Greenwoods & Freehills celebrates its 20 year anniversary

Boutique Australian tax firm Greenwoods & Freehills (G&F) celebrates 20 years of business this month, with the milestone marking two decades of continued growth and development and an outstanding contribution to the ongoing advancement of the taxation industry and its clients.

Mark Ferrier, the chairman of G&F and who has been with the firm since its inception in 1985, attributes the firm's successes to 'two important factors—unsurpassed technical skills and a dedication to meeting clients' needs in a practical and cost effective manner'.

'We have grown into a major force in the property, banking and finance sectors and are proud of the fact that we still work for many of the clients we started with 20 years ago,' said Mr Ferrier.

According to Malcolm McLean, G&F's Managing Director and also a 20 year veteran of the firm, G&F has responded to the significant developments in the Australian tax industry over the past two decades.

'Twenty years ago we did practically all the tax work for our clients. Now, enormous regulatory obligations mean that from a practicality perspective most companies have in-house teams to manage their day-to-day tax business,' said Mr McLean.

'As a result, the majority of our work has morphed into the provision of strategic, high level tax advice as well as advising on regulatory obligations,' he said.

Tax litigation has also dramatically increased over the past 20 years. 'We work closely with Freehills in assisting their understanding of all the necessary facets of the Tax Statute which impact their clients,' said Mr McLean.

Mr Ferrier commented that the decision in 1985 to join with Freehills to establish G&F has resulted in an extremely successful symbiotic relationship.

'G&F obtained a major and established client in Freehills, while Freehills obtained ready access to an established and respected revenue law practice,' said Mr Ferrier.

Mr McLean went on to describe the continuing relationship 'as independent, yet fraternal'.

G&F is positioned to continue to expand over the next 20 years, a process which began with the concurrent commencement of operations as an incorporated legal practice on 1 May 2005 and an expansion into the Melbourne market.

G&F offers specialist taxation advice to major organisations operating in the domestic and international markets. Sectors focused on include property, banking and finance, insurance, manufacturing and pharmaceuticals.

ENDS

For more information please contact

Holly Parry
Public Affairs Assistant Manager
Telephone 61 2 9225 5774
holly.parry@freehills.com