PERKS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director, Accounting & Business Services
Andrew's philosophy when working with his clients is all about partnership. Whatever the situation, Andrew's focus is on working together to move beyond basic compliance requirements and pursuing a better financial future for them.
Job Titles:
- Director, Accounting & Business Services
Anita Allan was the first female to hold the position of Director at Perks - a significant milestone for both her and the firm. Anita joined the firm as an undergraduate accountant in 1999 and within nine years was appointed to her current role of Director.
Outside her expertise in the emerging Cloud and outsourcing market, Anita is an expert in tax compliance, GST and PAYG advice, financial statement and tax return compliance, budgeting, cash flows and other financial forecasting.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director, Accounting & Business Services
Brian is a Director in the Perks' Accounting and Tax Consulting Divisions. He joined Perks in 2000 and had significant influence in the formation and growth of the Perks Tax Consulting Division.
Job Titles:
- Banking & Finance
- Director of Perks Banking and Finance
- Director, Banking & Finance
Bruce Debenham is the Director of Perks Banking and Finance, our business division dedicated to providing banking and finance solutions to our clients. He is a seasoned finance professional with over thirty years' experience in banking, risk management and consulting.
Bruce has held senior leadership positions at NAB and Rural Bank and has worked for two Big 4 accounting practices. His experience spans various industries including property development, manufacturing, agribusiness, healthcare, retail and transport. Over the course of his career, Bruce has been able to apply his experience and varied skills to provide well balanced options and financial solutions to his clients.
His ‘hands on' approach has seen him develop strong relationships with clients and business partners, which has allowed him to gain an intimate knowledge of his clients' businesses. He is able to assist clients with the preparation of loan submissions, debt structuring, sourcing funding, reviewing existing finance arrangements, working capital management and negotiations with financiers. Bruce is also able to provide advice in terms of risk management and specifically, turnaround and restructuring advice outside of formal insolvency.
Since joining Perks Bruce has developed a unique service offering as an expert witness, focusing on banking and finance and formal insolvency and has been asked to act on a significant number of high-profile and complex matters. As a forensic accounting specialist, Bruce's expertise in litigation support and investigative accounting have made him a highly sought-after professional in his field.
Never satisfied with the status quo, Bruce continuously strives to find more efficient ways of doing things, whether it's for his clients or within the Perks business. He enjoys the comradery, collaboration and warmth within the Perks team, which is extended to clients through a relationship-driven delivery of technical expertise and cutting edge advice.
Qualifications & Associations:
Job Titles:
- Councillor
- Regional Councillor
Job Titles:
- Director, Perks People Solutions
Her legal background is combined with her expertise across all areas of HR management and strategy, as well as significant experience in delivering workplace training.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of Perks Investment Committee
- Chairman of the Perks Private Wealth Investment Committee
As Chair of the Perks Private Wealth Investment Committee, Christo overseas the investment decisions which drive much of our client investment advice. He is also a driving force in the Perks Family Office.
Christo Hall is the Chair of the Perks Private Wealth Investment Committee. With over 30 years' experience and an impressive track record of investment management across both public and private markets in the APAC region, Christo is a driving force in the Perks Family Office.
In the role of Chair of the Perks Private Wealth Investment Committee, Christo oversees the investment decisions which drive much of our client investment advice. His strong connections on the Eastern seaboard, and across the globe, enhances Perks Private Wealth's ongoing search for the best investment opportunities.
Over the course of his career, Christo has been involved with some of the biggest names in investment, including Goldman Sachs JBWere, Argo Investments, BlackRock, and Ellerston Capital.
Christo is well known in South Australia for the instrumental role he played as Senior Portfolio Manager at Argo Investments during a very successful period between 2003 and 2014.
While at BlackRock, Christo was based in Hong Kong, where he helped oversee the $35 billion Asian Fundamental Equities Team and was also co-head of research for the Fundamental Equity Division. Over the course of his career, Christo has had significant exposure to a wide range of markets and investment opportunities beyond typical asset classes, including Private Equity, co-investments, and early IPO funding.
More recently, Christo acted as the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of leading Australian investment manager Ellerston Capital in Sydney, which was founded by the Packer family in 2002 and now has more than $4 billion in funds under management. While at Ellerston, Christo also served as Chair of the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Committee.
Back home in Adelaide, Christo has now transitioned to Board roles, holding non-executive director positions at Funds SA and AMP Superannuation Limited. He is also Chairman of BiomeBank, a private South Australian biomedical company.
Qualifications & Associations:
Job Titles:
- Director, Accounting & Business Services
Damon is here to assist, support and advise you on your privately-owned or family business. He covers every aspect, from tax and accounting advice, cash flow management, financial reporting, managing banking relationships and business structuring, through to profit improvement and asset protection.
With a career in the financial services industry spanning over 15 years, Danny has a rich understanding of the various types of cover. His primary focus is to ensure that through his professional, tailored advice, his clients and their families feel fully protected in the event of an accident or illness.
Job Titles:
- Director of Perks Private Wealth
- Private Wealth
Eddie has worked in wealth management for over 20 years and has held numerous roles in financial planning and product management - incorporating funds management, life and group risk insurance and corporate superannuation. In addition, he has also held a number of senior leadership positions in two of Australia's larger financial planning businesses.
Eddie is a Director of Perks Private Wealth specialising in insurance. His role is to assist clients with both their personal and business risk insurance needs. As a Representative of Perks Private Wealth Pty Ltd, Eddie is authorised to advise in numerous key areas including business succession and key person planning, debt protection, income protection insurance and business overhead insurance. In addition, he provides expert advice in the areas of life insurance protection, permanent disability insurance and trauma insurance.
Eddie is passionate about people. His straight-forward communication style, coupled with his vast experience and genuine concern for each client's needs, ensures that his clients not only clearly understand their risk insurance requirements but most importantly are confident in knowing that recommendations made are specifically tailored with their unique needs in mind, now and into the future. Eddie's strong industry experience coupled with his natural enthusiasm ensures that each client's needs are at the forefront of every risk protection strategy he puts forward.
Eddie enjoys the challenge that comes with helping people across a wide array of risk protection scenarios. He prides himself on getting the job done well and employs a dynamic approach to each client's individual scenario. He is proud to be part of the team at Perks - a firm held in high regard in the local community and acknowledged as a firm that above all else values genuine and ongoing relationships.
Job Titles:
- Advisor
- Director, Accounting & Business Services
Liz joined Perks in 2010 and has over 10 years' experience in commerce. As a Director, Liz is actively involved in advising both individual and corporate clients.
Liz is a high level advisor to a diverse client base. She is intrinsically involved in the Perks pharmacy specialisation and heads up the bookkeeping division - one of the fastest growing areas of the firm that fits seamlessly into Perks' diverse service offering. Liz is goal-focussed and passes her passion for innovation and ongoing improvement onto her clients.
Fiona Gordon is a Director of the Perks' Audit Division in Adelaide.
Fiona has 26 years of Public Practice audit experience including 2 years based in London with second tier firms such as PKF.
A member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants for 24 years, Fiona has gained the solid foundations required to conduct audits in a wide and varied array of industries with turnovers up to $200m. Her significant experience has encompassed audits of large proprietary companies, not-for-profit companies and associations, SA Local Government, co-operatives, irrigation trusts and Australian financial service licensees.
Fiona is driven to provide outcomes on audits that not only provide benefits to the end users but builds on and adds to existing long term client relationships.
Qualifications & Associations:
Greg Perks sits on the Perks Private Wealth Investment Committee and continues to mentor the emerging leaders of Perks. He co-founded Perks in 1981 which has grown to become one of the largest business services practices in South Australia.
Experienced leader, dedicated to the professional management of dynamic organisations. Has a demonstrated history of working collaboratively with boards and leadership teams to drive optimal business performance. Skilled in enterprise management, business development, enterprise sales, business strategy, business planning, change management and business transformation.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, Accounting & Business Services
After starting his career in practice as a Graduate Accountant, James joined Perks in 2008 and has demonstrated his natural leadership ability in various cross-functional teams and projects.
Kerry consistently strives to exceed her clients' expectations and is committed to delivering outstanding service. She prides herself on offering her clients easy to understand advice, clearly outlining their strategic pathway and defining the compliance points that must be taken into consideration.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director, Accounting & Business Services
Kim Bigg is a Director at Perks and a qualified Chartered Accountant. With more than 20 years' experience as a business adviser, Kim is highly adept at assisting growing and established businesses across a wide range of industries.
Kim Bigg is a Director at Perks, where he serves as the Head of the Perks Accounting Business, and sits on the Perks Group Board. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant, with more than 20 years' experience as a business adviser. Kim is highly adept at assisting growing and established businesses across a wide range of industries, including agribusiness, property development and investment, AFSL-holders, and construction.
Since joining Perks in 2001, Kim has developed into an active Director who takes a hands-on approach to working with business owners at any stage of their journey. His commitment extends beyond the typical accounting role, encompassing a comprehensive range of Business Services tailored to meet the unique needs of growing and established businesses, from establishment and growth, to succession planning and retirement. With a sharp focus on succession planning, business advisory, and family business, Kim excels in strategic planning and structuring, transactional services, and the development and implementation of tax-effective business strategies.
Setting him apart is Kim's passion for facilitating business scalability and his dedication to working closely with owners to tackle challenges head-on. He crafts sophisticated strategies aligned with defined objectives, ensuring sustainable success for his clients' businesses.
Kim's commitment to going beyond traditional accounting roles is reflected in his status as one of the few accounting advisers who is a qualified SMSF Specialist Adviser. This unique qualification positions him perfectly to guide business owners planning for retirement or seeking to pass their company on to the next generation of their family.
Kim Bigg's down-to-earth and pragmatic persona is underpinned by a genuine enthusiasm for helping businesses thrive, and his collaborative nature ensures that he becomes a trusted partner in his client's business journey. He is dedicated to making a meaningful impact on business goals, whether they are growing, planning for succession, or adding value for retirement.
Beyond the numbers, Kim also plays the part of host in Perks Show Me The Perks Podcast, tune in here.
Qualifications & Associations:
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, Tax Consulting
- Specialist Tax Team
Lee is a highly specialised tax professional and valued member of the Specialist Tax Team at Perks, where he has been contributing his skills acquired over 16 years.
Lee's professional background includes working in both the private and public sectors, providing valuable insights and guidance on State and Federal taxation matters. He has acquired substantial experience through his varied employment at a prominent Big 4 accounting firm, one of Australia's largest privately owned corporate law firms, the State Revenue Office, and now Perks. His diverse background equips Lee with a deep understanding of complex tax matters, enabling him to provide valuable expertise to his clients.
Known for his attention to detail and technical acumen, Lee excels in simplifying complex tax matters and focusing on practical outcomes. He specialises in tax advisory with respect to disposals, acquisitions, restructures, and succession, from both a Federal and State tax perspective.
As a valued member of the Perks Specialist Tax Team, Lee provides expert tax advice to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and High Net Worth Individuals. His broad industry experience spans across agribusiness, hospitality, the medical industry, and viticulture.
Lee is dedicated to making the complicated simple for his clients, and he excels at delivering tailored solutions that align with clients' long-term objectives.
Outside of his profession, Lee stays abreast of the latest tax developments and actively participates in professional development activities within Perks and through his affiliation with The Tax Institute. With his commitment to excellence, industry knowledge, and technical expertise, Lee is a trusted tax adviser who helps clients navigate complex tax landscapes and achieve their goals.
Qualifications & Associations:
Job Titles:
- Executive Chairman
- Executive Chairman of the Perks Group
Mark is the Executive Chairman of the Perks Group. During his 20+ years at Perks the firm has grown from a simple accounting practice with 15 employees, to an integrated financial services business with over 150 team members. He is an expert at providing hands-on advice to private business owners in all aspects of their role. Mark's insight, gained over this time, underpins the strength of his advice and ability to provide relevant and viable solutions to his business clients.
Job Titles:
- Director, Perks People Solutions
He has a genuine interest in helping leaders navigate the future of work and assisting them to adapt to increase productivity and engagement.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director, Accounting & Business Services
Matthew Petersen is a Director at Perks with over 21 years' experience. During this time he has developed a high level of knowledge and insight into the issues faced by a wide range of privately owned business and offers expert advice in the areas of taxation and accounting, asset protection and business structures, as well as succession planning.
Originating from the country, Matthew has a passion and exceptional understanding of the challenges faced by primary production clients and, as a result, is a key member of the firm's Agribusiness specialisation. Spending time with clients on their properties allows him to obtain a first-hand understanding of their operations and provide tailored solutions on an individual and business level.
Matthew is motivated to work closely with his clients to assist them in achieving their short and long term financial and personal goals. Maintaining an intimate understanding of all aspects of his clients' financial affairs ensures that any advice given is in line with achieving these goals.
With the diverse range of services that Perks offers, Matthew takes great satisfaction in being able to not only provide his services and skillset to his clients but can also draw on the expertise of other Directors and team members with specialist financial planning, banking, people and culture or insurance skills. This ensures that his clients receive high-level specialist advice across all areas of their personal and business wealth.
Matthew's personal and dedicated approach to developing long lasting client relationships provides excellent service quality and attention to detail.
Qualifications & Associations:
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, Accounting & Business Services
Michael is a firm believer in helping to educate his clients and empowering them to better understand their personal and business finances. He is committed to being an active participant in helping them to discover success.
Job Titles:
- Leader
- Director, Tax Consulting
Neil, a qualified Chartered Accountant and Technical Tax expert, is the Director in charge of Perks' Tax Consulting Division. He has been working in public practice since 2000.
Neil is a respected leader within the tax profession who is frequently called upon to present on topical tax issues for The Tax Institute. Additionally, his involvement in various committees for The Tax Institute ensures that he is at the forefront of developments in the area of Taxation.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, Audit
Nick is a client-oriented accounting professional with rich expertise in external audit, statutory account preparation, grant acquittals, and trust accounts.
Nick's steadfast approach to audit ensures that his clients have an improved understanding of the Australian Accounting Standards to help ensure that they can independently maintain compliance within their respective organisations.
Job Titles:
- Director and Representative of Perks Private Wealth
Nick Connelly is a Director and Representative of Perks Private Wealth. He has extensive experience in providing private clients, associations, foundations and corporate superannuation funds with strategic financial planning and investment advice.
Working in the financial planning industry, and with Perks, since 2008. Nick previously led the firm's Investment Research function. Now as a Director, Nick continues to play an important role on the Perks Investment Committee, offering his expert opinion on investment opportunities that undergo the firm's stringent evaluation process.
Nick's professional mantra is to provide advice that will support our clients in reaching their financial goals. Centering his advice around a holistic understanding of each client's individual financial situation and objectives, Nick delivers all-encompassing strategic financial planning and investment advice.
With a passion for financial markets, Nick stays up to date with the dynamic world of investing, equipping him to provide cutting edge investment advice to a diverse range of clients and the wider Perks Team alike.
Qualifications & Associations:
Job Titles:
- Director, Cloud & Digital Services
Nick is an experienced finance and IT professional who has over 20 years' experience working in a variety of consulting, finance and IT roles. He has worked in both the professional services field and in commerce.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director, Accounting & Business Services
Pat has been a Director at Perks since 2001 and is the chief driving force behind the firm's Pharmacy specialisation. His work in the pharmacy space has identified him as a true specialist in the industry. His passionate energy and commitment to helping his clients realise success has fed the growth of the pharmacy division at Perks, which now services a national client base.
Job Titles:
- Representative
- Director, Perks Private Wealth
- Private Wealth
Peta has worked in the financial planning industry since 2000, during which time she has gained extensive experience in the areas of strategic financial planning, investment management and portfolio administration.
Peta has been a Representative since 2002 and is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).
Peta strongly believes that Wealth Management is a journey, not a transaction, and it is by developing a trusted relationship with her clients that she helps guide them along this journey. Her client-focussed approach means that her clients' needs are at the forefront of her mind at all times.
By developing strong relationships with her clients, Peta ensures that she proactively manages their ever-changing needs. She takes the time to understand her clients' goals and tailors her advice to their unique circumstances.
Job Titles:
- Director, Accounting & Business Services
Job Titles:
- Director, Accounting & Business Services
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, Perks Private Wealth
Job Titles:
- Director, Perks Private Wealth
Job Titles:
- Director, Perks Private Wealth
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, Accounting & Business Services
Job Titles:
- Director, Accounting & Business Services
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, Accounting & Business Services
Job Titles:
- Director, Accounting & Business Services