“I would suggest to anyone looking to make a similar move that they should be careful not to pigeonhole themselves into a particular industry or role, as there is so much on offer down here” 

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Brett was raised in Sydney and knew from early high school that accounting or economics would shape his future. He went on to study Economics at Macquarie University, majoring in Accounting, and quickly rose through the ranks after starting his career at Duesburys (the largest 2nd tier accounting firm in Australia at the time), which later merged with Deloitte. By the age of 25, Brett had already reached management level, a testament to his drive and dedication. 

He attributes much of his success to his strong communication and teamwork skills, paired with a genuine commitment to the businesses he worked for. “It’s very much about the fact that you’ve been trained by those above you, and you need to, in turn, train those below you and ensure their development. That shows your commitment to the growth of the business and the team beyond your own career interests. Communication and teamwork are crucial right from the start,” Brett explains. 

After many years working in audit and corporate finance, Brett was approached by a client and offered a role on the other side of the fence – joining a startup telecommunications and mobile company as Financial Controller. This move gave him hands-on exposure to the many facets of running a private business. While he’d previously held managerial titles, this was his first real opportunity to manage a team. He continued to work in a variety of similar roles before eventually being enticed back to the accounting profession, joining the specialist litigation support firm created by the partner at Duesburys and Deloitte that he had previously worked with.  This was another significant career change, writing reports and determining the damages in major corporate litigation cases. 

Not long after, Brett and his wife Melissa, who is also a Chartered Accountant and by that stage held a senior role at the Australian head office of a UK based multi-national, found themselves reassessing their future. Now with two young daughters, they were beginning to question the kind of life they wanted to lead, both for themselves and their children. When their eldest, Taylor, started school, they faced a tough decision: deal with late-nights at work and a nanny for after-school care, or consider a lifestyle change that would allow for more family time. 

Melissa had grown up in Nowra on the South Coast, where her parents still lived. The family regularly visited and spent their Christmas holidays enjoying the slower pace and coastal lifestyle. For a time, they even owned a holiday home in Callala Beach. They could see the long-term benefits of raising their family on the South Coast, but it took them 18 months to work up the courage to make the move. Melissa made the transition easier by continuing her Sydney-based role remotely for 18 months, while Brett began the search for his next career step. 

They acknowledge how fortunate they were to have Melissa’s parents nearby to help with school pickups, which allowed their daughters to build closer bonds with their grandparents.  Having bought a large family home less than 10 minutes from town they now had the time to be the parents they wanted to be and built extremely close relationships with their daughters – something that had seemed out of reach in the city. Their daughters went on to thrive academically and have achieved remarkable things since finishing school and university, proving that success is possible outside metropolitan areas. 

After relocating to Nowra, Brett spent over 10 years as a Client Manager at another accounting firm, where he worked closely with Shane, one of his current colleagues. A number of years later, their paths crossed again when Brett took up his current role as Client Manager at Financial Dynamics where Shane is a Director. 

Brett encourages others making a regional move to reassess the full breadth of their skills and experience. “It’s all about being flexible and working to reinvent yourself. I would suggest to anyone looking to make a similar move that they should be careful not to pigeonhole themselves into a particular industry or role, as there is so much on offer down here,” he says. Employers in regional areas often look for versatility, adaptability and broad skill sets that come from working across various industries. 

Now, with seven years at Financial Dynamics under his belt, Brett works closely with clients y phone, email, or in person. He advises on business operations, delivers valuations and other consulting assignments, and draws on his deep experience from his Sydney years to assist with internal projects, all of which help ease the workload of the firm’s three Directors. He’s grateful to be part of a workplace that aligns with his values and offers a positive, collaborative culture. “The Directors really understand workplace culture and actively work on the business to ensure they create an environment that helps develop their team, while also offering challenges for those who want them and an enjoyable workplace for everyone.” 

Brett has no regrets about the move. When the time comes to retire, he has no plans to return to the city – he knows how good he’s got it. “The golf membership is $600 instead of $6000, and that’s just the icing on the cake.” 

If you’re a seasoned accounting professional considering a move to the South Coast, and you’re curious about future opportunities at Financial Dynamics, reach out for a chat with one of the Directors. It might just be the best decision you never knew you needed to make.