Bentleys checks in with eleven-strong partnership class

Accounting and advisory network Bentleys has checked in with its latest cohort of senior leaders six weeks into their new roles, with altogether eleven professionals promoted to partner and director.

The 2027 financial year round saw Matthew Brunato, Max Kim, Joel Totani, and Chris Argyriou become partners at Bentleys in Adelaide, while Scott Field and Nicole Black have stepped up in Queensland and Cathy Stewart was made partner in Victoria.

The network’s New South Wales branch also elevated four new directors, the local firm’s equivalent to partner; Andrew Bertoia, Mark Blackstone, Michael Senchenko, Donovan Odendaal, the latter who was among those to describe what the new role meant to him.

“For me, it’s more about a deeper commitment to the clients, colleagues, and firm I have been privileged to support over the past four years. I’m excited by the opportunity to help shape our future and support the continued growth and success of those around me,” Odendaal said, having joined the firm’s audit division in 2022 from Rothsay with two decades of experience.

For Odendaal, much of that was attained in South Africa, while his other new director colleagues in NSW bring a variety of backgrounds. Blackstone has been with Bentleys for almost two decades alone, providing business services across a wide range of sectors, while Senchenko joined in 2010 after seven years between Pitcher Partners and affiliate Baker Tilly in Australia and the UK.

“What excites me most about becoming a director is the opportunity to bring a fresh perspective to the firm’s strategy, leverage my experience to strengthen client relationships, and foster an authentic environment which encourages personal growth and collaboration between colleagues in our Sydney office and broader Bentleys network,” Senchenko said of his elevation.

Those colleagues include the three new senior leaders in Queensland and Victoria. Here, Stewart serves as managing director for the latter’s ‘regional’ practice, having joined from Kelly + Partners last year. Brisbane-based business advisory and tax duo Field and Black have on the other hand been with Bentleys for almost two and half decade and two decades apiece.

“What excites me most about the partnership is being part of a team focused on driving growth which leads to shaping the future of the firm, particularly in regional Victoria, by working closely with our valued clients in achieving their business goals as well as encouraging our teams to achieve their true potential,” stated Stewart, who is based out of Bentley’s Woodend branch.

In Adelaide, Argyriou has been with Bentleys for more than two decades, while his fellow new partners have each spent between a decade and a decade and a half at the firm, Brunato and Totani both joining respectively as audit and accounting graduates in 2013, and Kim bringing close to five years of experience from BDO and PKF before crossing to the firm at the start of 2016.

Speaking at the time of the eleven partnership promotions in July, Bentleys stated: “These appointments reflect our belief that investing in our people is the surest way to invest in our clients. Each new partner brings deep expertise and a passion for making a difference, and their growth to this level of leadership is a testament to the exceptional talent within our network.”