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Meet Peter Revelas - Director, Business Advisory
Peter is an experienced accountant who understands the complexity of business operations and family dynamics, which allows him to provide valuable and practical advice to clients.
He provides a commercial application of technical tax and accounting skills to suit the needs of his clients including family groups, private businesses, SMEs and corporate clients (listed, unlisted and foreign).
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE BUSINESS ADVISORY (BA) DIVISION? WHAT ARE COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT BEING A BA PARTNER?
I have worked in the Sydney Business Advisory division since December 2011. One of the greatest misconceptions about our work is that we all do the same work – we are as diverse in our knowledge and skills as we are in our tastes in wine!
WHAT DID YOU DO PREVIOUSLY? WHAT LED YOU DOWN THIS PARTICULAR CAREER PATH?
I have been an accountant throughout my entire working life. I did, however, try all types of disciplines before settling on Business Advisory where my personality and technical abilities suited me best – I enjoy building long-term relationships with my clients and working with them proactively to obtain the optimum result.
HAVE YOU WORKED OVERSEAS (OR IN OTHER PARTS OF AUSTRALIA)?
I have never worked overseas nor worked outside of Sydney. However, I have many clients and business contacts who are based all over the world, so I am not unfamiliar with doing some of my work in different time zones!
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
Growing up in an inland city, I always wanted to live near the ocean. Living in Sydney lets me enjoy the ocean as well as almost endless good weather.
TELL US SOMETHING WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU... YET.
I was in a TV commercial when I was 4 or 5 years old for the Polly-otter swimsuit – a floating vest for toddlers.
My job was to climb over the pool fence and jump into the pool. Although the point was to show the dangers of young children accessing a pool, I had the time of my life climbing that fence, so much so that I showed my cousin and that became our race!
IN THIS COVID-19 WORLD, WHERE ARE YOU NEXT LOOKING AT GOING ON A HOLIDAY?
It seems a trip to Africa or Europe to visit family will be unlikely for some time, so it seems the safest holiday destinations are going to be somewhere along the NSW coast. Last year we ventured North, so I think we will venture South of Sydney this time.
WHO HAS INFLUENCED YOU AND WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
I have been fortunate to grow up with some very inspiring people around me who have influenced me tremendously.
"The common traits they all had was an unparalleled work ethic and an endless desire to succeed – success was defined in terms of independence and security. I am inspired by truly selfless acts, particularly when they have such a large impact."
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF PROFESSIONAL ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
My father needed to go to London for a few days during a mid-term school break, so he took the family with him to enjoy a holiday at the same time. While I was there, I was studying for preliminary school exams, which was not all that fun, but when I met a business colleague of my father’s he told me,
“Work hard now and choose the steepest hill. If you make it to the top of that hill, you will have a gradual slope to walk down for the rest of your life. If you don’t choose the steepest hill, you might find yourself searching for the top of the hill for many years.”
I have tended to apply that principle ever since but haven’t quite found that gradual downhill yet.
WHAT’S ONE THING YOU’RE CURRENTLY TRYING TO MAKE A HABIT OF?
A good golf swing… Unfortunately, that is a habit none will ever master. So, I will have to stick with something more realistic like spending some time each day reading to learn something new, whether for professional or personal interest.
WHAT’S ONE THING THAT SURPRISED YOU ABOUT WORKING AT RSM?
It is truly amazing how much you are supported by your colleagues. The firm has a real sense of family built into its DNA and that is extremely important to me.
WHAT ARE THE MOST SATISFYING ASPECTS OF YOUR JOB?
What drives me to get out of bed each day is that I might help someone solve a problem. That might be helping a junior staff member learn a new skill or connecting a client with a new opportunity. Building long-term relationships is a focus of mine and I invest a lot of my time to achieve that.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CULTURE IN YOUR OFFICE/DIVISION?
The Sydney office is a diverse workplace where anyone and everyone can shine if they want to – there are no closed doors and getting amongst your colleagues in other divisions is promoted regularly.
The Sydney Business Advisory division is a challenging, yet supportive, environment. Our open-door policy and targeted development for each staff member means we are providing everyone with the best opportunity to develop their skills and shine.
