Accru Felsers celebrates 75 years of serving local and global businesses

Accru Felsers is a Sydney accounting firm with surprisingly ‘big firm’ global capabilities. Founded by a young European accountant in 1941, the firm has adapted to the changing face of Australian trade and remains a successful multi-lingual, multi-cultural and globally focused firm.

75 years ago, Felsers Chartered Accountants began life in the dining room of Gerhard Felser, a wartime refugee who had immigrated to Australia the year before.  

The 30 year old Austrian accountant had fled Nazi Germany to save his wife Erna who was Jewish. They had a narrow escape, managing to reach London without Erna’s Jewish identity being discovered. 

Once in Sydney, Gerhard Felser found a ready market for his services. Soon he had a thriving practice in Phillip Street with a large clientele of European immigrant businesses. He also became Consul General for the Republic of Austria.  His services helped a small but growing number of German-speaking entrepreneurs to start and grow profitable businesses in Australia. 

From these humble beginnings, one of Sydney’s most internationally-focused, mid-sized accounting firms was created – Accru Felsers.

By the 1980s, a new generation of partners had grown Gerhard’s fledgling firm into a national Australian network comprising six firms and 125 staff.  The following decades saw the expansion and tailoring of audit, tax and accounting services for overseas subsidiary clients, and the development of international connections to help Australian-owned businesses export and manufacture overseas. 

German-born partner Michael Kersch reflects “In many respects, our story during the past 75 years mirrors the changing face of trade.  Our services have matured and modified with the transforming needs and demographics of our clients. For example, our team now speak Mandarin, Cantonese, Malay and Tamil, as well as German and French.  And while the majority of our international clients are headquartered in Europe, especially Germany and Austria, we are increasingly engaged by businesses based in China, Malaysia, Singapore and India.”

As Managing Partner Glenda Nixon says “Our heritage has led to capabilities which firms of our size typically don’t have – like global M&As, stock exchange listings, transfer pricing, cross border agribusiness and hotel transactions. At the other end of the scale, we are very proud that a few of the grandchildren of Gerhard Felsers’ original clients are still clients – some became successful dentists, doctors, pharmacists and lawyers, hence our specialisation in health and legal practices.”

If there was a need for a firm like Accru Felsers in 1941, there’s certainly a need for one now, with economic activity so globally intertwined, small businesses going global earlier and facing high levels of

cultural and regulatory complexity. 

Glenda adds “Gerhard Felser started the firm with a philosophy that emphasised commercial astuteness, collaborative partnerships and an international mindset. Accru Felsers will continue to build on his legacy as we help our clients navigate new challenges, wherever their business and their aspirations take them.”

Accru Felsers offers a total support system to help clients manage their businesses and grow their wealth. We are experts in tax, accounting and audit, but also have a strong focus on business performance and wealth creation. 

Accru Felsers has six partners and a skilled team of 50 located in central Sydney. We are part of Accru, a leading network of independent chartered accountants in Australia and New Zealand, and a member of CPA Associates International (CPAAI), one of the largest independent accounting and advisory associations in the world. Our teams work closely together to provide a seamless service for clients with national or international operations.

Starting and growing Australian businesses is one of Accru Felsers significant strengths. We count hundreds of successful local entrepreneurs, mid-sized corporates and subsidiaries of European, Asian and North American companies amongst our clients. Our team has especially deep experience in the health, property, manufacturing, retail and digital media sectors. 

Because of our European origins, we have many longstanding clients in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, including some of the world’s largest manufacturers and distributors. 

See Accru Felsers history here http://www.accru.com/international-business/the-accru-felsers-story/ or contact Glenda Nixon (gnixon@accrusyd.com.au) or Michael Kersch (mkersch@accrusyd.com.au) on 02 8226 1655 for more information.

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