KOTHES - Key Persons
Kothes Accounting Group Bega office director Fiona Dunham always wanted to be an accountant, but took a slight detour after leaving school to join the banking and finance sector. During her 12-years working with Westpac she started a Business and Commerce degree via distance education, then in 1998 she left the bank to work for Kothes in their Bega office.
What she enjoys most about being part of a large chartered accounting firm is the depth of knowledge across the seven offices amongst the other directors and their team of professional staff. This depth of knowledge enables them to solve complex problems quickly and create better outcomes for clients.
If you are looking for a chartered accountant with an intimate knowledge of Australian tax law, Kothes Accounting Group director Gary Pearce, who works in the Bega and Bermagui offices, is a great place to start. Previously an auditor with the Australian Tax Office, Gary joined Kothes in 1989 and became a director in 1992. He enjoys being on the public side of tax a lot more than on the tax side of tax, and says keeping up with changes is one of the most important...
Job Titles:
- Director
- Self Managed Super Fund Specialist
Kothes Accounting Group Bega office principal Gary Skelton is the only Self Managed Super Fund specialist on the NSW Sapphire Coast. When he is out socially and people ask him what he does and where he works, he says he feels a great sense of pride saying he works for the largest multi-partner chartered accounting firm in the region.
The professional advice Gary provides to clients is highly regulated, and he takes his role in financial planning, investment strategies and Self Managed Super Funds administration seriously. He says the importance of trust when you are helping people make the best possible financial decisions cannot be underestimated.
Director Gary Skelton is the only SMSF specialist on the NSW South Coast. Being a Chartered Accountant Self Managed Super Fund Specialist is much more than a highly sought-after recognition endorsed by a certificate. It connects you with a select peer group of SMSF specialists who you can share invaluable ideas, contacts and experiences. More and more Australians are opting to go to a SMSF to help manage their retirement, and it's important that they have access to quality, accurate advice. This formal, Institute-recognised specialisation enables Chartered Accountants to enhance their knowledge, experience and skills, and will ensure SMSF trustees have access to the advice they desire.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Merimbula Office Director
You might expect to run into Kothes Accounting Group Merimbula office director Kevin Philistin at a local car show, on the golf club, at the beach or at a food and wine event. Or you might see him down at the Merimbula Tourism Information Centre advocating for the area's enormous tourism potential. Wherever you see him, you are assured he will have a ready smile and during football season, you can always rely on him for the latest tips on his favourite AFL team Essendon or Rugby League's Melbourne Storm.
Kevin works from the Merimbula and Bombala offices, specialising in small to medium businesses. He has an extensive knowledge of the tourism industry and having worked previously with the Australian Taxation Office, he knows all about tax and compliance. He is proud to be working with a chartered accounting firm whose staff have undergone extensive and dedicated training to offer highly specialist professional advice.
Kevin enjoys the team office environment at Kothes where staff from the seven offices have opportunities to grow and further their skills. One of the adages he lives by is to be professional and take a genuine interest in your colleagues and your clients. He loves helping his clients and places great value on having trusting relationships, something he says is essential in the accounting profession where you are helping people manage their money and achieve their business and financial goals.
Skills and experience
Registered Tax Agent
Job Titles:
- Director
- Directors
- Member of the Merimbula
Simon is an active member of the Merimbula and Pambula communties through his role as a Patrol Captain of the Pambula Surf Livesaving Club.
After doing one term of accounting in secondary school, Kothes director in Merimbula Simon Byrne, who grew up on a property in Western Victoria, knew the career path he was going to take. A passionate sportsman who competes in triathlons and George Bass surfboat marathons, this father of four is as dedicated to his accounting career as the day he started his first job with Coopers & Lybrand in Melbourne aged 20.
It was a desire to move back to the country which brought Simon to the Sapphire Coast in 1992 to work for Kothes. Four years later he became a director, and after living in the area all this time, he could almost be considered a ‘local'.
Simon follows a few simple rules