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2004
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A serendipitous merger between two like-minded, independent financial Advisory Firms
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As of October 1 2004 Serendipity Financial Planning will merge with Forsythes Financial Services. Forsythes Financial Planning Partner Mr John O’Connor and Serendipity’s Director Mr Allan Goodwin both see this as an advantageous merger between two innovative, independent ‘boutique’ Advisory Firms.
“Recent Major heart surgery has placed me in a very difficult position to continue to be the sort of Advisor to my clients that I aspire to be. After a lot of thought and agonizing, I decided that my clients are better served if I can be replaced with an Advisory Group, that is not fully or part-owned by a Bank or Insurance Company. I feel that merging with Forsythes is the best strategy going forward”, said Mr Goodwin.
“Forsythes Financial Services is a similar sized organisation, we have three planners and two support staff, Forsythes have three planners and four support staff – but Forsythes offers the scale and resources of the full Forsythes Accounting group and were recently named No.1 Australian Regional Business Services Firm – BRW 2004”, Allan said.
“What is so unique about this merger is there are very few firms in our region that are, ‘contra to the model’ that is, having no attachments with financial institutions. Both companies have very similar investment methods and fee for service structure. I am excited that we’ll be able to learn and grow together, drawing on our unique strengths and therefore offering our combined clients a broader full suite of financial services’, Mr O’Connor said. ‘The Serendipity advisers will become a part of our Investment Review Committee and will add greatly to our depth of experience”.
“Initially, most clients will see no differences other than Serendipity will relocate to Forsythes 5th Floor, Hunter Mall Chambers, Scott Street Office. Serendipity’s advisors will continue to service their own clients and my clients, will be looked after by either John O’Connor or Nick Grayson, from Forsythes. Our fee structure will remain the same”, Allan said.
“Further down the track, we will look at amalgamating the best features of both practices to ensure a viable entity going forward”, John said.
With more than 50 years experience, Forsythes combines a tradition of business expertise with innovative thinking and state-of-the-art systems in a dynamic commercial environment. Forsythes provides services in accounting, recruitment, IT, financial planning, litigation support and training to a client-base that is rapidly expanding within and beyond the Hunter.
Allan Goodwin commenced Serendipity Financial Planning in April 1995 following 9 years representing Godfrey Weston Limited in the Newcastle and Northern NSW region. During the ensuing years, it quietly earned a reputation as an innovative, independent “boutique” Advisory Firm, focused on Client service and outcomes. A regular contributor to financial discussions, especially in controversial areas, Serendipity has featured in MASTERCLASS – the Top 50 Advisors in Australia – awarded by Personal Investor magazine, every year of the six years it has been running.
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New Forsythes Partner rises from within the ranks.
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Newcastle-based business services firm Forsythes is pleased to announce manager Brad Nichols will join its partnership team on July 1, 2004.
At age 29, Brad will become the youngest and eighth member of a partnership that manages one of the largest business services firms in the Hunter Region.
Brad has been a manager in the Forsythes accounting/business services division for the last two years, although his career in accounting and consulting spans 10 years. He started as a trainee accountant in 1994, completed a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) at the University of Newcastle and in 1998 became a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Brad specialises in tax advice, tax planning, acquisitions and restructures for small to medium enterprises. Other specialties include company, trust and individual taxation, Capital Gains Tax and GST as a part of the New Tax System.
To help keep his knowledge up-to-date, Brad tutors in taxation at the University of Newcastle and also works with the Institute of Chartered Accountants facilitating the CA program in taxation and small business management. In his spare time, he enjoys surfing and playing rugby with the Wanderers Rugby Football Club, representing Newcastle and the Hunter Region in country competitions.
“We see Brad’s appointment to the partnership team as a long term investment in the business and we’re excited to have him on board,” Forsythes CEO, Mr Paul Hankinson said.
“Our clients and our 100 plus employees will benefit from Brad’s leadership, knowledge and experience as we continue to grow our business services,” Mr Hankinson said.
“I am honoured to be joining such a diverse and dynamic partnership team and look forward to being a part of Forsythes future direction and growth,” Brad said.
With more than 50 years experience, Forsythes combines a tradition of business expertise with innovative thinking and state-of-the-art systems in a dynamic commercial environment. Forsythes provides services in accounting, recruitment, IT, financial planning, litigation support and training to a client-base that is rapidly expanding within and beyond the Hunter.
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Leading Regional Firms join forces to win NSW State-Wide ‘Risk Management in Small Business’ Project
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Forsythes and Turnbull Hill Lawyers have successfully won a joint tender to the NSW Department of State and Regional Development to write a guide for Risk Management in Small Business. The project brief is to design a set of tools in the form of a manual, a training module, and an interactive compact disk. These tools will be used by small business owners and managers to help guide them to a ‘best practice’ model of risk management, including their development of a unique risk audit and action plan for their business.
The background to this project is that many small businesses are facing difficulties with liability insurance, including significant increases in premiums, reduced insurance cover and in some extreme cases refusal to provide any cover at all. The problem of affordable liability insurance has been caused by – the increasing size and frequency of compensation claims; the pricing and prudential practices of insurance companies; the fall-out from the failure and closure of large insurance companies; insurance company mergers; and rising reinsurance costs due to terrorist attacks overseas.
“Having already worked closely together earlier this year with Forsythes to provide a series of workshops for the NSW Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation, we are again excited at the opportunity to combine our knowledge of Small Business and our Risk Management expertise,” said Turnbull Hill Lawyers Partner Mr Brian Doyle.
“Winning this tender reinforces the fact that as regional firms we have the skills and the capacity to provide state-wide services,” said Forsythes CEO Mr Paul Hankinson.
Forsythes provides services in recruitment, IT, financial planning, accounting and litigation support to a client-base that is rapidly expanding within and beyond the Hunter. Forsythes has previously been engaged by the Department of Sport and Recreation to author three "It's Your Business" modules on Human Resources, Strategic Business Planning and IT, Education and Training.
Turnbull Hill Lawyers are a prominent law firm in our region and were voted one of BRW's top 100 fastest growing companies last year.
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Forsythes IT Wins Prestigious Acer Award
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At the recent Acer Channel Forum 2004 Conference, Forsythes Information Technology was awarded the Acer ‘Best Regional Sales 2003’ Award throughout Australia. The conference was held on the 9th of March 2004 at the Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre. The Forsythes IT award was presented by Darren Simmons, National Sales Director and Greg Mikaelian, National Channels Manager.
Over 200 channel partners attended the Acer Channel Forum 2004, an annual event to share with valued channel partners of future Acer Business directions and to reward excellence in the channel. Acer Inc. President - JT Wang, presented the keynote address at the Forum.
After the full day conference, channel partners were treated to a cruise on Sydney Harbour and a gala dinner at Taronga Zoo where the awards ceremony took place.
“The Acer Channel Forum is a great opportunity for us to award outstanding performers such as Forsythes IT. A valued Acer partner for over 10 years, this award demonstrates Forsythes continuing support and ongoing commitment to providing their customers with the most up-to-date and innovative products and solutions from Acer,” said Acer National Channels Manager, Greg Mikaelian.
“We are honoured to receive this prestigious Acer award. It shows that Forsythes IT has the skills and capacity to excel in sales and service over and above all other regional centres throughout Australia,” said Forsythes IT Director Mr Jeff Hughes.
Forsythes Information Technology is part of the Forsythes Group and specialises in systems integration, accounting, CRM solutions, software development and computer sales and maintenance. Among many industry certifications held, Forsythes IT is an Acer Gold Partner and Acer Service and Repair Centre, a Microsoft Certified Partner and Citrix Gold Partner.
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Leading Regional Firms Join Forces To Provide State-Wide Services
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A joint venture between Forsythes and Turnbull Hill Lawyers has successfully tendered for a series of workshops for the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation.
The workshops are part of the "It's Your Business" programme run by the Department, which provides a printed resource and a series of workshops to directors of sporting organisations. The "It's Your Business" workshop and resources provide comprehensive and practical information on risk management, financial management, corporate governance and legal issues.
The workshops will be presented in Sydney and regional areas, offering sporting organisations throughout NSW access to the programme.
“We are excited at the opportunity to combine our expertise in sports law with Forsythes skills in financial matters,” said Turnbull Hill Lawyers Partner Mr Brian Doyle.
“Winning the tender shows that as regional firms we have the skills and the capacity to provide state-wide services,” said Forsythes CEO Mr Paul Hankinson.
Forsythes provides services in recruitment, IT, financial planning, accounting and litigation support to a client-base that is rapidly expanding within and beyond the Hunter. Forsythes has previously been engaged by the Department of Sport and Recreation to author three "It's Your Business" modules on Human Resources, Strategic Business Planning and IT, Education and Training.
Turnbull Hill Lawyers are a prominent law firm in our region and were voted one of BRW's top 100 fastest growing companies last year.
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First IT Scholarship Winner Lands Full Time Job
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Spherions first IT Scholarship Winner – Mr Ryan Priest has been offered a full time position with his host employer Elcom Credit Union.
The IT Scholarship concept is based on a host employer selecting a student and funding their IT Education at Newcastles Spherion Training Institute, whilst they gain real life IT work experience with the host employer.
“The traditional challenge for graduating IT students is that they have little ‘real world’ experience despite having fundamental knowledge. The Spherion Scholarship combats this by providing students with 12 months on the job experience in return for a fully funded Diploma in IT with vendor certifications in either Microsoft, Linux or CompTIA depending on the skill set of the student and the host employers infrastructure,” said Chad White, General Manager Spherion Newcastle.
“The idea behind the scholarship program is to generate IT entry level positions for enthusiastic hard working students. The host employer and the local IT industry benefit by developing young experienced and qualified IT professionals’, said Mr White.
“Ryan has worked extremely hard over the past twelve months. He studied at least 16 hours a week with Spherion in addition to working fours days a week at Elcom Credit Union performing more senior tasks as his education and experience increased,” said Elcom Credit Union IT Manager Mr Martin Elwell.
“Ryan’s hours of work and study have been rewarded with a full time position as IT Administrator at Elcom,” said Mr Elwell.
Spherion Education endeavours to have the most experienced instructors offering the highest quality education to students from the Central Coast, Hunter and beyond. The Spherion Training Institute offers career entry courses, on the job experience, plus a comprehensive Professional Development program. Spherion also offers vendor specific education leading to Certification from Microsoft, Citrix, Macromedia, Linux & Cisco.
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