Print this PageShare this Page
Home  >  About Us  >  BDO in Australia  >  Message from the Chairperson

Message from the Chairperson

Tony Schiffmann - Managing PartnerIt is fair to say that the past 12 months has been a very dynamic time for business everywhere in the world. In Australia, our economy has tended to fare better than most, and the rhetoric now seems to be predicting brighter times ahead.

As we reflect on the past 12 months, what is pleasantly surprising is that we have continued to see new and existing clients go from strength to strength. We have assisted many clients to refine their business operations to survive the GFC and continued to help our clients take full advantage of the opportunities that have arisen out of the challenging economic landscape.

As we look to the year ahead, our focus is on becoming more client-centred and improving levels of service. As part of this commitment, we are focussing on the issues our clients tell us are important to them:

  • Reliability
  • Understanding clients businesses and the challenges they face
  • Communicating effectively
  • Being proactive (with a commercial focus)
  • Providing solutions.

At BDO we try to put ourselves in our clients’ shoes. We are constantly looking for the issues that ultimately affect our clients. We continue to seek to identify and raise these important issues to encourage debate and discussion, and to ensure that they are addressed, at whatever level or office is necessary.

We have also recognised the growing need to better understand the international business environment and have invested heavily in our commitment to the Asia Pacific Region. While many organisations may be hesitant to push into international markets, fearing it may be too risky, complicated, or ambitious, we can assist organisations to succeed internationally, and particularly in the Asia Pacific Region where we have a growing network to help both inbound and outbound interests.

On behalf of the National Board, I am excited at the future opportunities open to both our clients and to us and believe that our client-centred focus will provide a solid platform going forward as we continue to build on our capabilities as part of the World’s 5th largest Audit, Tax and Advisory firm.

Tony Schiffmann
National Chairman