SMITH THORNTON - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Senior Manager
- Accounting Team
Senior Manager Amy has a wealth of experience in all things accounting and specialises in small business and primary production. Amy fills her cup by doing things for others. Over the years Amy has been actively involved with numerous not for profit organisations ranging from Albany Community Hospice to the school P&C.
An Albany resident for two decades, Amy grew up in the Wheatbelt, which drives her lifelong passion for living and working rural. Amy likes to challenge the idea of being a 'boring accountant' and brings a creative flair to the office. In her spare time, Amy enjoys baking, sewing, entertaining friends and getting out and about with the family.
Amy is the epitome of "ask a busy person to do something" but she will always make time for a wine with friends.
Job Titles:
- Executive Officer
- Senior Manager
Making a difference in the lives of clients provides great satisfaction to our Senior Accountant, Barbara.
A self-confessed workaholic, Barbara is motivated to find solutions to our client's problems and takes pride in knowing they are well taken care of. Having been with us since 2004, Barbara has grown into a role that involves client management, mentoring and dealing with complex taxation issues.
Barbara rates loyalty as one of her defining characteristics - one she no doubt puts to good use as a "tragic" Freo supporter!
Got a question? Chances are Diane knows the answer. From systems and banking to GST, Xero and MYOB coding, Diane has a wealth of knowledge that extends across retail, farming and hospitality. A loyal team member of ten years, Diane also takes the time to mentor new staff coming into the business.
With her eldest son working in the Wheatbelt, Diane spends weekends working on the family farm with husband Paul and youngest son.
Having forged strong friendships with her workmates over the past decade, we hear it on good authority that the way to Diane's heart is through a glass of local late harvest Riesling.
Job Titles:
- Business Services Advisor
Perth's loss was our gain when Jenna returned to her Albany roots in 2018. Lifestyle, flexibility and family were at the heart of her and hubby Steve's decision to return south, bringing their three kids along for the ride.
In her role as Business Services Advisor, Jenna leads all things advisory, from business forecasts and valuations to strategic planning and tender applications. Jenna also acts as a member of the senior group, helping guide the firm's annual business and marketing strategy.
Jenna loves being part of a company in which people foster genuine friendships while being offered the flexibility to meet the demands of family life.
With three young boys underfoot, life is busy - but Jenna still finds time to hit the netball court. On weekends you'll find them out and about cycling or exploring together.
Having spent the first half of his career in the livestock industry, resident superannuation guru Jim was a late starter to accounting. Wanting to reinvent himself in a new profession, Jim qualified as an accountant in 2005 and joined us soon after.
With a dry sense of humour that gets him through the day, Jim is quick with witty repartee. But when he gets down to the serious business of super, Jim can be relied upon for practical advice on strategy and compliance.
Kendal Camp PA/Administrator Kendal joined our team in August 2017 as receptionist and then a Partners Assistant to Dean and Rebecca before becoming a Mum to little Alaska in 2020. Kendal is now back working in her former role every Friday, assisting the team to keep things flowing. If you have had the pleasure of meeting Kendal, you will know her as a cool, capable, easy going person with a quick wit and a can-do attitude. When Kendal is not at the office, she is busy nurturing her family and spending time with her friends. Email Kendal at kendalc@smiththornton.com.au
The first thing tea-drinker Lauren does of a morning is put the coffee pot on for her colleagues, which should tell you a bit about her straight off the bat.
As deft with a classical guitar and woodworking tools as she is accounting software Xero, QuickBooks and MYOB, Lauren spends her days helping clients with all aspects of bookkeeping, software, single touch payroll obligations, BAS lodgements and end of year activities. Lauren is also responsible for training clients new and old who choose to complete their own bookkeeping.
Having been a part of the team since 2013, Lauren sees client interaction and office camaraderie as the two biggest factors in her workplace enjoyment.
With us since 2001, Melinda has grown many longstanding relationships with her clients and enjoys doing her part to support them. As a Senior Accountant, Melinda manages a variety of our business clients, providing help with tax and BAS compliance along with tax planning strategies whilst also mentoring our graduates.
Job Titles:
- Accountant
- Accounting Member
New to the Smith Thornton team in 2020 is accounting member Nadia. Recently settling on Australian shores, Nadia resides in Albany with partner Joe and their two fur children.
Nadia in action involves crunching annual financial statements, tax returns and Activity Statements for sole traders, partnerships, trusts and companies. Tackling number problems and finding a solution for clients is a satisfying days' work.
In her free time Nadia enjoys cooking shows - but don't expect any baked goods at the office, when it comes to cooking Nadia prefers observation over creation.
Nancy was born and bred in Albany and is the backbone of the office. As Simon and Dean's founding employee, Nancy's official title is Senior Accountant. Unofficially, it's Go-To for Everything.
Over the years, Nancy has helped the business evolve from a small team into the thriving company it is today. Importantly, she has seen the founding principles stand the test of time - treating people well and investing in their success; be they an employee, client, or member of the broader community.
Nancy's role has also naturally changed over time, from part-time while she raised her family to a Senior Accountant today, responsible for managing large accounts for the firm. Her clients benefit from the expansive, shared history Nancy has with their businesses.
A self-described doer, Nancy loves learning Sicilian recipes from her mother and passing them down to her daughter. (Drop into the office at the right time you might score a mouth-watering lemon biscotti!).
Since moving to Albany with partner Nat, Senior Manager Ryan has brought 16-years of financial, consultation and management experience to the Smith Thornton table. A coffee aficionado and lycra-enthusiast, Ryan's ideal day starts with a bike ride and ends walking his dog Ana - an energetic husky cross kelpie.
In the office, you'll find Ryan talking to clients and overseeing large client portfolios, including taxation for multiple entities or trusts. He enjoys learning what the needs and expectations of each client are to enable him to provide the best possible advice. Being proactive and staying in front of future issues is Ryan's modus operandi.
While he might not win you over with his unique post/metal rock music tastes, Ryan is respected for his calm, level-headed nature - which we predict will come in handy during footy season debates.
Coming from a background of wheat and sheep farmers gives Accountant Sam a unique advantage when working with clients. Having previously worked in Narrogin, Sam applies his knowledge of farming to his work in the compliance and SMSF space and enjoys building relationships with all our clients.
Having joined the team in 2021, Sam enjoys the social cohesion and friendly banter around the office. A die-hard Eagles fan, Sam keeps fit with daily cycles, loves to fish and has recently taught himself how to juggle.
Job Titles:
- Senior Accountant
- Member of the Accounting Team
Easy going Tiffany has been a member of the accounting team since 2013. Nicknamed 'The Jet', Tiffany is well known for her 'can do' attitude with both colleagues and clients, nothing is too much trouble. Tiffany looks after all things compliance for a wide range of clients and industries. She also contributes to the Self-Managed Superannuation division and assists with preparation of forecasts and budgets.
After being born in Albany, Tiffany grew up in Karratha before heading back down with NSW-born Brad to be closer to her family. The pair enjoy camping and going on 4WD adventures, hitting the beach and the odd scary movie. Tiffany and Brad welcomed baby Cooper to their family in the first half of 2021 and Tiffany has taken to parenting like the jet she is.
Tim is a recent graduate and Albany newcomer who joined us in the second half of 2021. Originally hailing from Perth, Tim has prior experience working for an insolvency firm in the city. He has been involved with our bookkeeping team to become familiar with accounting and payroll software products and is able to utilise this knowledge in his role preparing financial reports and tax returns for a wide range of clients and industries.
As avid campers, Tim, his partner Kacey and their Labrador Andy are all relishing their sea change, taking every opportunity to explore the region on weekends. Tim is also a live music and film photography buff, who enjoys photographing old buildings around town on 35mm film and developing his own images at home.
Having been a valued team member from 2011 to 2017, Tracey was able to leave us for three years to travel north, before slipping back in without missing a beat. Describing the experience like returning to family, Tracey is happily back as part of the fold as Office Manager.
Responsible for keeping the office humming, Tracey takes care of a range of administration duties that support the broader team. On any given day this can involve tasks like processing files, making appointments, reception relief and liaising with the ATO.
Valued for her calm nature, Tracey spends weekends building upon her impressive crafting repertoire, from card making to knitting and candle making.
Adding to our ranks of talented weekend artisans is bookkeeping sage Wendy, who tucks her jewellery-making skills away during office hours to support a myriad of client needs. From accounts payable and receivable to payroll, Wendy has a busy role that sees her working across a range of industries and clientele.
Always quick with a smile, Wendy puts her spare time to good use creating jewellery to sell at markets, making glass beads and learning silver smithing.
Since relocating from Perth to Albany with her husband and son, Wendy is enjoying the adventure that comes with settling into a new community and surrounds.