Franchising

Michael joined Fordham in 2001 and is now the lead partner of a team of 30 with clients in Property & Construction, Retail/Ragtrade, Transport, Manufacturing and Franchising. He started his career in 1991 with one of the Big Four accounting firms and joined Fordham 10 years later to focus specifically on medium-sized, privately-owned businesses.

As a Chartered Tax Advisor with a wealth of experience in corporate advisory, as well as private businesses, Michael brings this unique perspective to help his clients’ businesses grow and overcome adversity. He helps clients across the broad range of business and personal issues they face including arranging external financing, modelling/forecasting, reporting, shareholder issues, structuring and valuations.

In this role Michael enjoys undertaking strategic planning for his clients and often participates as Board Chair. He runs executive leadership team meetings focused on driving accountability and meaningful improvements to operational performance. He is a regular presenter and author of industry articles for the building and property development sector, as well as Ragtrade industry segments. When not at work, he is chauffeuring four daughters to school, rep basketball and football.

Industry specialisation: Property & Construction, Retail, Manufacturing, Transport, Franchising

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Commenced with Fordham in 1984 as a graduate and progressed to partner level in 1997

Richard’s diverse background equips him to manage the varied needs of his large portfolio of private business clients; from valuations and sales, to taxation and superannuation planning. He has had significant exposure to capital markets, including purchase and acquisition, mergers, valuations, capital raisings, finance and sale of business. He has also been heavily involved in helping clients with succession planning, including exiting via the sale of their business.

Richard has a depth of experience in helping clients manage the transition of their wealth from the business to life beyond the business, including the setup of a family office and is a trusted adviser to families over multiple generations.

Responsible, insightful and understanding, Richard is an important asset to Fordham and his clients.

Industry specialisation: Private businesses, their owners and wealthy family’s.

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Darren joined Fordham as Partner in 2016 and leads the enhancement and growth of our taxation and compliance service in Sydney. He has been helping business owners and their families to achieve their business goals and realise their personal dreams since 1987. He started his career with a leading mid-tier Chartered Accounting firm and became a partner in the firm’s Business Advisory division in 2001.

He helps his clients through any business and personal challenges they encounter and has particular expertise in accounting, general business, taxation and compliance services. He also keeps a keen eye on investment property development and the medical, legal, management and consulting industries.

Down to earth, proactive and ever accessible to his clients, Darren is an invaluable asset to Fordham and his clients.

Industry specialisation: Franchising, Transport, Property management and Development, Medical, Legal, Consulting

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Having worked in tax and accounting since 1997, Stuart has a wealth of experience helping business owners achieve their financial, business and personal goals.

Stuart Le Cornu assists companies to meet their objectives with strategic planning, including financial and taxation planning. He particularly relishes the challenge of helping clients manage their complex lives. This includes interpreting the intricacies of international tax, foreign controlled entities, resident and non-resident trusts, and large public and private companies.

As one of our tax advisory specialists, Stuart is an expert in all taxation matters. His approach to tax planning includes a thorough review of existing structures, interrelationships between entities, location of assets, liabilities and IP, history, capital gains cost bases, loan accounts, previous tax strategies and future plans. He regularly presents at Tax Institute seminars in matters such as the taxation of trusts, Division 7A and small business Capital Gains Tax matters.

Industry specialisation: Manufacturing, Franchising

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