Our Staff
Catherine Smith - Taxation Consultant and Investment Property Coach/ Business & Client Manager
Catherine has had over 20 years experience in Taxation, business, SMSF's, finance and property investment. She holds an Accounting Degree and a Masters degree in Taxation and has been recognized by the Certified Practitioners of Australia (CPA) Society as a 'Specialist in Taxation'. She spent 11 years with the Australian Taxation Office as a senior Audit manager and a Fraud Investigator. After leaving the ATO Catherine established an Accounting practice in Ulladulla in 2002 and then relocated the practice to Canberra in 2006. Catherine is a also registered Tax Agent, a Fellow of the NTAA, a qualified Financial Planner, a Justice of Peace, a qualified Mortgage and Finance consultant, a SMSF specialist and Qualified Real Estate Agent and Certified Results and Master Results Coach.
Most importantly Catherine is a passionate Property investor. She brought her first property when she was 17 and has brought and sold over 20 properties in the last 20 years. She currently maintains a large property portfolio and has properties in ACT, NSW, Qld and Vic. She holds both residential and commercial properties and her aim is to retire to the coast and live financially independent through the capital growth on her property portfolio. Catherine made many mistakes during her investing career and her main goal is to help her clients not make the same mistakes.
Along with a busy career, Catherine is raising four young children and knows the importance of children to our future.
Adam Hartard - Property
Adam Hartard has over 12 years property experience, specializing in finance, structure, acquisition and development with involvement in property transactions from Tasmania to Darwin.
Adam is the Director of a number of companies that include Financial Planning, Mortgage Finance and Property Development.
He has invested and developed properties in Sydney, Brisbane and Gold Coast. A Financial Planner since 2005, Adam believes that financial advice should be made accessible to all investors and not just investors who have large amounts to invest in shares and managed funds. Adam is able to incorporate property investments into a financial plan that will meet the individual's financial goals and aspirations.
Adam is committed and passionate about equipping people with high quality advice so that they can achieve their full potential.
Peter Bishell - Consultant SMSF Auditor
Peter is well known in Canberra for his specialist knowledge in the area of SMSF's. Peter has a Bachelor in Marketing, a Masters Commerce and a Financial Planning Diploma. He has had over 22 years experience in Financial Planning and SMSF's. In 2008 Peter published a book titled 'The Self Managed Superannuation Trustees Handbook'. He has agreed to be the SMSF Auditor for all WFS Canberra SMSF clients.
Peter Bishell has established a new accounting practice specialising in the audit of self-managed superannuation funds. The major difference between the audit service Peter provides and other SMSF auditors is that Peter will meet with fund trustees BEFORE the end of each financial year to make sure there are no issues that require attention prior to the end of the financial year.
If you wish to appoint Peter as auditor or discuss his services in more detail you can contact him on 0432 597 806 or send him an email via pbishell@gmail.com.
Pradnya Sood - Accountant and SMSF Administrator
Pradnya has been with WFS for over 2 years and has had 7 years experience in Business Services, Taxation and SMSF's. She has built up a respect amongst our client base with her knowledge, accuracy and thorough work practices. She specializes in Self Managed Superannuation Funds which is a key focus of our firm and an area she enjoys with a passion. Pradnya has completed her Masters in Accounting from the University of Canberra and is an accredited CPA Accountant.
Lexie O'Toole - Tax Technical Accountant and Office Manager
Lexie started with WFS in 2007 and helped build the company from the ground up. She designed all our policies and procedures and is the one to ask about anything you might need. If she doesn't know the answer she will know who to ask. Lexie has become a client favorite via her personality and her extremely efficient work practices.Lexie has completed her Accounting and Financial Planning Degree at University of Canberra. She also has a Certificate 2 in Business Administration and IT. She is currently studying for her CPA.
Rekha Patel- Mortgage Broker and Loan Writer
Rekha is an experienced mortgage broker with a client friendly focus. There is nothing that Rekha enjoys more than helping clients arrange finance for their dream home or their investment property. Rekha has a Bachelor of Business degree majoring in Economics and has been working in mortgage broking, banking and insurance for over five years. She also has a Certificate IV in Mortgage Broking and is member of MFAA. For all of your financing needs look no further than Rekha Patel and Wholistic Financial Solutions.
Dennis Smith - Company Accountant / CPA
Dennis is the Company Secretary and Accountant for Wholistic Financial Solutions Canberra Pty Ltd. In addition he is currently working in Private Practice providing secretarial administration, accounting and financial management services to client Companies, Organizations and Institutions incorporated in Sydney and Canberra.
Commonwealth Government and Statutory Authorities (1956 - 1993)
Director (Finance), State Accountant, Assistant Secretary (Finance)
For the years prior to entering Private Practice he was employed as Director (Finance), State Accountant &Assistant Secretary (Finance) to Commonwealth Government and Statutory Authorities (1956 - 1993) providing accounting, financial and administrative procedural advice, instructions and accounting services to Managers located in State and Regional Branches of Commonwealth Departments and Statutory Authorities. Other activities included management of Finance Divisions, selection and management of staff, preparation of Department Annual Financial Statements, Management of Human and Financial Resources, Budget preparation, monitoring and reporting. The Statutory Authorities included the Royal Canberra hospital, the Australian National University and the CSIRO.
Ninette Ferlitsch - SMSF
Ninette is an experienced SMSF Administrator. She worked for Phase Three Superannuation & Retirement Consultants (Peter Bishell) for 2 years before transferring to Walter Turnbull/Price Waterhouse Coopers Lybrand for a further 2 years. Ninette has a Certificate in Property Management (NSW), a Certificate in Secretarial Studies and is currently studying an Advanced Diploma of Accounting. Ninette is currently studying a Diploma of Management.
Jean Anderson - SMSF
Jean is an experienced SMSF Administrator. She worked for Phase Three Superannuation & Retirement Consultants (Peter Bishell) for 5 years before transferring to Walter Turnbull for 3 months. Jean has a BA Degree and a Diploma of Superannuation Management. Jean is also the Accounts Manager for Crossroads Christian Church.
Yan Lan – Accountant and Administrative Assistant
Yan is an experienced tax consultant and MYOB user with thorough knowledge through formal study and continuous professional development. Yan has Master degrees in Accounting and English Linguistics, and Bachelor degree of Arts. Yan is an Associate Member of CPA and looking forward to becoming a full member in 2013. Yan is always friendly and helpful to staff and clients, trying her best to solve problems and cater to their needs in the most efficient way.
