Bentleys adds Knight’s accounting business to network in WA

Professional services network Bentleys has added the accounting division of Perth-based firm Knight to its fold, pushing it closer to the top ten largest organisations of its kind in Australia.

Knight, which will maintain its own branding, was established in 1971 and is led by CEO Simon Howard, while Heather Moore heads up its accounting and tax practice alongside a team of around 15 directors and managers.

Meanwhile, the Knight addition expands Bentleys headcount to around 750 professionals across 14 member firms in Australia and New Zealand, who collectively generate revenues of more than $130 million as the nation’s twelfth largest provider.

“We are delighted to welcome Knight to the Bentleys Network,” said national CEO Tony Sacre. “Their commitment to providing exceptional service and their strong local presence align perfectly with our values. Together, we will continue to deliver outstanding outcomes for our clients, leveraging the strength of collaboration within our expanded network.”

Now based in Subiaco, Knight started life as Cruikshank, Nissen & Associates in Fremantle, evolving over the years as it added further financial services offerings until finally adopting its current name in 2020. Moore joined the business as an accountant in 2012 after a five-year career start at Deloitte in Dublin, steadily working her way up until her current appointment in 2022.

“Joining the Bentleys Network is an exciting opportunity for Knight,” Moore stated. “Knight will remain wholly WA owned and run by shareholders who work in the business, and our clients will continue to deal with the same team they trust. But now we have the added benefit of access to a broader range of resources and expertise, which will ensure that we remain dedicated to our clients’ success.”

Both parties cited the addition as signalling the next phase of their growth, with Knight to not only gain access to Bentley’s Australia-wide network of expertise but also benefit from its international alliance with Allinial Global, one of the world’s largest accounting associations covering more than 100 countries.

For Bentley’s, the firm says the latest move further extends its capabilities and reach.