1. Andrew Northcott
Byfields Business Advisers
Specialist in Business Succession and Strategic
Business Management;
Director of Byfields Business Advisers;
Mentor
Summary
Many business advisers have the view that business is not personal. Our experience is different. In
fact, my perspective is that there is nothing more personal for business owners than their business. It
impacts on every part of their lives, every day. As an adviser, if we don’t have a personal
understanding of the people behind the business, then the risk of failure is too high.
It’s why my passion is to positively impact the lives of business owners and give them back time,
control and choice.
Our solutions and advice makes business owners more efficient, more effective, gives them access to
information that improves decisions and helps their business perform. This performance means they
have more choice, more control and more time.
This may be all you need to know. Please contact us if you would like to experience this type of
relationship with your advisers.
If you would like to know more about the history that led to this approach, then please read on …
Having worked at Byfields Business Advisers for the past 22 years, 12 of which as a Director I have
developed my knowledge and skills along the way and grown long lasting relationships with my clients
and staff.
I commenced my studies in Albany where I worked for my father’s small business and managed a local
service station. Over this time I developed numerous skills in the running and management of business
and identified how I can make a difference in my chosen Accountancy profession. These roles have
opened my eyes to the challenges business owners face and the lack of resources that are available
to assist them, especially in the rural communities.
As a member of CPA Australia for the past 20 years and Chairperson of the Commercial & Practitioners
Discussion Group for 15 years I have developed many industry contacts and a solid referral network
of professionals.
In recent years I have gained valuable experience in assisting Small and Medium Business clients in an
Advisory role either individually or with other business professionals in an Advice Committee role. The
process adopted with set agendas and minutes taken of meetings etc has helped clients to develop
key aspects of their business, meet personal goals and resolve problems. These meetings have given
me a valuable insight into the challenges faced by business owners on a daily basis not only to remain
competitive but grow their business in todays competitive markets.

2. In order to work in the business advisory area I have managed to develop a solid team of Accountants
around me that handle all compliance and core business services of our Accountancy Practice and
assist with Advisory services. This team has been together for a number of years and consist of staff
with various levels of experience from graduates who have just commenced their careers to Managers
with 10 and 19 years experience in the Accounting profession.
Over the years I have developed skills in:
- Financial Statement Preparation - Tax Return Preparation
- Cashflow Budgeting and Management - Structuring and Restructuring
- Succession Planning - General Taxation Advice
- Business Valuation - Due Diligence
- Mentoring - Leadership
- HR - Finance
Over the past 18 months I have researched several computer packages that assist me with the
strategic advice to clients. The product that is now used by my team assists me in the following areas
of advice:
- Business Wisdom – Comparison of business systems and procedures to best practice and
identification of all areas that require improvement.
- Whats Important To You – Identification of goals and objectives from a business and personal
perspective.
- Estate Planning – Covering all areas of Estate Planning to identify areas that require attention
and/or improvement. This process can also document a clients Estate Plan and detail what
needs to be done if a loved one passes or becomes incapacitated.
- Business Succession – Outlines a client Succession Plan and the process to be adopted in a
succession arrangement. Business valuation and Due Diligence are also included in this
process.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss the Advisory work and the software templates that I have
available to assist with these matters. This process has been proven to work in any industry, size or
situation.
Experience
Byfields Business Advisers (1994 to present)
I am a CPA who has been with Byfields Business
Advisers since 1994. I have been a director since
2003 and provide taxation, accounting and
superannuation advice to a diverse client
base. Byfields Business Advisers is the largest CPA
Accountancy Practice in WA and operates with 9
partners, approximately 72 staff and 7 offices
across Perth and the rural communities for over 50
years. A number of our clients are second or third
generation clients who have been associated with
our firm for many decades.

3. I am based in the Perth office of Byfields Business Advisers, specialise in Business Tax and Consultancy
and sit on a number of client Advisory Boards assisting clients in the strategic management of their
businesses.
WHAT WE DO
Apart from the usual services provided by an Accountancy Firm (financial statement preparation,
income tax return preparation, BAS and similar services) our firm has developed niche services in the
following areas:
Business Advisory
Sometimes it can be lonely at the top when you’re the boss and empowered to make all of the business
decisions. It is sometimes difficult to be able to assess situations objectively and “work on the business
and not in it”. The process adopted by Byfields Business Advisers incorporates planned meetings with
set agendas, minutes and action plans developed from every meeting has helped clients to develop
key aspects of their business, meet personal goals, resolve problems and keep accountable to their
chosen goals and directions.
These meetings usually run for 1 to 2 hours and involve all key professionals who form part of the
advice network (accountant, financial advisor, bank manager, solicitor etc) so that all parties are
involved and engaged in the process and understand what is required.
Analytical Software
Over the last 18 months I have researched several computer packages that assist me with the strategic
advice to clients. The product that is now used by my team assists me in the following areas of advice:
- Business Wisdom – Comparison of business systems and procedures to best practice and
identification of all areas that require improvement.
- What’s Important To You – Identification of goals and objectives from a business and personal
perspective.
- Estate Planning – Covering all areas of Estate Planning to identify areas that require attention
and/or improvement. This process can also document a client’s Estate Plan and detail what
needs to be done if a loved one passes or becomes incapacitated.
- Business Succession – Outlines a client Succession Plan and the process to be adopted in a
succession arrangement. Business valuation and Due Diligence are also included in this
process.
Business Valuation/ Due Diligence
Through the growth in a number of our clients business and the transition of business from one
generation to the next Byfields Business Advisers have been involved in the valuation, purchase and
sale of many businesses for a number of years. I have many years of experience in these areas and
have developed a key network of experts to refer to for advice in a wide range of industries.
Benchmarking
I have often discussed business performance with my clients and found that a focus to improve
performance based on prior year performance is often a client’s goal. Benchmarking allows a business

4. to be compared to other businesses in the same industry in a wide range of areas including turnover,
profitability, debt levels, key performance indicators etc.
Byfields Business Advisers subscribe to benchmark suppliers for up to date data and industry
performance information.
Business Succession
I have assisted many clients in the area of business succession. Business succession planning involves
a process of planning for the transition of a business from one party to the next in a way that minimises
the disruption to the business and its stakeholders throughout the process.
The creation of a succession plan involves the documentation of the steps that need to be achievable
and handled in a reasonable timeframe.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this process with anyone who is in need of these services.
HOW WE DO IT
At Byfields Business Advisers we are strong on our systems and adopt a team approach. Our staff are
well trained and empowered to handle all core compliance work and assist with advisory work. This
frees up my time to be available to clients as and when required.
I was born and raised in country WA (as were most of our partner group) and enjoy getting out of the
office to meet with clients face to face at home or at their business premises whenever the
opportunity arises. This allows our clients to discuss matters in the comfort of their own surroundings.
I personally travel as far as Broome in the north and Albany in the south to visit clients and trips can
be arranged at a mutually convenient time.
Areas of Experience
- Tax and Business Consultancy - Tax Return Preparation
- Tax Planning - Budgeting/ Forecasting
- Estate Planning - Business Succession
- Business Advisory (Board of Advice) - HR Management
Industries of Expertise
- Health Services - Pharmacy
- Transport - Mining Services
- Professional Services - Real Estate
- Retail - Accommodation
- Restaurant / Cafe
Mentor
I act/ have acted as a mentor to a number of clients and staff (both current and previous employees)
and feel that I have developed a skillset in this area. These skills developed have helped educate and
motivate all parties to achieve high performance over a period of time.

5. Previous Experience
I was born and raised in Albany and spent my early working years assisting my father in his small
business along with working in and managing a local service station. These experiences in the mid
1990’s gave me valuable experience in the growth and development of business.
I am now married and have 3 children. I enjoy getting back to Albany on a regular basis and visit many
other rural areas to catch up with clients, family and friends.
I studied and graduated from Curtin University in 1994 and played cricket for the Curtin Victoria Park
Cricket Club before retiring in 2014 after 20 years with the club. Now in my spare time I enjoy following
cricket and AFL and playing golf.
Skills
- Accounting - Tax
- Corporate Tax - Income Tax
- Company Secretary - Strategic Advice
- Budgeting/ Forecasting - Tax Planning
- Succession Planning - Estate Planning
- Superannuation - Debt Management
- Trusts - High Net Worth Individuals
- Financial Analysis -Cashflow
- CPA - Management Consultancy
- Business Planning - Valuation
- Due Diligence - Small Business
- Leadership - Mentor
- GST - MYOB
30 KEYMER STREET PO BOX 1202
BELMONT WA 6104 CLOVERDALE WA 6985
T: (08) 6274 6400 F: (08) 9475 0596 E: andrewn@byfields.com.au W: www.byfields.com.au