OUR TEAM | PARTNERS
As the leadership team, we are directly involved with all aspects of client work and aim to provide proactive performance advice to our clients.
The diversity and depth of experience of our partners means that AFS & Associates work with a wide range of organisations to support business growth and strategic performance decision making.
We lead a team of qualified accountants and support staff and provide them with ongoing professional and personal development opportunities including one-on-one mentoring.
Kate Mannix
[ CA ]
Kate’s experience in both Public Practice and Industry lead to her being appointed CEO in 2017. Kate has worked with AFS since 2008 with roles in Audit, formation of our Share Registry department and as General Manager Corporate Services.
Kate commenced her career in Melbourne at PricewaterhouseCoopers, then went on to work with Blockbuster Australia, holding the Finance Director role before returning to our wonderful regional city in 2008.
Kate’s passion is invested in ensuring clients receive consistent and high level customer service while creating AFS as a wonderful place for our team to work.
Kate is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
Graeme Stewart
[ FCA ]
Graeme has over 30 years experience in the areas of business management and planning, financial advice, external, internal and probity auditing, valuations, acquisition due diligence and taxation planning.
He has expertise in dealing with a broad range of clients in industries including real estate, property development, motor vehicle dealerships, gaming and hospitality, health and aged care, road transport and water and waste water providers, food manufacturing, retailers and wholesalers.
Graeme holds a Board position and is Chair of the Finance Committee at Girton Grammar School. He is a Committee member at Heathcote Health and has recently completed three year tenures on the Boards of Bendigo Health and Bendigo Primary Care Centre.
Graeme is a Member of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, a registered Company Auditor, Tax Agent, Self-Managed Superannuation Fund auditor and Member of the Institute of Company Directors.
Brad Ead
[ CA ]
After joining the AFS audit services department in 2004, Brad became a Partner in 2012. He has a great understanding of processes and the forces impacting financial decisions and heads our Outsourced Finance Manager function servicing not-for-profit clients.
Brad has degrees in Environmental Science and Commerce, and is the Audit Committee Chairman for Regional Parks Central Victoria and is also a mentor for the CA Program.
He is a qualified Chartered Accountant, Associate Member of Institute of Internal Auditors, Associate Member of Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), Associate Member of the Project Management Institute, a Registered Self Managed Super Fund Auditor and is a Registered Company Auditor.
Dennis Barnett
[ CA ]
Complementing his FBT knowledge, Dennis enjoys assisting clients with all facets of business operations with expertise in business planning and valuations, tax compliance and advisory and well as your everyday accounting and software requirements.
He has extensive experience in the motor vehicle, property development, café and restaurant industries.
Dennis is involved with a number of local community organisations including the Spring Gully United Soccer Club, the Bendigo Dragons American Football Club as well as an active volunteer fire fighter with Maiden Gully CFA. Dennis recently completed his tenure on the finance committee of the Bendigo Senior Secondary College Council.
Dennis is a Member of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and Registered Tax Agent.
Adrian Downing
[ CPA, Affiliate ICAA ]
Adrian’s areas of expertise include audit and assurance services including internal and external audit, corporate governance, risk management, probity, due diligence, Self Managed Superannuation Fund audits and acquittals.
With over 10 years experience providing services to a broad range of sectors including government, health, Authorised Deposit Taking Institutions, not-for-profit, retail, manufacturing, transport and gaming.
Adrian is a supporter of the Strathfieldsaye Storm and also Hit Factory Boxing Gym for the great work they do with disengaged local youth.
Adrian is a Registered Company Auditor, Registered Self Managed Superannuation Fund Auditor, Certified Practicing Accountant and an Affiliate of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. Adrian is an Associate Member of both the Institute of Internal Auditors Australia and the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA).
Damien Palmer
[ CA ]
Damien joined the Partnership in 2012 boasting a wealth of experience in business services and advisory.
Damien advises businesses in a variety of industries ranging from large private companies and family groups to small sole traders. His vast areas of expertise includes business structuring and restructuring, business management, reporting and performance analysis, budgeting and cash flow management, business sales, purchases and valuations, succession planning, and accounting and tax compliance matters.
Damien’s clients see him as part of their team, trust his judgement and seek his advice before making major business decisions. Advising his clients is not just about the numbers, it’s about confidence, trust, integrity, experience and communication.
Damien is a Member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is a Registered Tax Agent. Before starting at AFS & Associates, Damien gained experience as a Senior Consultant within the Corporate Tax Consulting division of EY (Ernst & Young) Melbourne, and as an Accountant within the Business Services division of HLB Mann Judd Melbourne.
Joshua Griffin
[ CA ]
Josh joined the Partnership in 2018 after eight years with AFS and has been instrumental in growing our Community Bank® department.
He has also worked on a wide range of internal audits across different sectors with significant experience in local government. Josh enjoys working closely with our clients to develop a strong working relationship to ensure the audit process runs as smoothly as possible.
Josh leads our Community Bank® team servicing Bendigo Community Banks nationwide. During his time with AFS Josh has completed his CA, Institute of Internal Auditors qualification and has become a Registered Company Auditor.
David Hutchings
[ FCA ]
David’s areas of expertise include internal audit, services to Community Bank® branches, local government, catchment management authorities, as well as non-government organisations.
With over 25 years of experience he is one of Bendigo & Adelaide Bank Limited’s approved panel for conducting and preparing feasibility reports into potential branches for its Community Bank® program. David has been instrumental in the establishment and ongoing support of more than 200 Community Bank® branches.
David is also 1st Lieutenant with the CFA at Lockwood Fire Brigade and was until recently an active volunteer at Bendigo Fire Brigade. He is a Victorian community representative of the Calder Highway Improvement Committee.
David is a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, a Registered Company Auditor, a former Registered Liquidator and Registered Self Managed Super Fund Auditor.
Paul Byrne
[ CPA, Affiliate ICAA ]
With over 25 years of experience, Paul’s areas of expertise include taxation and business planning for a wide range of individuals and small business clients including the not-for-profit sector, incorporated associations as well as those in the hospitality industry, hotels and motels, tradespeople and building and construction.
Paul is a Registered Tax Agent, Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants and the National Tax & Accountants’ Association. He is also an Affiliate of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
Paul is an active member of many local organisations including the Bendigo Football Netball League and the Hindsight Charity Club Inc., having recently walked the Kokoda Track with 17 other Bendigo businessmen to raise money to purchase wheelchairs for local children.
