2024 FBT: What you need to know

Stephen Mathews

Consultant, Business Services

Steve was born and raised in Tamworth and attended Tamworth High School then The University of New England where he gained his Bachelor of Financial Administration.

Steve began work with Malvern Mathews Smith in 1978 and became a Partner in 1983 until the merger with Roberts + Morrow 1 August 2022.

Hence has over 44 years experience in taxation, audit and business management.

Steve holds the following registrations:

• Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
• Fellow of the Tax Institute of Australia
• Registered Tax Agent
• Registered Company Auditor
• Registered Self Managed Super Fund Auditor
• Justice of the Peace

His areas of interest are Information Technology, Capital Gains Tax, Share Trading and Superannuation.

Steve is married to Jocelyn and they have two adult daughters.

Steve loves playing golf as often as he can.

Michael Smith

Consultant, Business Services

Michael began his career with Malvern Mathews Smith in 1985 after graduating from The University of New England with a Bachelor of Financial Administration.

After completing his qualifications, Michael spent 12 months working in London for international company Fedex. Upon his return to Australia he became a partner of Malvern Mathews Smith in 1995 until the merger with Roberts + Morrow 1 August 2022.

He has over 38 years experience in taxation, audit and business management. Specialising in Primary Production businesses, retailers, transport industry and solicitors trust audits.

Michael's professional qualifications include being:

• Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
• Registered Tax Agent
• Registered Company Auditor
• Registered Self - Managed Super Fund Auditor
• Law Practice External Examiner
• Justice of the Peace

Michael and his wife Brenda have three adult children and five grandchildren (so far). Since becoming empty nesters Michael & Brenda have enjoyed lots of travel. They also enjoy trying to stay fit, good food & wine and spending time with their growing family.

Michael was born and bred in Tamworth and attended Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School and University in Armidale and knows the local business scene.

Michaels interests include:

• Horse Racing, Golf and Rugby League
• Trying to keep fit by playing Oz Tag and cycling.
• Member of Tamworth First Light Rotary Club since 2006, serving as President (2017-2018), four times serving as Treasurer and has held many other board positions.

How to apply

Cameron Gosson

Associate, Financial Planning

Cameron graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Southern Queensland in 2013. He began his career in the banking industry in 2008, followed by insurance before starting as a paraplanner in 2013 for a small financial planning firm in Toowoomba. Cameron has been working as a financial adviser since 2016. In 2022, Cameron joined the firm as a financial planner, and in 2023 he was welcomed as an Associate. 

Cameron has also attained a Diploma of Financial Planning, Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning, Margin Lending Accredited and SMSF Accredited.

Cameron enjoys working as a financial adviser as it allows him to work closely with clients in a wide variety of areas.

Cameron is an Authorised Representative of Count Financial Limited.

Away from work Cameron enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons, Cameron enjoys sport mostly soccer but also enjoys fishing and golf.

Karina Waite

Tax + Legal

Karina is an exceptional problem solver with over 16 years’ experience in taxation and law. She particularly enjoys helping small business owners with their taxation, succession, estate planning and conveyancing needs.

As a Lawyer and a Chartered Accountant Karina takes a blended and practical approach to providing solutions for our clients. She really enjoys guiding clients through any changeover processes and gets a lot of satisfaction from helping clients to achieve great outcomes.

Outside of work Karina and her husband Damien have three young daughters. She loves spending time outdoors and has a keen interest in Australian true crime stories.

Cameron Cowley

Tax + Legal

Cameron Cowley has been practicing for 18 years in commercial and corporate law and estate planning.  He assists SME businesses with their legal needs including mergers and acquisitions, leasing, contract review and negotiations and corporate governance matters such as shareholder and unitholder agreements.

He also practices in estate planning and he enjoys assisting families design and implement the plan for their farm and /or business to pass to the next generation.

He is an accredited specialist in Business Law with the Law Society of New South Wales, is a member of the international Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and is a member of the Commercial Law Association of Australia.

Bernadette Garratt

Partner, Business Services

Growing up in the small town of Warialda, Bernadette moved to Armidale to join Roberts + Morrow in 2003 in an Office Administration Support capacity.

It quickly became clear she had the interest and drive to pursue a career as an accountant and with the support of mentors at the time, Bernadette completed a Bachelor of Financial Administration at the University of New England, moving to a Graduate Accountant role in Business Services.

Rapidly working her way up, Bernadette was admitted as a Chartered Accountant in 2015, moving to a Senior Accountant role, and not long afterwards, a Manager of one of the Armidale Business Services teams.

In 2019, Bernadette was made an Associate and most recently in March 2021 Bernadette became a Partner of the Firm.

Bernadette enjoys working closely with clients to assist them with their tax and accounting needs. She is passionate about finding the right solution to achieve the financial goals of clients in their business and personal lives through taxation advice, asset protection, wealth growth and succession planning.

In her spare time, Bernadette enjoys gardening, camping and spending time with her husband Cam and their two daughters Sophia & Chloe.

Max Elphick

Associate, Business Services

Max was born in Gundagai and completed his Accounting degree at Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga. He moved to Glen Innes in 1983 with his young family.

Max joined Roberts + Morrow in Glen Innes in October 2018 and was made an Associate in 2019. He specialises in taxation and business management advice for primary producers and small businesses. Max is a Chartered Accountant and registered Company Auditor and he is very familiar with the New England region and its varied industries.

Max has also had many years of experience in all aspects of Aged Care facility management both in the private and not for profit sectors. Max was appointed to his first aged care board position in 1995 and continues to serve in a board member capacity today.

Prior to joining Roberts + Morrow, Max was a Principal at a large regional accounting firm in Glen Innes.

In his spare time, Max runs a small Primary Production business just north of Glen Innes with his wife Michelle. He takes a keen interest in their vegetable garden, house yard plants and native tree planting on their primary production land.

Max’s main sporting interests are watching rugby league and cricket.

Robert Waters

Partner, Business Services

Robert joined Roberts + Morrow in 2005 and has worked across the business service and audit teams.

He completed a Bachelor of Commerce in 2006 from the University of New England. Then In 2009, Robert further attained a qualification as a Chartered Accountant and is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

During the six years spent in the audit division, he picked up valuable experience in financial accounting and self-managed super funds. With the last ten years exclusively in business services, Robert has worked with many client businesses across the New England region.

Robert was recently appointed as Partner of Roberts + Morrow from 1 March 2024, recognising his experience and professionalism and being a valued member of the Armidale and Glen Innes business services teams.

Robert enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids away from work and regularly visits the family farm nestled in the scenic gorge country east of Armidale.

Kylie King

Partner, Accounting & Audit

Kylie was born and grew up in Tamworth. In 2000 she completed her Bachelor of Business with a major in Accounting at the Sunshine Coast University. She has since become a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA). In 2021, Kylie was made an Associate at the firm, and in 2023 she was welcomed as a Partner to the leadership team. 

In 2005 Kylie moved back to her hometown, where she found a role as a part-time office assistant and preparer of Tax returns in a local accounting firm in 2006. Kylie soon realised after a client-facing role early on in her career that talking to people about their business and tax issues and being able to assist them on their journey was her future career direction.

Even though Kylie started her accounting career later in life, she is very proud of this fact. She feels that her experience in management roles in various industries and helping her family business allows her to lead her clients through what may seem complex compliance and tax issues and break them down, so they feel less intimidating.

Kylie is passionate about helping her clients spend less time working in their business and more time working on their business to achieve their financial goals and feel in control of their future and retirement.

Kylie is married to Brock, a golf professional and has a seven-year-old daughter Addie. So when she’s not following Addie around to her various activities, she loves going out to dinner, trying out new menus (sometimes cocktails) and having a game of golf.

Derek Repp

Partner, Business Advisory

Derek joined Roberts + Morrow in 2017 leading the firm’s business advisory offerings. He completed a Bachelor of Accounting in 2004 from Pepperdine University in California.

Prior to joining Roberts + Morrow, Derek spent eight years working for an international accounting practice and then four years working in-house for a publicly listed Australian corporation. These roles provided Derek experience across a range of industries and valuable skills in financial reporting, governance and driving business performance. His time spent working within a corporation also gave him an appreciation for what it is like to “sit on the other side of the table”.

In 2007 Derek further attained a qualification as a Certified Public Accountant in the United States. Following ten years of working in accounting in Sydney and Armidale, he became a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand in 2017.

Derek was appointed an Associate at Roberts + Morrow from 1 January 2020, and the Firm most recently welcomed him as Partner from 1 January 2021; recognising his expertise and professionalism, and being instrumental in bringing together the Business Advisory division.

Away from work, Derek loves being outdoors with his wife and three sons enjoying the beauty of the New England.

Wayne Higgins

Senior Financial Planner, Roberts + Morrow Financial Planning

Wayne holds a Bachelor of Business in Financial Planning, awarded with Distinction, by the RMIT University in 2012. Wayne also holds the professional designation of Certified Financial Planner®, awarded for coursework, by the Financial Planning Association of Australia (now the Financial Advice Association of Australia) in 2020.

Wayne started his work life in Sydney in 1981 as an Electronics Engineer with the Federal Department of Aviation and developed his career moving on to leading high-technology companies such as AWA Limited, Logica PLC and Honeywell Limited. During his 30 years in the sector, Wayne rose through the ranks to senior levels of Business Development and Operations Management.

After making the decisions to "Tree Change" to regional New South Wales and "Career Change" into the Financial Services Sector, Wayne has successfully practiced in the North Coast and New England regions of New South Wales. Since becoming a qualified Financial Planner in 2012, Wayne has served as an authorised representative for leading providers such as the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, First State Super and Findex Advice Services.

When not at work, Wayne enjoys undertaking ambitious renovation projects and caring for his two Whippets and two Dachshunds at home in Armidale NSW. Wayne has also had the unique experience of owning an Award-Winning Oceanfront Restaurant and successfully ran the business in Lennox Head NSW for over four years.

Wayne's goal as a Senior Financial Planner with Roberts + Morrow is to take his clients on a journey that will substantially improve their financial position along with their financial knowledge and confidence.

Wayne Higgins is now an Authorised Representative of Count Financial Limited.

Wayne joined Roberts + Morrow in January 2024 and now leads our Financial Planning Team.

Carolyn Cooper

Partner, Audit

Carolyn joined Roberts + Morrow in 2007 as our Chief Financial Officer. In this role she managed the ongoing financial and administrative functions of the firm, delivering quality reliable information to the Partners. In addition Carolyn has been involved in the Firm’s quality assurance processes over many years.

In early 2018 Carolyn moved to the Audit & Advisory team to take on the new role of Audit Manager and was made an Associate of the Firm in 2019. As required, she is currently maintaining a log book in order to obtain her audit registration.

Before joining Roberts + Morrow, Carolyn was employed as a senior director of the Australian National Audit Office for 7 years and has had significant experience with federal government entities, clubs and not for profit organisations.

Carolyn holds a Bachelor of Financial Administration from the University of New England. She is a member of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and CPA Australia.

After 13 years in various roles within the Firm, Roberts + Morrow were pleased to welcome Carolyn into the Partnership in 2020, leading the audit division into a new decade under her expertise.

Paul Williams

Partner, Legal Solutions

Paul holds a Master of Laws degree from the University of Sydney and is a Chartered Tax Adviser with the Tax Institute of Australia. Paul heads up our Tax + Legal team and has over 20 years’ experience partnering with clients to find innovative solutions to complex tax and estate planning problems. Paul prides himself on his ability to summarise difficult concepts in a way that is easy for clients to understand and make decisions on.

In his leisure time Paul and his wife Emma are kept busy with the various sporting and musical activities of their three children. When time permits Paul tries to squeeze in some road cycling.

Sam Notley

Partner, Business Services

Sam was born in Glen Innes and completed a Bachelor of Financial Administration at the University of New England in 1997. After initially training as an accountant in Moree, he joined Roberts + Morrow in May 2000 . In June 2003 Sam relocated back to Glen Innes where he became a Partner of the Firm. He now operates from both the Glen Innes and Armidale offices with his client work.

Sam prides himself on his ability to communicate complex information in simple terms to his clients and believes in finding unique ways to develop good business strategies. Sam’s approach is down to earth and he appreciates the chance to communicate with all sorts of personalities. In addition to this, Sam has deep roots in farming, particularly in sheep and cattle, instilling a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the industry. Through his financial expertise, Sam assists farmers in developing business plans and implementing financial strategies to navigate the industry. 

Sam is a keen sports fan, particularly of rugby union and cricket, however he is willing to hold a discussion on most sports. Sam is well known locally due to his family connection with Notley’s Wool Store and for his contribution to rugby union and cricket teams.

In his spare time, Sam and his wife Alex are busy looking after their three young girls and Sam enjoys playing rugby for the local Barbarian’s rugby union team.

Matthew McCulloch

Partner, Business Services

Matthew grew up in Tamworth, spending a lot of time on the family farm near Willow Tree. He then went on to attend the University of Sydney, graduating with a Bachelor of Economics and becoming a qualified Chartered Accountant and a registered tax agent. After living and working in Sydney and overseas, Matthew returned to Roberts & Morrow in the Tamworth office, first as a manager and then as a Partner, overseeing operations and management across the Practice.

Matthew and his team provide general taxation and business advisory services and specialise in generating management reports to assist clients in making well-informed business decisions. This work is achieved by focusing on his clients’ accounting processes, systems and internal controls. Matthew believes that when these are in place, business owners can spend more of their valuable time identifying and dealing with the critical strategic issues facing their business.

His underlying approach is to look at a client’s financial situation and well-being – not just their business – to ensure the focus is on maximising wealth creation and protecting their financial security.

Matthew lives in Tamworth with his wife, enjoying raising three young children together and the occasional round of golf.

Tanya Bagster

Partner, Business Services

Tanya graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Newcastle in 1998. During her university studies she gained early experience as a cadet accountant with a local Newcastle accounting firm. Upon completion of her degree, Tanya relocated to Tamworth to be closer to her home town of Narrabri.

Tanya was admitted as a Chartered Accountant in 2004 and in 2016 became an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) Holder. Her professional experience includes; business services, agribusiness, taxation, tax planning and self-managed superannuation funds.

Tanya became a partner of a local Tamworth firm in 2012 which later became known as Plante Davis Chartered Accountants. Looking to expand the services available to their client base, Plante Davis merged with Roberts + Morrow in 2016.

Tanya provides a personal approach and works hard to deliver solutions to improve the quality of her client’s businesses and ultimately their lives. She understands the demands on professionals and business owners and works hard to deliver solutions to help take the worry of taxation and accounting out of business operations.

A proud mother of two, Tanya enjoys spending time with her husband Joseph and their daughters.

Joel Weier

Partner, Business Services

Joel graduated with a Bachelor of Financial Administration from the University of New England in 2000.

Joel joined Roberts + Morrow in September 1999 and was admitted as a Chartered Accountant in 2003. In 2008, Joel was admitted to partnership. His areas of special interest include small business management and accounting, income tax, superannuation and government assistance.

Coming from a family with a very successful small business background gives Joel an understanding of the issues involved in running them. Small business owners need to wear many different hats including human resources, finance, capital management and WHS just to name a few. This is where Joel believes obtaining assistance from a professional practice is crucial to the success of every small business.

Joel is a keen golfer and has recently started playing volleyball again in the local competition organised at the University. He is also involved in the management of several local charities and organisations. He enjoys spending time with wife Jane and their three sons; Nicholas, Oliver and James.

Jason Simmonds

Partner, Business Services

Jason is a Chartered Accountant (CA) and Tax Agent with degrees in both Law (Honours Class 1) and Commerce from the University of New England where he has also tutored and lectured in a number of subjects including Taxation Law.

He is also one of only a small number of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand members who have completed the CA Self-Managed Superannuation Fund Specialist qualification.

With more than 20 years’ practical experience advising businesses and high wealth individuals, Jason’s combination of skills, experience and keen business insight means he is uniquely placed to provide high-level technical advice on a range of taxation and superannuation issues. He balances this advice against practical and commercial considerations that face his clients in their business and personal affairs. Combining this with a personal approach, Jason understands his client’s needs and partners with them to achieve their goals.

In 2021, Jason led an exciting expansion into QLD as the firm opened an office in the Brisbane CBD. With the practice celebrating 70 years in business, Jason looks forward to growing the Brisbane client base and being a part of the firm’s next chapter.

Chris Ingall

Partner, Business Services

Chris graduated with a Bachelor of Agricultural Economics from the University of New England in 2000 as well as a Graduate Diploma in Financial Management in 2006.

Chris had previously worked for a number of years with Roberts + Morrow and was admitted as a Chartered Accountant in 2009.

Chris along with his growing family relocated to Tamworth and became a partner with a local firm in 2011 which later became known as Plante Davis Chartered Accountants. Chris maintained his close working relationship with Roberts + Morrow during these years and is now proud to be part of the Roberts + Morrow group after merging the businesses in 2016.

Chris grew up locally on the family farm and has both an agricultural and commercial background. He is dedicated to delivering accurate, high quality, progressive and reliable advice to his clients.

Chris and his wife Louise are kept busy raising their three young sons and enjoy travelling and spending time with their family.

Brad Schumacher

Jane Newsome

Partner, Business Services

Jane began her working and accounting career in 1986 with a firm in Sydney where she gained valuable experience in the areas of taxation, business management & primary production before travelling extensively overseas. Upon her return from overseas she settled back in Glen Innes near to where her parents now reside.

Jane completed a Bachelor of Management (Communication) from the Orange Agricultural College in 1999 and a Bachelor of Financial Administration at the University of New England in 2001.

In July 2000 Jane joined the Roberts + Morrow team in Glen Innes and became a member of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand in 2004. In 2008 Jane became a partner of Roberts + Morrow.

Primary production has played a large part in Jane’s personal and professional life. With many agricultural clients, Jane’s advisory work is underpinned by a focus on maintaining and growing client wealth and ensuring they have properly structured succession and estate plans in place.

Having also been a small business owner & manager, Jane understands the complexities of running a business and believes firmly that hard work and high quality advice are critical to business success.

Jane is married with three children and she and her husband Brad continue to run a cattle and fat lamb property at Dundee.

Jane Newsome is an Authorised Representative of Count Financial Limited.

Annette Aslin

Partner, Business Services

Annette graduated with a Bachelor of Financial Administration from the University of New England in 1994 and joined a local Tamworth based accounting firm. Annette was admitted as a Chartered Accountant in 1998 and in 2007 she was admitted as a partner of the firm now known as Trinder Scott and Davis which merged with Plante Partners to become Plante Davis Chartered Accountants. Plante Davis merged with Roberts + Morrow in 2016 to provide an even greater range of professional services to their client base.

Annette grew up in Tamworth and is committed to her local community. She is passionate about building strong and viable businesses in the region.

Annette has developed a strong community client base and strives to provide a personal and professional service. Her areas of interest include; taxation, GST and small business development.

Annette understands the requirements of the changing business environment today and endeavours to provide reliable and common sense advice to her clients.

Annette’s family, including her husband Raymond and two children, are keen sportspeople and her weekends are often full with various family sporting activities.

Alistair Galbraith

Partner, Superannuation

Alistair has worked in the Accounting, Superannuation, Taxation and Business Advisory sectors for over 20 years. He has developed a specialisation in Self Managed Superannuation Funds through his extensive experience in the field and accreditation as an SMSF Association Specialist Advisor.

He has worked on all sides of superannuation from assisting employers and businesses meet their obligations, assisting individuals to make the most of the superannuation system, working on APRA regulated funds to assisting trustees on all facets of Self Managed Superannuation Funds. His extensive practical experience and education enables him to assist client in meeting their obligations, avoid pitfalls and make the most of superannuation opportunities.

Alistair Galbraith is an Authorised Representative of Count Financial Limited.

Phil Gream

Managing Partner, Business Services

Phil grew up in Armidale and attended the University of New England, graduating with a Bachelor of Financial Administration in 1988. He spent 12 months working at Roberts + Morrow before leaving to join a Sydney based firm where he gained valuable experience in the audit sector and was admitted to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1991. Phil returned to Roberts + Morrow in June 1992 and was admitted as a partner in 1998. In 2019 Phil took on the Managing Partner role for the Firm, overseeing operations and management right across the Practice.

Phil and his team provide general taxation and business advisory services and specialise in generating management reports to assist clients in making well informed business decisions. This is achieved by focusing on his clients’ accounting processes, systems and internal controls. Phil believes that when these are in place, business owners are able to spend more of their valuable time identifying and dealing with the key strategic issues facing their business.

His underlying approach is to look at a client’s whole financial situation and well being – not just at their business – to ensure the focus is on maximising wealth creation and protecting their financial security.

Phil is a keen sports fan who enjoys following the NRL, participating in a range of sports including running and spending time with his family.