Charter Financial Planning member firm Crest Financial Services has acquired two local accounting firms to expand its services to clients, the group has announced.
Crest Financial Services, which is based in Newcastle and which has another office in Gosford, acquired East Maitland-based accounting firm Compton and Associates as well as Nelson Bay-based accounting firm Nelson Bay Accounting.
As part of the expansion the principals of the recently merged firms, Keith Compton and Gary Shaw, have taken equity positions in Crest Financial Services and have been appointed as directors.
Crest Financial Services managing director Paul Howden said as part of the change, the two accounting firms would be merged to create Crest Accounting. However, both offices would be retained.
“East Maitland is now our head office for accounting, while Newcastle remains our head office for financial planning and insurance,” Howden said.
He said the business was now able to offer comprehensive financial planning services, including superannuation and personal insurance advice, as well as comprehensive taxation, audit and business services to all clients.
“Until we have permanent specialists in each office, some members of the team are working across multiple locations to ensure there is capability to offer services to Crest clients in Newcastle, Gosford, Maitland and Nelson Bay,” Howden said.
Meanwhile, financial planner Ryan Threlfo has also been transferred to the East Maitland office, where he has been appointed as an account manager. Joel Briggs has been promoted from the paraplanning department to a financial planner position.
Howden said a number of other positions were also being advertised and would be announced in due course.
