WLF Accounting & Advisory Celebrates 135 Years of Excellence, Community, and Vision.

In 2025, WLF Accounting & Advisory proudly celebrates 135 years of continuous service to Tasmania. Since its founding in 1890 as Wise & Inglis the firm has grown into Tasmania’s largest independent accounting & auditing practice, built on a foundation of integrity, professionalism, and enduring relationships.

WLF’s story began with a commitment to excellence and integrity, values that have remained steadfast through generations. The original Partners of “Wise Lord & Ferguson” established the firm as leading auditors in Hobart responding to market opportunities at the time. The firm’s founders, Henry Joshua Wise, who was awarded Tasmania’s first Companies Auditor Licence, John Lord and Charles Edward Hamilton Ferguson set a precedent for leadership and professionalism that continues today. They were also instrumental in setting up the Institute of Chartered Accountants nationally.

WLF’s legacy is deeply intertwined with Tasmania’s history. Initially established with a strong audit base holding the large majority of commercial audits in Southern Tasmania the firm has also significantly grown our business and personal advisory services. The firm has supported some of the state’s most iconic businesses and institutions and continues to serve a diverse range of clients across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. WLF’s local presence ensures a deep understanding of the community’s needs and a genuine connection to the people it serves.

As WLF celebrates 135 years, it does so with deep appreciation for the clients who have shaped its journey. From family businesses to national enterprises, WLF has walked alongside them through change, challenge, and growth. The firm’s commitment to enduring relationships remains unwavering — built on trust, insight, and shared ambition. Today, WLF is proud to support a diverse client base whose impact reaches far beyond Tasmania, and whose future continues to inspire.

While WLF honours its past, it remains firmly focused on the future. The firm continues to invest in emerging professionals through its Graduate and Undergraduate Cadetship Programs, pathways that nurture the next generation of leaders, with alumni now holding senior roles across the globe. The firm continues to invest in innovation, technology, and education ensuring clients receive forward-thinking advice and solutions. While a culture of continuous improvement keeps the firm agile and responsive in a changing world.

As WLF celebrates 135 years, it does so with gratitude for the past, pride in the present, and confidence in the future. The journey continues with a steadfast commitment to people, community, and progress. Today, WLF is proudly led by 12 Partners and supported by over 90 dedicated staff, each a custodian of the firm’s legacy, united by a shared intent to leave WLF in an even stronger position for the next generation.