Success is always a team effort
We've hand-picked the best people to play a part in yours.
Contact Us NowAlex Smith
Alex started with HTA in October 2018 and has been working in the industry since 2008. His favourite part of his job is teaching others, be they Junior Accountants or clients. He enjoys watching people develop new skills and confidence as they grow into their role. His biggest professional achievement was being appointed the CFO of a health organisation at 27 years old.
What are your hobbies, interests and favourite things to do?
Golf, reading, movies, gaming, 4WD and camping.
What is your ultimate travel destination?
Scotland.
One random fact about you.
I have 8 siblings.
Arvin Ventura
Arvin joined the team at HTA in 2018. His biggest professional achievement is getting his CPA license in 2007 which marked the beginning of his career and opened many doors, leading him to where he is today. Being able to help clients achieve their goals is the most rewarding part of Arvin’s job.
Do you have any special skills or talents?
I have a passion for music and singing.
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Cheerful, optimistic and passionate.
One random fact about you.
I love sweets. When I go to a buffet, I eat more desserts than other dishes.
Ben Seeger
Ben began his career in the industry in 2005 and joined the team at HTA in 2008. He enjoys working with a variety of clients, from people that need assistance with basic financial management to high-net-worth clients that want to ensure their money is working hard for them. Ben’s biggest professional achievement is establishing HTA’s financial planning business from the ground up.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A fireman.
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Cruisy, neat.
Do you have any special skills or talents?
Quite handy on the tools, (hammer especially).
Cass Jefferis
Cass has been with HTA since 2019. She feels that the most rewarding part of her job is helping our clients achieve their goals.
Cass enjoys assisting with the training and development of her fellow team members, while also assisting the business improve systems and processes.
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Organised, positive, hardworking.
What causes are you passionate about?
Sustainability, always trying to be the best version of me.
What are your hobbies, interests, or favourite things to do?
Gym, trying out new restaurants, making candles.
Cody Broad
Cody joined the HTA team in 2023. His biggest professional achievement is working in the audit industry for over 3.5 years. Cody’s favourite part of his job is helping support clients to achieve their goals.
What are your hobbies, interests, or favourite things to do?
In my spare time I enjoy going for day hikes, exploring new places and trying new restaurants.
What can you not live without?
Loaded fries!
What is your favourite or ultimate travel destination?
My ultimate travel destination would be Antarctica.
Dylan Smith
Dylan Began his journey at HTA in 2022 as a graduate accountant. His biggest achievement is finishing university full time throughout the struggles and troubles of COVID. Dylan’s favourite part of his job is being able to work as part of a team and to problem solve.
What is your favourite or ultimate travel destination?
I would love to be able to travel to Iceland in the future
What are your hobbies, interests and favourite things to do?
Basketball, AFL and eating out at restaurants
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Food truck chef
Elisha Huke
Elisha has been with HTA since 2014 where she started as a junior accountant. Now an Assistant Manager, Elisha loves working with her clients to help them make the right decisions to grow their business, and loves developing her team at HTA. Her favourite part of her job is helping clients and our team smash their goals!
Do you have any special skills or talents?
When I’m on holidays, I can easily read a book a day – any thrillers are right up my alley!
What can you not live without?
Chocolate, wine & travelling!
One random fact about you
I competed in weightlifting 5+ years ago.
Grelyd Itliong
Grelyd has been working in the industry for 24 years and began her jour. Grelyd loves working along side her colleagues while doing finalization of Financial Statements. Her biggest achievements are receiving certificates of recognition for a accounting role when working overseas in Dubai.
What are your hobbies, interests, or favourite things to do?
Watching movies, spending time with family, travelling and eating
Do you have any special skills or talents?
Teamwork skills, adaptability, flexibility, cross cultural sensitivity
What is your favourite or ultimate travel destination?
Australia, Europe, USA
Jamie Gazelle
Jamie began his HTA career in 2020. The most rewarding part of his job is assisting clients achieve their financial and personal goals.
What are your hobbies, interests, or favourite things to do?
Soccer, Golf and Wakeboarding.
What can you not live without?
Lasagne.
What causes are you passionate about?
Saving wildlife and preserving our planet.
Jes Butterfield
Jes started with HTA in 2019 after finishing her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Design and Business. She considers her overall knowledge and day-to-day understanding of HTA’s operations her biggest professional achievement. Jes’s favourite part of her job is refining internal processes to ensure maximum efficiency, as well as leading HTA’s marketing strategy which allows her to be creative.
What are your hobbies, interests, or favourite things to do?
Camping, snowboarding, trying new restaurants and going to the pub.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An architect.
What is your favourite or ultimate travel destination?
I would love to visit India and Nepal.
Julie Ramke-Meyer
Julie joined the HTA team in October 2011 as HTA’s first graduate accountant, after completing a Bachelor of Accounting at La Trobe University in July 2011.
Now one of HTA’s Senior Accountants with CPA qualifications, she loves getting involved in clients’ businesses to help them achieve not just their business, but also personal aspirations. She works with a large range of clients providing business advisory, accountancy, and taxation services.
Julie also likes to give something back and is the treasurer for the not-for-profit organization Lungevity Australia.
Outside of the office, you’ll often find her baking in the kitchen or relaxing on the couch with an action movie.
Julie’s most loved past-time is playing Netball, which she has done for over 13 years.
Kaye Pecson
Kaye Joined HTA in 2022 as Client Services Assistant. She is interested in being able to create, facilitate and design training programs to various positions that would make a positive impact in the organization particularly in Hospitality Industry. Kaye says there are so many marvellous things about working with HTA. Her favourite probably would be the opportunity to work alongside with my colleagues that shares the same vision and awesome organizational culture that allows growth and development.
What are your hobbies, interests, or favourite things to do?
I am fond of reading management books and binge watching The Young Sheldon, The Big Bang theory and Hawaii five-o.
One random fact about you.
I do not believe in luck. Anything that asks for success always requires preparation. Prepare like there is no tomorrow!
What causes are you passionate about?
Total Quality Management.
Keila Camille Tapaoan
Keila began her journey with HTA in 2019 and has been working in the accounting industry for almost 10 years. For her, the most rewarding part of her job is knowing that she is able to help her colleagues and clients through her role and experience.
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Dedicated, hardworking and meticulous.
What are your hobbies, interests, or favourite things to do?
Travelling and trying food from other places and countries.
One random fact about you.
I am afraid of creatures in the shape of worms, from centipedes to snakes.
Lucy Malligan
Lucy joined the HTA Team in 2022. Her favourite part of her job is working alongside and learning from her great colleagues. Lucy’s biggest professional achievement was completing her bachelor’s degree whilst working full time.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A pastry chef.
What causes are you passionate about?
Sustainability and animal rights.
What is your favourite travel destination?
Florence, Italy – gelato and delicious pasta galore!
Melanie Fanor
Melanie started with HTA in 2022 and has been working in the industry since 2014. Finishing her CPA has been her biggest professional achievement. Melanie’s favourite part of her job is interacting with clients and building great professional relationships.
What are your hobbies, interests, or favourite things to do?
Reading, pilates and going to brunch with friends.
What is your favourite or ultimate travel destination?
I have not been yet, but Iceland.
One random fact about you
I speak French.
Melissa Kuhnd
Melissa began her journey with HTA in 2014. Her favourite thing about her job is knowing people enjoy coming to work and seeing the passion they have for the work they do. Knowing they are making a difference to a client or a team member and assisting with their successes. She loves seeing the team evolve and achieving goals they never thought possible.
What are your hobbies, interests, or favourite things to do?
Spending time with my family, dancing, going to wineries, seeing the joy in her daughters face when she experiences something for the first time.
What is your favourite or ultimate travel destination?
I’d love to visit the Northern Territory.
One random fact about you.
I eat the top part of the snickers first, then the nougat.
Michael Dance
Michael has been with HTA since 2019 and has been working in the industry since 2014. As an Assistant Manager, Michael is responsible for dealing with the day to day needs of clients and assisting his fellow accountants. His favourite part of his job is assisting clients achieve their personal and professional goals.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Carpenter or tennis player.
What are your hobbies, interests, or favourite things to do?
Playing golf and tennis, and going to the footy.
What is your favourite or ultimate travel destination?
Majorca & Iceland.
Rachel Singam
Rachel joined the team at HTA in 2018 and considers moving into a management role to be her biggest professional achievement. Her favourite part of her job is working with such an amazing team each day. As Operations Manager, problem-solving and overseeing projects to improve the overall business and client experience are key elements of her role.
What is your favourite or ultimate travel destination?
Anywhere tropical!
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A marine biologist.
What are your hobbies, interests, or favourite things to do?
Going for walks, swimming, crossfit, playing board games and reading.
Recelyn Licaroz
Recelyn began working in a private manufacturing company located in Mariveles, Bataan in 2018. she joined the HTA team in 2022. Her biggest achievement is starting her own accounting career in the private manufacturing company. After 6 Months she was promoted to finance and head of accounting in the company. She considers this a great achievement as in a short span of time she was able to have greater opportunities of learning in a higher position. Recelyn loves working at HTA as it enables her to continuously learn to enhance her skills and expand her knowledge which she can also share with her colleagues.
What are your hobbies, interests, or favourite things to do?
My hobbies are watching YouTube vlogs, K-drama series, Netflix movies and series.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was a child, I wanted to be a doctor or a teacher.
What is your favourite or ultimate travel destination?
I want to go to Paris and Switzerland.
Sweet Melody Abarico
Sweet began working with HTA in 2018 and has since been promoted to Corporate Administrator. Her favourite thing about her job is the opportunity to work with people who inspire her to be her best and provide her with recognition and support.
What are your hobbies, interests, or favourite things to do?
Going for long walks, exploring nature, climbing mountains, cycling, and surfing.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was a child, I was fascinated with the moon and the stars and dreamed of becoming an astronaut.
What can you not live without?
I cannot live without going to the beach and I cannot imagine life without pizza!
Tim Hale
After beginning his career in 1999, Tim went on to become one of HTA’s founding partners in 2008. He considers this his biggest professional achievement as it allows him to positively impact on so many lives, especially HTA’s wonderful clients and dynamic team. Tim’s favourite part of his job is talking! He’s thrives off helping people, listening and tactically working through problems, big and small.
Technical abilities
Tim brings a wealth of experience in the Property sector with strong experience around technical aspects of property development and service based business in Construction, Design and Trades complementing a keen personal interest in Property.
Tim’s professional qualifications are as a CPA, Registered Tax Agent and also a Chartered Tax Adviser and presently is CEO of HTA, a multi-disciplinary Financial Services business specializing in Taxation, Wealth & Finance broking.
What are your hobbies, interests, or favourite things to do?
My family time which seems to always involve eating, the great outdoors and many nights ended with a great glass of red. Let’s not forget the mighty magpies at the G and I love running 3 times a week.
What causes are you passionate about?
Hearing impaired because of my family history, and the big group hug. Both are amazing, very impactful causes for very different reasons.
One random fact about you
I am extremely colour blind!
Troy Townley
After beginning his first Graduate role in 1999, Troy went on to become one of HTA’s founding fathers in 2008. He considers HTA’s growth into the business it is today as his biggest professional achievement. His favourite part of his job is being able to work with clients and our team to have a positive and lasting impact for them and their families.
What can you not live without?
As corny as it sounds, my family.
What are your hobbies, interests, or favourite things to do?
Cycling (being a Beach Road MAMIL), golf, any live sport and horse racing.
What causes are you passionate about?
Mental health, physical health and a fairer go for small businesses and families.