RSM Alumni Newsletter

Hello again!

To our RSM Alumni,

Welcome to this edition of our Alumni newsletter – your connection to the people, stories, and shared moments that continue to shape the RSM community.

As we close out the financial year, I also mark the end of my 34-year journey with RSM Australia and my time as Chief Executive Partner; an experience shaped by extraordinary colleagues, deep values, and a shared sense of purpose.

From starting out in our Goulburn office to leading nationally, it’s always been about the people – and that includes you, our alumni community.

I’ve seen RSM evolve through enormous change, yet the commitment to integrity, collaboration and care has never wavered.

With Robert Miano and our strong executive team guiding the 2030 strategy, RSM is in great hands.

So, for the last time from me, enjoy the read.

Perth Sundowner

What a fantastic evening at our annual Alumni Sundowner event in Perth back in March!

It was wonderful to catch up with everyone and hear about your incredible achievements over the past year.

Thank you to all who joined us at CRUSH, Pirate Life, for an evening filled with great conversations, drinks, and canapés. Your presence made the event truly special.

We look forward to seeing you at our future events and continuing to celebrate our amazing alumni community. Stay connected and keep sharing your successes!

For the seventh year in a row, RSM was delighted to be recognised at the 2025 Client Choice Awards!

Winner:

• Best Accounting & Consulting Services Firm (>$200m revenue)
• Best Provider of ESG Services: Accounting & Consulting Services (>$30m revenue)

Finalist:

• Most Trusted Firm: Accounting & Consulting Services (>$30m revenue)
• Best Provider to Financial & Insurance Services (>$30m revenue)
• Most Innovative Accounting & Consulting Services Firm (>$30m revenue)

Since the launch of our 2030 strategy last year, we have all worked collaboratively to deliver expert, meaningful work for our clients and fellow colleagues. Our future focus under our strategy has seen us champion innovation and change, which makes us the advisor of choice to the middle market. Winning these awards is testament to all the incredible work of the past 12 months from our people.

We're delighted that as RSM grows, we maintain our reputation as being a trusted advisor – a critical factor in our success and the relationships we have with our loyal and supportive clients.

Congratulations to our newest Partner and Director appointments, which are effective 1 July 2025.

Partners

• Sharon Baldwin, Business Advisory, Toowoomba
• Amanda Beckhouse, Business Advisory, Wagga Wagga
• Ross Dixon, Business Advisory, Albury
• Beenu Fernando, Risk Advisory Services, Melbourne
• Kara Golding, Business Advisory, Geraldton
• Reagan Manns, Business Advisory, Moora/Jurien Bay
• Albert Meintjes, Corporate Finance, Sydney
• Bryan Soepardi, R&D Tax & Government Incentives, Sydney
• Gavin Stacey, Business Advisory, Perth
• Adrian Hunter, Restructuring & Recovery, Melbourne (lateral hire, commenced 2 June 2025)

Directors

• Courtney Ashworth, Corporate Tax, Melbourne
• Matthew Callahan, Business Advisory, Ballarat
• Rhys Fowler, Business Advisory, Sydney
• Nepal Ghosh, Business Advisory, Wagga Wagga
• Craig Hanks, Corporate Finance, Melbourne
• Eddy Hu, Assurance & Advisory, Melbourne
• Courtney Mitchum, Business Advisory, Sydney
• Shannon O'Connor, Restructuring & Recovery, Perth
• Adrian Tang, Corporate Tax, Sydney
• Michael Tarin, Business Advisory, Port Lincoln
• Tair Kuanyshev, Corporate Finance, Melbourne (lateral hire, commenced 23 June 2025)

Congratulations to our most recent Partner retirements - time to put your feet up and enjoy the next chapter!

These Partners have been key in RSM's success and growth, bringing their expertise, leadership, and a whole lot of heart to the firm. We’re incredibly grateful for everything they’ve done and the positive impact they’ve had on all of us.

From everyone at RSM Australia, we wish you all the best on your next adventure!

 

Roberta Skliros
(nee Cole)

Assistant Auditor-General, Financial Audit, at the Victorian Auditor-General's Office

Worked at RSM from 2010-2014
Division: Assurance & Advisory
Office: Melbourne
     
Tell us about your current role

As the Assistant Auditor General of Financial Audit at the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office (VAGO), I lead a team responsible for conducting financial audits across the Victorian public sector. We also produce parliamentary reports, offering independent insights on financial outcomes and audit findings for both state and local governments.

Our financial audits are critical in ensuring accountability, transparency, and sound financial management in the public sector. Through our audit opinions, we provide Parliament and the public with confidence that financial reports and performance statements are reliable, supporting informed decision-making.

In addition to auditing, we provide actionable insights and recommendations through parliamentary reports, helping decision-makers improve government services and operations.

Leading this work is both incredibly challenging and deeply rewarding, and it continues to inspire me every day.

I am also a member of VAGO’s Strategic Management Group, where I contribute to shaping and implementing VAGO’s strategy, promoting good governance, and ensuring sustainable performance for the long-term benefit of both the organisation and the community we serve.

What has been your biggest career highlight?

The highlight of my career is undoubtedly seeing the people I’ve worked with evolve into leaders themselves. There's no greater satisfaction than watching a colleague or team member grow in confidence, skill, and ambition, then step forward to take on leadership roles within the profession. To know that I had a part in their journey—whether through mentorship, guidance, or providing opportunities—brings me immense pride and joy.

What is your favourite memory of your time at RSM?

One of my fondest memories from my time at RSM is the strong camaraderie and shared purpose within the public sector external audit team in Melbourne. We weren’t just focused on delivering quality work; we genuinely cared about our clients, the work we did, and our collective growth. It was inspiring to be surrounded by passionate individuals who consistently pursued excellence while fostering a collaborative environment, aligning around common goals, and having fun along the way. That spirit of teamwork and shared vision is something I will always carry with me.

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve received?

The best piece of advice I’ve received is to 'stop and smell the roses' along the way. It reminded me that while career ambitions and goals are important, it’s equally vital to appreciate the journey, take a step back, and value the moments outside of work. In our pursuit of career progression, we often forget to care for ourselves and nurture the other aspects of life that keep us grounded. This advice reinforced the importance of balance, which is important for sustaining long-term success and personal fulfillment.

I was also taught the value of continuous learning and taking risks. Growth doesn’t come from staying in your comfort zone; it comes from challenging boundaries, questioning assumptions, and staying open to new experiences.

What advice would you give your younger self in the early days of your career?

If I could offer advice to my younger self, it would be: Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Early in my career, I was focused on perfection—on getting everything right the first time. But I’ve come to understand that mistakes are simply stepping stones on the path to growth. Every setback, every failure is an opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow. Embrace them, don’t shy away from them.

Also, invest in relationships. The technical skills you develop will serve you well, but the connections you build with colleagues, mentors, and clients are just as critical. These relationships form the foundation of your professional network and can offer invaluable support, guidance, and opportunities throughout your career.

We know RSM is a great place to work, and our staff celebrating their long service would likely agree! In this edition of the alumni newsletter, we have more than 300 years of collective RSM experience!

Congratulations to our wonderful team members celebrating their work anniversaries with us. Cheers to more years to come!

45 years

• Shelley Crombie, Business Advisory, Corrigin
• Angelo Strano, Business Advisory, Wagga Wagga

35 years

• Ana Lulic, Business Advisory, Canberra
• Rodney Miller, Assurance & Advisory, Canberra

30 years

• Narelle Smith, Administration, Adelaide
• Tutu Phong, Assurance & Advisory, Perth
• Thomas Skeffington, Business Advisory, Goulburn

25 years

• Warwick Spargo, Assurance & Advisory, Melbourne
• Jackie Del Caro, National Management, Perth
• Roz Cerato, Administration, Wagga Wagga
• Ross Paterson, Business Advisory, Fremantle
• Tom Huberli, Business Advisory, Rockingham
• Martin Doerr, Assurance & Advisory, Sydney
• Joanne Gilbert, Business Advisory, Albany

Have you heard? Brisbane has a new address!

Unlocking the door to their new home at the beginning of this year, the Brisbane team are excited to be in this new space, continuing the growth of RSM's national footprint to reach more people and businesses across Queensland.

You'll find the team at:

Level 3
488 Queen St
Brisbane City
QLD 4000

The team held an opening event in March, officiated by Adrian Schrinner, the Lord Mayor of Brisbane.