Agribusiness capability statement
Sowing the seeds for a stronger financial future
Audit | Tax | Advisory | Financial Advice
Offering a fresh alternative
Focus, passion and great resilience are undoubtedly key
attributes of farmers. Similarly, Crowe Horwath advisors are
focused and passionate about ensuring agribusiness clients
are provided access to the very best expertise they need,
and robust financial solutions that will see them through their
entire business journey.
It’s for this reason Crowe Horwath has established itself
as a leading agribusiness advisory firm in Australia and
New Zealand.
We have a proven track record in advising agribusinesses
and primary producers on financial issues that may impact
them – in fact, it’s one of largest industries we service. From
environmental conditions to risk management plans, volatile
macro implications to succession structures, we understand
the range of complex factors that affect farming business in
this country.
Crowe Horwath has a broad array of rural clients, from the
contract milker to the corporate farming operation in all types
of horticultural and agricultural activities, through to the
processor and supplier.
As Australia’s leading provider of accounting and financial
related services to small and medium sized enterprises,
Crowe Horwath has the largest regional footprint of any
accounting and business advisory firm, with a network of
around 80 offices across the country.
Supported by 2,800 employees across Australia, Crowe
Horwath has the diversity of skills and resources to provide
comprehensive integrated financial services to both small
and large operations. Coupled with our extensive knowledge
and broad network, we have many years of collective farming
advisory experience, and can offer clients a unique alternative
to existing providers.
The key benefits Crowe Horwath brings to clients are:
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We identify with local opportunities and challenges, and
pride ourselves on understanding the communities with
which we work in. It is, after all, our local connections
and community relations which ultimately determine our
business success.
While being local, our business has access to marketleading specialists, and is part of an international network.
Our macro insight to global issues and knowledge means
our clients can rest assured that they are being provided
with state-of-the-art business solutions.
We believe in developing long-term, sustainable
connections with farmers, built upon a foundation of trust
and mutual respect. This belief is at the heart of everything
we do.
Audit | Tax | Advisory | Financial Advice
Achieve more from your agribusiness
Crowe Horwath’s team provides assistance and advice on a
wide range of issues. From evaluating assets, business and
trust structures, investment portfolios and looking at ways to
reduce tax payments, advisors can prepare and interpret cash
flows. They can also assess and assist with farm viability and
provide advice and assistance with:
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Business and strategic planning
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Agricultural investments
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Agribusiness financial modelling
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Feasibility studies and reports
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Property development planning, training and mentoring
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Expert opinions of agribusiness ventures
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General management services
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Agribusiness
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Property management reporting
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Water transfers
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Project evaluations
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Finance proposals
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International trade
About Crowe Horwath
Crowe Horwath is the fifth largest accounting and business
advisory firm across Australasia, and one of the world’s
largest accounting groups. The network has more than 205
member firms, over 31,000 people and 726 offices in some 125
countries around the globe.
We are the relationship you can
count on
Our clients tell us that we’re friendly, accessible and easy
to do business with. They value our practical, commercial,
industry specific advice, and our ability to translate accounting
information and financial reports into pragmatic advice.
Our geographical footprint across Australia means that local
knowledge and expert insight is just around corner – helping
you make the most of your time and resources. Furthermore,
our unique combination of agricultural knowledge, economics
and accountancy qualifications, and above all, our deeprooted knowledge in the agribusiness space enables us to
provide unrivalled practical support to the agriculture sector.
www.crowehorwath.com.au
An unrivalled geographic footprint
North QLD
Central West
Western VIC
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Cairns
Charter Towers
Hughenden
Townsville
Brisbane &
South QLD
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Brisbane
Chinchilla
Dalby
Darling Downs
Gold Coast
Goondiwindi
Toowoomba
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Sydney
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Canberra
Albury
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Eastern VIC
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Armidale
Ballina
Casino
Coffs Harbour
Glen Innes
Grafton
Inverell
Kyogle
Lismore
Murwillumbah
Walcha
Warialda
Yamba
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Beyond agricultural advice
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Entertainment and Sports
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Foreign Subsidiaries
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Government
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Manufacturing
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Not-for-Profit
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Private and Family Business
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Agribusiness
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Professional Services
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Asia Business
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Property and Development
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Automotive
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Resources
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Education Sector
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Retail and Franchise
Audit | Tax | Advisory | Financial Advice
Bairnsdale
Mulgrave
Pakenham
Sale
Traralgon
Warragul
Yarra Junction
TAS
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Sector specialisation includes:
Sydney
Norwest
Central North
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Our comprehensive approach means our capabilities
extend beyond the agribusiness industry. We go further. Our
accounting, business, audit and assurance and tax advisory
teams are a one-stop shop for businesses and individuals
wanting to maximise their growth potential and achieve
financial goals. Our practical advice covers all your business
and personal financial affairs.
Dubbo
Bathurst
Forbes
Lithgow
Orange
Warren
Wellington
West Wyalong
Burnie
Devonport
George Town
Hobart
Launceston
Scottsdale
Smithton
St Helens
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Apollo Bay
Ararat
Ballarat
Camperdown
Colac
Geelong
Hamilton
Lorne
Ocean Grove
Stawell
Torquay
Warrnambool
Werribee
Murray Darling
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Berri
Broken Hill
Hopetoun
Loxton
Mildura
Ouyen
Robinvale
Prescott
Securities
Perth
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Perth
Osborne Park
Meet some of the Crowe Horwath agribusiness specialists
The agriculture team at Crowe Horwath understand farmers’ needs – many of whom having lived and breathed farming
themselves. Inside knowledge, hands-on experience and local insights are ingrained in everything that we do. With years of
collective farming background and advice, the Crowe Horwath agribusiness team of specialists will work to ensure that your core
business gets the service it needs to survive and thrive in one of Australia’s most vital industries.
Southern QLD
Kylee Valentine
Managing Principal
Client base/specialisation: Primary production
Region: Toowoomba
A skilled strategist, Managing Principal Kylee is particularly adept at helping her clients articulate exactly what they want their
hard work to achieve. Operating across a diverse range of industries, with a specialisation in the agribusiness space, Kylee draws
upon all the elements which impact a business, creating a strong accountable foundation from which it can develop and grow.
Andrew Bullen
Senior Advisor, Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Grain, beef, primary production
Region: Dalby
As Senior Advisor, Andrew has worked with the Crowe Horwath business for 20 years. His key areas of specialisation include, but
not limited to, providing taxation advice to primary producers, with interest in the grain and beef sectors.
Liam Hawkswell
Senior Manager, Corporate Finance
Client base/specialisation: Mergers and acquisitions, financial modelling, transaction services including
due diligence, business analyst research, valuations
Region: Brisbane
Liam is a Senior Manager within the Corporate Finance division of Crowe Horwath, Brisbane. Liam has core expertise in the
areas of mergers and acquisitions, financial modelling, transaction services including due diligence, business analyst research,
valuations and independent experts reports, and industry experience in the agribusiness sector.
North QLD
Colin Ryan
Senior Manager – Tax Advisoy
Client base/specialisation: Primary production
Region: Townsville
Colin Ryan is a Senior Manager with Crowe Horwath, working across tax advisory and business advisory disciplines. Colin has
over 10 years of practical experience, working in both commercial and public accounting roles. This blend of experience provides
Colin with an appreciation for clients’ perspectives and the importance of practical business outcomes from any advice.
Sonia Viero Malone
Principal – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Primary production (grazing, sugar cane, bananas)
Region: Townsville
Sonia has worked predominantly in taxation and business services during her professional career. With a keen interest in regional
Queensland, Sonia specialises in taxation for primary production – in particular, grazing, sugar cane and bananas.
Gordon McColl
Principal – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Primary production (beef, wool, bananas, sugar cane)
Region: Charters Towers
Gordon specialises in income tax planning, business structures, succession planning and family business structuring advice for
various size clients across a broad spectrum of industries. He has diverse experience in advising in relation to beef production,
retailing, manufacturing, wool production, banana growers, sugar cane production and professional practices.
www.crowehorwath.com.au
North QLD
Graham Wilson
Principal – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Primary production (beef and sugar cane)
Region: Townsville
Graham acts for many small to medium sized businesses in all industry sectors. This includes dealing with taxation issues,
business management, rural and commercial based family businesses, retailing, manufacturing, wool production, banana
growers, sugar cane production and professional practices.
Wendy Bailey
Principal – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Primary production (beef)
Region: Townsville
Wendy provides quality advice and services to various sized clients including individuals, clubs and societies, and large family
companies. Wendy has experience and expertise in taxation for primary production, in particular grazing businesses.
Frank Collins
Principal – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Primary production (beef)
Region: Cairns
Coming from a cattle grazing and cropping background, Frank understands the business issues facing primary producers. Frank
has particular expertise in strategic planning, research and development and tax advice.
Julie Gattera
Senior Advisor – Busness Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Primary production (cane, bananas)
Region: Cairns
Julie provides quality service and advice to business clients of all sizes across a broad range of industries. Julie has particular
expertise in sugar cane and banana farming.
Fay Skjonnemand
Assistant Manager – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Primary production (cane, bananas)
Region: Cairns
Fay has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experience working on businesses of all sizes. She has particular experience in
the primary production industry, and provides services to sugar cane and banana growers.
Albury
Cade Gow
Principal – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Primary production
Region: Albury
With 15 years’ experience in providing business advice, Cade brings a wealth of experience to his clients. Cade has provided
specialist advice to many clients in the primary production field, and hosts a quarterly agribusiness forum with agribusiness
bankers.
Fiona Livermore
Principal – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Primary production (dairy, beef, sheep, cropping, rice)
Region: Albury
With over 15 years’ accounting and advisory experience, Fiona has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experience. She
has particular interest in the primary production industry, and provides services to those in the areas of dairy, beef, sheep and
cropping.
Audit | Tax | Advisory | Financial Advice
Sydney
Paul Bakker
Lead Partner – Business Advisory,Sydney
Client base/specialisation: Wool and live stock, arable farming
Region: Sydney
Paul joined Crowe Horwath in 2004 before taking on the role of Partner in 2010, and Lead Partner of Business Advisory in 2013.
He works with third party providers, and has specific experience with wool and live stock as well as arable farming, implementing
solutions that deal with IT and business intelligence solutions to consolidate data.
Leah Russell
Lead Partner – Audit, Sydney
Client base/specialisation: Livestock and horticulture
Region: Sydney
Leah brings together a strong body of technical knowledge, a dedication to agreed timelines and a diligent yet approachable
demeanour. Leah works with many primary production clients, and more specifically those in the livestock and horticulture
sectors.
Rob Dando
Associate Principal, Corporate Finance
Client base/specialisation: Selling of large farms, IPO of Bega Cheese, dairy, beef and cattle
Region: Sydney
Rob is an Associate Principal in the Corporate Finance team, focusing primarily on transaction services. Specialising in advising
corporate clients and financial sponsors, Rob has extensive knowledge across a range of client sectors, including farming,
dairy and beef.
Western VIC
Luke Santamaria
Manager – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Primary production
Region: Hamilton
Luke joined Crowe Horwath in 2007 having previously worked within the farming sector. Working closely with many clients in the
primary production industry, Luke prides himself on helping clients achieve their objectives.
Paul Clarke
Senior Manager, Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Primary production (dairy, beef, sheep)
Region: Warrnambool
Paul has over 25 years of accounting experience, and specialises in primary production. Paul comes from a dairy background,
and specialises in dairy, beef and sheep. He also holds the position of Treasurer on the Western Victoria Dairy Board, and is a
committee member of Rural Financial Counselling Service Victoria.
Wayne O’Brien
Managing Principal – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Primary production
Region: Colac
Wayne’s involvement as a Board member of Colac’s two largest employers provides local expertise on a broad range of business,
financial and workforce issues. This is invaluable for small business advisory, financial analysis projects and adds value to his
role as Managing Principal.
Mark Whelan
Managing Principal – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Primary production (dairy, sheep, beef farming)
Region: Geelong
Mark is the Managing Principal in Western Victoria of the Ballarat, Geelong, Ocean Grove, Torquay and Werribee offices. He has
substantial management experience in his role on the regional Executive Committee for Crowe Horwath in Western Victoria.
www.crowehorwath.com.au
Western VIC
Scott Johnsone
Principal – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Succession planning
Region: Colac
Scott is a Principal in the Colac office and has over 20 years’ experience in rural and commercial areas. Scott specialises in farm
and rural succession planning and budgeting.
Troy Parker
Principal – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Dairy farming
Region: Colac
Troy has over 10 years’ experience in accounting services and now specialises in business and taxation services acting for small
to medium enterprises. He has extensive experience dealing with the dairy farming sector.
Eastern VIC
Tim Morrison
Principal – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Sheep and beef farming
Region: Bairnsdale
Tim commenced with Crowe Horwath in 2007 as a Chartered Accountant. Tim’s expertise has allowed him to provide business
advisory with particular focus on management accounting, estate planning, cloud accounting and taxations services with a
special interest in the agribusiness sector.
Murray Darling
Tony Hickey
Principal – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Agribusiness consultant
Region: Mildura
Tony Hickey has over 20 years’ experience working with large businesses in the area of project management and management
accounting. Tony also specialises in agribusiness consulting services.
David Walker
Principal – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Agribusiness consultant, succession planning
Region: Mildura
David has many years’ experience in providing advice to large scale agricultural businesses. Further to this, David possesses
great knowledge in passing farming business operations from one generation to the next.
Chris Sharman
Principal – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Agribusiness consultant
Region: Mildura
Chris is a well-known and respected Business Advisor in the Crowe Horwath team. A proud Mildura local, Chris is largely
responsible for Crowe Horwath’s growth in the Mallee area of Victoria, and has particular expertise in the agribusiness sector.
Nigel Sullivan
Associate Principal – General Insurance
Client base/specialisation: General and farm insurance
Region: Mildura
Nigel joined Crowe Horwath in 2009 having previously worked with the Allianz Group in their insurance and finance division in
Melbourne. Nigel brings a wealth of knowledge in General Insurance, specialising in farm construction and insurance.
Audit | Tax | Advisory | Financial Advice
Murray Darling
Geraldine Barraclough
Account Executive – General Insurance
Client base/specialisation: Insurance
Region: Mildura
Geraldine has a strong farming background and has a passion for farm insurance. Specialising in farm, crop and associated
insurances, Geraldine has been in the insurance industry for nine years.
Karen Hensgen
Manager – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Agribusiness consultant
Region: Mildura
A dynamic Business Advisor with over 20 years’ financial management experience in the agriculture industry, Karen specialises
in agribusiness consultancy, supporting clients in strategically growing and succeeding.
Central West
Yvette Pietsch
Managing Principal
Client base/specialisation: Agriculture, vineyards
Region: Dubbo
Yvette is the Managing Principal for the Crowe Horwath Central West region. In this role, Yvette leads a team of over 200
professionals across eight offices that make up the Crowe Horwath Central West team. Her specialisations include the agriculture
and vineyards sectors.
Peter Carnell
Principal – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Primary production (sheep, cattle, broad acre grain growing, cotton)
Region: Dubbo
Peter is a certified practising accountant and is a Principal at Crowe Horwath, based in the Dubbo office. Peter has a wealth of
experience working with rural and farming families to develop a holistic approach to business growth and development.
Tom Larkin
Principal – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Primary production (sheep, beef, grain, dairy)
Region: Dubbo
Tom joined Crowe Horwath in 2000 as a Cadet Accountant. Tom is a qualified certified practicing accountant and a registered tax
agent. Although he is located in Dubbo, Tom spends much of his time visiting agri clients on-site at their premises, and believes
trust is key to establishing sustainable relationships.
Rachelle Nowland
Associate Principal – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Broadacre winter cropping, sheep, beef, cotton, succession planning
Region: West Wyalong/Canberra
Rachelle is a Chartered Accountant and has worked at Crowe Horwath in West Wyalong since 2002. She has previous work
experience with broadacre and irrigation farming, as well as excellent working knowledge and appreciation of the unique issues
affecting primary producers from her own farming background.
Pip Conn
Senior Advisor – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Graziers (sheep, cattle), winter cropping enterprises
Region: Wellington/Canberra
Pip works with a range of clients, and specialises in the areas of agriculture and retail trade. She assists her clients with preparing
and planning their tax, as well as business advisory services.
Stuart Thomas
Principal – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Primary production (grain, livestock, cotton, diary)
Region: Forbes
Stuart is well-regarded for his wealth of knowledge and experience in accounting. He joined Crowe Horwath as a Graduate
Accountant in 1991 when the firm was known as Todd, Brindley & Co. He has specialist skills in the areas of farming, estate
planning and business succession planning.
www.crowehorwath.com.au
Central West
Alison O’Brien
Senior Advisor – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Estate planning
Region: Dubbo
Since joining Crowe Horwath in 2007, Alison has been based in the Dubbo office specialising in the area of estate planning. Her
personal interest and background in agriculture has influenced her focus on the issues facing the agriculture sector and small
business.
Samantha Comer
Manager – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Primary production
Region: Dubbo
Sam has been with Crowe Horwath since January 2001, starting as a Cadet and progressing through her career to her current
role as a Senior Taxation Consultant in our Tax Advisory Team. As the sole tax specialist in the Central West team, Sam has
gained experience in a wide variety of industries, particularly with primary production.
Central North
Don McRae
Lead Principal – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Grazing, wool, generally all farming types
Region: Inverell
Don specialises in farm business management, succession planning and taxation and has worked with a variety of clients
principally in agriculture or industries based on agriculture.
Troy White
Principal – Business Advisory
Region: Inverell
Troy began his career under the guidance of Ian Witherdin in Crowe Horwath’s Inverell office in 1996. Troy specialises in
providing business services advice to rural and small business clients, and has a great understanding of the agribusiness
industry.
Rod Schultz
Lead Principal – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Retirement, succession planning
Region: Armidale
After commencing with Crowe Horwath in 1997, Rod was appointed to the role of Principal in 2002. A member of the Institute
of Chartered Accountants, Rod works hands on in the rural industry and regularly advises rural businesses and families with
retirement and succession issues.
Helen McAuliffe
Principal – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Accounts management aspects of farming, broadacre cropping
Region: Inverell
Helen’s speciality is making complex tax and trading structures simple and easy to understand. Helen specialises in the accounts
management aspects of farming, and has great knowledge of farm specific packages, as well as broadacre cropping.
Rod Wark
Representative – Principal, Financial Planning
Client base/specialisation: Primary production
Region: Armidale
Rodney is rural focused and provides personal advice to clients throughout NSW. He has completed his Diploma of Financial
Planning and is also a Certified Financial Planner. Rodney believes he can add real value to clients’ situations, by utilising his
experience in taxation and business to deliver results-orientated advice. He owns and operates grazing properties in Walcha and
Guyra running sheep and cattle to maintain his lifestyle and interest in grazing.
Audit | Tax | Advisory | Financial Advice
Tasmania
Aaron Robertson
Principal – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Dairy
Region: Smithton
Aaron has over 20 years’ experience in public practice accounting. Leading Crowe Horwath’s Smithton office, Aaron is
community focussed and dedicated to delivering results to his clients, and boasts a depth of experience in the agriculture sector.
Leigh French
Senior Managerl – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Dairy
Region: Smithton
Leigh has been in public practice accounting for over 20 years. Leigh now has excellent knowledge of all the local business
needs and keeps a close eye on market changes affecting his clients. Leigh’s specialty is dairy.
Dallas Frost
Principal – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Crop/forrestry
Region: Launceston
Dallas started with Crowe Horwath in 1994 and has been a Principal of the firm since 2004. Dallas’ specialisation in the
agribusiness sector includes crop and forrestry.
Rodney Loone
Principal – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Fertiliser trade
Region: Launceston
Rodney is a Principal of Business Advisory based in Launceston. Rodney’s experience dates back over 35 years’ in accounting
and business management. He specialises in business modelling, cash flow management, succession strategies and tax
planning.
Anthony Loone
Managing Principal – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Agribusiness advisory
Region: Launceston
With more than 20 years’ experience in Taxation, Accounting and Business Advisory, Anthony’s role involves a diverse and
enjoyable combination of client interaction and business management responsibilities.
Michael Batten
Associate Principal – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Third party suppliers
Region: Launceston
Michael Batten commenced his career with Crowe Horwath in 2005. During his time at Crowe Horwath, Michael has assisted
clients across a diverse range of industries, and holds specific interest and experience working with participants in the
agribusiness sector.
Peter Muckridge
Principal – Business Advisory
Client base/specialisation: Aquaculture
Region: Hobart
Peter is a Principal of Business Advisory in Hobart and has worked for Crowe Horwath for over 20 years’ as a tax specialist.
Peter has advised agribusiness and aquaculture businesses in strategic business modelling, risk assessments and succession
planning.
www.crowehorwath.com.au
Contact us
We welcome the opportunity to help you find solutions to your challenges and explore opportunities to maximise your profitability
and minimise any of your financial concerns.
Tel 1300 856 065
www.crowehorwath.com.au
@CroweHorwath_AU
Crowe Horwath Australia
The relationship you can count on
This document provides general information only, current at the time of production. Any advice in it has been prepared without taking into account your personal
circumstances. You should seek professional advice before acting on any material.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation (other than for the acts or omissions of financial services licensees) in each State or
Territory other than Tasmania.
Crowe Horwath (Aust) Pty Ltd is a member of Crowe Horwath International, a Swiss verein. Each member firm of Crowe Horwath is a separate and independent legal
entity. Crowe Horwath (Aust) Pty Ltd and its affiliates are not responsible or liable for any acts or omissions of Crowe Horwath or any other member of Crowe Horwath
and specifically disclaim any and all responsibility or liability for acts or omissions of Crowe Horwath or any other Crowe Horwath member.
Crowe Horwath (Aust) Pty Ltd ABN 84 006 466 351. August 2015