GETTING PERSONAL

The People Delivering Cutting Edge Business Advisory Services in North Queensland.

The demand for specialist business advisory skills by North Queensland business owners has driven PVW Partners to grow its Business Advisory team. Colin Ryan, advisory lead partner at PVW Partners and Scott Vollmerhause, Tax Counsel, both appreciate the challenge of attracting suitably qualified people to regional Australia.

“Like almost all trades and professions over the last year, finding good people in the accounting industry has become difficult. Add to that the specialist capabilities we’re seeking in the advisory area and the need to fit in with our team and culture, it becomes almost impossible. But we have a hook – the chance to do great work with great people,” explains Colin.

Despite the challenges, PVW Partners has managed to grow the team with some targeted recruitment. There are some changes to the team but there is a degree of familiarity too. Colin, Scott and Clancy have worked together since 2016 when they came together under predecessor firm Price Waterhouse Coopers. Colin also worked with Michael Wilson and Michael Tompkins at a large accounting firm prior to that.

“Everyone is finding their groove and it’s coming together nicely. There is a real range of professional skills and personality styles but the fit is great. A diversity of backgrounds and skills is a must for us, but so is a common goal of delivering meaningful work to clients and solving important problems.”

We now have the largest dedicated advisory team in Regional Queensland, helping clients start, grow, mature, exit or transfer their business to the next generation. It’s about those life changing moments in business such as taking on a new joint venture or business partner, exploring a new market, acquiring a new business or it might be the simple day to day business activities to grow and develop that we are here to partner with.”

SCOTT VOLLMERHAUSE

is PVW Partners’ tax specialist. As Tax Counsel, he advises clients on tax structuring, planning and assists with managing ATO disputes. Scott is a known expert in his field and is generally regarded as one of the leaders in small business taxation.

BEVERLEY EASTMOND

whose strengths are financial modelling and analytics, joined the team in 2020 when she moved from New Zealand to be closer to her family in Townsville. She works with a broad range of clients on financial forecasts, business and company valuations, bank reporting and client pitch decks for new finance proposals.

MICHAEL TOMPKINS

has a breadth of commercial and consulting experience having worked previously at Crowe Horwath in Townsville before pursuing opportunities in commerce in Australia and abroad. “After 4 years working in the UK and Canada, it’s good to be back home. I reached out to Colin after a short time in Melbourne and he was looking for people with my skills at the same time. It was meant to be.”

CLANCY COX

is a manager in the advisory team and has extensive experience in M&A, tax and corporate finance services. He has provided advisory services across a range of industries including agri business, engineering, supermarkets, building products, and logistics.

MICHAEL WILSON

a former director at KPMG, Michael joined the firm as a Partner in Cairns in October. He has a strong advisory background and is delivering both tax and consulting services to clients. He’s already adding value to clients, leveraging his in-depth experience in advanced tax and financing strategies for family businesses, and NAIF grants management.

USMAN BASHIR

has also joined the Cairns team from a government role in Canberra and brings with him almost 15 years of finance experience. “Usman has enormous intellect, and he will bolster the creative thinking in our corporate finance and tax service offerings,” says Colin.

COLIN RYAN

leads the Business Advisory Team and has over 17 years of extensive experience in consulting and corporate advisory services. Colin’s expertise in spotting growth and acquisition opportunities and tax efficiencies for emerging corporates and institutions is highly valued by his clients.

What to look for in a business advisor

Relevant experience.

No one is an expert in everything so having the right person on the right task is critical.

A willingness to listen.

An advisor who doesn’t understand the problem can’t offer a decent solution.

Able to work as part of a team.

A business advisor must be able to work with your managers and other advisors.

Technically strong.

They have to know their stuff and know it well enough to break it down and explain it.

Comfortable with saying no.

It’s sometimes best to hear that a person doesn’t have the time to assist you with your problem than have them not focus on what is important to you.