In Brett’s 15 years at Fordham, he has developed a very thorough understanding of the property & construction industry. During this time, he has advised a broad range of businesses from large land developers to residential and commercial builders, civil construction companies, and project management businesses. Brett also assists business owners and their families in the retail, publishing, manufacturing and finance industries.

For many of his clients, Brett acts as chair of both their operating and family boards. In these roles he plays a key part in facilitating discussion with business owners, their families, and senior management teams regarding business performance, profit improvement, optimal business structures, and business acquisition and sale opportunities. 

Brett has a deep knowledge of the Australian tax system and in particular the specialist tax issues applicable to the property and construction industry. He is also a leader of Fordham’s internal taxation excellence group. In this role he is responsible for strategies to assess the impact and maximise opportunities available with respect to the following:

• Income Tax
• Capital Gains Tax
• Small Business Capital Gains Tax Concessions
• GST (including the margin scheme)
• Stamp duty
• Land tax.

Brett is a member of the Taxation Institute of Australia and Advanced Property Development accredited (PCA). He is also a member of the Taxation & Finance Committee for the Urban Development Institute of Victoria, which advocates for policy improvements to the industry.

Industry specialisation: Property & Construction, Manufacturing, Retail

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Having worked in tax and accounting since 1997, Stuart has a wealth of experience helping business owners achieve their financial, business and personal goals.

Stuart Le Cornu assists companies to meet their objectives with strategic planning, including financial and taxation planning. He particularly relishes the challenge of helping clients manage their complex lives. This includes interpreting the intricacies of international tax, foreign controlled entities, resident and non-resident trusts, and large public and private companies.

As one of our tax advisory specialists, Stuart is an expert in all taxation matters. His approach to tax planning includes a thorough review of existing structures, interrelationships between entities, location of assets, liabilities and IP, history, capital gains cost bases, loan accounts, previous tax strategies and future plans. He regularly presents at Tax Institute seminars in matters such as the taxation of trusts, Division 7A and small business Capital Gains Tax matters.

Industry specialisation: Manufacturing, Franchising 

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Michael Doughty has worked as a professional accountant for more than 30 years where he thrives on the continually evolving challenge of helping his clients, their families and businesses to succeed.

Michael guides businesses of all shapes, sizes and origins on every aspect of their success and is particularly skilful at assisting businesses with unusually complex structures. He advises on a broad range of strategic matters including finance, structuring, tax, compliance and capital gains as well as providing compliance services. Michael is passionate about assisting his clients with their private interests, helping them and their family members make strategic decisions to grow and protect their wealth while navigating the intricacies of areas like deceased estates, changes in circumstance and property ownership. His passion has developed from his own family experience working within family business.

He has an affinity for the issues faced by local communities and has significant expertise in this area. Michael has worked with communities, developers and agents to enhance their local areas by advising on local council issues and related matters. This interest is attributed to his early experience in real estate and community.

Keeping up to date with developments in taxation and business is a particular area of interest for Michael. He shares this knowledge with his colleagues at Fordham and has, more widely through the courses he has created and presented for the Australian Taxation Office via the University of New South Wales.

Industry specialisation: IT, Retail 

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For more than twenty years, Darren has been providing business, taxation and asset protection solutions to the owners of privately-owned businesses. His passion lies in not only looking after their business needs, but also ensuring the growth and protection of his clients’ family wealth.

Darren has managed many projects to a successful conclusion for his clients including sale of business, matrimonial disputes and ATO audits. He also has significant experience assisting clients with estate planning, business acquisition and business divestment.

His experience covers a broad range of industries including retail, wholesale, professional services and property development. Darren has substantial practical experience in taxation matters and leads Fordham’s internal tax excellence group. This puts him at the forefront of tax minimisation strategies for income tax, capital gains tax, superannuation and GST.

Having completed a Master of Taxation degree to add to his Chartered Accounting qualification and Fellow status of the Tax Institute of Australia, Darren is a regular tax presenter at industry events.

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