Towards the next century

CHAPTER TEN

TOWARDS THE NEXT CENTURY

The 1980’s ended with a substantial boost to the non-WA clientele; the Morton and Parker Canberra practice merging in July, 1989 and the Bird Cameron Melbourne practice in December, 1989.

When interstate expansion from Western Australia began with the opening of the Adelaide office in 1973 the policy adopted was to move into other appropriate cities and towns as and when opportunities presented themselves but within the constraints of conserving capital and consolidating one acquisition before the next was made.

By 1989 the firm had been operating interstate for over sixteen years and was well established in South Australia, New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory and with federation colleagues in various cities and towns throughout Australia. The withdrawal of the Sydney firm from the federation in 1989 to merge with Horwath & Horwath left the Bird Cameron federation with no Sydney CBD office and this led the firm to pursue as an objective a national partnership rather than a national federation.

A number of steps were taken to achieve this objective. The first was a merger with the Melbourne firm on 1st December, 1989. The next step was the acquisition of the Sydney practice of Berg Partners on 1st July, 1990 (Geoff Forder and Don Orrock admitted as partners) followed by the practice of M.J. Green on 1st February, 1991 (Martin Green admitted as a partner). Another step was

National Executive at the opening of the new Perth office in 1989

From left, Neville Harris, Brian Mellor, Ambrose Depiazzi, Geoff Sherwin, Bill Caldow, Ron Swinney (seated)

the transfer of Ambrose Depiazzi (also in February, 1991) to head up the Melbourne operation. Bill BaIcam resigned on the 6th June, 1991.

It is interesting to note that the “Berg” of the “Berg Coleman” practice acquired in Melbourne is the same “Berg” in “Berg Partners” of Sydney. Charles J. Berg was of Jewish origin and fled from Germany in 1937. He set up after the War representing various German companies in Australia and built a large public accounting practice. Later he withdrew from the large practice and constituted a much smaller one which eventually became “Berg Partners”.

Charles Berg was a talented musician and his name is familiar as chairman of the Australian Opera for many years. In March, 1991 arrangements were concluded to sever the federation relationship with the former Tregloan firm in Adelaide which had been the principal Bird Cameron office in that city since 1st July, 1985. This freed up the firm’s offices in South Australia to take full advantage of the status and prestige attached to the Bird Cameron name.

Also in 1991 licensing agreements were concluded with the two-partner firm of Phillips McSweeney of Gosford, NSW and the six-partner firm of Malcolm Gray Pty Ltd in Hobart, Tas. Referral arrangements were still in place with Douglas Heck & Burrell of Brisbane and R.V. Lowry & Associates of Darwin. This meant that the firm was strongly represented in all States and Territories of Australia through either a direct office of the firm or a licensed or referral office.

‘ Charles Berg was a talented musician and his name is familiar as chairman of the Australian Opera for many years. ’

Non Western Australian

Year

1979

1985

1989

1990

1991

Gross Fees Personnel

As a percentage of total fees and personnel

5.2% 4.2%

12.3% 9.9%

24.8%

35.2% 19.4%

32.3%

40.2% 35.8%

The progress of the objective of becoming a national firm is well illustrated by the statistics on fees and personnel set out above.

For 1991/92 it is estimated the non-WA gross fees will be 45% of the total.

Along with the admission to partnership of the principals of practices acquired, the firm continues to advance in status other accountants and those admitted to partnership since 31st December 1989 have been Ron Marlborough (1/1/90), Bill Beard, Mark Conlan and Stephen Lee (1/7/91) and Gary Chappell (1/1/92).

A review of the firm’s written objectives and mission statement reveals all the factors which will enable the partners to continue to achieve expansion and development - integrity, comprehensive staff education and training, providing clients with services over and above the basic compliance service, seeking prosperity and growth for the firm and strengthening the firm’s national standing and status.

Looking back over 70 years it is interesting to reflect on what the senior people of the early years saw as the important elements which enabled the firm to grow and prosper. Sir Cyril Bird frequently acknowledged Mr. Woolcott’s fundamental plan of taking the service to the place of business or farmhouse. He attributed much of the growth of the firm to this one idea.

Never content to just operate in the city, the firm took its service to WA country areas virtually from the beginning and this policy has been continued as the practice has spread to other States. Another element was the development of specialist consulting services with particular emphasis on tax planning which was the service most sought by the clients of the time.

And there was the recognition that the firm’s people were its most valuable asset. Sir Cyril advanced staff relations to a very high level being interested in the progress and welfare of everyone on the staff.

These elements can be summarised as giving the clients the service they want; such service being delivered by a competent and enthusiastic workforce and that is just as appropriate in 1992 as it was in 1922.

In these difficult times of recession and an ever more complex business environment, the firm can draw strength from looking back to the great challenges which were overcome in the past such as those of the Great Depression and the Second World War. But more importantly, the partners will be looking ahead towards the 21st Century and planning for the opportunities that are always there to provide an even better service to clients. They will thus enhance the firm’s status as a leading national firm and provide partners and staff with the satisfaction of challenging professional work and the opportunity to genuinely assist their clients.

There is considerable satisfaction for a professional person to render a service which is effective and appreciated.

The firm is proud of its contribution to the accounting profession and the nation. In particular, its history forms an important part of the history of Western Australia occupying 70 of the 163 years since the Swan River Colony was founded.

Opening of the new office in Adelaide by leader of the opposition Mr Dale Baker M.P. 4th April 1991

At a party in Sydney office to celebrate the 70th Anniversary

SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY AND PROFESSIONAL BODIES

For a great many years, the members of the firm have played a prominent part in community and professional organisations. From small fundraising efforts in country towns to presidency of major national bodies they have given willingly of their private time which is so precious in a busy professional life. Local support committees like the P & F Federation, community service organisations like Rotary, Lions, Apex and Jaycees, business and similar groups like the Chamber of Commerce and Australian Institute of Management, councils dedicated to education like those of major private schools and the Western Australian Institute of Technology (now Curtin University), associations dedicated to particular areas of the accounting profession like the Taxpayers’ Association, Insolvency Groups and Public Accountant Groups and charitable and similar bodies like Red Cross and Cancer Council have all benefited from the labours of Bird Cameron people. The firm has been particularly supportive of the councils of the two bodies which are the basis of the accounting profession in Australia -The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICA) and The Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants (ASCPA). Support for the ASCPA has extended right from when it was formed on the 1st January 1953; nearly 40 years ago. Support for the ICA came a little later as the firm did not commence practice as “Chartered Accountants’ until 1st July 1974. Members of the firm who have been state or national chairman or president are listed hereunder.

Peter Hansen ICAA State Chairman 2012

Rodger Gibson ASCPA State President 1996-1997 Ron Swinney ICA State Chairman 1992 Diana Newman ASCPA State President 1989-1990 National Councillor since 1990

Neville Harris ASCPA State President 1976-1977

Roy Henderson ASCPA State President 1972-1974 and National President 1976-1977 Calder Crowther ASCPA First State President 1953-1955

In addition, three persons elected State or National President were previously with the firm. Richard Collister ASCPA State President 1991-1992. With firm 5 years in 1960’s. Ken Eastwood ASCPA State President 1986-1987 and National President 1990-1991. With firm 1963-1973.

Jack Groom ASCPA State President 1957-1959 and National President 1962-1963. With firm 1934-1948.

Dedication of the Bill Lapsley meeting room in 1990

Dedication of the Bill Lapsley meeting room in 1990 with Bill and Brenda Lapsley in attendance

Neil Hough, Irwan B. Afiff (AAJ Associates) and Ron Swinney in Jakarta 1993