Known for his practical and client-centric approach, Matthew has led major audit and advisory engagements for some of Australia’s largest private groups, a global online retailer, and multinational manufacturing businesses with operations across Australia, New Zealand, the USA and the UK. He has also worked extensively with professional services firms including engineering, architectural and consulting practices.

Matthew’s technical expertise covers external audit, accounting advisory, governance and risk frameworks, and industry-specific benchmarking. He is regularly appointed as Lead Engagement Partner for complex, high-value clients where his commercial expertise and attention to detail are highly valued.

His ability to build trusted, enduring relationships is underpinned by a consistent focus on delivering clear, proactive advice that supports his clients’ strategic objectives. He has also acted as audit partner for several successful initial public offerings, providing strategic guidance and technical leadership throughout the listing process.

Matthew is a Partner of SW Audit and a Director of SW Accountants & Advisors Pty Ltd.

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Matthew brings over two decades of experience from both Big Four and mid-tier accounting firms, with a strong record advising clients across a wide range of industries including Automotive, Energy & resources, Manufacturing, NFP, Consumer products and Agribusiness. He has served as Lead Audit Partner on some of Australia’s largest family-owned groups, ASX listed companies, multinational businesses and not-for-profits. His notable work also includes being the lead audit partner on one of 2024s largest IPO’s, as well as the $1.3 billion IPO of a global provider of water control solutions for plumbing, heating, and industrial systems.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr Duane Rogers, CEO of SW Accountants & Advisors, said: “We are delighted to welcome Matthew to SW. His extensive experience and leadership qualities will undoubtedly strengthen our firm and enhance our ability to deliver exceptional service to our clients. Matthew’s appointment reflects our ongoing commitment to attracting outstanding talent to support our growing practice.”

Originally beginning his career in Perth, Matthew went on to gain further experience in Melbourne before returning to Perth with his family eight years ago. This dual-market experience has given him a deep understanding of the dynamics within both regions, which are instrumental in supporting SW’s national growth strategy.

Known for his ability to build high-performing teams and his collaborative leadership style, Matthew’s approach strongly aligns with SW’s values and people-first culture. His arrival represents another step in the firm’s ongoing investment in its people and its future, as it continues to grow its presence and capability in Western Australia and beyond.

Matthew expressed his enthusiasm about joining SW, stating: “The significant growth opportunity for SW in the Perth market was a major drawcard. I was attracted to a firm that combines a genuine people-focused culture with clear leadership opportunities and a strong strategic vision. SW offers the chance to contribute meaningfully to its future direction while continuing to grow professionally in a dynamic, expanding environment.”

Matthew’s arrival marks another step in SW’s continued investment in its people and its future, as the firm builds on its reputation for delivering trusted advice to clients across Australia.

For further information, please contact:

Amanda Lee, Chief Marketing Officer, SW Accountants & Advisors

E | alee@sw-au.com

P | +61 3 8635 1853

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Amy adeptly manages and serves clients across a diverse range of industries, including energy, wholesale/distribution and manufacturing. Having migrated from China to Australia in 2007, over the past decade, she has established herself as a trusted advisor, particularly in managing the firm’s Mandarin-speaking client base and cross-border engagements with China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

Amy’s deep understanding of international business and cultural diversity strengthens SW’s global capabilities. Leveraging her deep connections with various SW offices in mainland China, Hong Kong and UK.

Amy takes pride in her ability to forge strong relationships and be a trusted advisor. She develops strong working relationships with clients. Amy is also fluent in English and Mandarin.

Amy is a Partner of SW Audit and a Director of SW Accountants & Advisors Pty Ltd.

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Beyond external audits, Brent has a proven track record of assisting clients with audit readiness and financial reporting requirements. He has also played key roles in several major transactions, including:

• HK$1.396 billion global offering for a listed mining group
• $155 million glass manufacturing acquisition
• $44.5 million property and strata management acquisition
• $40 million property and egg farming acquisition
• $30 million acquisition of a wellness product manufacturer and e-commerce platform
• $50 million petroleum freight acquisition

Brent also serves on the Board of Directors and as Chair of the Finance Committee for a Melbourne-based community services organisation. This governance role provides him with valuable insight into the expectations of Directors and the broader governance environment.

He successfully onboard, manages and services a portfolio of clients across both the listed and not-for-profit sectors. Over time, Brent has built strong, trusted relationships with clients across industries including education, agribusiness, retail, manufacturing, not-for-profit, and automotive. He is proud to be recognised as a trusted advisor by clients who are respected leaders in their respective fields.

Brent is a Partner of SW Audit and a Director of SW Accountants & Advisors Pty Ltd.

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Having trained and qualified in London, Kamal has gained significant exposure to servicing a broad range of clients and industries in different jurisdictions.

Kamal is a Registered Company Auditor and is experienced in providing audit and assurance services to publicly listed entities, international groups and not-for profits in a variety of industries. With a diverse portfolio of clients, Kamal is passionate about providing audit, assurance and advisory solutions that deliver forward thinking commercial, innovative and value add outcomes to help his clients unlock their potential and achieve their ambitions. Kamal advocates the use of smart technologies in the assurance service delivery so as to achieve a higher quality of output and allowing the team to focus on the objectives of an engagement.

His clients are from a diverse cross-section of industries and therefore his significant industry experience includes mining, technology, financial services, manufacturing, retail, hospitality and entertainment & media sectors.

Kamal’s experience includes:

• External audit and assurance services
• International Accounting Standards, Corporations Act and ASX Listing Rules interpretation and advice
• Accounting for complex transactions
• Financial reporting and financial statement preparation
• Corporate governance
• Risk advisory, systems and technical reviews
• Real estate & solicitor’s trust audits
• Internal audit & SOX
• CFO and outsourcing solutions

Kamal is a Partner of SW Audit and a Director of SW Accountants & Advisors Pty Ltd.

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The OMB Guidance for Financial Assistance (Uniform Guidance) issued to all Federal agencies for use across all United States Federal Grants is the first major revision since its establishment in 2013.

The OMB originally established the requirements for federal grants management in 2013 consolidating and superseding requirements from several guidance documents related to the Federal financial assistance management and implementation of the Single Audit Act.

The four objectives for the current revisions, effective 1 October 2024 are:

1. incorporating statutory requirements and administrative priorities to ensure consistency with statutory authorities
2. reducing agency and recipient burden that included increasing several monetary thresholds that have not been updated for a number of years
3. clarifying sections that recipients or agencies have interpreted in difference ways
4. rewriting applicable sections in plain language, improving flow and addressing inconsistent use of terms.

What is the impact?

Organisations should review the revised Uniform Guidance changes and determine if there are any impacts on their current federal awards. Changes that may impact organisations include the following:

• increased the Single Audit threshold from $750,000 to $1,000,000 (section 200.501)
• increased the threshold for determining Type A programs to $1m if the total annual expenditures of all federal programs for a non-federal entity are $34m or less. This was previously $25 million or less (section 200.518)
• raised the de minimis rate non-federal entities can use for indirect costs from 10% to 15%. Recipients and subrecipients that do not have a current federal negotiated indirect cost rate may elect to charge a de minimis rate of up to 15% of modified total direct costs when this change goes into effect
• revised the threshold value for equipment from $5,000 to $10,000
• inclusion of a requirement that recipient and sub-recipient internal controls include cybersecurity and other measures to safeguard information
• changes to procurement standards.

SW are education specialists

Our approach to Uniform Guidance audits offers best practice expertise in a practical and commercial manner that is delivered using senior personnel with significant educational sector experience.

We have worked with 35 of the 41 major Australian universities and have extensive experience in assisting education providers with an appropriate audit of US Government sourced funds as required by the OMB Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance.

Our experts can assist with:

• quality expertise and industry insight in compliance with OMB’s Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance reporting requirements
• assessment of internal controls to ensure that research grants are managed in compliance with legislative/regulatory requirements
• direct link to Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance experts in the US, and
• tailored and collaborative audit methodology.

Contributors

Matthew Paull

Alyssa Weickhardt

The post Uniform Guidance | Final updates effective 1 October 2024 appeared first on SW Accountants & Advisors.

Trent’s experience includes a six-month secondment in London, where he gained hands-on experience with UK reporting requirements while working on external audits for large, listed organisations. Additionally, he completed a secondment at the University of Melbourne, where he played a crucial role in the transition to the new revenue standards (AASB 15 and AASB 1058) and the leasing standard (AASB 16).

His industry focus areas include Not-for-Profit, Education, Property & Construction, Hospitality and Gaming, and Retail & Wholesale sectors. This breadth of experience allows him to provide tailored audit and assurance services that meet the unique needs of his clients.

As one of the firm’s newest partners, Trent brings a fresh perspective and unwavering commitment to his clients as a trusted advisor. He goes beyond just ensuring compliance; he fosters strong, collaborative relationships, offering strategic insights that help his clients navigate challenges. Trent’s proactive approach and dedication to delivering exceptional service make him an invaluable partner for any organisation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Finance)
• Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting
• Registered Company Auditor with ASIC
• Registered Auditor with the Fair Work Commission.

Trent is a Partner of SW Audit and a Director of SW Accountants & Advisors Pty Ltd.

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• About us
• Our people
• Culture & community
• Policies & compliance

Welcome to SW, a hidden gem in the world of accounting,
where relationships meet technical know-how around every corner.

Our major brand awareness campaign, launched in October 2023, is designed to help you understand more about our purpose, our culture and what we offer to both our clients and our people. Over the years, we have had both clients and staff describe us as a ‘best kept secret’. We see this as a testament to the long-standing relationships we have built with many of our clients, that has extended over decades and even generations, and highlights the trust they place in us.

Businesses evolve all the time, and at SW Accountants & Advisors we are no different. We have been operating in Australia since 1935 and during that time, the original partner group has changed names and even international networks, all in an effort to provide greater value to our clients, and opportunities for our team members. In 2021 we globally rebranded from ShineWing to SW – yet another nod to support the global aspirations of the network.

As an Australian-owned and operated business, we have grown to 400 people, located across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. With 45 partners, we are a fully-integrated firm that was ranked #22 in the 2025 AFR Top 100 Firms; of all accounting ‘national’ practices that are financially integrated we are ranked 9th.

Worldwide in the SW International network, we have over 600 partners in 103 offices operating across 23 countries and regions.

Did you know?

Proudly, we have a range of specialist services that is not typical of a firm our size! In addition to Tax, Audit & Advisory services, we also provide:

– Corporate Finance
– Transfer Pricing
– R&D & Government Incentives
– Payroll Advisory
– Probity
– Debt advisory
– China opportunities
– Digital Cloud Solutions
– CFO advisory
– Audit litigation
– IFRS Advisory
– Complete Tax Solutions software (FBT)

Our ‘secret destination’ site is your passport to exploring the horizon of experience, outcomes and impact.
From tax, to audit and specialised advisory services, get ready to embark on a journey with a firm that has values that underpin a great culture.

Nestled in the heart of four Australian CBDs, SW is an accounting and advisory firm with 400+ people
servicing large well known brands in Australia and overseas. A national firm with no borders.

 

Why are you a secret?!

You might be wondering why you haven’t heard of us before. The answer is simple: we’ve been quietly and diligently working behind the scenes, focusing on growth and expansion into new markets and locations while continuing to serve our established clients with dedication. While we have deep roots in Melbourne, our partners recognised the need to support clients venturing into Asia and those coming to Australia.

To better align with our global mission, we’ve undergone a transformation and are now known as SW. Perhaps you’ve known us by our previous names, Moore Stephens or ShineWing. We felt now was the right time to tell our story.

Discover the difference of partnering with SW, where you’re not just another client but a valued member of our family.

 

Considering a career with Australia’s best kept accounting secret? Find out more.

 

 

 

 

Range of specialist services that you don’t usually find in a firm our size

Corporate Finance, Transfer Pricing, R&D/GI, Payroll Advisory, Probity, Debt advisory, China opportunities, Digital Cloud Solutions, CFO advisory, Audit litigation, IFRS Advisory  

Independent Client Choice Award Finalist for six consecutive years, including Best CX out of 217 professional service firms

Unique set of values that define its culture: Own It, Love your Work, Share the Load, Open Doors & Embrace the Ride

Access to Asia and China with unparalleled bilingual capability

Our care for our people | EVP

Industry focus | focus on sectors that have strongest trade with Asia

Size allows us to respond quickly to resolving technical issues

Our International Network | 13^th largest in APAC region and #20 worldwide (International Accounting Bulletin)

Voluntary Modern Slavery Statement and focus on Sustainable Development Goals

 

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The ASIC media release on 6 June 2023 outlined its key areas of focus for this reporting season, stressing the need for directors, preparers of financial reports and auditors to evaluate the potential impact of shifting circumstances, uncertainties, and risks.

Key areas of focus

Asset values

Considerations for directors, preparers, and auditors regarding asset values include:

• impairment of non-financial assets
• appropriate valuation methods
• factors affecting property values
• expected credit losses
• asset classification
• inventory valuation
• deferred tax assets
• investments in unlisted entities.

Provisions

Financial statement preparers need to provide sufficiently for potential expenses or obligations relating to onerous or loss-making contracts, property leases, restoring mining or other sites, providing financial guarantees, and making changes to your business.

Solvency and going concern assessments

In a growing interest rate market, debt can become very expensive to manage and covenant breaches more common resulting in solvency and going concern issues. Inflation is also an issue for many entities to manage. Our advice is to ensure that projections are reasonable and realistic and going concern disclosures are made with sufficient detail in the financial statements if there are material uncertainties surrounding going concern.

Events occurring after year end and before completing the financial report

It is important to review any events that happen between the end of the year and the completion of the financial report. This review should determine if these events have any impact on the assets, liabilities, income, or expenses at the end of the year or if they involve new conditions that need to be disclosed. Covenant breaches post year-end need to be identified. Adjustments or disclosures relating to relevant events post-year end is important to investors and other stakeholders. Omission of such material information could be problematic, in particular in an uncertain economic environment.

Disclosures in the financial report and Operating and Financial Review (OFR)

Disclosure of information is important to investors and other stakeholders. Directors must ensure disclosures are specific to the entity’s circumstances and highlight changes from the previous period. Address uncertainties, classify assets and liabilities correctly, and explain the impact of economic conditions in the Operating and Financial Review. Discuss risks, strategies, and consider climate change and cybersecurity risks. Present non-IFRS profit measures accurately and disclose significant developments since end of last year in half-year reports.

Impact of uncertainty

Market and economic conditions are particularly uncertain this year, which impacts financial reporting in areas where significant estimates and judgements are required in the financial statements.

The impact will be different depending on industry, geography, markets, suppliers and customers but very few industries are not facing significant uncertainty.

Directors and financial statement preparers should take into account what the entity’s current performance is, what the future holds and how those factors impact on values of assets, provisions and business strategies.

“We have seen ASIC take more action against Directors in recent times and recommend that Directors are across all the significant estimates and judgements in their financial reports, including ensuring material disclosures are appropriate, complete and accurate. In an uncertain economic environment, more estimates and judgements are required in financial reporting particularly when incorporating forward-looking information,”

Rene Muller, Partner SW Assurance and Advisory Division

The particular market conditions highlighted by ASIC as those representing changing circumstances, uncertainties and risks are:

• availability of skilled staff and expertise, which can impact on revenue and costs
• impact of rising interest rates on future cash flows and on discount rates used in valuing assets and liabilities
• inflationary impacts that may differ between costs and income
• increases in energy and oil prices
• geopolitical risks, including the Ukraine/Russia conflict
• impacts of climate change, climate related events and transitioning to ‘net zero’
• technological changes and innovation
• COVID-19 conditions and restrictions during the reporting period
• changes in customer preferences and online purchasing trends
• discontinuation of financial and other support from governments, lenders and lessors
• legislative and regulatory changes
• other economic and market developments.

How SW can help

Our team of audit and assurance experts are fully informed of the ASIC focus areas and can assist with providing guidance for your year-end financial reporting, as well as keeping you abreast of developments from an Australian reporting context.

Reach out to our key contacts here for a conversation.

Key contacts

Jimmy Cao

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