A story from the founder of Finestream Accounting

When people ask how Finestream Accounting came to be, the answer is simple. It started with a shift in priorities.

I grew up on a small farm in country NSW, where hard work was expected, even if I didn’t always see the value in it as a kid. Like many, I coasted through school and university, figuring that “P gets the degree.” It wasn’t until I started my career in a mid-sized firm in Central Western NSW that I realised how far effort could really take you. The harder I worked, the more opportunities came my way, and I took them all.

By 27, I was an associate. At 29, a partner. I led a team of 15, managed the firm’s largest fee base, and helped steer the company through acquisitions and into public listing. From the outside, it looked like the dream. But behind the accolades and rapid growth, something wasn’t sitting right.

The corporate world rewarded performance, but not always integrity. When the Royal Commission exposed what many of us already knew, that client outcomes had taken a back seat to profits, I felt validated in my decision to step away.

After 15 intense years, I knew it was time for a change. I’d watched someone close to me burn out from the same pressures I was under. My kids were growing up fast, and I didn’t want to miss it. So, my wife and I packed up and moved to South Australia, her home state, for a fresh start.

I joined a small firm in Adelaide and rediscovered the part of accounting I loved most: serving clients properly and personally. But over time, I realised I wanted more than that. I wanted to lead again, not just operations but culture. I wanted to build something grounded in the values I had come to respect deeply: clarity, service, and people-first thinking.

That’s when Matt and Liz Ford approached me with an idea to create Finestream Accounting.

I had worked with them before on shared clients, and I knew firsthand the quality of service they offered. Their values aligned with mine, and after a few conversations, it was clear this was the right fit. Together, we launched Finestream Accounting, and what a start it’s been.

The growth has already outpaced my original forecasts (yes, even accountants can be surprised). But more than the numbers, it’s the people and the culture we’re building that makes me proud. Working alongside Liz, Matt and Corey in the leadership team, with a group of passionate professionals who genuinely care about our clients, has made this chapter the most rewarding yet.

Finestream Accounting was never just about starting another firm. It was about creating a space where people, clients and team alike feel supported, heard, and empowered. That’s the heart of what we do.

Thanks for being part of the journey. We’re just getting started.