RSM Alumni Newsletter

Hello again!

Welcome to our Alumni network newsletter. It has been a while since our last update, but we’re excited to be relaunching with a new look. We want to update you on some key achievements and activities at RSM that we think would interest you.

Early this year, RSM had a brand refresh, getting an updated, modern look that reflects our future focus and the way we grow with our clients and people

This year has been a big one for us, with our work once again recognised at the Client Choice Awards. We are honoured to have been voted the Best Accounting and Consulting Services Firm (>$200m) for six consecutive years. This year we achieved a record-setting four wins, and were finalists in another four categories. This recognition is certainly a testament to our unparalleled dedication to client service excellence.
      

This year we also shared some of our bold plans for growth, with many plans already underway. We are very proud of our efforts to balance this growth while continuing to deliver excellence for our clients. As you’ll see in the update below, we have invested in and strengthened various service lines, including the positioning of financial modelling, expanded our Professional and Business Services to be an official sector, and boosted our ESG services.

Keep reading to see what RSM and our wonderful people have been up to and where some of your fellow alum are making waves. We are sure you will recognise a few familiar faces.

Until next time,

This new financial year started with a bang, with the appointment of 24 new Partners and Directors (previously called Principals) across RSM Australia.

Such a large number of new appointments attests to RSM's growth and where it plans to be by 2030. Aligning with this growth we have welcomed several lateral hires, including Winnie Deng (Sydney, R&D), Tim Linke (Melbourne, Corporate Finance), John Bland (Brisbane, International Tax and Transfer Pricing), Michael Cassidy (Perth, Fraud & Forensics) and Maria Williams (Sydney, Assurance & Advisory)

We are especially excited about the expansion of some of our service lines and have added Professional and Business Services as an official sector, led by Kian Ghahramani (Sydney)

Congratulations to our new Partners and Directors!

Read more here

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

These Partners have been key to RSM's success and growth, bringing their expertise, leadership, and a whole lot of heart to the firm. We are 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!

Earlier this year, Ernest John “E.J.” Nedder stepped into the role of Global CEO for RSM International, succeeding Jean Stephens who has led the global business for 18 years. E.J., formerly Partner and Chief Strategy Officer at RSM US LLP, has been pivotal in embedding the 2030 Global Strategy and fostering a global mindset within the firm. He will be based in London and plans to visit Member Firms worldwide. Jean, who has been with RSM for 25 years, will continue in a senior advisory role for the next three years. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Jean for her exceptional leadership and dedication.

A few of our offices around the country have been on the move, with Adelaide, Wagga Wagga and Melbourne all taking up residence in new homes.

There's been some phenomenal growth across RSM in recent years and, in a way, it's an exciting feeling to know you're bursting at the seams with talented, skillful professionals.

Next on the list is Brisbane, who are temporarily on level nine of 488 Queen Street with plans to settle into their new home on level three in late 2024.

Adelaide's new address: Level 2     191 Pulteney Street    Adelaide SA 5000
Wagga Wagga's new address: 77 Gurwood Street Wagga Wagga NSW 2650
Melbourne's new address: 120 Collins Street Melbourne VIC 3000

Lisa Edwards
(nee Gregor)

Strategy and Innovation at 
Fortescue

Worked at RSM from 2015-2018
Division: Audit
Office: Perth

Fun fact
Lisa's husband is Director of Business Advisory at RSM, Rhys Edwards
     
Tell us about your current role
I work within the Strategy and Innovation team at Fortescue, supporting the business with program management and strategy implementation. I have gained experience internally in management accounting, procurement analytics and strategy which I use to support the delivery of key projects, with a focus on decarbonisation initiatives, such as green metal.

What has been your biggest career highlight?
Being a key team member involved in a business optimisation program that resulted in positive impacts to the financial performance of a top ASX company. I had the opportunity to utilise my financial and analytical background to prepare analysis and present outcomes to Executive and Board Members.

What is your favourite memory of your time at RSM?
My secondment to the Dallas office in the US was definitely a highlight. These few months abroad were unforgettable from both a career perspective, getting to work with new clients and colleagues and gaining experience internationally, but also from a personal perspective, spending time with some incredible people from around the world.
I also can’t go past meeting my now-husband, Rhys, while I was a graduate at RSM 😊

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve received?
Say yes to opportunities, especially the ones that are outside of your comfort zone. It’s the best way to develop and grow in your career.

What advice would you give your younger self in the early days of your career?
While learning the technical side of the role in the start of your career, always remember to absorb the broader aspects; the big picture operations and the ins and outs of how a business runs. Accounting is a great foundation and can open so many doors to excel in various functions of a business.

Keen to head along to an Alumni event in your city?

We love staying connected! Our nationwide teams always have something in the works, so keep up to date on RSM's Alumni program website page.

We also have a LinkedIn group and Facebook group for Alumni to join - feel free to request to join to connect with your fellow RSM alum!

Tim Linke

Partner, Corporate Finance

Melbourne office

Tim heads up RSM Australia's Financial Modelling service. As a relatively new offering from RSM, Tim shares his insights and experiences in this corner of professional services.

Learn more about Tim's experience.

[email protected]

Tell us about the service you provide

I lead RSM Australia's Financial Modelling service, where we partner with our clients to strengthen decision making across their businesses through the development of bespoke forecasting and reporting solutions. By enabling clear, actionable insights into their financial health and future projections,  and tailoring our approach to best meet the unique needs of each client, we provide clients with the key information and context required to enable robust and informed decision making.

What type of business is it best suited for?

All business, large or small, make decisions daily. This gives us the opportunity to support across a range of sectors and business. Whether working with developing businesses looking to plan for an upcoming growth phase, established businesses looking for efficiencies or capital structure improvements, or businesses considering M&A activities, we provide the required tools to support these key milestones items.

What’s unique about the financial modelling service you offer clients?

We don’t just create models or populate templates, we build bespoke solutions that are tailored to the specific requirements and goals of each client. Our models and tools are primarily Excel-based, and designed with simplicity and transparency as a key tenant. We want our clients to be able to own the final product and be confident with ongoing usage. Our dynamic approach allows us to meet the required need, using a leveraged team approach that provides efficiency on costs and timelines.

You’re relatively new to RSM – what are you enjoying about being here?

At the risk of sounding cliched, the first thing that comes to mind is the incredibly strong culture that was evident from day one. The level of support and camaraderie is impressive and a testament to the firm’s investment in people. The firm has a great client base, and I look forward to continuing to grow and develop the services that the firm provides to the wider community. 
 

RSM's annual May Retreat was held in Melbourne this year. These bi-annual meetings are always a great opportunity for colleagues to connect and catch up, and plan for the busy months ahead. RSM recently introduced its strategy to 2030, and Partners and Directors were able to collaborate and reflect on this highly important piece of work as part of the May Retreat. Enjoy some snaps below!

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!

50 years
Elizabeth Fleming, Group Finance, Perth
Penny Athanasiou, Administration, Perth

35 years
Julia Hogan, Business Advisory, Katanning
Steven James, Business Advisory, Port Lincoln
Darryl Dawson, Business Advisory, Fremantle

30 years
Rami Brass, Tax Services, Perth (retired 30 June)
Lindsay Prosser, Business Advisory, Corrigin
Marg Young, Business Advisory, Rockingham

25 years
Paul Heiler, Tax Services, Sydney
 

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of one of our Albury partners, Travis Connell. Travis passed in July after a short illness.

Travis had been with the firm since 2017, was an integral part of the Albury team and a key member of our senior leadership group. He was appointed as a Partner earlier this year.

Albury is a close-knit office, and Travis was respected as a friend and colleague by all. He leaves behind his wife Lauren and two young children, Dax and Elka.

The firm and the Albury Partners are doing all they can to support Lauren and her young family during these difficult times.