Taking your needs into account

Brett Piercy and Melissa Jones ... “Many firms will ‘fit’ their clients into a familiar mold, but we know that would not work well for ours.”

Two years after purchasing Hintertax Beerwah, business partners Brett and Dee Piercy and Melissa Jones have integrated the sophistication of a metropolitan business practice with the relationship centred focus of a rural accounting firm.

“Mel and I both started in business services in Sydney,” said Brett. “We each have strengths in different but complementary areas so we can offer our clients specialised advice and services across a fairly broad range of issues,” he said.

“Importantly, we have shared core values around how we wanted the practice to operate,” Melissa said. “We have created internal systems that allow us to meet every client where they are at, and tailor our services to them on that basis,” she said. 

“Accountants are in a pretty interesting position as far as professional services providers are concerned,” Brett said. “People’s financial concerns can be emotionally charged and complex. 

“The ‘technical’ aspects of what we do are generally straightforward, but they can open up conversations about quite personal facets of people’s lives. We often have to be ready to assist people through some very difficult financial decisions. It’s a responsibility we take very seriously,” he said.

Melissa said the firm catered to a broad range of clients. 

“Many firms will ‘fit’ their clients into a familiar mold, but we know that would not work well for ours. We deal with everyone, from people who are technically savvy and interested in geopolitical events and how they might affect their business or investments, to others who bring their receipts into the office in a box. And we are very happy to look after them all.”

Brett’s background was originally in taxation law and Mel was more specialised in chartered accounting and business services.

“So Mel is across business compliance, financial reporting, auditing and basically helping business clients get organised,” Brett said. 

“When we see clients, we evaluate their position and then we can help them choose the best cloud-based accounting options for their business,” Mel said. “Then a member of our team gives them one-on-one training. It is incredibly empowering for people to take control of this aspect of their business. And we are of far greater benefit to them when we sit down and talk to them than when we are going through their box of receipts,” Mel said.

“Brett’s experience and strengths lie in strategic planning and this can cover everything from the growth of a business, to retirement planning. All of this is built on the structures we set clients up with.”

 “A big part of what we do is educate our clients and work with them to achieve their financial goals,” Brett said. “This includes whether the structure of your business is optimum to offer you legal protection and to minimise tax. People invest a tremendous amount of time in their business, often to the exclusion of other things, and it is our job to make sure that this investment makes sense in the context of their financial goals for retirement. When we ask people when they plan to retire, and how much money they will need to do this comfortably, you would be surprised at how many of them don’t know. We help our business clients to break down their costs so they know exactly where they stand.” 

During the recent COVID lockdowns, Hintertax was overwhelmed with enquiries from clients.

“We were extremely busy, but Dee was on the forefront of every change, from JobKeeper to Government Boost, so we were able to help our clients with any Government assistance they were eligible for,” said Brett. “And we allocated resources internally to help our clients through what has been a very stressful time for so many.”

“I think a lot of people feel overwhelmed by financial issues and they don’t like to ask questions because it makes them feel stupid. I encourage clients to ask me anything because there are no stupid questions,” Melissa said. “I look for ways to help people understand important concepts, even if it means drawing them a picture. When our clients get a sense that we are on their side, and we have their back, we have done our job.” 

• Hintertax is at Unit 1 13 Turner Street, Beerwah. Phone: 5439 0188. Email: admin@hintertax.com.au