Our people

are what make
us great.

Our people

are what make
us great.

Our people

are what make
us great.

Our people

are what make
us great.
People + Partners Team

Barry W. McGee

CEO

An engaging business leader and Chartered Accountant, with over 30 years leadership experience in Accounting and Financial services businesses.

Works with clients in developing and implementing strategic initiatives, achieving transformational change in businesses, including managing internal and external stakeholder engagement over multiple locations.
 
Outside of work, enjoys time with the family, swimming at Coogee and cheering on the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval.

People + Partners Team

Tiffany Wagstaff

General Manager

As a general management executive, Tiffany’s passion lies in driving change & business growth through effective culture, communication and leadership.

She has accumulated more than 25 years experience managing professional practices, in a number of industry sectors including financial services, not for profit organisations and in property related disciplines.

Being a strong advocate for the benefits of exercise on health and wellbeing, outside of work Tiffany enjoys anything and everything in the great outdoors, currently trying to master golf. She’s also quite partial to a long lunch with her family and friends.

People + Partners Team

David Shipsey

Partner

David’s passion is driving growth and helping the average become the exceptional. He is a Chartered Accountant and a member of the Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand.

He has extensive experience in providing advice and assistance to high net wealth clients on numerous tax and accounting matters and an understanding of the relevant tax and accounting areas within passive investment vehicles. His experience includes asset protection, succession planning, wealth preservation and providing tax planning for optimal tax outcomes.

One of his proudest moments was taking a small retail business with turnover of $3 million and growing it into a $20 million business. Behind that advisor facade is a man who admires the extraordinary.

People + Partners Team

Edward Youds

Senior Accountant

Knowledgeable qualified Accountant with over 23 years in Australian Business Services, Superannuation and Financial Services industry. He is a qualified Certified Practising Accountant CPA, a CIMA (UK) and a registered Justice of the Peace (JP)

Edward is a Fund and Super Accounting specialist with experience around providing Financial Advice to clients. With a focus on Family Office accounting tax matters and Superannuation, Edward is passionate about providing solutions that add value and tangible outcomes for his clients.

People + Partners Team

Geoffrey Henderson

Consultant

Geoffrey commenced in practice for himself as a Chartered Accountant in 1993 after a career in one of the larger accounting firms. In 2008 he merged his practice with B.H. Edelstein & Co to form Henderson Edelstein. In October 2020, he integrated his practice into People + Partners and continues to deliver exceptional service to his clients.

He has extensive experience in taxation and business matters, particularly in the areas of Management Accounting, Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Management Consulting, Tax Planning, Virtual CFO Dispute Resolution, Property, Acquisitions & Sales, Business Acquisitions & Sales, and Self Managed Superannuation Funds.

Geoffrey’s clients are generally professionals, high net worth individuals and small to medium closely held enterprises. His clients appreciate his ability and willingness to assist them to improve their business and help them grow their wealth. His experience extends widely from large Rural Property owners to Food Manufacturers and Distributors and Professionals. He attends Board meetings with his business clients to give strategic advice in all areas of business.

Geoffrey is married and has in the past competed in Triathlons, completing five Australian Ironman Triathlons, one Long Course Triathlon World Championship in France and numerous Marathons.

People + Partners Team

Hadrian Pereira

Principal

Hadrian is a Chartered Accountant with over 15 years of experience in the private market, working with private enterprises, family businesses and for purpose entities across a number of industries including real estate, construction, retail, medical, fitness and education.

At People + Partners, Hadrian is head of the Accounting, Advisory and Tax division and is apart of the executive team that is delivering value as an integrated financial accounting solution to clients.

He has a broad range of skills across growth and strategy, tax compliance, finance transformation, process improvement, automation and the delivery of finance functions at scale. Through his work with a number of business stakeholders and CFOs, he has assisted in improving the financial transparency of their business through the use of analytics and reporting.

Hadrian’s passion is around delivering strategy, growth and transformation projects to a range of clients including Laser Clinics Australia franchise network, Guzman Y Gomez franchisees, Jetts Fitness, a telecommunication business. He also works with committee members at a sporting association and a number for purpose entities in the disability/housing sector.

People + Partners Team

John Friedland

Consultant

After almost 30 years as a partner of his own accounting practice, there isn’t much in the financial services field that John hasn’t seen or done before. In the past John has integrated practices to bring together two passionate firms who consider clients their number 1 priority.

John’s founding principle is to provide the best service to clients and is committed to being always available to his client and providing exceptionally short turnaround times, with an open door policy to be generally available to meet clients at short notice.

John’s heroes are those who share his strong views on having high standards and values.

People + Partners Team

Justyna Ziniewicz

Senior Accountant

Justyna is an experienced accountant with a demonstrated history of working in the Financial Services industry. As a member of the Accounting, Advisory and Tax team with People + Partners, Justyna makes year end and ongoing tax processes personalised and a seamless experience for clients.

She has an array of skills across a number of accounting solutions including Xero, MYOB, HandiLedger, Class, NowInfinity and across a variety of industries including investments, construction, customer service, software development and hospitality. Justyna has graduated with a Bachelors degree of Business – Accounting and is progressing through the Chartered Accountants program.

She is an avid food, wine, music and dance lover.

People + Partners Team

Tatum West

Senior Manager

Tatum has worked in in public practice for over 20 years, providing her with invaluable knowledge and experience in providing accounting, taxation, superannuation, structuring and business acquisitions and disposals.  Her clients include a diverse mix of size and industries including building and construction, property development, manufacturing, retail and professional services.

With a focus of building long term trusted relationships, Tatum strongly believes that the key to this is getting to know her clients and understanding their goals and concerns whether that be compliance, growing a business, strengthening internal procedures and controls or navigating through complex laws and regulations.  As well as working closely with her clients to provide them with both compliance and operational-based advice on a day to day basis, she also has a keen interest in the implementation of technology to improve controls and efficiencies and assist clients with realising the benefits of adoption.  

Outside of work, Tatum enjoys travelling, cooking, reading, and spending time with her husband and 2 dogs.

People + Partners Team

Thomas Jochinger

Intermediate Accountant

Thomas joined the Accounting, Advisory and Tax team at People + Partners as a graduate earlier this year and is being trained to be proficient in a broad range of accounting and tax compliance matters for a range of private clients across family business and high net worth individuals.

Thomas is passionate about delivering efficiency and optimisation to the clients he works with. He prides himself on his problem-solving skills and his ongoing commitment to continuous learning and improvement.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) from the University of Western Sydney and is currently undertaking the necessary study to become a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

People + Partners Team

Karen Buckley

Client Relationship Manager

Karen joined People and Partners in May 2022 and brings over 15 years’ experience in the finance industry. Throughout her career Karen has held pivotal roles supporting Financial Advisors and also lead teams in Client Relationship Management.

Karen enjoys every opportunity to build relationship with clients and support the team.

Outside of work Karen spends her spare time swimming at the beach, walking along the coast with friends or watching the Sydney Roosters play.

People + Partners Team

Joty Khan

CFO + Financial Management

Jotyshna Khan is a Client Manager in OCFO. She started her career in the big four which has provided her with a lot of experience in understanding each client’s unique circumstances, needs and goals across various industries.  She has a passion for working closely with her clients and meeting their needs is her primary focus.  She is originally from Fiji and is also an avid baker.
People + Partners Team

Philomina Gonsalvez

CFO + Financial Management

A passion for detail, Philomina is a qualified Assistant Accountant with extensive accounting and bookkeeping knowledge. Philomina loves to create and spends her free time creating master dishes for her hungry friends.
People + Partners Team

Jonathon Tainsh

Senior Financial Adviser

Jonathan brings over 15 years experience in providing strategic financial advice to individuals and family groups. Previously Jonathan has worked at The Myer Family Company assisting ultra-high-net-worth family groups with their financial strategy, reporting and compliance obligation. Areas of expertise include portfolio construction, asset protection and structures, tax effective wealth strategies, superannuation, retirement and estate planning.

Jonathan’s qualifications & memberships include a Masters in Professional Accounting and an advanced Diploma of Financial Services along with a BA in Sports Management. Outside of work Jonathon enjoys relaxing with family and friends, travel and is an avid bushwalker and rock climber.

People + Partners Team

Lauren Clifton

Wealth Management

Has over 14 years’ experience supporting advisers in the provision of strategic advice to clients. Lauren is currently undergoing her professional year to gain valuable experience and mentoring to become a future Adviser at People + Partners. Lauren’s Qualifications include a Bachelor of Business in Financial Planning and Certificate III in Business Administration.

When Lauren is not supporting the advice team and clients she adores spending time with her fur-babies and is the proud mother of two Labradors. She spends her spare time socialising with friends and family, enjoys travelling and loves planning home improvement projects.

People + Partners Team

Peter Richards

Partner

Peter has over 33 years experience in providing strategic financial advice. Peter was a partner at BDO Chartered Accountants from 1995 to 2007 and then started and ran his own financial services group Parallel Financial. Peter acts as leading expert witness in relation to financial planning advice and has prepared expert evidence in over 300 cases including all the major banks. Peter has also acted as a lecturer in financial planning and investment advice since 1995 and is a member of ASIC’s Financial Services and Credit Panel.

Peter’s qualifications include a Masters of Financial Planning, Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance & Investment, and first class honours in Structural Engineering. He is a Senior Fellow of the Financial Services Institute, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a SMSF Specialist Superannuation Adviser and an Aged Care Specialist Adviser.

People + Partners Team

Nikita Parmar

Intermediate Accountant

Nikita is a goal-oriented person who takes pride in her outstanding customer service abilities. She works hard to achieve greater returns for her clients. In doing the work and getting down into the detail, she is rewarded in getting to know her clients better.

Being part of the People and Partners team, Nikita feels welcomed and a part of the family.

A self-confessed crazy bird person, she loves cockatoos and cherishes her pet birds.

Outside of work, she loves indulging in junk food, writing, and spending time with her niece.

People + Partners Team

Sharn Burnell

Principal

Sharn has over 14 years experience working in the Accounting, Tax and Advisory industry. He has enjoyed working closely with a multitude of clients who have operated across a range of industries from wholesale, medical, dental and health specialists, to farming, tech start-ups, construction, international logistics, lawyers & barristers, etc.

Joining People + Partners in March of 2022 as a Principal of the Accounting, Advisory & Tax division, Sharn is excited to embark on a new journey with the firm, being able to deliver an integrated client centric service offering to the current and future clients of the firm.

He has been able to develop & strengthen his skill set within the industry working side-by-side with clients to analyse, develop and grow their family wealth & respective businesses. Sharn enjoys building trusted relationships with all his clients and being able to foster financial and structural growth.

Outside of the profession Sharn enjoys discovering new hidden restaurants in Sydney, music & travelling (domestically and internationally). He likes to explore new cultures, their food, music and customs. He has also been seen with a racquet and ball occasionally down at the tennis courts.

People + Partners Team

Amanee Amith Jamion

Graduate Accountant

Amanee joined the Advisory, Accounting and Tax team as a Graduate Accountant in 2022. She holds a Bachelor’s degree specializing in Accounting & Finance and a Master’s degree. She has also completed CIMA and has overseas experience. Amanee has a keen eye for detail and is always seeking to learn and develop.

She loves to watch movies and travel to new places in her spare time.

People + Partners Team

Gary Marsh

Senior Financial Advisor

Gary has accumulated over 20 years of professional financial advisory experience, joining BDO Chartered Accounts in 2002 as a Financial Adviser, before moving to Findex Wealth Accountants in 2007 and then to RSM Bird Cameron Financial Services in 2013.

Gary has experienced several substantial economic and market events firsthand e.g., Dot Com Bubble, Global Financial Crisis, and the more recently the Covid Correction. Working closely with his clients during periods of extreme volatility and uncertainty Gary is able to provide them with valuable insights into market behaviour along with a sounding board when things become too stressful.

With qualifications across Professional Financial Planning, Accounting and Business Management, Gary provides his clients with high quality personal advice, focusing on pre-retirement planning, wealth creation, estate planning and business continuity planning along with personal insurance strategy.

People + Partners Team

Jeanie Kesuma

Graduate Accountant

Jeanie is a graduate accountant who has joined the Accounting, Advisory and Tax team at People + Partners in early 2022.

She is an enthusiastic graduate who is keen on learning and applying new concepts to practice. She graduated from the University of New South Wales with a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and will soon be commencing her studies to become a member of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. When she was not in the office, you’ll find her spending her leisure time reading novels and going to a Pilates class.

People + Partners Team

Kavitha Gudupally

SMSF Administrator

Joining the team in 2022, Kavitha brings a wealth of knowledge and experience across para planning and SMSF administration. She holds qualifications across a number of disciplines including Accounting, Financial planning and Mortgage Broking.

Kavitha enjoys reading, cooking and spending time with her family.

Mejie Castro

Mejie Castro

Financial Planning Assistant

Mejie joined People + Partners in March 2022 as a Financial Planning Assistant. She is committed to providing exceptional support to the team, whilst developing her skills in across the administrative and client service functions. Mejie holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering.

In her spare time, Mej enjoys watching Anime series with her husband and loves taking walks in the morning or after work.

Mejie Castro

Tony Davison

Partner

Tony has over 15 years financial services experience including capital markets, and has worked in private wealth and financial planning since 2013.  Tony has extensive finance experience variously in markets, research sales, corporate finance and private wealth management where he is presently focused. MBA qualified from MGSM and a certified financial planner (CFP), Tony has worked at a range of global firms including big 4, fortune 500 companies and well-known financial services companies where he has lead and developed teams and businesses. He has worked in both Australia and China. Tony enjoys applying his business and markets experience to client’s individual circumstances and asset portfolios.

Mejie Castro

Carol Yates

Client Services Executive  

Carol has over 7 years experience in Financial Services and Financial Planning and is often our client’s first point of contact for enquiries, coordinating client matters within our team. An experienced investor in her own right, Carol commenced in finance after a career that has taken her to the UK, New Zealand and Australia in a range of industries. She enjoys working alongside our clients to assist with solution delivery, and keeps our team up to date with our client’s ever evolving financial situations.

Mejie Castro

Joanna Truong

Senior Associate  

Joanna has worked in financial services for more than 16 years. An experienced professional in financial planning operations, Joanna oversees the advice implementation process for our clients, working alongside our clients to ensure their advice recommendations are put into action. With an agile skill set capable of navigating an array of advice and asset scenarios, Joanna operates as a ‘personal project manager’ for our client’s financial affairs.

Mejie Castro

Alistair Lee

Senior Paraplanner

Alistair prepares our Wealth team’s financial advice documents and has been working within the team since 2019. Alistair has worked variously in financial advice in Australia, asset management in the UK and has more than 10 years financial services experience. Based in beautiful Milan (Italy), Alistair works with our Australian based Wealth Advisors to prepare detailed documents for our clients, planning financial strategies, investments and implementations. Alistair is married with two sons and before relocating to Italy was a handy cricketer. 

“We have worked with People and Partners for the past 5 years. From the very beginning, we have been impressed by the level of care and attention that we have received. They took the time to understand our business and tailor our reporting and their advice to our specific needs. They have provided us the confidence in our “numbers” and enabled us to use them to focus on the business. We see them as an extension of our team. I have no hesitation in recommending them and am happy to discuss with anyone considering engaging People and Partners as their partner in business.”

Larry Fingleson
Managing Director
Priority Advisory Group

“We’ve been working with the team at People and Partners for a number of years now and have found their accounting and financial services support to be invaluable. Its true partnership between the two firms as we work collaboratively to achieve our mutual business goals.”

Jenny Psathas
Head of Operations
Fortnum Private Wealth Ltd

Empower
+ Prosper

People + Partners - Supporting your business decisions with strategic advice on accounting, taxation, business structuring, SMSF, Wealth Advice and more.