North Melbourne’s personable and homely accountant

When walking into an accountant’s office one may expect a more formal and business-orientated atmosphere, but for North Melbourne’s Kount Consulting creating personal relationships with their clients is priority.

This welcoming approach is what sets Kount Consulting apart from bigger firms and was a no-brainer decision for Sarah Gibbins when she started the business.

As an accountant for 20 years, Ms Gibbins started at a smaller accounting firm before transitioning to a bigger firm, and it was through noticing the shift away from the client-focus she was used to that led her back to her roots.

“A lot of the clients I had known for the past 10 to 15 years were keen to move on as was I, and so it works out really well that I had a really good client base to get started,” Ms Gibbins said.

“Having relationships with clients over a long period of time is very personal and you get to know them well, as well as their families and circumstances. Having these close relationships makes the business what it is.”

Equipped with a small, highly experienced team of four, Kount Consulting has managed to create a space within Queensberry St that is not your typical accounting office.

“We have tried to make it quite personable and homely, because sometimes when you walk into these offices, they can feel quite sterile and we didn’t want that atmosphere,” Ms Gibbins said.

“We want to encourage people to be open with us and encourage them to come in and talk to us. We have created a positive environment and are all very committed to our jobs and getting good outcomes for people.”

Since opening in North Melbourne in 2016, the team at Kount Consulting has continued to be there for a wide client base – from businesses large and small, to family groups, and individuals.

While helping their clients comes first and foremost, a unique process the business involves within their service is educating their clients.

“We educate people on what they wouldn’t know, because sometimes if people go and get their tax returns done, they give over their documents and then just leave, but I don’t think that is the best outcome because they don’t know what is going on and why,” Ms Gibbins said.

“It is very important to have a basic understanding of what’s involved, what we are doing and why we are doing what we are doing.”

“We try to do it in a very easy and friendly way, and in a way that everyone can understand.”

Kount Consulting is located at 629 Queensberry St, North Melbourne and is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. •

kountconsulting.com