Our Team at FPCC | Accounting | Tax

Our Team

Meet Our Team

Our people are what make us successful.

Our combined professional practice experience is what sets us apart, our team works with individuals and organisations of all sizes, and in all industries. We are dedicated to handling all accounting, superannuation and tax issues swiftly and accurately, so that you can focus on what really matters to you and your business.

Interested in Joining Our Team?

Lisa Cahill

Managing Partner

B.Com, GDipFP, PC.SMSF, SSA, SSAud, FCA, MAICD, JP

Lisa is an experienced and energic professional, driven by her desire to see her clients succeed in all areas of business and life. Lisa describes accounting as, "So much more than numbers, it is financial peace of mind, so you have the freedom to chase what is truly important to you."

With more than 24 years of experience as a Chartered Accountant, Lisa has worked with some of the most respected accounting firms in Australia and with clients of all sizes, in all industries. Often commencing their relationship during the start-up phase, Lisa has helped countless clients to excel through high growth and into planning the exit of business owners through to sale.

She combines her depth of experience in Business Compliance and Advisory with over 24 years of experience as an SMSF advisor.

Lisa knows an in-depth understanding of clients goals is key to delivering the outcomes. "When you truly understand a client and their business, you can put a strong financial reporting framework in place which allows the business owners to focus on what they do best."

Lisa prides herself on having the best team of accountants on the Central Coast and believes that "people who work together win". Lisa is equally passionate about food, running and her children Tahlia and Jet.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Commerce - University of Newcastle

Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting - CA Program

Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning - Finsia

SPAA SMSF Specialist Auditor

SPAA SMSF Specialist Advisor

Professional Certificate in Self Managed Superannuation Funds - University of Adelaide

Australian Istitute of Company Directors - Company Directors Course

Harvard Business School - Leading Professional Service Firms

Memberships

Fellow - Chartered Accountants Australia + New Zealand

Member - Self Managed Superannuation Fund Association

Member - Australian Institute of Company Directors

Registered Tax Agent

Registered SMSF Auditor

Justice of the Peace (JP)

You can contact Lisa Cahill at lisa.cahill@fpcc.com.au

Andrew Sainsbury

Senior Accountant

B.Man, CA

An experienced small business owner and accomplished sportsman, Andrew spent more than a decade successfully running his own painting business. In 2008 Andrew decided it was time to make a career change and commenced work in accounting.

Prior to attending University Andrew played cricket professionally for teams in Australia and overseas.

Andrew graduated from the University of Newcastle in 2007 after completing a Bachelor of Management majoring in accounting. He continued studying for the Institute of Chartered Accountants Graduate Diploma in Chartered Accounting, which he completed in 2013.

Andrew has been with Fusion Partners since we began and takes great satisfaction from helping his clients achieve their financial goals through experience-led advice.

Away from work, Andrew is married and has two boys. He enjoys watching them play sport and coaching the various teams they are involved in and maintains “life is like accounting, everything must be balanced”.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Management (Accounting) - University of Newcastle

Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting - CA Program

Memberships

Associate - Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA)

Registered SMSF Auditor

Justice of the Peace (JP)

You can contact Andrew at andrew.sainsbury@fpcc.com.au

Robert O'Neill

Senior Accountant

B.Man, CA

Robert is an experienced Chartered Accountant with over 21 years’ experience and has spent his career working in Public Practice on the Central Coast.

Robert graduated from University in 2006, completing a Bachelor of Management with a major in accounting. Subsequently, he completed a diploma with the Chartered Accountants of Australia & New Zealand.

Robert has advanced knowledge of Xero, Tax planning, FBT, Self-Managed Superannuation and is an ASIC Registered Company auditor.

Outside of work, Robert loves watching the Dragons in the NRL and playing Golf on the weekend.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Management (Accounting) – University of Newcastle

Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting – CA Program

Memberships

Member of Chartered Accountants of Australia & New Zealand

Registered Company Auditor with ASIC

You can contact Robert at robert.oneill@fpcc.com.au

Jason Hayman

Senior Accountant

BSc Economics and Accounting

Jason commenced his career in accounting nearly 30 years ago, working for large corporates in the UK.

In 1997 Jason embarked on an extensive adventure throughout Africa and South America, before choosing Australia as his new home.

Since moving to Australia, Jason has worked in public practice roles that allowed him to utilise his accounting, audit and SMSF advisory skills.

Jason has developed a wealth of expert knowledge and a passion for the world of Self Managed Superannuation and is constantly seeking new knowledge in this ever-changing area to assist his clients.

Jason is a keen mountain biker and a devoted father to his two daughters.

Jason’s favourite quote is – “The biggest mistake a small business can make is to think like a small business”

Qualifications

Bachelor of Science (Economics and Accounting) – Loughborough University UK

You can contact Jason at jason.hayman@fpcc.com.au

Taila Murray

Office Manager

After working as front office manager at a local real estate company in Terrigal, Taila shortly progressed her way to becoming a sales administrator for the sales team.

In 2020 Taila joined Fusion Partners seeking a new challenge and having a particular interest in the accounting and finance industry.

Taila is a valued team member here at Fusion Partners due to her excellent organisational and communication skills, as well as her attention to detail. Taila believes communicating with clients and providing a high level of customer service is key to keeping happy and loyal clients.

Taila is passionate about health and fitness and staying active. She also enjoys cooking, the outdoors and travelling.

Taila’s favourite quote is – “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail” – Benjamin Franklin

You contact Taila at taila.murray@fpcc.com.au

David Ashton

Accountant

B.ProfAccg

David loves accounting and is always excited to work with his clients to ensure he is adding value.

David graduated with a Bachelor of Professional Accounting degree from Macquarie University and has worked on the Central Coast in Public Practice ever since.

Outside of work, David has a strong passion for soccer spending most of his free time watching or playing the sport.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Professional Accounting - Macquarie University Sydney

You can contact David at david.ashton@fpcc.com.au

As a small business owner, it is important to us that our business is able to receive timely and accurate support on a wide range of taxation and business issues. In the past year Fusion Partners have assisted Web Chameleon to transition through a total business re-structure and have remained on call to answer all our questions throughout this process. We have never felt embarrassed to ask any of the staff for help, even on the small issues relating to everyday record keeping. Fusion Partners have a knack for explaining things in a language that we can easily understand. The great support we receive from the staff makes us feel very secure, as they take an interest in our business as though it is their own.

Belinda Jackson
Web Chameleon Online Marketing
www.webchameleon.com.au

Want more information?

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation

Fusion Partners
155 The Entrance Road
ERINA NSW 2250

02 4367 3333

info@fpcc.com.au

Servicing clients Australia wide since 2006.

Downsizer Contributions To Super

By Lisa Cahill • 07 Feb, 2023

From 1 January 2023, those 55 and over can make a ‘downsizer’ contribution to superannuation. Downsizer contributions are an excellent way to get money into superannuation quickly. And now that the age limit has reduced to 55 from 60, more people have an opportunity to use this strategy if it suits their needs. What is a 'downsizer' contribution? If you are aged 55 years or older, you can contribute $300,000 from the proceeds of the sale of your home to your superannuation fund Downsizer contributions are excluded from the existing age test, work test, and the transfer balance threshold (but are limited by your transfer balance cap). For couples, both members of a couple can take advantage of the concession for the same home. That is, if you and your spouse meet the other criteria, both of you can contribute up to $300,000 ($600,000 per couple). This is the case even if one of you did not have an ownership interest in the property that was sold (assuming they meet the other criteria). Sale proceeds contributed to superannuation under this measure count towards the Age Pension assets test. Because a downsizer contribution can only be made once in a lifetime, it is important to ensure that this is the right option for you. Let’s look at the eligibility criteria: You are 55 years or older (from 1 January 2023) at the time of making the contribution. The home was owned by you or your spouse for 10 years or more prior to the sale – the ownership period is generally calculated from the date of settlement of purchase to the date of settlement of sale. The home is in Australia and is not a caravan, houseboat, or other mobile home. The proceeds (capital gain or loss) from the sale of the home are either exempt or partially exempt from capital gains tax (CGT) under the main residence exemption, or would be entitled to such an exemption if the home was a post-CGT asset rather than a pre-CGT asset (acquired before 20 September 1985). Check with us if you are uncertain. You provide your super fund with the Downsizer contribution into super form (NAT 75073) either before or at the time of making the downsizer contribution. The downsizer contribution is made within 90 days of receiving the proceeds of sale, which is usually at the date of settlement. You have not previously made a downsizer contribution to super from the sale of another home or from the part sale of your home. Do I have to buy another smaller home The name ‘downsizer’ is a bit of a misnomer. To access this measure you do not have to buy another home once you have sold your existing home, and you are not required to buy a smaller home - you could buy a larger and more expensive one.

Federal Budget Update - 2023FY

By Lisa Cahill • 25 Oct, 2022

As expected, this year’s second Federal Budget had a strong focus on families, education, health and aged care, energy and affordable housing. From a superannuation perspective it has been a relatively quiet Budget but there were some welcome announcements that will benefit SMSF members funding their retirement. Please remember the following budget announcement are not yet law. Reducing the eligibility age for downsizer contributions The eligibility age to make downsizer contributions into superannuation is set to be reduced from 60 to 55 years of age. All other eligibility criteria will remain unchanged This change will provide a boost to the number of individuals eligible to make a one-off, post-tax contribution to their superannuation of up to $300,000, using the sale proceeds of their family home – regardless of their superannuation balance. Relaxing residency requirements for SMSFs Previously announced in the 2021/2022 Budget, the residency requirements applicable to SMSFs and small APRA funds were set to be relaxed through: The extension of the central management and control test “safe harbour” from two to five years, and The removal of the “active member” test – which would allow members who are temporarily absent from Australia to continue contributing to their SMSF. Both of these proposals had been slated to commence from 1 July 2022. The Government has confirmed that these changes, broadly aimed at allowing greater flexibility for SMSF members who are temporarily overseas, are still set to go ahead. However the start date for both measures has been deferred. Incentivising Pensioners to Downsize The current Centrelink asset test exemption for proceeds from the sale of a family home, intended for the purchase of a new home, will be extended from 12 months to 24 months. Additionally, for income test purposes, only the lower deeming rate (currently 0.25%) will apply to these exempted proceeds over the 24-month period. These changes will allow pensioners more time to purchase, build or renovate a new home before their pension is affected. Increased Commonwealth Seniors Health Card income threshold The Government has confirmed its commitment to increase the income threshold for Commonwealth Seniors Health Card eligibility from $61,284 to $90,000 for singles and from $98,054 to $144,000 (combined) for couples. This change will increase the number of individuals eligible to benefit from a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. Freezing of deeming rates The Government has also confirmed that it will freeze the social security deeming rates at their current levels until 30 June 2024. This change will support older Australians who rely on income from deemed financial investments, as well as the pension, to deal with the rising cost of living.

Meet Our Team

Our people are what make us successful.

Belinda JacksonWeb Chameleon Online Marketingwww.webchameleon.com.au

Want more information?

Downsizer Contributions To Super

Federal Budget Update - 2023FY

Belinda Jackson
Web Chameleon Online Marketing
www.webchameleon.com.au