Rutherford Clare Investments and Consulting

I am pleased to be able to provide this reference supporting Sothertons Melbourne and its Principals David and Robert Lissauer.

I have worked with Sothertons for over ten years on a wide range of engagements and continue to be impressed by their breadth of knowledge, thoroughness of their work and their ability to work efficiently, effectively and independently in some very challenging environments. Sothertons is a well-established and highly professional organisation that reflects the values of its principals and is supported by a group of skilled and loyal staff and associates. As part of an international network they also have access to and are able to bring many of the benefits of the “Big 4” to their clients at a much lower cost.

I first worked with Sothertons whilst in the role of Chief Operating Officer for Oxfam Australia. As part of an international confederation Oxfam Australia was required to undergo regular peer review by other affiliate members. These reviews looked at compliance by affiliates to a series of agreed financial and operational standards.  Sothertons was engaged by Oxfam International to support the peer review of the Australian operation. The review was carried out with a minimum of disruption to the day to day operations and completed within agreed timeframes and budget. Being the subject of the review I was particularly impressed by how Sothertons was able to quickly grasp the unique challenges facing an international development agency and formulate well thought out and effective recommendations for improvement.

Reviews often included review of compliance with Ausaid and other funder requirements. These were complex audits, often in vastly different operating environments and involving multiple compliance layers and/or regimes often in non-English speaking locations. Not only did Sothertons demonstrate a particular aptitude for this type of complex job, they also demonstrated high levels of cultural sensitivity and respect for the staff and stakeholders wherever they were required to work. There reports were insightful and relevant as they also took the time to understand the program being delivered and local nuances that impact this work. As such recommendations were always well thought out and relevant to the environment they related to.

I have continued to work with Sothertons since leaving Oxfam engaging them on several occasions to do specific pieces of work, the most recent during my tenure as Chief Operating Officer for VicHealth. This was a particularly sensitive review that involved reviewing an indigenous organisation that VicHealth funded, due to questions that had been raised in relation to whether funding had been used appropriately and whether the organisation was financially viable. Sothertons managed this review with professionalism and respect and delivered an honest report with insightful recommendations to remedy issues they identified. It is my understanding that this organisation is now in a much more robust position having implemented recommendations from the review by David Lissauer and his team.

I am more than happy to recommend Sothertons Melbourne to you and am confident that Principals David and Robert and their teams will provide you with extremely high quality and professional service and advice regardless of the nature of the appointment or the environment in which the work needs to be carried out. If you require further information or wish to discuss any aspect of this reference further please do not hesitate to contact me.

- Craig Barry Principal

Caroline Counsel Family Lawyers

I have engaged Sothertons in the Family Law arena both as a single expert and as a shadow and in either mode I have been extremely impressed with their professionalism and management of mine and my clients' expectations. Mark Lipson and his team have also worked creatively to shape Family Law Settlements to our clients' and their families' tax and overall financial advantage.

- Caroline Counsel
Accredited Specialist

ACG Corporate Services

Sothertons Melbourne have provided accounting and business advisory to ACG Corporate Services for a number of years. They have always been very professional in their work for us and have assisted greatly across a broad range of accounting and financial issues.

I have great pleasure in recommending Sothertons as a first class firm that offers real expertise and value to their clients.

- Harry Korras CEO

The tone of an audit undertaken by David is one which is focused on obtaining information required, giving honest feedback throughout the process and maintaining a positive attitude toward reaching the objectives of the audit, inclusive of staff and management who are part of the process.

Throughout each audit, the process has been completed within the timeframes required from agreement of the Terms of Reference to delivery of the final report. Communication is open and frequent with commitments upheld.

The ongoing relationship Oxfam Australia has with Sothertons Accountants offers a consistently high level of service combined with a comprehensive understanding of our operations and ways of working that continues to benefit Oxfam Australia and in turn the level of service and commitment we offer our partner organisations. I would certainly recommend Sothertons.

- Mark Clisby (Director Operations)

MDR Global Trading Pty Ltd
Garment & Apparel Importers & Wholesalers

I have had the good fortune of having been introduced to David & Robert Lissauer about 14 years ago & engaged them as accountants & advisors to my family and our corporate entities.

During that time, I have always found David & Robert to be true professionals. As well-respected accountants & business advisers, together with their professional partners, they conduct their accounting and allied practices in a diligent and unswervingly proper manner, and my experience has shown that they allow no one to compromise their adherence to the strict principles of professional ethics and morality. They are also both extremely bright and talented professionals whose opinion and wise counsel are valued by clients and colleagues alike.

I have no hesitation in recommending the firm of Sothertons Melbourne for considered and focussed professional advice, and note that both David & Robert aside from their dedicated commitment to their profession, devote an immeasurable amount of time to communal and other causes, always giving 100% of their boundless energy to any matter or issue for which they may be responsible.

- David Sherr

Madden Nomis Pty Limited

Sothertons Melbourne has been my personal accountants for 20 years and more recently in the last 6 years since the inception of our construction company have been our external business accountants and key business advisors.

Robert Lissauer of Sothertons Melbourne has provided our group with a level of service and advise that has been fundamental to any of our key strategic decisions.

Robert has always responded in a timely manner and offered a level of service that we sincerely appreciate and admire.

Robert Lissauer is a person whom we professionally as a business and personally as a family hold in the highest of regard for his personal and professional ethics and standards that he has displayed in all of our dealings.

- Simon Madden

Menroc Pty Ltd

Menroc is a capital advisory group specialising in mergers and acquisitions, consolidations and specialised asset sales.

We have for many years engaged Sothertons both directly and for our clients to provide various advisory services, including due diligence and tax.  Whilst we have the ability to utilise any service provider (including the large accounting firms), we choose to use Sothertons.

Sothertons has worked with us on numerous assignments ranging up to a $200 million (enterprise value) consolidation of 5 companies – an extremely complex transaction.

Menroc wholeheartedly recommends Sothertons for their skill, attention to detail, value for money and strategic approach. It has been our experience that Sothertons adds real value.

I would be happy to discuss Sothertons directly with anybody evaluating their services.

- Peter Fleming (Director)