Brett Hansen
"We are in the relationship business, where we happen to do accounting work. Our clients are like our family, the relationships we have are a key to the success we derive.”
Brett Hansen is a highly qualified accountant who has earned the trust, respect and appreciation of his clients over a career of dedicated service. His approach to assessing situations can be described as having a “Healthy disregard for an unhealthy status quo”. Naturally drawn to problem solving and improving situations, Brett also has little time for “me-too” thinking and excessive regulation.
Brett is renowned for architecting bold, decisive strokes which can change a client’s direction, steering them on a different course which will achieve substantially better outcomes. Often such solutions follow shortly after his initial appointment. Be the original dilemmas related to current tax debts, future tax outcomes, bank debt or a disadvantageous business structure, Brett is at his powerful best when assessing a situation and developing solutions. Brett’s clients appreciate not just the significantly better outcomes but that he is able to explain in everyday language the how’s and why’s of his recommendations. Brett also has the wisdom to surround himself with talented team members who assist with implementation and ongoing client care.
Innovation is at the heart of Brett’s professional practices. Throughout his career, Brett has consistently been at the forefront of ideas, frameworks and software tools that have significant benefits for clients. A great example of the latter is the Xero software. Hardly had Xero arrived in Australia before Brett recognised the way in which it would substantially improve the working relationship between clients and accountants. Hansens has been an enthusiastic user of the software ever since, with clients getting to experience timely, accurate data upon which to base their decisions.
For such a powerful strategic thinker at work, it often surprises clients to find he switches off completely out of hours, in a wide variety of ways. A passionate sports fan, Brett loves watching his adult son play football on Saturdays. Time with his children is precious, as is staying at the beloved holiday home at Cape Paterson. Brett’s endearing sense of humour and readiness with a joke belie the earnestness of his interest in all matters Star Wars and Game of Thrones. Perhaps the link with business is a love of imagining an enjoyable and better future.
Brett is renowned for architecting bold, decisive strokes which can change a client’s direction, steering them on a different course which will achieve substantially better outcomes. Often such solutions follow shortly after his initial appointment. Be the original dilemmas related to current tax debts, future tax outcomes, bank debt or a disadvantageous business structure, Brett is at his powerful best when assessing a situation and developing solutions. Brett’s clients appreciate not just the significantly better outcomes but that he is able to explain in everyday language the how’s and why’s of his recommendations. Brett also has the wisdom to surround himself with talented team members who assist with implementation and ongoing client care.
Innovation is at the heart of Brett’s professional practices. Throughout his career, Brett has consistently been at the forefront of ideas, frameworks and software tools that have significant benefits for clients. A great example of the latter is the Xero software. Hardly had Xero arrived in Australia before Brett recognised the way in which it would substantially improve the working relationship between clients and accountants. Hansens has been an enthusiastic user of the software ever since, with clients getting to experience timely, accurate data upon which to base their decisions.
For such a powerful strategic thinker at work, it often surprises clients to find he switches off completely out of hours, in a wide variety of ways. A passionate sports fan, Brett loves watching his adult son play football on Saturdays. Time with his children is precious, as is staying at the beloved holiday home at Cape Paterson. Brett’s endearing sense of humour and readiness with a joke belie the earnestness of his interest in all matters Star Wars and Game of Thrones. Perhaps the link with business is a love of imagining an enjoyable and better future.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Business – Accountancy at RMIT (BBus)
Certified Adviser of SAPEPAA (Succession, Asset Protection & Estate Planning Advisers Association)
Specialist Adviser of The SMSF Association – (SSA)
Authorised Representative of Merit Wealth Pty Ltd
Registered Tax Agent (TPB)
Xero Certified Adviser
Bachelor of Business – Accountancy at RMIT (BBus)
Certified Adviser of SAPEPAA (Succession, Asset Protection & Estate Planning Advisers Association)
Specialist Adviser of The SMSF Association – (SSA)
Authorised Representative of Merit Wealth Pty Ltd
Registered Tax Agent (TPB)
Xero Certified Adviser
Memberships
Member of the Institute of Public Accounts
Member of the SMSF Association
Member of the Succession, Asset Protection & Estate Planning Advisers Association
Member of the Tax Practitioners Board
Member of the Institute of Public Accounts
Member of the SMSF Association
Member of the Succession, Asset Protection & Estate Planning Advisers Association
Member of the Tax Practitioners Board
Tom Stillman
“For each of the great clients that we look after here at Hansens, it’s my role to see that we are delivering on our promises. More than simply ensuring that deadlines are met, I enjoy problem solving, and helping clients enjoy being part of the Hansens community.”
Tom Stillman is the long-standing Production Manager here at Hansens. It’s on his capable shoulders that we have placed a set of significant responsibilities. Fortunately, due to his years of experience in the role there’s not much that can be said about lodgement deadlines, changes in ATO expectations and delays in receiving information that particularly phase our Tom. He just quietly goes about his business, installing a sense of a safe pair of hands being at work. It’s testimony to Tom’s tact and quiet determination that he can effectively follow up clients about outstanding information without them feeling hunted!
Quietly spoken in nature, Tom is a big believer that actions speak louder than words. This makes him the perfect person to take responsibility for the many lodgement deadlines, reporting requirements and information packs for meetings that are part and parcel of looking after every one of our clients.
Tom thinks deeply about all aspects of delivering our service and is always reflecting on how we can do things better and better. This makes him the perfect person to manage the suite of software productivity tools that we use here at Hansens, along with keeping an ear to the ground as to what else we could be doing to improve service and reduce turnaround times.
A dedicated family man, Tom’s first priority is to help out with his young family. That said he will readily admit to a keen interest in sports and to flashes of brilliance on the golf course when time permits.
Quietly spoken in nature, Tom is a big believer that actions speak louder than words. This makes him the perfect person to take responsibility for the many lodgement deadlines, reporting requirements and information packs for meetings that are part and parcel of looking after every one of our clients.
Tom thinks deeply about all aspects of delivering our service and is always reflecting on how we can do things better and better. This makes him the perfect person to manage the suite of software productivity tools that we use here at Hansens, along with keeping an ear to the ground as to what else we could be doing to improve service and reduce turnaround times.
A dedicated family man, Tom’s first priority is to help out with his young family. That said he will readily admit to a keen interest in sports and to flashes of brilliance on the golf course when time permits.
Qualifications
Bachelor Business (Business Administration) Monash University.
Xero Certified Adviser
Bachelor Business (Business Administration) Monash University.
Xero Certified Adviser
Theo Karoumbalis
“I provide strategic, financial, and operational guidance to help clients achieve their business goals, ensuring value and success through strong client relationships and expert advisory services."
Theo Karoumbalis is a Chartered Accountant and business adviser who is a financial bastion for his business and high net wealth clients. Theo relishes the opportunity he gets each day at work to apply a wealth of experience and knowledge to help these clients achieve better outcomes. Although quick to respond to the day to day issues that his clients experience, Theo shines when it comes to helping them succeed over the long term. In Theo, clients get an adviser who will help them identify and focus on their key priorities, whilst being on hand to assist with implementation.
Theo’s business clients love that his advice traverses their big picture through to day-to-day practicalities. Doubtless, the latter is still influenced by his experience as a truck driver before turning his hand to accounting – having a licence is good but delivering the goods is what counts!
In much the same way as a medical GP refers patients to specialists, Theo also acts as a gateway to a broad professional network, ensuring that his clients have access to quality advice and assistance at all times.
Away from work, Theo’s active mind encourages him to seek out other opportunities for growth and enlightenment. A variety of podcasts fuels his desire to analyse and understand complex narratives. He particularly attributes his travels through different cities and countries to providing him with skills and insights which help him to understand and address the multifaceted needs of his clients. He has an appetite (literally!) for trying different foods and exploring diverse culinary traditions. Whether it’s sampling street food in a bustling market or dining at a renowned restaurant Theo relishes the opportunity to experience new flavours and dishes. Theo believes each meal tells a story and he appreciates the artistry and creativity that goes into every dish.
Theo’s business clients love that his advice traverses their big picture through to day-to-day practicalities. Doubtless, the latter is still influenced by his experience as a truck driver before turning his hand to accounting – having a licence is good but delivering the goods is what counts!
In much the same way as a medical GP refers patients to specialists, Theo also acts as a gateway to a broad professional network, ensuring that his clients have access to quality advice and assistance at all times.
Away from work, Theo’s active mind encourages him to seek out other opportunities for growth and enlightenment. A variety of podcasts fuels his desire to analyse and understand complex narratives. He particularly attributes his travels through different cities and countries to providing him with skills and insights which help him to understand and address the multifaceted needs of his clients. He has an appetite (literally!) for trying different foods and exploring diverse culinary traditions. Whether it’s sampling street food in a bustling market or dining at a renowned restaurant Theo relishes the opportunity to experience new flavours and dishes. Theo believes each meal tells a story and he appreciates the artistry and creativity that goes into every dish.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Accounting/Bachelor of Economics
Xero Certified Adviser
Bachelor of Accounting/Bachelor of Economics
Xero Certified Adviser
Memberships
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
Dena Ballantyne
“I love the clients we have here at Hansens and what we achieve with and for them. Because of this I have turned my hand to most things that we do here, hence clients get to see a lot of me. Helping others to achieve their goals and objectives provides me with a deep sense of satisfaction and contribution.”
In oh, so many ways, Dena embodies what we are about here at Hansens. Dena totally commits to delivering a high standard at whatever she is tasked to do, yet at the same time all those with whom she interacts feel the warmth of her caring personality. A deep sense of loyalty is at the heart of what Dena does every day in the Business.
A background in professional service organisations helped to shape not just Dena’s commitment to delivering a high-level of technical excellence but to ensure that clients enjoy the experience and feel appreciated along the way. So too in her various internal roles that she undertakes for Hansens, Dena invests the time to ensure that all stakeholders feel listened to and their contributions acknowledged.
As valuable as the many roles she has played here have been, perhaps the area where she will add even more value is in our new specialty area of succession, asset protection and estate planning. With her combined experience in accounting and law, Dena is the perfect person to guide clients and help them make informed decisions.
Outside of work, Dena maintains a wide variety of interests including gardening and skincare which she balances with family responsibilities, dog walking and doing good deeds for others. Because of her finally tuned sense of consideration, there is always a bunch of happenings, gifts and selfless acts that Dena has on the juggle.
A background in professional service organisations helped to shape not just Dena’s commitment to delivering a high-level of technical excellence but to ensure that clients enjoy the experience and feel appreciated along the way. So too in her various internal roles that she undertakes for Hansens, Dena invests the time to ensure that all stakeholders feel listened to and their contributions acknowledged.
As valuable as the many roles she has played here have been, perhaps the area where she will add even more value is in our new specialty area of succession, asset protection and estate planning. With her combined experience in accounting and law, Dena is the perfect person to guide clients and help them make informed decisions.
Outside of work, Dena maintains a wide variety of interests including gardening and skincare which she balances with family responsibilities, dog walking and doing good deeds for others. Because of her finally tuned sense of consideration, there is always a bunch of happenings, gifts and selfless acts that Dena has on the juggle.
Qualifications
Board Certified SAPEPAA Adviser
Certificate IV in Bookkeeping
Certificate IV in Accounting
Certificate IV in Business Management
Board Certified SAPEPAA Adviser
Certificate IV in Bookkeeping
Certificate IV in Accounting
Certificate IV in Business Management
Rebecca West
“Bookkeeping is making sense of chaos and organising information so that client has the tools and information to better understand and improve their business. I take care of the stuff that needs to be done, so that owners can concentrate on what they are good at and on their business."
Rebecca West is a born organiser and self confessed neat freak, both attributes that make her the bookkeeping powerhouse that clients and Hansens team members know and love. In keeping with the Hansens ethos, Bec likes nothing better than to work closely with her clients, helping them to grow, succeed and ultimately prosper.
Her dedication and patience in training clients on Xero and all matters of bookkeeping is second to none!
Having previously qualified and worked in a number of different occupations and workplaces, Bec brings valuable experience and a comforting sense of “Let’s just get this done” to her client engagements, imbuing all around her with a sense of confidence. Bec has a friendly ear and always invests the time to understand her clients’ perspective.
Of late, Bec has taken to Karate, achieving Orange belt status through a love of physical fitness and dedication to training, discipline and strength. Her goal is to achieve Black belt status in a few years’ time. Knowing how determined she can be, we’re backing her to achieve it.
Her dedication and patience in training clients on Xero and all matters of bookkeeping is second to none!
Having previously qualified and worked in a number of different occupations and workplaces, Bec brings valuable experience and a comforting sense of “Let’s just get this done” to her client engagements, imbuing all around her with a sense of confidence. Bec has a friendly ear and always invests the time to understand her clients’ perspective.
Of late, Bec has taken to Karate, achieving Orange belt status through a love of physical fitness and dedication to training, discipline and strength. Her goal is to achieve Black belt status in a few years’ time. Knowing how determined she can be, we’re backing her to achieve it.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Applied Science (Intellectual Disability Studies)
Certificate IV in Workplace Assessment & Training
Certificate IV in Financial Services (Bookkeeping)
Diploma of Payroll Services
Xero Certified Adviser
Xero Certified Payroll Adviser
Bachelor of Applied Science (Intellectual Disability Studies)
Certificate IV in Workplace Assessment & Training
Certificate IV in Financial Services (Bookkeeping)
Diploma of Payroll Services
Xero Certified Adviser
Xero Certified Payroll Adviser
Riley Hansen
“I’m up for raising the bar. Be it client success, learning more about how I can assist them in that success, learning new skills at work or widening my horizons through travel experiences, count me in!"
Although he is the newest member of the team, it already seems that already Riley has been with us for ever. Commencing as an under-grad, Riley quickly gained a reputation with other team members as being “willing sponge” – ready to take on more and more responsibility whilst at the same time eager to learn.
Doubtless because he turned his hand to many roles whilst still studying – McDonalds; tennis coach and gaming attendant – Riley brings real world experience to compliment his technical knowledge. He has a happy knack of asking very astute questions and soaking up the answers to learn even more valuable ways in which he can be assisting clients.
Now qualified, Riley is about to undertake the CA program to become a Chartered Accountant, an initiative which will compliment his growing knowledge of software technology, automation and AI.
Out of hours, Riley has a reputation for being very active – golf; cricket; going to the AFL, exercising in the gym and travel.
Doubtless because he turned his hand to many roles whilst still studying – McDonalds; tennis coach and gaming attendant – Riley brings real world experience to compliment his technical knowledge. He has a happy knack of asking very astute questions and soaking up the answers to learn even more valuable ways in which he can be assisting clients.
Now qualified, Riley is about to undertake the CA program to become a Chartered Accountant, an initiative which will compliment his growing knowledge of software technology, automation and AI.
Out of hours, Riley has a reputation for being very active – golf; cricket; going to the AFL, exercising in the gym and travel.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Business
Xero advisor and payroll certified
Bachelor of Business
Xero advisor and payroll certified
Sharon Lawson
“As someone who has faced plenty of challenges in life, I am particularly attuned to helping others who have obstacles of their own. Once I commit to assisting a person or a cause, I settle in for the long term."
Sharon Lawson loves her clients and fellow Hansens team members and strives to use her uncanny abilities to create order out of a messy general ledger, and her eagle eyes have uncovered client errors that have seen valuable $’s back into client’s pockets. In particular, clients have grown to rely on Sharon’s knack of producing reliable, accurate accounting information upon which they can base their decisions.
As a qualified BAS agent with years of experience assisting in Accounting, Sharon is now branching out into the world of Self-Managed Superannuation Fund administration. This compliments her Bookkeeping and Accounting skills providing another layer of support for our clients.
As another one of our mad Magpie fans, Sharon enjoys her time at Venus Bay in the Summer, spending time with her family and keeping committed to her healthy lifestyle.
As a qualified BAS agent with years of experience assisting in Accounting, Sharon is now branching out into the world of Self-Managed Superannuation Fund administration. This compliments her Bookkeeping and Accounting skills providing another layer of support for our clients.
As another one of our mad Magpie fans, Sharon enjoys her time at Venus Bay in the Summer, spending time with her family and keeping committed to her healthy lifestyle.
Qualifications
Cert IV Accounting and Bookkeeping
Registered BAS Agent
Xero Certified Adviser
Xero Payroll Certified Adviser
Cert IV Accounting and Bookkeeping
Registered BAS Agent
Xero Certified Adviser
Xero Payroll Certified Adviser
