At a time of heightened geopolitical and economic uncertainty, William Buck is doubling down in South Australia.
The independent accounting and advisory firm is expanding its CBD presence to make way for a larger local workforce as it targets double digit annual growth.
William Buck Managing Partner Adrian Chugg said the firm had negotiated a new extended lease at its existing CBD location, which includes an additional 500sqm of office space, and secured naming rights on the building.
“We’ve moving up a floor and effectively adding an additional half a floor to our tenancy in the process,” Mr Chugg said.
“We hold a strong and positive outlook for South Australia and we’re backing the calibre of our people for the long term.
“We plan to grow our Adelaide team from 250 to 300 people in the short-term as we continue to build our service offering to business and individual clients. Our firm is targeting double digit growth in turnover mainly through organic means but will continue to consider M&A should the right opportunity arise.
“We are embracing the use of AI, but it is people that drive our business forward and the professional relationships we develop with clients is our point of difference.”
This year is William Buck’s 80th anniversary of operation in SA, and over 130 years nationally – the firm marking the milestone with the installation of William Buck signage on the building overlooking Victoria Square.
William Buck traces its history in SA back to the formation of a small Adelaide accounting firm called Giles and Giles in 1946. Since then, and following several mergers along the way, William Buck has grown to become one of the State’s largest accounting firms.
“William Buck has proudly been part of the business landscape here since 1946 helping local businesses expand nationally and globally while navigating challenges such as recessions, the GFC and the pandemic,” Mr Chugg said.
“The current global uncertainty is another significant challenge facing local owners, operators and investors.
“The months ahead will test the mettle of our business sector as firms face escalating costs to operate and with limited ability to pass these onto customers. The inflationary pressures will also have implications for the retirement plans of South Australians. As a State we have the calibre of businesses to see us through, and the long-term outlook remains very positive. However, there will no doubt be some corporate casualties along the way.”
Mr Chugg said professional business and financial advice becomes even more highly sought after at times like these.
“Our Wealth Advisory (financial planning) practice has grown 90% over the last 5 years as more individuals and families seek assistance in an increasingly complex investment, superannuation and taxation environment,” he said.
“Through our Business Advisory practice, we are experiencing high demand across a range of sectors from agriculture and health to technology and the defence supply chain.
“It is our privilege to serve as the trusted advisor to the organisations and businesspeople that make this State great.”
