Our team of experts

Simone joined the G J Walsh & Co team in late 2008 taken on as an undergraduate. She finished her studies in July 2010 obtaining a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in accounting with the University of Queensland (UQ), later advancing her skillset in obtaining her Certified Practising Accountants (CPA) certification.

Alongside Partner, David Richardson, Simone has been a vital part of the client management of our TSI Accounting merger in April of 2019 where Simone is based predominantly in our Springfield office, assisting clients with their taxation and business services needs. Over the past 12 years at G J Walsh & Co, Simone has also developed her expert knowledge in Self-Managed Superannuation Fund (SMSF) compliance services.

We welcomed Simone back into the office in June 2024 after the birth of her second child in early January 2024. Simone continues to service our personal, business and SMSF Clientele in both Springfield and Ipswich office locations.

Founding partner of Helios Accountants, Kevin has a passion for helping small businesses thrive and is committed to providing his clients with high-quality accounting services tailored to their individual needs. He believes in building strong relationships with his clients and taking the time to understand their businesses and unique goals, and as such will remain with the practice. Kevin looks forward to working with the GJ Walsh & Co team to bring a new level of service to the clients of Helios Accountants.

Kevin began his professional career as an accountant, in 2000, at Caspers Rava & Kahlefeldt in Wagga Wagga, and later moving to Spectrum Accountants in Southport as a Tax Manager in 2007. Since 2012, Kevin has owned and led Helios Accountants, overseeing its growth and success up until the recent merger. On April 1st, 2023, the firm was rebranded to Helios Accountants, now incorporating G J Walsh & Co., and Kevin will take on the role of Managing Accountant for the Southport office. Throughout his tenure as owner of Helios Accountants, Kevin has helped to build the firm into the successful practice it is today.

With this new role, he will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the office, managing the team of accountants, and ensuring that clients receive the highest level of service possible. The merger represents an exciting new chapter for Helios Accountants, and Kevin is excited to take on his new role as Managing Accountant and help guide the firm towards continued growth and success.

Prior to his career in accounting, Kevin obtained a Bachelor of Business degree from Charles Sturt University with a focus on accounting and legal studies. This education likely helped prepare him for his career in accounting, where he has accumulated over two decades of experience.

Outside of work, Kevin enjoys travelling, golfing, and spending time with his family. He has participated in several sports throughout his life, including cricket, soccer, rugby league, and touch football, and he was in the Army Reserves for 10 years. While his current hobbies are more focused on relaxation and leisure, his previous experiences likely contributed to his work ethic and discipline in his professional life.

Rosie joined the GJ Walsh & Co team in October 2014 on a part-time basis after successfully running her own Hotel business for 8 & 1/2 years with her husband. Rosie’s time in small business has given her valuable insight into all aspects of running a business. Before the Hotel, Rosie completed a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting and gained experience as an Accountant in a Brisbane accounting practice for 6 years.

In July 2018, Rosie obtained her Certified Practicing Accountants (CPA) qualification where she continues to share her time between the Ipswich and Boonah office locations. Rosie is dedicated to building strong client relationships and has experience in a range of different facets of business advisory, and individual and business compliance matters.

On the weekends, Rosie is either on the sideline of a rugby field or netball court watching her children enjoy their sporting endeavours.

Mitch joined the G J Walsh & Co team in 2014 as an undergraduate accountant while studying full-time for his Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Southern Queensland. He graduated in 2017 with a major in Accounting and began his Certified Practising Accountants (CPA) program the following year. Mitch graduated from the program in 2021 and has since been involved in various practice expansion projects, including the transition of G J Walsh & Co acquiring TSI Accounting Springfield in 2019 and the current transition of G J Walsh & Co acquiring Helios Accountants Southport.

Recently, Mitch has been gaining invaluable knowledge in a range of accounting services by assisting Simone Hauschildt, a senior accountant, with SMSF (Self-Managed Super Fund) compliance. This experience has given him exposure to the intricacies of SMSF compliance and has further developed his expertise in accounting services. In his free time, Mitch enjoys playing futsal and refereeing soccer in Ipswich and Greater Brisbane areas. He is also a avid gym-goer and enjoys walking his dog, Ron. Additionally, he likes to spend time with his friends.

Ashley began his career with GJ Walsh & Co as an undergraduate accountant in 2018 while he completed his Bachelor of Accounting that same year. During his three-year tenure with our firm, Ash worked with a diverse range of clients and developed a wealth of knowledge. Ash’s thirst for knowledge and professional growth then led him to pursue work at Mazars and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Here he successfully completed his CPA whilst honing his skills and expertise in the field. On his return to GJ Walsh & Co in 2023, Ash brings extensive knowledge and a strong commitment to his clients.

Outside of the office, Ash enjoys spending time with his young family and participating in cycling events with friends.

Kate joined the G J Walsh & Co team part-time in January 2022, coming in with over ten years of experience in public practice. Kate completed her Advanced Diploma of Accounting in 2015 intending to further her professional development and achieve her CPA status.

Kate started her career as an administrator, working her way up to an Accountant role. She has gained a wealth of knowledge and experience in bookkeeping, BAS/IAS preparation, audit preparation and individual and business compliance. Kate is always happy to help our clients with individual and business obligations and goals.

Ann Orbon is a dedicated professional with diverse experience in different industries. She embarked on her journey in the world of business and finance by pursuing a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) at Holmesglen Institute, where she honed her accounting skills and developed a solid foundation in financial management. Ann’s commitment to her studies was evident as she successfully graduated in 2019, setting the stage for a promising career in accounting.

She began her professional life as a waitress in a Japanese restaurant, where she gained valuable customer service skills and developed a strong work ethic. Seeking new challenges and eager to apply her academic knowledge, Ann transitioned into the field of accounting and joined Helios Accountants in January 2020. Here, she excelled in managing financial records and providing accurate financial analysis, showcasing her dedication and aptitude for the accounting profession.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Ann leads an active lifestyle outside of the workplace. She enjoys maintaining her fitness by regularly going to the gym and indulging in swimming sessions in both pools and the ocean. Exploring new culinary experiences is also a passion for Ann, as she loves visiting cool restaurants and bars to savor unique flavors and enjoy socialising with friends.

Currently residing in the Philippines, Ann eagerly anticipates the opportunity to return to the Southport office in the near future. Her journey with G J Walsh & Co began in April 2023 when Helios Accountants merged with G J Walsh & Co to establish their fourth office location in Southport. As a valued member of the team, Ann works closely with Kevin Butt, the Southport Practice Manager, in providing exceptional accounting services to clients in the Southport area. With her expertise and dedication, Ann contributes significantly to meeting the accounting needs of the Southport clientele.

Sophie Cragg joined G J Walsh & Co as an Accountant in January 2024. She holds a double degree in Commerce (Accounting) and Business (Management) from Griffith University, completed in November 2015, and achieved Chartered Accountant (CAANZ) status at the beginning of 2019. Sophie began her career in public practice in November 2015, amassing extensive experience in accounting, tax, compliance, and business advice. As a Chartered Accountant, she is dedicated to providing exceptional accounting and taxation services across a diverse client base. Sophie values teamwork and is committed to delivering top-notch service to her clients.

Annika Ainassaari is a dedicated professional who has successfully transitioned into the field of accounting, leveraging her extensive knowledge of agribusiness to provide exceptional services to primary production clients. She graduated from UQ with a Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness in July 2022 and subsequently embarked on a career in the retail industry while pursuing her studies. During this time, Annika gained valuable experience in delivering outstanding customer service and catering to customer needs.

With lifelong exposure to the agriculture industry, Annika possesses a deep understanding and passion for the field. This knowledge allows her to offer unique insights and tailored solutions to primary production clients. Her comprehensive understanding of the agribusiness sector enables her to navigate the specific challenges and opportunities faced by clients in this industry.

Outside of work, Annika finds solace on the farm, where she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and a diverse array of animals. Whether it’s riding horses or enjoying the company of her loyal border collie, Annika embraces her passion for agriculture in her personal life as well.

In January 2023, Annika joined G J Walsh & Co, where she seamlessly integrated her agribusiness knowledge with her accounting expertise to serve primary production clients. Her combined skill set, coupled with her genuine love for the industry, make Annika an invaluable asset to the team. She consistently strives to provide exceptional service and contribute to the success of both our clients and the firm as a whole.

Jeri joined the G J Walsh & Co Springfield office in November 2023, bringing with her a strong foundation in the accountancy and tax fields. She graduated with a Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) in 2020 and has since been dedicated to applying her expertise in her new role at GJW, all while gaining valuable experience.

Outside of work, Jeri is passionate about discovering the latest foodie hotspots and exploring vibrant food markets. Her culinary adventures are a big part of her life, as is the time she spends with her cherished dog, who brings joy to her daily routine. Eager to deepen her knowledge in the accounting and tax industry, Jeri is excited to contribute her skills and enthusiasm to the GJW team.

Ryan Verrenkamp joined G J Walsh & Co as an Undergraduate Accountant in January 2024, immediately after deciding to further his passion for accounting that began in high school. He is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Queensland, specialising in Accounting and Finance. Ryan’s previous experience includes working as a sales associate at a local bike shop, where he developed valuable customer service skills. At G J Walsh & Co, he is instrumental in assisting clients with their IAS/BAS requirements and individual tax returns. Outside of the office, Ryan is an avid runner and cyclist, enjoys watching the NRL, plays golf, and loves to travel.

Eric Wang, an Accountant at G J Walsh & Co, embarked on his journey with our office in January 2024. He is in the process of obtaining his CPA certification, bringing with him a year’s experience in public practice and two years in the private sector. Eric’s role at G J Walsh & Co encompasses a wide variety of tasks, from client support with ATO communications, preparing and lodging IAS/BASs, to preparing Financial Statements and Income Tax Returns. When away from the office, Eric enjoys hiking, playing badminton, and cherishes time with friends playing board games or watching movies.

Toni joined the G J Walsh & Co team in September of 2016, based in our Ipswich Office. With over 15 years of experience in bookkeeping services, she has become a great asset to servicing our clients internally and externally.
Prior to G J Walsh & Co Toni has experienced a multifaceted working life with expertise in varying industries; She has had a large involvement in local and regional Touch Football associations, spent time as a Police officer, Graphic Design Teacher, and managing a swim school. Today, Toni assists the Partners as a Partners Assistant as well as a client-based bookkeeper liaising with the Clients directly as well as the professional staff for BAS and Accounts preparation.

In his new position, Sam plays a vital role in assisting our clients with the day-to-day management of their transactions, payroll processing, and the establishment of new datafiles. His intelligence and humility continue to shine as he provides exceptional client services and valuable administration support to the G J Walsh & Co community. Sam’s journey from receptionist to Bookkeeper exemplifies his drive to excel and contribute to the success of our team and our clients.

Lauren Miller joined G J Walsh & Co as a Bookkeeper in May 2024. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Accounting at the University of Southern Queensland, Lauren has always aspired to become an accountant. After facing health challenges that delayed her career path, she moved from the Gold Coast to Boonah three years ago, drawn by the area’s charm. Before joining G J Walsh, Lauren worked in an Accounts Payable role for two years while being a dedicated full-time mother.

Outside of work, she actively contributes as the Treasurer and Manager for her son’s team at the Fassifern Junior Rugby League Football Club. In her downtime, Lauren enjoys spending time with her family and pets, reading, and binge-watching documentaries and reality TV.

Beverley McDonald joined the G J Walsh team in May 2024 as a skilled bookkeeper with a wealth of experience. Prior to this role, Beverley spent 25 years in the hospitality industry, where she served as a Senior Bookkeeper and Team Leader. Her expertise includes managing daily bookkeeping tasks, stock control, payroll processing, and gaming reconciliation across multiple states. Beverley also handled monthly and yearly account reconciliations, prepared BAS/IAS lodgments, and provided management reports, budgets, and cash flow analyses. She is proficient in setting up client files and integrating new systems, and has a background in testing and training staff on the latest software. Beverley holds a Certificate IV in Bookkeeping (2013) and a Certificate IV in Accounting (2014).

Outside of work, Beverley has a passion for pottery and enjoys camping, finding these activities a relaxing balance to her professional life.