Joel Sweeting – Partner

There’s nothing cookie-cutter about Joel. With over 25 years in public practice, he’s built a reputation for blending technical expertise with a calm, grounded approach that clients genuinely enjoy working with.

As a founding partner of Simmons Partnership, Joel has helped shape the firm’s people-first ethos since day one. He cut his teeth during the rollout of GST (an accountant’s baptism by fire) and quickly became the go-to for navigating tax complexity. These days, his expertise spans across a range of industries, widely recognised for his unwavering commitment to making things simple, strategic, and stress-free for every client.

Joel focuses on building strong, long-term client relationships that are grounded in trust, consistency, and delivering real results. His strength lies in big-picture thinking paired with sharp attention to detail. He listens first, speaks purposefully, and is committed to delivering lasting outcomes.

Away from his desk, Joel trades numbers on a page for kilometres on his bike, preferably followed by a strong flat white. He’s a loyal family man, a proud Gold Coast Suns supporter, and above all, someone who shows up, follows through, and genuinely cares about the people he works with.

Formal qualification includes a Graduate Diploma in Chartered Accounting, Chartered Accountant (CAANZ) and Chartered Tax Adviser (Taxation Institute of Australia).

Wayne Simmons – Partner

Every firm has a foundation. Ours has Wayne.

He’s the guy who built Simmons Partnership from the ground up, long before cloud accounting, standing desks, or oat milk lattes. Nearly 40 years in the profession and 21 years since starting the firm, Wayne’s legacy isn’t just a long list of clients; it’s a culture rooted in loyalty, calm, and quiet confidence. Relationships over transactions. Logic over panic. Long game over quick wins.   He’s the calm in the storm, the voice of reason, and often the person others go to when they need the kind of wisdom you don’t Google.

Though he’s no longer involved in the day-to-day grind, Wayne’s legacy (and wisdom) echo through everything. His leadership style? Understated but unwavering.

And while some retire quietly, Wayne has zero interest in slowing down as he transitions into the next stage of his life. He’s traded tax deadlines for early-morning rides, ocean swims, and steady runs that remind him he’s still got it. He firmly believes in balance, especially the kind that comes with a family holiday, minimal Wi-Fi, and absolutely no mention of spreadsheets.

Wayne is a Chartered Accountant (CAANZ), but more than that, he’s the blueprint; the guy who built the business, kept it human, and proved that doing things the right way never goes out of style.

Lauren Arthur – Partner

If multitasking were a competitive sport, Lauren would be standing on the podium, cool and calm, and probably holding a coffee.

With over 25 years of experience in public practice, Lauren brings profound expertise without the ego. She has a sharp mind for a variety of tax matters, a specialty in self-managed super funds, and a sixth sense for spotting problems before they appear on the radar.

Since joining Simmons Partnership in 2015 and becoming a Partner in 2018, Lauren has been quietly raising the bar for her clients, her team, and the firm’s culture. She leads with empathy and speaks with clarity. Clients trust her because she’s honest, thorough, and always one step ahead. The team trusts her because she listens, supports, and keeps things moving (without needing to micromanage a single thing).

She’s also the kind of person who remembers your deadline and birthday and sends a thoughtful follow-up on both.

Outside of work, Lauren is up before the sun for beach swims, curating the perfect soundtrack to her day, and always planning her next getaway.

Formal qualification includes a Graduate Diploma in Chartered Accounting, Chartered Accountant (CAANZ).

Shaun Morris – Partner

With over 13 years of experience as a Chartered Accountant, Shaun is widely recognised for delivering grounded, strategic, and useful advice without any padding or pretence. His work has spanned a diverse range of clients and industries, always with a thoughtful approach, an eye for long-term outcomes, and steady execution. He is currently undertaking further study to become a Chartered Tax Adviser.

Shaun continues to deepen his expertise not because he has to, but because he genuinely enjoys staying ahead of the curve.

He loves what he does.

Clients value his straightforward, no-nonsense advice, which is always considered and never overcomplicated. Around the office, he’s known for his laser focus, attention to detail, and calm reliability, which keeps things moving in the right direction.

Before his accounting career, Shaun spent many years professionally racing bikes on US and Asia circuits. That same competitive drive still runs through his veins today and is evident in everything he does, just with a little less Lycra. He still gets out for a ride when he can and is forever on the pursuit of the perfect coffee (he’s got strong opinions, but won’t judge yours… out loud).

Formal qualification includes a Graduate Diploma in Chartered Accounting, Chartered Accountant (CAANZ). Currently completing Chartered Tax Adviser studies with The Tax Institute of Australia.

Claire Shiels – Associate

Claire is the kind of accountant who makes calm look easy and excellence look routine, even when the deadlines aren’t.

With nearly a decade of accounting experience under her belt, Claire has carved out her niche in tax and self-managed super funds, areas she’s not only confident in but actually passionate about (yes, really). But what truly sets her apart isn’t just her technical expertise; it’s the way she works with people. Clients love Claire because she explains things in a way that makes sense. There is no jargon, no lecture, just practical advice delivered with thought and care.

She thrives in collaborative environments and has a sixth sense for creating smoother systems, spotting bottlenecks before they become problems, and finding practical solutions without fuss. Whether it’s refining a workflow, reworking a process, or managing a tight deadline, Claire brings consistency, clarity, and an unshakably positive attitude.

Off the clock, Claire’s all about family time, good food, and a friendly-but-fierce match of tennis (don’t be fooled by the smile; she plays to win).

Claire’s the steady hand, sharp mind, and cool head you want in your corner, every single time.

Formal qualifications include Bachelor of Commerce.

Bridgette Kennedy

Bridgette brings a mix of optimism, drive, and down-to-earth professionalism, making her a most valuable asset to our team. Three years into her accounting career, she’s already known for her initiative, reliability, and the kind of attitude that makes even busy days feel manageable.

People first notice her positive energy; she’s warm, friendly, and uplifting. Bridgette prides herself on building and maintaining strong relationships both in the office with her team and her clients, as well as personally too. Especially with her cousin Claire, who is also her closest colleague and creative match. The two work in such sync that they’ve been known to finish each other’s sentences (and emails).

Off-duty, she swaps out numbers for sneakers and hits the basketball court with the same infectious energy and enthusiasm she brings to work, but with a side of cheeky sideline banter, too. Bridgette enjoys her close-knit circle of family and friends and to her basketball team, where she brings her trademark balance of grit and good humour to the court twice a week.
Grounded by strong relationships and fuelled by a genuine passion for what she does, Bridgette stands out not just for how well she works but also for how well she connects.

Still early in her career, Bridgette already stands out for her mix of heart, hustle, and genuine joy in doing things well.
Formal qualifications include Bachelor of Commerce.

Kristyn Collett

Some people make tax sound more complicated than it needs to be. Kristyn is not one of those people. With 20 years of tax accounting experience and CPA credentials to match, she brings confidence, technical strength, and a sharp instinct for what matters and what doesn’t. She’s built her career across firms in Albury, the Northern Territory, Brisbane and the Gold Coast (home!), gaining broad industry experience and a reputation for being refreshingly easy to work with.

Her approach is clear, responsive, and always grounded in good judgment with no overexplaining just answers, solutions, and a strong sense of what’s best for her clients. She’s the person people come to when they want the full picture, but only the useful parts.

Working part-time, Kristyn moves with quiet efficiency — often fitting in a lunchtime swim. Outside the office, she’s usually chasing sunshine with her family, exploring new places, or just enjoying the rare magic of a good book and zero interruptions.

Kristyn is a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) who brings clarity, capability, and a deep sense of care to everything she does.

Tom Scott

Tom may still be studying, but don’t let the ‘undergraduate’ tag fool you; he’s already making waves in and out of the office. Currently completing a Bachelor of Business with a major in Finance, Tom supports the senior team across a range of client work, taking pride in learning the details, asking the smart questions, and learning fast. Really fast! He’s quietly confident, diligent and always willing to step up where needed, and usually without being asked.

Since joining Simmons Partnership, Tom’s brought fresh thinking, a strong work ethic, and the kind of enthusiasm that’s hard to teach. Whether he’s supporting his colleagues or keeping client accounts ticking along behind the scenes, he does it with focus, curiosity, and a solid grasp of what good business looks like.

Originally from Tauranga, New Zealand, Tom moved to the Gold Coast in 2021 chasing sun, surf, and a future he’s determined to build for himself. Outside the office, you’ll likely find him training for a Surf Ironman, talking markets over a cold beer with mates, or catching a perfect left-hand break before most people have hit the snooze button.

Tom is completing his Bachelor of Business degree and is already proving himself as someone who delivers with focus, humility, and momentum.

Jiminder (Jimi) Bansal

If clear thinking were a superpower, Jimi would wear the cape. With nearly a decade of experience in public practice, he’s built his reputation on calm logic, sharp insights, and a low-key talent for making clients feel instantly more in control of their finances.

Originally from the UK and now a long-time Gold Coast local, Jimi supports businesses of all shapes and sizes across tax, compliance, and structuring. He’s methodical, curious, and never one to overcomplicate always focused on getting to the heart of the issue and guiding clients toward smart, practical outcomes.

Outside the office, Jimi turns up the volume. He’s a dedicated F1 fan, a talented musician and singer, and a passionate reader of all things sci-fi and fantasy, forever chasing the next great plot twist or guitar riff.

Formal qualification includes a Graduate Diploma in Chartered Accounting, Chartered Accountant (CAANZ).

Quintin Trask

With six years of accounting experience and a mindset built for problem-solving, Quintin approaches every brief like a puzzle worth solving; methodically, patiently, and always with the end result in sight.

He’s the go-to when systems need refining, numbers aren’t playing nice, or Xero needs to be shown who’s boss (proudly our resident Xero expert!). A natural with process and detail, Quintin combines technical skill with a practical mindset, helping clients navigate complex issues with clarity and calm. He digs into the data, finds what matters, and delivers solutions that work. Clients value his calm precision, clear communication, and the trust that comes from knowing he’ll always deliver.

When he’s not refining a spreadsheet or automating something the rest of us hadn’t thought to, he’s likely on the move, racking up kilometres on a training run, scouting new coffee spots, or testing the menu at the latest restaurant to pop up on his radar.

Formal qualification includes a Graduate Diploma in Chartered Accounting, Chartered Accountant (CAANZ); a steady hand in our fast-moving field.

Joe Collins

Joe makes focus look effortless and precision feel second nature. Joe approaches accounting like everything in his life, with quiet discipline, clear thinking, and a drive to do the work properly.

As a part-time accountant at Simmons Partnership, Joe works closely with clients to ensure their numbers aren’t just balanced; they’re understood. He’s clear and methodical and never cuts corners.

Joe doesn’t slow down when he’s off the clock; he just changes gear. A competitive Surf Ironman, he trains and competes in the Iron Series and World Ocean Series, balancing early mornings and elite-level effort with a growing career in accounting. It’s a rhythm that requires serious commitment and one that speaks to his character: driven, focused, and quietly inspiring to those around him.

His formal qualifications include a Bachelor of Business (Accounting).