Growth of leading accounting network set to continue in new financial year

Mark Chapman

Bentleys, a national network of leading mid-tier accounting and advisory firms, has undergone substantial growth in recent years, and is poised to continue its growth trajectory into the new financial year and beyond.

Mark Chapman, chief executive officer, Bentleys Australia and New Zealand, said the network has been focused on executing a well-defined growth strategy on both sides of the Tasman to offer the best expertise to clients and prospects, resulting in key mergers and an expansion of their services.

In the last financial year, mergers included those led by McLean Delmo Bentleys in Melbourne, Bentleys SA, Bentleys Newcastle and Bentleys Tasmania and at the same time, new offices joined the network in the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Tweed Heads and Launceston.

“Our national network has experienced significant growth, particularly in the last 12 months in a very competitive and fast changing market. This has allowed us to better serve our clients as it ensures we can offer them the services and expertise they need, regardless of where they are located,” Mr Chapman said.

With a national footprint in Australia and a New Zealand, we are well placed to service clients across our specialist areas of agribusiness, health and ageing, and research and development. Through the quality and valuable service and expertise we provide, we see this trend continuing in the years ahead.

“Just as last financial year was marked by an increase in Bentleys offices across Australia, we expect the year ahead to follow in the same vein. Expansion and growth remains the main focus for the business with the network able to offer greater efficiencies and services for clients through the benefit of scale. This also extends to New Zealand where plans for further are expansion already underway.”

Mr Chapman also noted the network has been bolstered by a series of recent promotions, appointments and completed merger announcements. These include:

Promotions:

Bentleys Queensland

• Paul Matthews, promoted from manager to associate director, Internal Audit
• Ryan Rostron, promoted from manager to associate director, Business Services
• Rohan Dunsdon, promoted from manager to associate director, Business Services
• Ashley Carle, promoted from associate director to director, Audit
• Lauren Welk, promoted from associate director to director, Business Services
• Jodi Lupton, promoted from associate director to director, Business Services

Bentleys Corporate Recovery Sydney

• Henry McKenna, promoted from associate director to director

Bentleys SA

• David Papa, promoted from director to partner, Assurance & Advisory
• James Allen, promoted from director to partner, Business Advisory

Appointments:

Bentleys Queensland

• Hasi Samaratunga has joined as business systems consultant and will be leading the newly established IT, digital and data analytics advisory services team

Mergers:

• Mclean Delmo Bentleys has completed two mergers, including one with UHY Norton Melbourne and Complete Financial Services
  • Ian Kinder has joined as director, Growth and Strategic Planning, after running his firm, Complete Financial Services, for 25 years
• Bentleys SA has completed its merger with business advisory firm Moore Stephens Adelaide bringing in five partners and 16 staff including:
  • Peppe Fusco, partner, Business Advisory
  • Cristina Clemente, partner, Business Advisory
  • Rick Basheer, partner, Business Advisory
  • Sam Woods, partner, Business Advisory
  • Tim Siebert, partner, Business Advisory
• Bentleys Tasmania has completed its merger with Hobart-based Tenuto Financial, positioning the company as the largest Tasmanian owned state-wide accounting and advisory firm with offices in Hobart, Launceston, Ulverstone and Sheffield

Pleased with the company’s positive year, Mr Chapman firmly understands that they cannot stand still as the market is asking for a greater breadth and depth of services than ever before. “As we continue to grow this financial year, we will be able to respond to client demands by tapping into our specialist teams across the network and internationally through our membership of Kreston – bringing deep expertise across a wide range of services.”