Yes, we have some.
Individuals of our firm that can arguably be represented as "people" are:
David Cunningham
David's professional life commenced 25 years ago as a graduate accountant at Coopers Lybrand, Tasmania. The initial firm provided great training however Tasmania proved a wee bit small for David and he accordingly boarded the boat (yes there was only one) for Melbourne in 1982. Upon arriving, having little or no English and not knowing a soul David nevertheless took great and confident strides into the strange city of Melbourne.
David has since gained enormous experience and respect working in professional services firms on diverse assignments in Australia, England and Hong Kong. Earning the right to use the esteemed titles of Chartered Accountant and Registered Company Auditor, David's strengths are his care and compassion and the ability to listen attentively and offer creative solutions for clients.
Considerable technical strengths coupled with an informal style mean that clients are well looked after; indeed are continually challenged and a significant number have been with David for a number of years. Others have mysteriously disappeared behind David's filing cabinet which has lead to great surprises and the excitement of family reunions upon the occasional office move.
Although his English has improved over many years in the "jungle of the Western world", it alas represents David's only language skill. This does not contrast well with the "other" main individual within the firm.
Hannah Vu
Hannah Vu flew in from Vietnam in 1995, having lost her way on trade winds on route to USA. A quick snap from an alert individual who was the only sober one at the annual Lab X bush retreat shows Hannah as she landed, confused but fiercly determined to make sense of her new surroundings. Like David before her, Hannah had no English and knew not one living soul in Australia.
She quickly settled in however and after graduating from Swinburne joined David in 2000. Sheer adulation and awe at David and his achievements (but mostly at David) soon gave way to the need to take charge. Incredible attention to detail and an endearing style have been hallmarks in her career which has seen her graduate into many different personalities including her elevated status of CPA. Clients quickly prefer Hannah to David so it is best for potential clients to meet her early on.
Unlike David, Hannah has kept her "mother tongue" and has used it to great effect within the Vietnamese communities where she has established and maintained many valuable clients.
Hannah has achieved wonderfully since her arrival in Australia and it is a credit to her determination and spirit that she holds such a pivotal role within the firm where she is held in respect by her peers, network and clients.