About

We’re more than the annual number crunchers.

We’re your partner for the long haul, all year round, today and into the future.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

For us, it’s more than numbers.

We pride ourselves on being Trusted Advisors. That means we put the relationship and your needs before everything else.

You’ll find us engaging, understanding, thoughtful and considerate as we take the time to learn all the unique ins and outs of your life and/or business.

When you work with us, you are working with a partner – someone you can lean on, turn to and trust – and we will work our butts off to earn that trust for a strong business relationship. If that means trudging across a few dozen hectares to check out your livestock, or travelling beyond Ballarat to sample your fare first-hand, we’ll do it. Gladly.

Our Story

Our very brief history so far…
Everyone wants an accountant who will do more than just crunch the numbers. 

So, in 2012, AC Accounting and Business Solutions was formed to fulfil that brief.

It wasn’t long before the practice was booming, as word spread along the Ballarat grapevine about these sprightly young accountants who were dead keen on engaging and connecting with their clients.

And so, the client list quickly quadrupled and our office at 1 Ascot Street South, Ballarat, became a veritable hive of activity.

Our directors, Andrew, Peter and Daina, are extremely chuffed to have some of the Western Region’s finest accountants and support staff on the team.

MEET THE TEAM

A business is nothing without its staff. At AC Accounting & Business Solutions you’re always greeted with a big smile and a welcome greeting from our administration staff, we couldn’t function without them, they’re fantastic! We also have some of the most dedicated and inquisitive Accountants on the team, always thinking outside the square to come up with the best and most tax effective strategies to help your business.  We aren’t all about recording every six minutes spent on a job, our staff are encouraged to think of ways to help a business progress and grow. Each staff member has a different set of skills which leads to a full service to be offered by the AC team.

OUR DIRECTORS

DIRECTOR

Andrew Brewer

Not your typical nerd herder, Andrew is a dedicated weekend warrior.

When he’s not getting around the basketball courts, he can be found enjoying a spot of waterskiing or some serious snowboarding (depending on the season).

Born and raised in Ballarat, Andrew is a highly skilled practitioner in property development and property-related transactions, business restructuring and planning, sale/acquisition of businesses, wealth management and self-managed superannuation, tax planning and minimisation, finance applications and funding and succession planning.

Qualifications: Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Accounting.

Certifications: Intuit Quickbooks Certified Advisor, Xero Certified Advisor

Memberships: CPA

Email: 
andrew.brewer@acaccountingbs.com.au

DIRECTOR

Peter Rutley

Born and raised in Ballarat, Peter is passionate about supporting his local community and has acted as treasurer for his beloved Buninyong Football Club for more than 10 years.

Peter has experience across a wide range of industries including construction, manufacturing, hospitality, medical and pharmacy clients.

Specialising in business and taxation planning, profit improvement and business structuring, he also offers extensive expertise in personal and business income tax, cash flow management, budgeting and self-managed superannuation fund advice.

Qualifications: Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Accounting, Diploma of Financial Planning.

Certifications: Intuit Quickbooks Certified Advisor, Xero Certified Advisor

Memberships: Institute of Chartered Accountants

Email: 
peter.rutley@acaccountingbs.com.au

DIRECTOR

Daina MacLeod

Daina has been working public practice since 2002, mainly in the areas of Business Advisory, Tax, Self-Managed Superannuation and has a background in I.T.

She is passionate about working closely with small to medium businesses to improve their internal business structures, gain insight into strategic direction and to help them achieve their personal and business goals.

An in-depth experience across a number of industries including medical, agriculture, construction, and manufacturing also dealing in the areas of exporting, research & development and international tax. 

Daina serves on a number of boards, spends a lot of time in the community with her young family and is never far away from a tennis or netball court.

Qualifications: Bachelor of Commerce (majoring in Accounting), Bachelor of Computing

Certifications: Intuit Quickbooks Certified Advisor, Xero Certified Advisor

Memberships: Institute of Chartered Accountants

Email: 
daina.macleod@acaccountingbs.com.au

OUR STAFF

9
Accountant / Superannuation Specialist

Danielle Smith

Danni joined our team in 2012 and her superb attention to detail has made her an invaluable member of our team.

She takes a special interest is in working with Self-managed super funds. She welcomed her first child in July 2017 and then twins in August 2019, so you know that her multitasking skills are on point. 

Her weaknesses are chocolate and Moscato, and when not in the office you will find her at home cooking for her family and answering the question ‘why’ for the hundredth million time.

Qualifications: Bachelor of Commerce

Certifications: Intuit Quickbooks Certified Advisor, Xero Certified Advisor

Email:
 
danielle.smith@acaccounting.com.au

10
Senior Accountant

Susan Akindeju

Susan joined our team in 2020. She loves helping clients with all sorts of tax problems and has done this since 2006.

Susan has experience in taxation and small business advisory across a wide range of clients including retail, agriculture, medical and construction.

A mum of two young boys, Susan enjoys spending her spare time with family and travelling around Victoria.

Qualifications: Master of Professional Accounting, Bachelor of Commerce

Certifications: Intuit Quickbooks Certified Advisor, Xero Certified Advisor

Memberships: Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand, Taxation Institute

Email: 
susan.akindeju@acaccountingbs.com.au

11
Accountant

Kate Haans

Kate joined us as an accountant / bookkeeper in 2020 after five years as a State Government public servant.

Kate is also a former franchisee of Muzz Buzz in Sebastopol, and senior accountant at Geelong Football Club.

Although she has many skills, she’s an absolute standout when it comes to budgets, forecasting, financial reporting and financial analysis.

Qualifications: Bachelor of Commerce

Memberships: CPA

Email: 
kate.haans@acaccountingbs.com.au

18
accountant

Natalie Shaw

Born and raised in Ballarat, Nat joined the team in late 2021 as an Accountant. She came to us with almost four years of invaluable experience as an undergraduate while she completed her dual degree. 

Now studying to become a Chartered Accountant, Nat has a passion for learning, and cannot wait to provide her clients with expertise in all aspects of both personal and business taxation and advice.

Nat has an unhealthy addiction to caffeine, drinking more coffee than the office combined, and when she’s not working or studying, you will probably find her spending time with her family, friends, and fur babies.

Qualifications: Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), Bachelor of Business (Human Resource), currently studying to become a Chartered Accountant

Certifications: Xero Certified Advisor, Xero Payroll Certified, Intuit QuickBooks Certified Advisor

Membership: Provisional member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants

Email: 
natalie.shaw@acaccountingbs.com.au

4
Accountant

MIKAELA SPEED

Ballarat born and raised, Mikaela joined our team as a graduate accountant in 2017 after completing her Bachelor of Commerce, Majoring in Accounting and Bachelor of Management double degree.

Mikaela has welcomed her first child in 2021, she also loves spending time with her fur babies Milo and Lexi. 

Mikaela is passionate about her work and helping clients! Mikaela enjoys a good holiday

Qualifications: Bachelor of Commerce (majoring in Accounting), Bachelor of Management

Certifications: Intuit Quickbooks Certified Advisor, Xero Certified Advisor

Email:
mikaela.speed@acaccountingbs.com.au

16
Graduate Accountant

MIKAELA CURNOW

Mikaela joined AC Accounting in 2022, after relocating from sunny Queensland where she gained 2 years’ experience as an undergraduate accountant.

She is in her final year of her Bachelor of Accounting degree and is eager to further develop her knowledge and experience under the wings of the AC Team.

In her spare time, Mikaela enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being outdoors, and making a mean strawberry daiquiri.

Qualifications: Bachelor of Accounting (in progress)

Email: 
mikaela.curnow@acaccountingbs.com.au

17
UNi STUDENT

Rhys Burnham

With a passion for all things numbers, Rhys has directed his studies into Bachelor of Commerce (Majoring in Accounting) at Deakin University.

Originating from Biomedical Science, alongside with experience in customer service, Rhys has demonstrated a variety of skills in mathematics and data analysis and has now focused these skills into accounting. Rhys is a keen follower of Collingwood, enjoys being out in nature and in his spare time can always be seen spending time with his friends and family or looking after his dogs and cat.

Being the eldest of five boys, Rhys is of a very friendly nature and is well suited to the aspects that accounting can offer.

Qualifications: Bachelor of Accounting (in progress)

Email: rhys.burnham@acaccountingbs.com.au

6
Book Keeper / Office Administration

Belinda Phelps

Belinda joined our team in 2021 she has brought with her 19 years of administration experience.

She has a bright and bubbly personality, enjoys a challenge and strives to get the best out of everything she sets her mind to.

Belinda is currently undergoing study to complete her Certificate IV in business.

When Belinda is not at work, she leads a busy life running her three kids around to different sports events. She enjoys spending time on the water with her family in her spare time and travelling with her husband and kids. 

Email: 
belinda.phelps@acaccountingbs.com.au

OUR COMMUNITY

WE’RE PROUD TO BE A PART OF IT

We love our work, but when the weekend rocks around, we’re out and about town with you. Giving back to Ballarat is our way of saying thank you, and ensuring we stay connected to the people that matter – you.

REQUEST A CALL BACK

Want to get in touch? We’d love to hear from you.