Matthews Steer Chartered Accountants
Essendon Fields House
Level 2
7 English Street
Essendon Airport
Victoria 3041
Australia

Our Executive Team

KEN MATTHEWS
Director/CEO

Professional Background
Ken is an experienced chartered accountant with extensive knowledge in numerous facets of small and medium-sized businesses. 

Professional Qualifications and Memberships

• Diploma Business Studies (Acc)
• Graduate Diploma Acc/Bus Studies
• FCA FCPA FAICD

Ken has lectured in various aspects of Small Business with Small Business Victoria and Victoria University and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.  He is also a Board member of the Melbourne West Export Network.    

Ken is well known in the north-western region of Melbourne, having been involved in many local projects, including East Keilor Community Financial Services Ltd - Bendigo Bank, an organisation founded to provide a community bank for the residents and business people of East Keilor.  Ken is also a member of the Sustainability Knowledge Centre Steering Group at Victoria University.

In the Community/Personal Insight
Ken completed the “Kokoda Trail Project” in July 2009 along with a contingent of the Victoria Police personnel who accompany students on the gruelling and emotionally challenging trail.  This annual program aims to inspire disadvantaged students to develop self-esteem and confidence in their abilities. Together with the Victorian Police, Matthews Steer raised funds for an initiative which has greatly enhanced relationships between Police and the area’s diverse youth population in recent years. 
He won the Moonee Valley City Council Business Award for Contribution to Art and Culture and he was also awarded the Moonee Valley City Council Citizen of the Year in 2005.
In his spare time Ken follows the Western Bulldogs and at weekends can often be found rearing Angus beef at his farm near Timboon in the Western District of Victoria.

GEOFF STEER
Director/Chairman of the Board

Professional Background
Geoff joined Ken Matthews to form Matthews Steer Chartered Accountants in 1990.  Prior to 1990 Geoff was a Senior Tax Manager with the international accounting firm of Arthur Andersen & Co for over 10 years.

The combination of Geoff’s tax and financial planning skills enable him to provide a complete financial service for professional, executive and small business clients.
Geoff joined Premium Wealth Management in July 2000 as an Authorised Representative and became a Director in July 2001.  Premium Wealth Management is one of Australia‘s most successful independently-owned financial planning groups providing superior access to a wide range of products, pooled expertise and a powerful distribution network.

Professional Qualifications and Memberships
Geoff is a qualified Chartered Accountant and Financial Planner.

• Bachelor of Commerce – Melbourne University (1979)
• Fellow of Institute of Chartered Accountants (completed Professional Year 1982)
• Diploma of Financial Planning (1995)
• Fellow of Taxation Institute of Australia

In the Community/Personal Insight
Geoff’s community contribution includes being a member of the Tullamarine Rotary Club and a committee member of the Victoria University - Accounting and Finance Program Advisory Committee.
Geoff has always been a keen sportsman, but limits his active involvement these days to indoor bowls and golf.  He is also a loyal Collingwood supporter.  Geoff and his wife Rita love to travel, with regular weekends away both interstate and local with an annual overseas trip.

ADRIAN MISIANO
Partner/Chief Financial Officer

Professional Background
Adrian commenced his accounting career in 1996 before joining the practice in 1999 to then be appointed as Partner in July 2008. 

During his years as a Senior Manager, he completed a Company Director's course and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Adrian is the CFO of Matthews Steer, overseeing the internal finance function as well as being responsible for monthly board reporting and preparation of necessary financial information.  Adrian is also our in house specialist in relation to obtaining Export Market Development Grants for our clients and heads up the Property Division within Matthews Steer.  He is also very closely aligned with various Austrade personnel who can assist with the whole exporting process.
Adrian has also been a significant contributor to the development of Matthews Steer’s Catalyst Business Growth program.  With a passion for property and a specialisation that follows, Adrian has built a significant reputation amongst his clients for taking the complications of accounting and simplifying them to deliver concise advice that makes a considerable difference.

Professional Qualifications and Memberships

• Bachelor of Business – Victoria University 1996
• Institute of Chartered Accountants 2000
• Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors 2003

In the Community/Personal Insight
Adrian is a local boy made good, born in Essendon and raised in East Keilor, he attended St Bernard’s College before completing his studies at Victoria University.  Inside the office he is known as the ‘master of mirth’ for his quick wit and ability to keep a smile in every situation.

Adrian has been a significant community contributor having served on the board of the East Keilor Community Bank as treasurer for 4 years and currently serves as the treasurer for the Western Bulldogs Forever Foundation.  He is a Chartered Accountant and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

In his spare time Adrian has a passion for fishing, car racing and classic cars.

ANTHONY FLAPPER
Associate – Accounting Services and Financial Planner

Professional Background
Anthony currently holds the role of Accounting Manager overseeing the entire accounting function and team of Matthews Steer. 

Starting with the practice in September 1999, Anthony is a true example of the career path opportunities that exist at Matthews Steer.  He commenced as an Accounting Graduate after completing his commerce degree at the University of Ballarat.  His work ethic, ability to take responsibility and leadership have seen him soon progress through the organisation and accompanied with his CPA qualification become an integral part of the accounting team.

Anthony’s experience in all facets of business and financial services makes him well positioned to assist turning business success into personal wealth.  Anthony’s combined skill of tax and financial planning are rare to find, enabling him to offer his clients the opportunity to enjoy holistic wealth accumulation advice.

Professional Qualifications and Memberships

• B.Com (Acct), CPA , Authorised Representative

In the Community/Personal Insight
When not providing clients with exceptional service and value, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, and a good bottle of ‘red’.  He is also accomplished in the sporting arena where he has represented his country, along with his wife, on numerous occasions in the sport of Indoor Bowls.  Not only a player, he volunteers his time to hold numerous high level positions within the state body, indicating his passion for the sport.

Anthony is an active member of the CPA and is Treasurer of the Tullamarine Rotary Club, whilst also being a Committee Member of Public Practice which serves members in the public practice and assists with accounting and professional issues.

CATHERINE DUNCAN
General Manager

Professional Background
Catherine joined MS in late 2007 in a newly developed strategic role to manage the day-to-day operations of the business.  Her role involves the co-ordination of the planning of the internal and external operations of the business and measuring performance and results in line with the firm’s strategic direction.  Her initial audit of MS provided a platform to assess the current position and establish a prioritised action list to move towards the firm’s exciting future goals.

Catherine has been a partner in a consulting business for the previous seven years offering process improvement and change implementation across a wide range of both government and private enterprises.  She is an experienced Operations Manager with over 20 years management experience primarily in international risk consultancy and 7 years providing administrative services to major oil and gas operators in the United Kingdom.

Professional Qualifications and Memberships

• Diploma in Business Administration, Bell College of Technology, Glasgow, 1981
• Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, 1995
• Member of the Australian Institute of Management

Personal Insight
A promotion in 1996 involved Catherine moving from the UK to Sydney to manage the day-to-day operations of a risk consultancy across Australia and New Zealand.  In 2000 she moved out of a corporate organisation and started in her own business by forming a partnership with two other partners. 

Following the Longford gas plant major incident in 1998, Catherine became part of a dynamic specialised team set up by the Victorian government to build a Safety case assessment framework for major hazard facilities.  This saw Catherine spending time in both Sydney and Melbourne over the next two years.  By the end of the project, Catherine had met her husband and subsequently made Melbourne her home.

After 5 years of AFL oblivion living in Sydney, Catherine is now fully integrated into the AFL world as a keen Carlton supporter (part of the recipe of maintaining marital harmony!).

PAUL WRIGHT
Associate – Debt Advisory

Professional Background
After being a friend of the firm for some time, Paul joined Matthews Steer in early 2009. Coming from a background in business banking, Paul has been engaged to provide Debt Advisory services to our clients in order to inspire banker confidence and optimize both current and prospective funding arrangements.  Paul’s knowledge of lending practices and advocacy skills have enabled him to achieve significantly enhanced outcomes for borrowers.

Prior to his years in banking, Paul spent an extended period working with Ernst & Young, both in the UK and Melbourne, in the field of Mergers & Acquisitions.  This role led Paul to work closely with business owners whilst managing the sale of their businesses and formulating divestment strategy.

In his 15 years of experience working with private businesses, Paul, as a qualified trainer, particularly enjoys the opportunity to provide financial and business training to business owners.  Paul brings this passion for offering coaching and guidance to his Debt Advisory role and in doing so provides a uniquely holistic service.

Professional Qualifications and Memberships

• BA (Hons)
• Accredited Finance Broker (MFAA)
• Qualified Trainer
• Qualified and experienced in Banking & Finance

In the Community/Personal Insight
Outside of the office, Paul is a keen follower of Harness Racing and frequents many of Victoria’s country tracks.  

 

Our Non Executive Directors

Brian Waldron

Brian joined Matthews Steer as an advisor to the board in September 2003 and was appointed as a Director in 2006. Brian has held many prominent positions over his time, among those the position of Auditor General of Victoria.

Barbara McLure

Barbara joined Matthews Steer as an advisor to the board in late 2005 and was appointed as a Director in 2006. Having trained as an accountant and worked as a bank manager Barbara has a strong background in finance and management.

From 1998 to early 2005 she was the Executive Director of the Western Melbourne Regional Economic Development Organisation (WREDO).

Barbara established her consulting business early in 2005. She is also employed as the Industry Engagement Co-ordinator in Victoria University’s Office for Industry and Community Engagement.

We've tried the big firms but you know how it is; you're introduced to a partner and there's a short honeymoon and then you never see them again. We get too much value in terms of personal service from Matthews Steer to go that route again. On one hand we get great attention to detail and on the other, exceptional vision for the future. Ken Matthews is on our Board of Directors and makes an absolutely outstanding contribution, while Geoff looks after my personal financial affairs. Their skills sets are magnificent and you couldn't possibly get better value.

John Rashleigh
Navy Health
Box Hill