About Addept
If you’re reading this, you probably already know that the accounting, business and tax advice industry is incredibly crowded, with many unknown service providers… so the first thing you should know about Addept, is that we’ve been doing what we do since 1995.
So, when you engage us to look after anything, you can bank on two decades of knowledge building and diligence driving any recommendations we make. Fully independent advice with one single, clearly defined priority: Delivering the best possible service and the best possible outcome.
Blending the latest in technology with good
old-fashioned service.
The technology through which accounting and financial services are delivered is constantly evolving, and not every provider keeps up. So, at Addept we’ve made it our mission to closely monitor the movements in today’s digital age… and master any innovations that make things easier.
But some things haven’t changed since 1995, and they never will… such as the personal service and dedication to excellence that stands us apart in this arena. It’s a simple philosophy really: Your goals are our goals, and achieving them is all that really matters.
If you need anything, just pick up the phone or email us. It's how we do it at Addept.
Core Values
CORE VALUES
Our Team
SARAH ROBINSON
Principal - BAC, CA, CTA, Dip FP
Sarah’s passion for business, tax and finance has spanned over 30 years, and more than two thirds of that time has been at the helm of Addept. Since 1995 when she first joined the team at the original Flinders Street office in Adelaide, Sarah’s vision for Addept has been an advisory firm that delivers service and expertise which goes above and beyond - so that you come to regard us as a valuable addition to your business and your family.
As our Principal, head Chartered Accountant and lead Financial Advisor, Sarah continues to enjoy working hands on with Addept’s clients across the whole spectrum of personal and business arenas, including business structures, profitability, tax, investments, wealth creation, financial planning, succession planning, estate planning, self-managed super as an accredited SMSF specialist, and TV & film production accounting.
Whatever Sarah’s helping you with, it won’t take long for you to see the depth of knowledge, insight and proficiency that she brings to her craft - an innate affinity for numbers that’s been nurtured in tandem with fierce determination to achieve ultimate client satisfaction. Sarah’s drive has stood us apart for nearly three decades.
Jo Kozned
Senior Manager - B Ec(Acc), CA
Jo is a Chartered Accountant with over 25 years in the business of accounting, boasting beautifully well rounded expertise developed at home and overseas – with challenging roles in Melbourne, Sydney, Singapore, New York and London on her impressive resume. Her gritty exposure over the years to banking, finance, hospitality, IT, manufacture and agriculture makes Jo a wise and valuable asset across all these sectors. But more importantly she’s a shining example of a people-person who knows their stuff… just how we like it at Addept.
There are many things to admire about Jo, but if there’s one aspect to her professional make-up that adds a special touch to how she looks after you, it’s the business knowledge and know-how she’s acquired as an owner of her own wine company… the personal passion Jo has to see a good business succeed drives everything she does.
Jo also happens to be the one who makes things happen around here. Office manager, general manager, chief of staff… we haven’t really got round to giving a title to her organising, problem solving prowess. But that’s ok, titles don’t matter to Jo – she only cares about results.
Katherine Sarkanen
Senior Manager - B Comm(Acc), CA, CTA
If you had to pick one thing that struck you the most about the way Katherine Sarkanen works, it could very well be that she’s an incredibly contemporary accountant. An early adopter of new technology, she truly embraces all cutting-edge elements to professional life, but most importantly of all it’s her modern approach to accounting and relentless focus on the people behind the numbers which really sets her apart.
Katherine came to Addept with a glowing background and an impressive list of professional achievements, which started off with work experience in a number of a media outlets as budding journalist. When it was time to choose tertiary education, Katherine’s love of understanding people almost drew her into a BA in Psychology, but she ultimately completed a Bachelor of Computer Science (e.g. IT) before completing her Bachelor of Commerce, and then became a Chartered Accountant.
During decades of professional milestones Katherine somehow found time to travel the world and was an early adopter of Internet-dating to meet her now husband Rick. Now, her feet are firmly on the ground, enjoying life and the company of their daughter, Ruby.
Stephanie White
Accountant - B Ec(Acc)
Stephanie White is one of Addept’s highly valued, fully qualified accountants who draws on many years of impressive experience in the service of our clients, and is widely known to be one of those people who always strives to do the very best possible job – whatever challenging circumstances may present themselves.
In addition to a big bag of business accounting expertise, Stephanie brings to the table an innate knack for pinpoint accuracy, refined communication skills and a stunning reputation for delivering within tight deadlines. She’s also a big believer in teamwork and won’t accept any credit for the work she does at Addept without first acknowledging her much loved colleagues, and explaining we’re all cogs that work together.
Passion is also a big part in Stephanie’s free time. From her dedicated sporty regime, training with the local swimming club and competing in open water races, to her devout following of Sturt Football Club and deep love for her family… making the most of the present is how our Stephanie rolls. She’ll be leaving us sometime to become a roadie when the youngest of her three sons makes it as a famous rock star, so we’re just enjoying her company while it lasts.
Martin Roach
Mortgage Broker
As our resident mortgage guru, Martin Roach has one of the most rewarding roles under our roof –helping our clients find and finance homes and property to play a part in their family lives or build wealth portfolios. There’s nothing Martin loves more than getting to know his clients - many of whom remain his dear friends - and letting them know their life-changing lending is approved.
Martin began his career in mortgages working with big banks, where he enjoyed more than 15 years invaluable experience in business banking which, when combined with his 10 years broking, has enabled a knowledgeable knack for assisting our clients across their home, commercial and asset finances.
Martin looks far and wide with true independence on his mission to find the very best mortgage solution for our customers. On the rare occasions he’s not working, Martin finds his pleasure doting on his wife, his three daughters, and his local golf course.
Virginia Librandi
Senior Accountant
Virginia’s professional journey into the world of finance began straight after she graduated from high school and took a junior role with AMP. By the time she was 21, Viginia knew numbers were her thing and she started studying for her Associate Diploma in Accounting, enjoying subsequent roles in manufacturing, insurance, recruitment, investment and tax – along the way achieving admission as a Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants.
Over the years Virginia has fine-tuned an impressive financial skillset and a formidable business acumen, and during the last decade has developed an exceptional specialist focus on commercial tax. Her considerable expertise and vast knowledge are essential tools in helping to ensure we deliver for our clients with the best possible financial outcomes.
As much as she loves Addept’s talented team, our state-of-the-art accounting tech and our client focussed practice, Virginia’s dream job would be as the owner-operator of her own little local florist, leaving lots more time for beach holidays and dining out with her hubby and three newly grown-up girls. We clearly can’t compete with that vision, so we’re honoured to have her on the team while she waits for the right flower shop to pop up.
NATALIE ROMANO
Client Services Officer
As our talented administration assistant, Natalie’s sharp skills and laser focus feed into many areas of the Addept business, and she’s widely valued by team members and clients for her determination to deliver the very best outcomes. From assisting our wealth-building clients to supporting our accountants, Natalie’s welcome influence spreads far and wide.
Having grown up in a super tight-knit family who clearly wrote the book on looking after each other, Natalie arrived at Addept after very handy experience in mortgage broking and financial planning. She expertly balances her busy work life with a commitment to playing her heart out for St Monica’s Netball Club, in a sporty love affair that’s been going on for many years.
Natalie’s proudest moment at Addept is being heavily involved in our “Best of SA” profile with FIVEaa radio, where we had the opportunity to celebrate our business and share what makes being based in South Australia so special. Her lowest moment was setting off the office alarm before she knew how to turn it off, but we’ll overlook that as long as she keeps doing what she’s doing for our clients.
Crystal Mewett
Bookkeeper and Marketing Assistant - B Bus(Mktg)
Crystal came to Addept after 10 accomplished years in advertising and marketing, and when you review her career you can’t help but conclude she’s one of the true “do-ers” in this world. Crystal’s professional profile ticks plenty of brilliant boxes, such as building a business from the ground up while on maternity leave with her first child, but it’s when you delve into what drives her that you see the big picture of her huge value.
Dedicated to every deadline. Professional control freak. Pokes the bear with creativity. Creates trust with exquisite customer service. In every corner of the way she does things, you can see the deep motivation that makes sure Crystal delivers shiny results for our customers, every single time.
To relax, Crystal loves hanging out with her two girls and golf-loving husband, running businesses on the side, hitting the beach at the family holiday hub in Carrickalinga, creating spreadsheets to ensure everyone has maximised fun in their downtime, and winning first place in the Australian National Cheer and Dance Competition. If there’s a more prolific multi-tasking achiever walking this planet, we want to hear about it!
Sarah Van Arend
Undergraduate Business Services and Practice Co-ordinator
Sarah is a superstar. She helps keep the office running smoothly, she ensures our clients are kept up to date, she maintains internal procedure documents, and she even monitors the boss’s inbox during busy days. Sarah came to Addept with an outstanding resume, which includes some outstanding customer-facing work for a big 4 bank and a large retail clothing company.
Sarah is well known around the office for being an organiser extraordinaire, so it’s no surprise to us to learn that her incredible multi-tasking and management skills flow through into her personal life, too. Family and friends often nominate her as event co-ordinator when planning trips or social functions, that is just the way Sarah likes it.
When she’s not solving problems, finding solutions and making things happen, Sarah can be found studying commerce part time at University of Adelaide, at the gym or beach, shopping at fresh food markets with family, and loving her adopted rescue cat, Bailey. A recent trip to Thailand awakened Sarah’s travelling bug, but we’re hoping her maternal love for Bailey keeps her in Australia, and at the Addept office, for at least a few more years to come.
