New Directors appointed in acknowledgement of ongoing contribution
Posted on July 2nd, 2018 by WLF
The Partners are proud to announce the appointment of Rachel Mendlik and Chase McConnon to the position of Director, Business and Personal Advisory.
Both Rachel and Chase have been with the firm for a number of years, and consistently delivered over and above in their respective roles, and this promotion recognises their efforts and the significant contribution that they have each made to our organisation.
Rachel joined us as an undergraduate accountant, midway through the second year of her degree at the University of Tasmania combining full time work with her study. Since those early days she has gone on to grow her client base working with individuals, families, businesses and not for profits around Tasmania and interstate. She also serves on the Cloud Group and Superannuation Group internally.
“The most rewarding part about my job is helping people” says Rachel. “A lot of my clients get into business because they love the job however the complexities of the tax compliance and business finance side can be a bit confronting. I enjoy helping them tackle these issues so they can get back to the reason why they started business in the first place and so they have the time to commit to their core business.”
Outside of work, Rachel is a dedicated volunteer. She is a Red Cross blood and plasma donor and also recycles the firm’s newspapers for the Ten Lives cat centre. Rachel volunteered her time and expertise for the Footsteps Towards Freedom project, the four sculptures depicting convict women and children that can be seen outside of MacQ1 on Hobart’s waterfront.
Chase came to WLF as a graduate accountant in 2009, with an intake of 13 graduate and undergraduates. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in July 2012 and is currently studying to become a chartered tax advisor under the Tax Institute Australia.
Chase says “The best part of my role is solving problems for clients and giving them knowledge that helps with their business, and helps them minimise tax obligations.”
Chase also holds two voluntary positions with not for profit organisations: he is Treasurer at Kingborough Lions United Football Club, where he has played since he was 7 years old, served on the committee for 11 years, coached and was appointed as a life member in 2012. His other role is with St Vincent Industries, an organisation with a mission to foster employment and training opportunities for people with a disability.
“We currently have 33 supported employees working in the rag cutting and bagging business in the organisation” remarks Chase, who joined the committee in 2013.
Chase works with private businesses, not for profits, families and individuals and is also part of the Cloud Group. And he had the dubious honour of presenting ‘clangers’ for several years at the staff end of month event, but “thankfully none of my colleagues seem to have held it against me!”
“On behalf of all of the Partners I’d like to sincerely thank Rachel and Chase for their ongoing contribution to our firm. They both make a big impact in their own way, bringing strength to the team and providing dedicated service to their clients” says Douglas Thomson, Partner and Head of Business and Personal Advisory. “We are fortunate to have such great people working with us, and this promotion reflects on the achievements over their time with us. Congratulations Chase and Rachel, and we look forward to you both continuing your career journey with WLF.”
