Patrick de Kretser FCA – Principal

Patrick founded de Kretser Chartered Accountants in 1982 and has an impressive and extensive career in the accounting industry spanning over 50 years. Patrick’s experience includes working for the National Service, Peat Marwick (now KPMG) in Melbourne and Tehran, as well as heading up the Melbourne office of Red Tulip Chocolates.

Utilising the contacts he made in the confectionery industry, Patrick founded his own private practice and traded as a sole practitioner until June 2014. He then partnered with his daughter Atisa to establish de Kretser Chartered Accountants. The practice has grown organically over the past 30 years and with that growth, Patrick ensures that professional development is at the forefront of the firm, continuing to offer excellent, personalised service to existing and new clients.

Patrick is a registered tax agent, a fellow of the ICAA and a registered company auditor, but is just as comfortable as a doting grandparent, engaging in politics and pursuing his passion of horse racing.

Atisa de Kretser CA – Principal

Atisa qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2008 and has over 17 years’ experience in the industry. She utilises her extensive knowledge in taxation, superannuation and business services to apply practical solutions to a wide range of accounting matters.

Atisa also specialises in computerised accounting software, cloud computing and internal software systems to identify effective, streamlined internal processes for her clients.

It is Atisa’s approachable and relatable nature, paired with her unwavering professionalism that sees her as a vital part of her clients’ businesses. Outside of the office, Atisa can be found raising her young family and enjoying her personal interests of swimming, netball and horse racing.

Kirsty Savage – Senior Accountant

Immediately after completing a business degree with a major in accounting in 2011, Kirsty put all of her study into practice and joined the deKAcc team. Ten years on and still embracing the journey, she is extremely valuable and dedicated to the practice.

Kirsty achieved and completed the CA Program in 2016 while working full time at de Kretser Chartered Accountants. This has underlined Kirsty’s multitasking abilities and demonstrated her hard working nature. Whilst her industry knowledge is unparalleled, her passion remains in Self-managed superannuation funds.

What do you love about working at de Kretser Chartered Accountants?

Throughout the recent decade, I have built positive rapport with reputable de Kretser clients and entities. I’ve also loved being a leader as well as a supporting anchor to my close-knit team. My love and respect for animals, especially for the canine community is quite visible but also supported by other team members and clients who occasionally bring their loyal companions and pooches to the practice.

Cindy Phan – Intermediate Accountant

Cindy is a brilliant Certified Chartered Accountant who joined the de Kretser Chartered team in 2021. Cindy admires the inclusive, friendly and accommodating culture. After graduating from Monash with a major in Accounting and Finance and backed with three years of industry experience having worked in a mid-sized suburban accounting firm in Blackburn, Cindy has sought-after skills which make her a great addition to the team. Cindy is driven, highly productive and has a great need to achieve; all qualities that couple well with her love of chasing and discovering new cafés and eateries.

What do you love about working at de Kretser Chartered Accountants?

The team at de Kretser Chartered Accountants has given me the opportunity to work with various clients and industries such as hospitality, construction and real estate and to gain exposure to various tax issues and providing taxation compliance and advice.

Afiq Hamdan – Graduate Accountant

Afiq graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Finance) in 2021. Joining the de Kretser team, not long after graduation, Afiq has taken on great responsibilities working closely with our diverse client base. Afiq strives to understand clients’ needs and individual requirements and is driven to deliver beyond expectation. Afiq constantly enjoys growing his knowledge and further developing his skills. He happily works with leadership on complex systems, a source of great motivation to him.

Outside of work, Afiq is into competitive sports. He competes in soccer, basketball as well as tennis and even competed in Ultimate Frisbee for University and for Club Nationals.

What do you love about working at de Kretser Chartered Accountants?

I enjoy the team and the work environment: I love how we collaborate and communicate to get things done. I also love that my team members are well invested in my professional growth.

Julie Monteath – Client Services Coordinatior

Though new to the de Kretser crew - Julie is already one of our most dedicated, diligent and wonderful team members. Julie grew up very locally - in Mulgrave, with her Mum, Dad, two sisters and one brother. She graduated and soon began working in her past role, where she stayed for 10 years, learning and mastering all facets of client service collation and collaboration.

Julie's vast previous experience has scaffolded her quick start at de Kretser. She has a genuine love of searching for an answer and has even said she 'loves talking to the ATO!' Julie excel at working with agents to ensure her client's needs are well represented, and met.

Julie loves Zumba on Youtube. She loves her family, her husband and two teenage boys and has a passion for working hard which is reflected in her favourite quote - 'good things come to those who wait, and even better things come to those who work for them.'

What do you love about working at de Kretser Chartered Accountants?

I love working at de Kretser because they are small family business, and they feel like family to me.  I love that that every day is different to the others. I love the small size company, everyone is very friendly and caring. I am treated as a person, not as a number. I enjoy getting up each day and going to work because I am learning all the time.

Shenuki Rajapakse – Graduate Accountant

Shenuki was raised in Sri Lanka and lived with her parents until she completed a Diploma in Business at Monash College, Sri Lanka in 2021. She received the global award for excellence and became the Valedictorian of her year. Shenuki arrived in Australia in late 2021 and is our most recent graduate, completing her Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Finance) at Monash University in October 2023.

Though she is our newest member, her drive, interest and tenacity in all realms of accounting - knows no bounds. Shenuki has an exquisite talent for calculation and analysis. She loves nothing better than to calculate for greatest benefit, whilst ensuring the utmost care is taken of a business' wellbeing and fortitude.

Shenuki also loves to draw and paint in her free time and has a wonderful time trying out new restaurants during the weekends with her family and friends.

What do you love about working at de Kretser Chartered Accountants?

Working with different clients and facing unique and complex tasks motivate me to take on challenges - which is greatly  enjoyable for me. Working with constantly changing structures has helped me grow professionally, enhancing my experience and knowledge, which is truly priceless. More than anything, I love working at de Kretser because everyone is extremely helpful and so encouraging. This pushes me to do even better for the company and for my personal growth.

Henry Otia - Accountant

Henry was raised in Cameroon in a family of seven children. In 2015 he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and quickly found his expertise was sought after. Henryi's zeal to acquire further knowledge saw him enrol, in 2022, into a Post-Graduate Program with Victoria University. Ready and able to deal with a variety of clients and their, often unique requirements, Henry excelled. Relishing challenge Henry consistently and constantly drives himself to stay en pointe and on target. Henry relishes every opportunity and works relentlessly to achieve beyond expectation.

Henry has a great love of Soccer and Volleyball and used to play in the Local soccer league back in Cameroon. He hopes to become more involved with his beloved sports in Australia when he finds a little more time!

What do you love about working at de Kretser Chartered Accountants?

The Team I work with at de Kretser is the best any employee can ask for. They are always willing aid me to ensure tasks are perfectly completed. Working with a range of clients pushes me to improve and I am challenged to learn every day while working on new clients. Working in an environment surrounded by CA’s is an additional boost to help with my professional development.

Mirjana Pillig – Senior book keeper, BAS agent and accountant

Mirjana is an extremely experienced member of the de Kretser team. Her dedication to the clients she works with comes from a genuine desire to help and although her own family is small, through her commitment and care for her clients, she has created a wonderful extended family of incredible people.

Mirjana migrated to Australia with her parents, younger sister and two suitcases at the age of two. She became independent and responsible from an early age. Mirjana worked hard and became the first person in her family to finish school, before continuing her studies at Deakin University, where she was accelerated, due to her aptitude and love of numbers. Mirjana’s incredible abilities were ultimately recognised when she was awarded entrance into the elite Golden Key Society, at the completion of her studies, due to being in the top 5 percentile. This International award is reserved for high-achieving students based solely on their academic achievements.

Trouble-shooting & solutions are Mirjana’s main business focus and her lifelong love of learning has led her to work with a myriad of entities. Mirjana’s 33 years as a bookkeeper, accountant and BAS agent have enabled her to develop a distinct ability to identify the slightest of anomalies and trends, which has created deep connections with clients over the years, Mirjana has always enabled the strong, consistent and successful growth of her clients’ businesses and has used her profound insight and talents to provide all manner of services to those fortunate enough to work with her.

In her personal life, Mirjana loves nothing better than relaxing with her loving husband, her doting daughter and her mega-cute dachshund puppy. She enjoys the artistic pursuit of creating terrariums, as well as gardening.

What do you love about working at de Kretser Chartered Accountants?

I enjoy being in the de Kretser office and love using my experience to help troubleshoot with the team. The working environment is family-oriented, very warm and has a great dynamic. The de Kretser’s really look after their staff, so I’m excited to be a part of this great team and look forward to seeing this family business flourish in the years to come.

Suzie de Kretser – Administrative Assistant

Growing up on a sheep and grain farm in the Western District has given Suzie a great understanding of seasonal fluctuations in income and challenges in related industries. This is also where Suzie discovered the concept of hard work whilst observing how communities and individuals work to support each other during tough and busy times.

Fuelled by her initiative to help others, Suzie was accepted to study law but turned to teaching because a scholarship would pay the way. She began her teaching journey in Geelong studying and volunteering at the local orphanage. She then went to teach socially disadvantaged children from economically challenged families in the Dandenong area whilst studying Philosophy, Sociology and Economics at Monash Uni at night and working at a reception centre on other nights and weekends. In the 70s she and Pat lived in Iran where she embraced the cultural challenges whilst teaching in an elite International school and living with a local family who spoke no English, just prior to the fall of the Shah. On her return Suzie taught English to child and adolescent refugees from Vietnam And South America, this time studying Fashion and Design at Box Hill TAFE.

Suzie is the hard working matriarch of the de Kretser family and the heart of the deKAcc practice since 1984. She remains passionate and makes time to improve social causes. This can be translated through her previous countless hours of volunteer work in an emergency relief centre and by offering her support to the Pets of the Homeless (POTH) and German Shepherd Rescue Victoria (GSRV).

What do you love about working at de Kretser Chartered Accountants?

I love that we built the practice based on family orientated values. These values have been transmitted to my three children who I was able to raise whilst working for the firm since 1984. Now I have grandchildren and I am proud to teach and pass along the same type of knowledge and work ethic.

de Kretser Chartered Accountants proudly supports Pets of the Homeless