news

news > latest news

Rapid growth forges alliance

Leading Gold Coast accounting firm WMS Chartered Accountants has expanded following a strategic alliance with boutique corporate advisers Investorlink Corporate Ltd. The arrangement represents a merger of the accountancy and tax practices a cooperation agreement on corporate advisory services.

The expansion has also seen the appointment of a new partner David Hayes and David Rivers as divisional director of WMS Corporate Finance.

Mr Hayes joined the firm in October 2001 after seven years in commerce and other accounting firms. He was educated on the Gold Coast at TSS and Griffith University and specialises in corporate accounting, structuring and capital gains tax.

Mr Rivers has more than 10 years chartered accounting experience with five years corporate finance experience in Big 4 and leading second tier firms.

He is experienced in acquisition due diligence, business and company valuations, strategic reviews and assisting with capital and debt fund raising.

The merged group, located in the Corporate Centre Bundall, has a total of 32 qualified accountants and 8 support staff

WMS Chartered Accountants partner Aaron Lavell said the Gold Coast’s emergence as a major Australian business centre was driving the firm’s expansion.

“One of the greatest problems on the Gold Coast is recruiting skilled personnel,” Mr Lavell said.

“The alliance will provide Investorlink clients with a suite of taxation and accounting services to the highest standard available and WMS clients access to Investorlink’s Sydney based capital raising and superannuation specialists.”

On the international front, accountants in the  WMS team facilitate business between Australian and overseas interests with qualified accountants who speak Cantonese, Japanese, Mandarin, Korean, Taiwanese, Russian and Yugoslavian.

WMS Chartered Accountants commenced operations in 1994 while Investorlink was formed in 1993.