David Johnston B Bus, CPA, CTA, Registered SMSF Auditor
Accountant and Auditor David Johnston has been a familiar face at Carrick Aland since 1990 when he joined the firm straight out of university.
With only a week’s break between ending study and starting his career at Carrick Ashmead, David hit the boards running as an accountant and auditor and hasn’t looked back.
Having worked his way to the top as a Director, David still finds his role challenging yet very rewarding.
“I enjoy the long term client relationships and day to day interactions,” says David. “I’m now in the position of being fortunate enough to be looking after second and third-generation families over nearly 30 years.”
David has certainly moved on from the ticking and flicking as an auditor, but audit reviews are still a must, as are contacting clients for final reviews and interviews.
“It’s about touching base and regularly checking in with our clients to see what needs doing.”
Having grown up on the family farm at Kaimkillenbun, David’s strengths are primary production and seeing the big picture. As such, he has developed specialist expertise in farm and business succession planning together with Wayne Turner.
“We take a holistic approach, value our longstanding relationships and use up-to-date techniques and technology to do the best we can,” says David. “Overall we try to be fair-minded and provide a service that’s very good value to our clients.”
With current drought conditions stifling primary producers, David believes projecting cash flow scenarios and forward planning are still key.
“Rather than waiting it out until the weather comes good, we’re helping our clients get through the drought by checking in and making sure they’re accessing financial assistance or giving out information that falls into our general field of expertise,” says David.
No matter what your circumstances, you still have to consider your future.
“If times are tough, you have to see how tough they can get,” says David. “We all have monthly obligations, so how do you meet them and what needs to be done? Good or bad, there are obligations you need to consider for your future financial requirements.”
“There’s no point avoiding them – better to manage them instead – not put your head in the sand and we’re happy having those conversations.”
“We’re not the solution, but the point is that we’re there to help our clients work through their options maturely,” David added.
