Building up business

Originally called Monaro Accounting, Callaghans bought the practice five years ago and now offer a wide range of accountancy, advisory and financial planning advice to Queanbeyan businesses.

Partner Graham Coddington told the Queanbeyan Age that the move to a plusher corporate suite was an attempt to make the firm more accessible to business owners.

"We're really trying to market ourselves to Queanbeyan business, and be seen as serious business advisors. So we felt a more professional looking office in a professional area rather than just upstairs there in Monaro Street was a better look for us, and a more pleasant place to be," he said.

Callaghans offers a wide range of financial services, including preparation of financial statements, tax returns, management accounting, quarterly management meetings, advice on growing your business and budgeting cashflow, as well as lending solutions and equipment leases, among others.

"Really what we want to do is help businesses grow their business, make them profitable and turn that profitable business into personal wealth," Mr Coddington said.

"I'm also on the board of the Queanbeyan Business Council, so we have good connections into the Queanbeyan business community," he said.

As for business growth since moving to Queanbeyan, Mr Coddington said some Queanbeyan companies were among the firm's best clients.

"We're trying to get more Queanbeyan businesses as clients. Some of our very best clients are based in Queanbeyan, for example Northfork Chemicals, which won the Queanbeyan Business of the Year award two years' ago.

"We're getting growth in Queanbeyan, but we really want to get more penetration into good local businesses," he said.

* Visit Callaghans at suite 109B, upstairs in Riverside Plaza. For more information, phone the Queanbeyan branch on 6297 4411 or visit www.callaghans.com.au.