Who we are
We take great pride in the quality of the solutions and services we provide to our clients, whether we be completing an individual tax return, offering restructuring, tax and superannuation advice, or supporting estate planning. Key to our ongoing success is our ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with our clients. Richards looks forward to working with you and helping you grow with us into the future.
Our Values
Professionalism
Our reputation is a result of years of expertise, experience and a continued commitment to maintaining the highest of professional standards.
Reliability
We understand the time pressures facing your business. That’s why we strive to provide up to date, accurate and timely service solutions to your financial growth issues as a crucial element of our firm culture.
Responsiveness
We recognise that financial growth can only be achieved through mutual values and understanding. That’s what makes us flexible enough to respond to the needs of the client whilst offering comprehensive assistance to your financial queries.
The largest independently owned financial services business across the Blue Mountains
Richards Financial Services was established by John Richards in 1986. Since its beginning, the firm has enjoyed steady growth. Our high retention rate has resulted in having a client base throughout Australia – our clients just like to stay with us.
Established by Principal John Richards some 30 years ago, Richards has continued to grow its client base year-on-year, and is now a two-partner firm, with Rebecca Garnsey taking on a director role earlier this year. The firm enjoys a high level of client retention and is truly multi-generational in its client base – John now sees grandchildren of some of his original clients. Our staff retention is exceptionally good and our employees enjoy a social and productively challenging work environment. Richards has added to its awards this year with by taking out ‘Employer of Choice’ at the Blue Mountains Regional Chamber of Business awards for 2017. Richards has been asked to represent the region at the State Awards to be held in November.
Richards understands the changing nature of business and compliance, working closely with software vendors such as QuickBooks, MYOB, and Xero to understand how best to create efficiencies within our clients' businesses. The appropriate use of mobility solutions, coupled with robust desktop and reporting solutions allow us to drive greater efficiency within our clients' businesses.
Directors
JP, B.BUS, FIPA (TAX), CTA, TA
John Richards – Partner
John has been involved in public practice as an accountant since 1982 and as a financial planner since 1998. He holds a Bachelor of Business and a Diploma in Financial Planning. His current specialisations include financial planning, income tax, capital gains tax, GST, FBT, accounting and company secretarial matters.
John is an Authorised Representative of The SMSF Expert Pty Ltd (Authorised Rep No. 234903) and can give high quality strategic advise on self-managed superannuation funds.
CA, FIPA, FFA, B.BUS, TA
Rebecca Garnsey – Partner
Rebecca is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (CA), a fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants (FIPA), an associate member of the Self Managed Super Fund Association a registered tax agent and an SMSF auditor. Rebecca is an authorised representative of The SMSF Expert Pty Ltd (Authorised Rep No. 465076) providing high quality strategic advice on self-managed superannuation funds. She has over 20 years’ experience working in public practice and has worked with hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses.
Rebecca has the following qualifications and memberships:
- Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand (CA)
- Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants (FIPA)
- Fellow of the Institute of Financial Accountants (FFA)
- Bachelor of Business (Accounting)
- Self Managed Superannuation Fund Auditor
- Member of the SMSF Auditor’s Association
- RG 146 (financial planning)
- Registered Tax Agent
She specialises in complex tax matters, business structuring, SMSFs and strategic advice.
Team Members
Senior Accountant (FIPA) FFA
Aline Richards
Concentrating on self-managed super fund returns, Aline has been in professional practice since 1980. Tax planning, MYOB, business structuring and business services are also Aline’s areas of expertise.
Senior Accountant (CPA, B.Bus, JP)
Dianne Norman
Dianne holds a Bachelor of Business degree and is a CPA with Public Practice Certificate. Dianne is also a Registered Tax Agent and Justice of the Peace. Dianne has been working in public practice since 2008 and is highly skilled in taxation and accounting.
Dianne is an Authorised Representative of The SMSF Expert Pty Ltd (Authorised Rep No. 1253677).
Dianne has the following qualifications and memberships:
• Member of CPA Australia (CPA)
• Bachelor of Business (Accounting)
• RG 146
• Registered Tax Agent
Karen Gray
Karen holds a Bachelor of Accounting and has a Diploma in Financial Planning. She recently returned to resume her role specialising in small business tax returns and accounts for Richards.
Susan Himsley
Susan was previously at H&R Block so we were very fortunate when she became part of our team in early 2019. Susan is an A-grade tax specialist, with the capacity to answer any complex tax questions you may have.
Accountant
Belinda Hume
Belinda joined the team in 2018 and focuses her talents on the preparation of tax returns for individuals, especially with rental properties and complex share portfolios. She is currently studying Advanced Tax to build her technical knowledge.
Accountant (CPA, B.Hosp)
Raechel Jones
Having worked in public practice since 2014, Raechel is a CPA and holds a Bachelor of Hospitality (Business) and a Diploma of Accounting. Thanks to her previous experience in the travel and hospitality industries Raechel has proven an asset to our business services team, and is very experienced with Xero and Quickbooks.
Accountant
Hayati Kamarudin
Hayati brings over eight years of accounting experience to her role at Richards, enjoying the client interaction with Blue Mountains locals since moving from a city-based firm. Hayati holds an Advanced Diploma of Accounting and is currently working towards the completion of a Bachelor of Accounting. She works extensively with clients transitioning to cloud-based software such as QuickBooks Online, assisting small businesses with streamlining their bookkeeping needs and focusing on the preparation of financial statements and tax returns for sole traders, companies and trusts.
ACCOUNTANT (B.HOSP, M.ACC, CPA)
Gabriel Lee
Gabe joined Richards in 2019 after moving to the Blue Mountains from North Sydney. He has a Bachelor of Hotel Management and a Masters in Accounting, as well as being a fully qualified CPA. Gabe is a business services specialist, concentrating on helping clients with their Xero and Quickbooks files.
Accountant
Suzanne Manning
Suzanne joined Richards Financial Services after having been a part of Nationwide Accounting for many years and is currently completing her Advanced Diploma in Accounting. Her expertise includes taxation for sole traders as well as for investors in real estate and shares. Suzanne is a Registered BAS Agent.
Practice Manager
Murray Wilson
Murray joined the Richards team in 2017 after an extensive career in Information Technology and business management. Murray holds a Bachelor of Business in Accounting with experience across small to large organisations, including ASX top 50 companies, where he has been involved in developing business start-ups, managing corporate restructures and culture change activities. When not at work Murray can be found watching the Sydney Swans or in the kitchen experimenting with food.
Nicole Stockley
Nicole originally joined Richards in 2013 and worked for us for four years before going on a travelling adventure. She has returned to us to head up our administration team while she plans her next trip abroad.
Anjum Olmo
We were lucky to have Anjum join our administration team in 2019 after a break from the workforce for a few years to look after her young family. Anjum was previously a Personal Banking Specialist at Westpac Bank in Leura, and has strong ties to the community. In her spare time Anjum is a wonderful artist, who will be putting some of her artworks up for exhibition in our reception gallery soon – watch this space!
Zali Thomas
Zali recently joined our administration team, holding a Certificate III in Business Administration and having worked in similar roles in the area. Zali is a Mountains local with strong connections to the community. In her spare time she enjoys bush walking in the great outdoors in the beautiful Blue Mountains.