Derek, who is a Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants, a Certified Tax Advisor with the Tax Institute of Australia and a Registered Tax Agent, joined Yield Group (formely Hampton Partners) in 1995 as an Accountant in the Manjimup Office. In 1999 Derek and Ray Sullivan resolved to open a practice in the nearby town of Pemberton with Derek taking responsibility for the establishment and ongoing development of the practice. Soon after Derek took up an equity position in the Pemberton practice and in the years ahead became a partner in the consolidated group.
Prior to joining Yield Group, Derek worked for BHP Minerals Ltd for 12 years in various accounting and taxation roles including as a Taxation Officer in the Perth office, being responsible for establishing systems required to report the company’s extensive FBT obligations following the introduction of the tax in 1986. Derek was then appointed as a Management Accountant and later as a Financial Analyst at the company’s Koolan Island Iron Ore operations in the north west of Western Australia.
After living in a close knit community on a idyllic tropical island such as Koolan Island for 4 years, returning to live in Perth failed to meet expectations and within a year Derek, his partner Leanne, daughter Carrie-Anne and son Mitchell decided on a tree change and purchased their current farm near Pemberton.
After 20 years in public practice Derek has developed extensive business advisory skills to assist his diverse range of small to medium business clients, that not only service the local agriculture and tourism industries, but which are also located in various locations around Australia. Servicing client’s needs from afar has been achieved through embracing technology and in particular cloud based accounting solutions. Derek is also a SMSF specialist who provides advice on all aspects of the complex super rules to help clients achieve their retirement goals.
Outside the office Derek spends a lot of time developing his farm, whilst dreaming about his pursuit of excellence on his new found interest of working with, and riding horses. Derek loves socialising with family and friends and dotes on his two young grandchildren. He looks forward to getting away for the occasional dirt bike riding weekend with mates and the less occasional family ski trip.
