Celebrating 135 years of WLF Accounting & Advisory
Posted on November 17th, 2025 by WLF
Last week, WLF Accounting & Advisory proudly marked a significant milestone, 135 years of service to the Tasmanian community. Since our beginnings in 1890 as Wise & Inglis, we’ve grown and evolved through generations of change, while staying true to the values of integrity, professionalism, and community connection that define us.
From supporting household names in Tasmania’s early days to partnering with today’s innovators and entrepreneurs, our journey reflects that of our clients and is one of resilience and adaptability. Over the decades, we’ve expanded our services, embraced technology, and built enduring relationships with clients across every sector of the Tasmanian economy – and beyond. Today, WLF stands as Tasmania’s largest independent accounting and advisory firm, with over 90 employees and 12 partners, continuing to help businesses and individuals start, grow, and thrive.
Our story began a decade before Australia became a federated nation, and Tasmania was still a colony. Founders Henry Joshua Wise, John Lord, and Charles Edward Hamilton Ferguson set a precedent for excellence that still guides us today. Henry Wise was a pioneer in the profession, serving as President of the Tasmanian Institute of Accountants in 1902 and receiving the first auditor’s licence issued by the Company Auditors Board in 1921. These early leaders shaped a firm that would become a cornerstone of Tasmania’s business community.
In the decades that followed, WLF worked with some of Tasmania’s most iconic names such as Cadbury, Cascade Brewery, Newsprint Mills, and The Mercury among them. Our foundations were built in audit, but as Tasmania’s economy evolved, so did we. From income tax and business advisory during and after WWII to launching our consulting practice in the 1990s, each chapter of our history reflects a commitment to meeting the changing needs of our clients.
Through fires, relocations, rebrands, and even a global pandemic, WLF has remained steadfast in its values. During COVID-19, we made deliberate decisions to retain our team and support our clients through uncertainty, because we knew if they could get through, we could too.
Left to Right: Paul Lyons, Rebecca Meredith, Chase McConnon, Simon Jones, Nick Carter, Oliver Barta, Marg Marshall, Douglas Thomson, Alicia Leis, Dean Johnson, Joanne Doyle and Maryellen Salter
Today, we continue to respond to emerging business needs, working with clients across Tasmania, nationally, and internationally. Our story is deeply woven into the fabric of this state, and we look forward to writing the next chapter together.
As we celebrate this incredible milestone, we want to thank every client, partner, and team member who has contributed to our success. Your trust and collaboration have shaped WLF into what it is today. Here’s to continuing our journey together, supporting businesses, strengthening communities, and building a prosperous future for Tasmania and across the water.
