Michael Smith – Director
Michael commenced his career in Chartered Accounting in 1980 in Audit and Accounting Services and was for several years a Senior Audit Manager at Frank Jones & Associates. Michael joined Horwath & Horwath in 1994 as a Senior Manager, dividing his duties between the Audit Division and Forensic Accounting Services Division. He was appointed partner in January 1998. Horwath Chartered Accountants merged with BDO on 2 April 2007.
Contact – michael.smith@cfasadvisory.com.au
Michael commenced the Forensic Accounting Services Division at Horwath in 1997 (which subsequently became BDO), whose activities include the preparation of Experts Reports and provision of Expert Witness services for Court Cases in a wide range of litigation matters, including Breach of Contract, Partnership and Shareholder Disputes, and Family Law relating to quantification of loss and damage, assessment of business value and investigations of financial matters. This experience includes appearances in Federal, Supreme, County and Family Courts.
Michael has in excess of twenty five years transactional experience. He specialises in Corporate Finance services including advisory strategic planning regarding mergers and acquisitions, sale of business lead advisory, buy side advisory, capital raisings and due diligence reports. His industry experience is broad, covering property, agribusiness, mining, paper and printing, automotive component manufacturing, retail and financial services.
Whilst Michael’s client base is diverse, he predominantly specialises in medium to large private companies with transaction sizes varying from $5 million to in excess of $500 million.
Michael joined ShineWing accountants in 2012 and commenced the Corporate Advisory and Forensic Services division.
Michael established CFAS Advisory in 2014 and commenced the Corporate Advisory and Forensic Services business.
Michael receives appointments by the President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, other accountants and legal advisors to act as an Independent Expert in private disputes and litigation matters.
Yuann Leow – Associate Director
Yuann has worked over 12 years with Horwath, which merged with BDO and then Grant Thornton. She has experience in corporate finance, forensic accounting, audit and assurance services. Yuann’s areas of specialisation include Corporate Finance and Forensic Services.
Yuann joined ShineWing in 2013 and joined CFAS Advisory from its establishment 2014.
Contact – yuann.leow@cfasadvisory.com.au
Her law qualification and solid understanding of the legal system has been particularly beneficial in the provision of litigation support services for matters in the Family Court, Federal Court, Magistrates Court, County Court, Supreme Court and mediation. She has experience in various litigation matters from valuation of businesses to assessment of loss and damage to critique of expert reports, including the preparation of expert witness reports.
In relation to Corporate Finance, her analytical skills in valuation, due diligence and preparation of financial models are applied extensively for private businesses within the manufacturing and retail sectors. She also has experience in the business sales of various companies.
Yuann is well regarded for her commerciality and adding value to her clients by providing them with proactive advice and recommendations.
Contact – yuann.leow@cfasadvisory.com.au
Riley Lengrand – Associate Director
Riley commenced his career in accounting in 1998, in audit services at the Office of the Auditor General.
Riley has over 16 years’ experience in corporate finance services including sale of business lead advisory, buy side advisory and sophisticated investor capital raisings, working with a range of Corporate and Private Equity investors. Riley has also completed due diligence engagements for both purchaser and vendor across a broad range of industries.
Contact – riley.lengrand@cfasadvisory.com.au
Riley is experienced in advising on Shareholder Disputes and Family Law matters relating to quantification of loss and damage, assessment of business value and investigations of financial matters.
Contact – riley.lengrand@cfasadvisory.com.au
Sheridan Cheel – Senior Manager
Sheridan has experience in corporate finance, forensic accounting, audit and assurance services. Her roles in the not-for profit sector enhanced her reporting and practical understanding of business operations.
In relation to Corporate Finance, her analytical skills in valuations and preparation of financial models are applied extensively for private businesses.
Her technical knowledge, combined with her understanding of the issues facing SME’s enable Sheridan to successfully work with clients and assist them in achieving their objectives.
Contact – sheridan.cheel@cfasadvisory.com.au
Rod Ansell – Senior Manager
Rod commenced his career in 1979 in Audit at Frank Jones and Associates and progressed to Audit Manager before transitioning to Tax and Business Services as Tax Manager. Rod worked for 16 years at Frank Jones and Associates gaining experience across a broad range of clients and industries in Trusts, Partnerships, Joint Ventures and Company structures.
Rod has 22 years’ experience working in finance with the Walt Disney Company (Australia) Pty Ltd, including 12 years as Finance Director, a top 20 Global company in the Studio Division for Australia/New Zealand. Rod’s experience included Budgeting, Forecasting, 5 Year Planning, Contract negotiation, Product analysis, Financial reporting (local and US), Customer Profitability Analysis as well as Managing the Local Taxation and Statutory obligations for a number of years.
Contact – rod.ansell@cfasadvisory.com.au
Rod was involved in the design and implementation of a number of Global Forecasting systems and ERP implementations as well as liaising with the US Company Head Office on Corporate Treasury, Taxation and Reporting.
Rod has now returned to the profession working in forensic accounting utilising his experience in both private and public companies together with his commercial experience whilst at the Walt Disney Company.
Contact – rod.ansell@cfasadvisory.com.au
Steven Smith – Analyst
Steven has worked for CFAS Advisory since its inception in 2014. He has experience in corporate finance in both buyer and seller side private business acquisitions and financial modelling. He also has experience in forensic accounting matters being family law, valuations and commercial litigation loss and damage calculations.
Contact – steven.smith@cfasadvisory.com.au
Kingston Wong – Senior Consultant
Kingston is a Chartered Accountant with over 12 years’ experience, specialising in financial modelling, data analytics, transaction support and corporate finance.
Having worked for three years in finance and operations roles within professional services firms, his advice is highly valued by clients who appreciate his ability to combine commercial pragmatism with strong technical knowledge, and distil these into strategically actionable recommendations.
Contact – kingston.wong@cfasadvisory.com.au
With his mathematical and engineering background, Kingston has assisted in the review and analysis of complex financial, accounting and operational data for a number of leading ASX listed corporations and financial institutions. He has been instrumental in developing bespoke solutions across a range of contexts, including litigation support, management reporting and transaction support.
His experience covers a broad range of industries, including aged care and retirement living, real estate and construction, infrastructure, financial services and education.
Contact – kingston.wong@cfasadvisory.com.au
