Ainsley Coggins appointed as national chair of Accru
Ainsley Coggins has been appointed as chair of national accounting and consulting firm Accru, succeeding Tim Lane of the network’s Hobart office.
Accounting and advisory network Accru has appointed Adelaide-based tax & business services director Ainsley Coggins as its new national chair.
A two-decade veteran of the firm, Coggins replaces Hobart partner Tim Lane, who was credited with having guided the firm through the rocky Covid period. Accru is a member of MGI Worldwide alongside MGI Australasia, which are both among the country’s top-30 biggest organisations of their type.
An accountancy graduate of the University of South Australia with close to three decades of advisory and outsourced CFO experience under her belt, Coggins has been with Adelaide Accru member Accru Harris Orchard for more than twenty years, currently overseeing operations for a team of around 60 professionals and eight directors (partners). Accru has further outlets in Brisbane, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
“The Accru Group has always encouraged strong personal relationships, with many partners having known each other for more than twenty years,” Coggins said of her main objective as chair in an interview with MGI Worldwide. “Our continued focus on sharing ideas across the firms and involving the up-and-coming partners and managers will only strengthen and grow these relationships for the next group of leaders at each firm.”
In addition to steering the organisation through the challenges on Covid-19, Coggins also noted her predecessor’s time at the helm covered the transition period following MGI Worldwide’s 2019 merger with CPA Associates International, which created a top-20 global entity with a presence in more than 100 countries and combined revenues of around $1 billion. The CPAAI merger also created two MGI Worldwide members in Australia.
“My hope is to continue building on the relationships we have with other Australasian firms and find synergies where we can, to ensure that our region thrives within MGI Worldwide,” Coggins stated. The Australasian group has almost doubled in size thanks to the merger. We see this as a positive, with the opportunity to tap into a larger network in our own geographic areas and join forces where we can, to continue to keep the MGI name prominent.”
An award-winning firm
The Accru brand has also been prominent in recent weeks after once again being named winner of the Client Choice Award for best accounting & consulting firm in the $30 million - $100 million revenue bracket (Accru generated just shy of $50 million in its last financial year). A consistent performer in the annual awards, the firm also took home this year’s accolades for ‘most innovative’ and ‘best CX’ firm in the accounting and consulting category.
“This marks the 10th year we have been recognised with awards for being the best accounting firm,” Coggins stated. “What truly makes these awards special is that they are based entirely on feedback from our clients. Winning three awards this year is fantastic, and reflects not only the consistent approach that the Accru team takes towards client service but also the high levels of service we maintain in all of our work.”
