Former Altezza Partners co-owner joins Brisbane firm

In 2017, integrated accounting, wealth management, and capital advisory firm Prime Financial Group Ltd acquired a 100 per cent interest in Altezza Partners.

Altezza Partners – which won the Innovator of the Year award at the 2016 Australian Accounting Awards – changed its name to Prime, with Smith and co-owner John Driscoll becoming equity partners.

Smith will bring a portfolio of clients to AH Jackson while building a team and strengthening the firm’s business services and advisory capabilities.

His experience spans working with family businesses from concept and inception through to established businesses turning over more than $100 million.

Smith said his long-standing relationship with AH Jackson managing partner Ben Odgers and the wider team at the firm played a key role in his decision to accept the role.

“I’ve known and been good friends with Ben for more than 30 years and my previous firm had worked closely with AH Jackson and the other partners on mutual clients for many years,” Smith said.

“Throughout that time, I admired their commercial approach, their client servicing and the professional capabilities they brought to their clients.”

Smith added that his focus would be on helping business owners navigate complex structures, tax considerations, and commercial decisions, while also providing them with advice beyond technical compliance to help them achieve their business ambitions.

“Business owners need understanding, vision and commerciality from their advisers, along with the ability to cut through technical issues and explain the practical implications and solutions,” he said.

“I’m passionate about helping business owners achieve their aspirations, which is about understanding what is important to them, where they are trying to get to and working backwards to put the strategies and financial metrics in place to make that vision a reality.”

Odgers said Smith’s wide-ranging accounting expertise and senior leadership experience made him a natural fit for the firm and its next phase of growth.

“Matt brings more than 25 years of experience across accounting, business advisory and firm leadership, as well as a wealth of knowledge working with both clients and teams,” Odgers said.

“Matt’s appointment will give AH Jackson greater capacity to grow its existing services while expanding into new areas including the research and development tax incentive and digital games tax offset.

“We’re extremely fortunate to have someone with Matt’s level of experience and knowledge joining our team and we’re looking forward to seeing the benefit that brings to both our clients and our people.”

Smith is also a board member of Share the Dignity, a charity supporting women experiencing homelessness or domestic violence. He has also served as president of the Zillmere Eagles AFC for the past 10 years, where he supports two senior men’s teams and more than 220 youth and junior players.

AH Jackson & Co was founded in Brisbane in 1945 and provides services across tax, accounting, superannuation, audit and assurance, bookkeeping, lending and finance, wealth management, and insurance broking.