PERSON OF INTEREST
Accounting for change:
Lel Parnis is embracing innovation By Sarah Davison, Industry Reporter
When Lel Parnis graduated from university in Glasgow at just 20, she knew she wasn’t quite ready to enter the workforce while many of her peers were still studying. A fateful trip to Australia led to meeting her future husband and, eventually, a life in Queensland.
“It was a fascinating chapter in my career,” she said. “I gained valuable experience in managing complex projects, streamlining operations, and fostering collaboration across diverse teams.”
Today, she resides on the Sunshine Coast with her young family and has carved out a rewarding career as a senior accountant and team manager at Holmans. Lel’s professional life is defined by her passion for maintaining a healthy work-life balance— not just for herself but also for her team— and by her commitment to helping clients, particularly in the accommodation sector, build thriving businesses.
February 2025
“My husband’s parents had a management rights business on North Stradbroke Island years ago, and we used to help them out,” Lel explained. “That experience, combined with the opportunity to work at Holmans, drew me into the management rights accommodation sector.” Lel explains she has come to enjoy specialising in this industry because it allows her to go beyond just financials and tax returns, which she adds can get a bit dry after a while. “We’re able to provide more tailored advice on operational aspects of our clients’ businesses, like managing issues with unit owners or handling body corporate matters.” In fact, Lel says specialising in the industry has led her to become a trusted voice and a sounding board for clients, who rely on her deep understanding of the sector for guidance.
Lel’s career in accounting began in Australia, where she focused on tax, financial, and business compliance. But her professional path took her back to the UK when she and her husband moved to London for four years. There, Lel immersed herself in change management and global finance projects, working to develop systems and processes for finance departments.
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Returning to Australia, Lel found herself drawn to the accommodation sector—a connection that was both personal and professional.
“For myself and my team, we try our best not to advise on insurance policies or provide legal advice by any stretch, but we want to stay informed enough to say, ‘I think you're missing something,’ or, ‘You need to talk to a lawyer about that,’ or, ‘You should revisit this because you don't have coverage for it.’
INDUSTRY