addition to all of the above, Kelly Partners have also allowed me to maintain a great work life balance.

Gurjeet Hunjon – Senior Accountant

Kelly+Partners Western Sydney

I’ve worked with Kelly+Partners for some 9 years and during that time I have had the privilege of working with a team of great people that is a team in the true sense. We work hard, are constantly growing and improving our skills and knowledge base, all the while having a great time and developing a great culture.

Professionally, the culture and talent at Kelly+Partners is nurtured, and with an array of resources it allows everyone the opportunity to develop their skills and achieve their career goals and grow within (and with) the firm. At a personal level, Kelly+Partners is equally invested in ensuring that everyone achieves a “work life balance” to enable its employees to achieve their personal goals.

Working in a great environment and with this great team is the reason love working with Kelly+Partners.

Kelly+Partners provides as much care and help for their employees as we do for our clients. The raving fans start here.

Chris Buttigieg – Manager

Kelly+Partners South West Sydney

have been working in chartered accounting firms for many years prior to joining Kelly+Partners in 2008. It is such a great opportunity to be part of the Kelly+Partners family. Kelly+Partners is a unique accounting firm that’s very organised, has the process and systems to develop and help every team member progress within the organisation.

work with a great team who are fun and friendly. Best of all, we work together as a team to help our wonderful clients to achieve their goals and improve their lives. This gives me great satisfaction and love coming to work everyday.

Ken Seu – Senior Client Manager

Kelly+Partners North Sydney

love working at Kelly+Partners because there is a team environment and my client director genuinely cares and helps me grow my career. am given opportunities to learn and grow a lot faster then would anywhere else. At Kelly+Partners I am working with my friends. have made many friendships here and its nice to work with people who you care about and who care about you. I also love working at Kelly+Partners because you are recognised and rewarded for your hard work.

Emma Micallef – Intermediate Accountant

Kelly+Partners Western Sydney

I love working at Kelly+Partners for a variety of reasons. It is exciting to be part of a firm that is growing in size at such a fast rate throughout Australia. I am very lucky to be working with amazing people that aren’t your stereotypical accountants and are very vibrant, outgoing and personable people.

Finally, think it is really great working alongside client directors and a management team who put a lot of time and effort into developing their staff, through means such as ongoing training (online and face to face), leadership programs, career progression monitoring, suggested reading lists and regular social functions.

Ryan Bultitude – Intermediate Accountant

Kelly+Partners Central Coast

Kelly+Partners is a great place to work, as it provides an enjoyable and challenging work environment. It is great to have a broad network of people with vast experiences and knowledge that you can always count on, and the limitless opportunities that exist within the organisation no matter what stage of your career.

Marija Murray – Intermediate Accountant

Kelly+Partners Wollongong

year in review

awards dinner

The feather boas and fascinators were out in force for the Great Gatsby themed Kelly+Partners Annual Awards Dinner held on Friday evening, 6 September, at the Royal Automobile Club of Australia. In true Gatsby fashion, it was an evening of 1920s - inspired glitz and glamour to celebrate a great year and make special mention of those members of our team who have shown an outstanding commitment to delivering on the Kelly+Partners values in everything they do.

A huge congratulation must be extended to Joyce Au who took home the Golden Calculator award for this year. Joyce is one of the original employees of Kelly+Partners who founded the firm in 2006. She has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the firm in both her client-facing capacity in Business Services and also as our Manager of Special Projects in our Central Services team. Each year, the recipient of the Golden Calculator receives the opportunity to participate in the Disney Institute’s world renowned personal development program, Disney’s Approach to Business Excellence, which is conducted onsite at their California and Florida properties.

Well done, Joyce, you are a truly deserving recipient!

This year we also introduced Silver Calculator Awards to recognise the most exceptional team member from each of our seven offices. Congratulations to the following people for their outstanding efforts all year:

North Sydney – Lana Praporshchikov

South West Sydney – Chris Buttigieg

Western Sydney – Emma Micallef

Norwest – Amy McDougall

Central Coast – Jody Brady

Central Tablelands – Anna Lewis

Wollongong – Kelly Williamson

Chris Lana

The entire Kelly+Partners team would also like to extend their gratitude to our extremely generous award partners who made the night possible.

Gold Calculator Partners – Westpac, Cavalry and PSK Financial Services

Silver Calculator Partners – Reno Design and GSA Insurance Brokers

Welcome Drink Partners – Sydney Business Lawyers and PCC Lawyers and Consultants. Well done, Natasha, for creating such a memorable evening.

The Great Gatsby

“Kelly+Partners provides as much care and help for their employees as we do for our clients. The raving fans start here.”

ChrIS buTTIg eg – MAnAger KeLLy+PArTnerS SOuTh WeST Sydney

“Kelly+Partners is attentive to our needs and offer a personal approach to the way in which they professionally handle our accountancy matters.”

TAnyA VAn der WATer – buCKArOO LeATherWOrKS

“With Kelly+Partners, you get real people working in real businesses. Real people who seem to get that business is NOT just about the financial results.” gIL CArVer – AVICO eLeCTrOnICS

“I have always been given opportunities to develop myself professionally and personally enabling me to achieve my career objectives.”

gurJeeT hunJOn

KeLLy+PArTnerS

WeSTern Sydney

“

I work with a great team who are fun and friendly. Best of all, we work together as a team to help our wonderful clients to achieve their goals and improve their lives.”

Ken Seu – KeLLy+PArTnerS – nOrTh Sydney

In October 2013, the leading Wollongong accounting firm AJBartlettCachia Chartered Accountants officially became

The addition of Kelly+Partners Wollongong has brought with it a larger base of experts and services available to clients of the Illawarra region, specifically in the areas of tax, superannuation, audit and business advisory services. In addition Kelly+Partners welcomed Ben Twyford and Ryan McCabe who joined Bill Bartlett, Albert Cachia, Troy Marsh Apps and Brett Kelly as Client Directors of the firm.

To celebrate, a cocktail party was held on Tuesday evening, 29 October, to officially welcome the existing clients into the new business. We had a

fantastic turn out with well over one hundred clients attending. It was really great to see the support from such a diverse range of clients with some having only recently come on board and others whose relationship with the team spanned over twenty years.

Bill, Albert and Brett welcomed the guests and let them know how much Kelly+Partners was looking forward to helping the businesses of Wollongong grow and adapt to the current economic climate.

Welcome Wollongong!

wollongong cocktail party

Kelly+Partners.

It is very exciting to welcome BenTwyford and Ryan McCabe as Client Directors of the firm.

grow program

In November 2013, the inaugural group of the Kelly+Partners

GROW Program was formed. The GROW Program is a high level, strategic business course delivered as a nine-month program which is designed not only to help participants discover, but also rigorously implement, business-transforming and life-changing strategies on a day-to-day basis.

Founder of Kelly+Partners, Brett Kelly, has spent his life dissecting the key drivers of successful business and the people behind them. These insights have come from interviewing, consulting and working with over one thousand cutting edge entrepreneurs, business leaders and authors, both in his professional capacity at Kelly+Partners and also while writing his three best-selling books.

Throughout the program, participants have the opportunity to host a session on their premises. This facilitates the sharing of best practice approaches with the rest of the group and complements the theoretical aspects. The diversity of backgrounds and experience of participants in the program is extensive, covering industries such as real estate, digital marketing, fire protection, automotive supplies, video production and poultry.

‘Each session is very much defined and is dedicated to a particular block. By focusing on areas such as people, process, strategy etc we have uncovered some very powerful stuff.’

‘I would highly recommend the GROW program to anybody who is serious about reaching their true potential both personally and in business.’

Everybody can learn from it. It will excite you, it will challenge you, it will make you search and in some cases it might make you go back and read. In the course I’m currently in, there are about 150 to 200 years of business wisdom shared not only by Brett but everyone in the room. The growth each person is experiencing is phenomenal.’

I recommend the GROW Program to anybody, who like me, was complacent and that was sitting back & allowing their business to operate quite content with where they were but not realising that that is not necessarily success.’

‘I would find it very hard to believe that someone could walk away from the GROW Program without about a dozen techniques and concepts which they could use to sustainably and professionally grow their business.’

fOunder,

SCOTT eVAnS MAnAgIng dIreCTOr, gAMe fArM

dAVId eInSTeIn dIreCTOr, OrAnge LIne

dAVId KLeIn dIreCTOr, OrAnge LIne

STeVe TreVOr OWner & MAnAgIng dIreCTOr, fLAMe SAfe

melbourne cup

OnMonday, 4 November 2013, 45 Kelly+Partners clients and staff arrived in Melbourne for the 153rd annual Melbourne Cup.

Guests checked in at the Park Hyatt before enjoying a fantastic afternoon of drinks and canapés with gorgeous views of the Yarra River, at the Left Bank Lounge on Southbank. Later that evening, dinner was at George Calombaris’ Greek-Italian fusion restaurant, Mama Baba. A perfect evening before the big day!

Guests awoke to flawless Melbourne weather on the morning of the Cup and joined 104,124 other punters who had descended upon the famous Flemington Racecourse for the ‘Race that Stops the Nation’. Once again, Kelly+Partners guests had access to the exclusive Birdcage and enjoyed the wonderful hospitality of The Lounge.

Pre-race favorite Fiorente won the race by three-quarters of a length over Red Cadeux and Mount Athos. He was the first favorite to win the race since Makybe Diva in 2005, and the first horse since Empire Rose in 1988 to win the race after placing second the previous year. In a historic day for Australian racing, Gai Waterhouse became the first Australian woman to train a winner of the Melbourne Cup.

After a long day of sun and champagne, transfers were arranged for guests to continue the celebration at Crowne Casino. A huge thanks must be extended to Incongitus who put on yet another fabulous Melbourne Cup Day for Kelly+Partners.

And

A huge thanks must be extended to Incongitus who put on yet another fabulous Melbourne Cup Day for Kelly+Partners.

christmas party

On the hottest December day in three years, when over thirty trains were cancelled across metropolitan Sydney, the Kelly+Partners team made a toast to the end of another significant year in the history of the company.

With the new offices of Bathurst and Wollongong coming on board during the year, our team travelled from seven locations to celebrate our annual Christmas party, this year held at the iconic Sydney Polo Club.

Sydney Polo Club, dating back to 1870, is one of Australia’s first polo clubs. Located in the historic town of Richmond the club sits on over 186 hectares of prime agricultural land featuring manicured gardens and breathtaking views and accommodating a host of large animals.

In the spirit of a true Aussie Christmas, backyard cricket and bocce were on offer, however the 45 degree heat meant that many of us preferred to chill out in the shade with a drink in hand - iced water proving more popular than beer and wine!

In keeping with Kelly+Partners tradition, we enjoyed an amazing buffet lunch and of course everyone received a gift from their ‘Secret Santa’, which is always good for a few laughs.

“

45 degree heat... iced water proving more popular than beer and wine!”

“In keeping with Kelly+Partners tradition, we enjoyed an amazing buffet lunch. ”

Christmas lunch

annual strategy day

On Friday 28 March 2014, the entire Kelly+Partners team from seven offices travelled south for our Annual Strategy Day held at the Novotel Hotel, Wollongong.

Our Client Directors met bright and early at 7am for a strategy session on how to improve our service delivery to clients. Ideas and experiences were shared by Client Directors across all our locations with the aim of growing the business so that we as a firm can provide great opportunities for our people.

The rest of the team arrived at 9am ready for the key focus of the day, ‘The WHY Initiative’. ‘The WHY Initiative’ is a document we produced based on a culmination of ideas contributed from each pillar of our business. It defines the identity, strategic direction and driving purpose of Kelly+Partners now and into the future.

Following lunch, our guest speaker, Andrew Simmons, took to the stage. Andrew founded Vision Personal Training in 2001 and since then has grown the brand into the largest Australian owned franchised network of Personal Training studios with 50 locations in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Auckland, New Zealand. In 2010, Vision Personal Training was awarded with ‘Fitness Australia’s Personal Training Business of the Year’.

Throughout his talk, Andrew echoed many of the sentiments expressed by Brett in delivering ‘The WHY Initiative’. Andrew delved into the key fundamentals of the ‘why’, ‘how’ and ‘what’ of Vision Personal Training and it was truly enlightening to see so many parallels between the two businesses, both of which arise from the core purpose of helping others.

“

It is an honour and pleasure to have Toni McCulloch a part of our business and our life.

Toni McCulloch has provided us with the professional backbone that our business required in order to have been able to succeed.”

At the conclusion of Andrew’s session, it was straight to the hotel lounge bar to debrief. Over a few drinks it was great to hear what different members of our team had each taken away from the sessions. There was definitely a sense of excitement amongst the team at the end of the day with everyone determined to do an even better job servicing our clients.

rOb & JAne STeVenS – ArMAn ACe PTy LTd

AndreW SIMMOnS VISIOn PerSOnAL TrAIn ng

“

Our relationship is beyond professional. I know that Adam Quinn genuinely cares about me and my family, and that gives me confidence that he will always look after us.”

PeTer gOSSAyn – PAnArOTTIS

corporate triathlon

World-famous Sydney Harbour was not looking its usual stunning self on Sunday, 13 April 2014, for the annual Fitness First Corporate Triathlon. Before dawn, under grey skies and drizzle, the Kelly+Partners team in their lycra made their way to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair for the big race.

bike swim run

Attracting over 17,000 competitors to five locations across Australia, the event hosts teams from Australia’s vast corporate community, fostering healthy industry, company, team and individual competition. This ultimately promotes the pursuit of a healthy corporate culture, and the adoption of a healthy lifestyle in general.

It was great to see the blue and white of Kelly+Partners being proudly represented by teams from our Central Coast, North Sydney and South West Sydney offices. Nothing like a bit of healthy inter-office competition!

Bring on next year!

future leaders program

Jim Collins, author of Good to Great, famously quoted: ‘Great vision without great people is irrelevant.’ This is a philosophy which is embraced at Kelly+Partners and it is with this in mind that the inaugural edition of the Kelly+Partners Future Leaders Program was held from 18 to 20 May 2014 at the luxurious Sheraton Mirage Resort and Spa on the Gold Coast.

The 27-strong team arrived mid-afternoon on the Sunday, very excited about what the three days would involve. We kick-started proceedings by meeting in the hotel bar for a few welcome drinks before heading across the road to the opulent Palazzo Versace for our first team-building activity –sushi making!

Sushi and sashimi Master Masahiko Kaneko drew on over forty years experience to teach our Future Leaders the art of nigiri, sashimi and maki. With varying degrees of success we attempted the three forms of sushi before eating our creations.

In the evening, we continued with more team building during the Welcome Dinner at the Sheraton. One highlight was the ‘lifeline’ activity. This involved each person plotting their life from the day they were born until today. We were encouraged to consider the high points, the low points and the significant events that shaped our lives regarding relationships and business. Everyone walked away from the first evening with a new level of understanding of their fellow team members.

“Being an entrepreneur I am extremely impatient! Kelly+Partners efficient response times are the key reason I enjoy working with them. ”

ruSSeLL KAVnAT - dAShIng

Day 2 started with a 6am group personal training session on the beach with Jeff from Vision Personal Training in Bundall. Feeling invigorated after an action-packed fitness session in the sun, sand and surf, the team really appreciated the hotel’s buffet breakfast. The focus of the second day was the unique Kelly+Partners strategy on how we can continue to develop our people. We also heard success stories from Scott Elwin and Paul Kuchta who are founding Partners of our Central Coast and Norwest offices respectively. During the evening, we were treated to an incredible feast at the Palazzo Versace buffet before heading back to the hotel bar for (a few too many) drinks.

There were a lot of very sore heads on the beach at 6am for our second fitness session with Jeff. Fortunately the spectacular Gold Coast sunrise more than made up for it. On our third day, following another fantastic buffet breakfast at the Sheraton, we focused on how to improve our service delivery to clients and our 5-year plan. We also heard success stories from Tim Bryan, founding Partner of our South West Sydney office, and Charbel Geagea, who is a Partner of our Western Sydney office.

At the conclusion of another very inspiring day, we enjoyed farewell drinks and canapés in the hotel bar before heading to the airport for an evening flight back to Sydney. At Kelly+Partners we are extremely blessed to have such great people and are very excited about initiatives such as the Future Leaders Program to further develop their skills.

“Great vision without great people is irrelevant.”

JIM COLLInS

AuThOr Of gOOd TO greAT

“The work we do for Kelly+Partners is so different to every other client. You guys actually produce the tools and materials that most companies only talk about.”

KArL bOOThrOyd – IM AdVerTISIng

sunshine coast cocktail party

On1 July 2014, Sunshine Coast based accounting firm, Accounting North, joined Kelly+Partners. This marks a significant event in the history of Kelly+Partners as the Maroochydore and Noosa offices are the first locations in Queensland in which we have established a presence.

On Friday, 15 August, a cocktail party was held in our Maroochydore office to celebrate the occasion and to welcome our valued Sunshine Coast clients into the new business. Brett introduced himself and explained the Kelly+Partners approach of deliberately choosing to locate our offices in certain regions, so we can provide a CBD quality offering conveniently close to where our clients live and work.

Managing Partner, Matt Richards, also addressed the gathering, echoing the sentiments of Brett and expressing his excitement in continuing to grow the business, under the new name, with fellow Partner Toni McCulloch and Managers Leanne Lynam, Kylie Angelides, Melissa Lovenbury & Zoe Redman.

The packed-out office is a testament to the incredible support of our Sunshine Coast clients. We are very excited to have such a great team on board as our first Queensland firm and look forward to some exhilarating State of Origin banter next year!

Sunshine Coast

“

Kelly+Partners is a dynamic and customer focused organisation with amazing leadership which in-turn attracts high calibre individuals. ”

SIMOn CArrOLL – LIVIng MAge PhOTOgrAPhy

reVIeW SunShIne COAST COCKTAIL PArTy JuLy 2014

strata in conversation

2013/2014 has been a huge year for the Kelly+Partners team. As a result of overwhelmingly positive feedback, we rolled out our Strata in Conversation series of lunches to audiences in Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast in 2014.

The Strata in Conversation series was initiated in 2013, with four lunches held at Matt Moran’s stunning harbour-side restaurant, ARIA. Strata in Conversation is a unique interview series bringing together expects to discuss current issues and upcoming developments specific to the strata industry.

2014 saw eight Strata in Conversation lunches held nationally in some of Australia’s finest restaurants with experts representing a diverse range of specialist fields.

sydney melbourne brisbane gold coast

Sydney – ARIA

The Sydney series has again been held at ARIA covering a wide range of areas, such as embracing technological developments, future cities and social impacts, key areas of legislative change and reflections on fifty years in the strata business. We were very fortunate to have vastly different perspectives shared by interviewees from both the public and private sectors, as well as academia.

The first Strata in Conversation event in Melbourne was held at The Wine Room of the luxurious Westin Hotel. The session provided an overview of regulatory change within the state from the CEOs of two of the largest strata management firms in the country. It was a great taste of what we can offer in Victoria next year.

Melbourne – The Wine Room

Coinciding with the opening of offices in Maroochydore and Noosa, three Strata in Conversation lunches were held in Queensland during 2014. Hosted at Palazzo Versace, the Gold Coast lunch explored issues surrounding building defects from the perspective of two of the most prominent lawyers in the industry.

At ARIA Brisbane, the Attorney-General and SCA (QLD) President discussed state reforms and predications in September, while sustainability and development was the focus of the October session.

Brisbane – ARIA

we proudly support

As part of Kelly+Partners’ founding mission the business has been determined to find ways to contribute to the communities within which it works - the Kelly+Partners Foundation is one part of our determination to help where it can make a difference.

in the press

PERSONAL FINANCIAL ADVICE

With tax time just around the corner, Bathurst is spoilt for choice when it comes to professional advice as new kid on the block Kelly+Partners enters the market.

“Brett is very excited to be bringing the expertise of Kelly+Partners to the Bathurst region. It’s a very professional organisation with a depth of resources which is second to none,” Anna Lewis, Bathurst Client Director.

KELLY+PARTNERS LOOKS TO RAISE $75M CAPITAL

Brett Kelly started his burgeoning accountancy business in an empty room in North Sydney. Just seven years later his chartered accountancy firm, Kelly+Partners, employs 145 people across seven sites in New South Wales.

Initially frustrated with how accountancy firms were not keeping people’s genuine interests at heart, Brett set out to change things. In his mind other chartered accountancy firms were not focusing on the clients’ needs, but rather their immediate financial rewards. In addition, they didn’t seem to overly invest in the development of their own people.

Mid-market accountancy firm

Kelly+Partners has formed a private equity fund, Kelly Partners Capital, to fund acquisitions in the services sector, including internet and digital media, financial services, insurance, business and marketing, industrial and energy, and healthcare.

Professional services firms are turning to investment vehicles for capital growth as profits in their mature businesses become harder to extract.

Kelly has been an aggressive acquisitor in the accounting space over the past eight years.

He has a strategic plan to establish 11 new locations over the next two years.

KELLY+PARTNERS REMOVES KEY-MAN RISK

Brett Kelly, the founder and strategic brain behind $20 million accounting group Kelly+Partners, said he could go on a six-week holiday tomorrow without the firm’s growth missing a beat. And to prove it, he’s doing just that.

“People think I’m central to this operation, but I see less than 10 clients,” said the 39 year-old father of three.

Mr Kelly has been gradually withdrawing from the day-to-day operations of the group for the past two years.

Sunshine Coast accounting firm, Accounting North, has become Kelly+Partners.

Sunshine Coast will be the eighth region in the Kelly+Partners Group, which began with four employees in a serviced office in North Sydney in 2006.

Mr Kelly said that while there has been a change in name, directors Matt Richards and Toni McCulloch would continue to lead the same team and grow the business from their offices in Maroochydore and Noosa.

Mr Richards had been director of Accounting North since 2004, and Ms McCulloch has almost two decades of experience in public practice accounting.

Outgoing NSW Family Business executive Imelda Bergin has joined mid-market accountancy firm Kelly+Partners, in a sign of the increasing clout of private wealth in transactions and the Australian economy more broadly.

Kelly+Partners will also create a distinct family business division, headed by Tim Bryan. “We’re making it even clearer that helping family businesses is our speciality,” Kelly+Partners founder Brett Kelly said.

Succession planning remain the single biggest issue facing family businesses. Ms Bergin said the needle has barely moved in terms of the rate of family businesses that successfully traverse the inter-generational transfer of leadership.

nOrTh Sydney

Level 4, 73 Walker Street

North Sydney NSW 2060

T 02 9923 0800 f 02 9923 0888

e northsydney@kellypartners.com.au

SOuTh WeST Sydney

Suites 1-8, Kellicar Lane, Macarthur Square 200 Gilchrist Drive

Campbelltown NSW 2560

T 02 4625 7711 f 02 4628 4364

e southwestsydney@kellypartners.com.au

WeSTern Sydney

Level 1, 36 Woodriff Street

Penrith NSW 2750

T 02 4721 7433 f 02 4721 7434

e westernsydney@kellypartners.com.au

CenTrAL TAbLeLAndS

102 William Street

Bathurst NSW 2795

T 02 6331 7500 | f 02 6331 8358

e centraltablelands@kellypartners.com.au

CenTrAL COAST

Suite 2.06, Level 2, Platinum Building 4 Ilya Avenue

Erina NSW 2250

T 02 4367 6630 f 02 4367 6632

e centralcoast@kellypartners.com.au

276 Keira Street

WOLLOngOng

Wollongong NSW 2500

T 02 4226 1000 f 02 4228 0907

e wollongong@kellypartners.com.au

nOrWeST

Suite 205, Level 2, Atlas Norwest

2-8 Brookhollow Ave, Norwest Business Park

Baulkham Hills NSW 2153

T 02 8852 5400 f 02 8852 5454

e norwest@kellypartners.com.au

SunShIne COAST

Maroochydore office:

Level 1, 59 The Esplanade

Maroochydore QLD 4558

T 07 5443 4988 | f 07 5443 4977

e maroochydore@kellypartners.com.au

Noosa office: Suite 8-10, Noosa Civic Commercial 28 Eenie Creek Road

Noosaville QLD 4566

T 07 5430 6654 | f 07 5443 4977

e noosa@kellypartners.com.au

Central Coast Central Tablelands

Norwest North Sydney Western Sydney South West Sydney Wollongong