Royce Cross - Stoking the Engines of Success

Succession Planning

“I can thoroughly recommend HMcR.  They are a progressive, energetic team always looking for ways to improve their own business as well as their clients’.  Relationships are very important to HMcR and they never treat us like we are just a number.”
Phillip Cross, Director, Royce Cross Agencies

When Phillip Cross first took over his parent’s business, he did not have the same high level of knowledge of the business as Andrew Mattner of Hattam McCarthy Reeves.  But he quickly became aware of the significant contribution Andrew had made to the ongoing success of Royce Cross Agencies.

Royce Cross, Phillip’s late father, founded Royce Cross Agencies as a family business with his wife Christine.  Phillip entered the business straight from high school, but the management was always in the safe hands of Royce and Christine.  Over a 35 year period, Royce had developed a long and trusting relationship with Ed Reeves and that strong relationship continued to grow under the guidance of Andrew Mattner. 

Royce and Christine Cross recognised that a plan for succession needed a more urgent focus when Royce’s health became an issue.  While acknowledging that it should have been addressed much earlier, Andrew promptly set up a plan and structure to enable the viable succession of the business under Phillip’s leadership.  At the same time, Andrew made sure that Christine’s interests were also protected.

Andrew spent a lot of time with Royce and Christine, working out exactly what they wanted for the future of the business.  When those decisions had been made, Andrew put in place the legal framework to carry out their instructions.

Through a very difficult time for the Cross family, Andrew made everyone feel very comfortable and secure about the direction for the company.  Andrew’s compassion for the family and his vision for the future enabled him to gently guide them through a veritable minefield of business decisions in a very short period of time.

Working with Phillip now, Andrew continues to provide advice about the continuing growth of the business and the cash flow structures that have been established.  Andrew has initiated new systems and has made the transition very easy from one generation of the family business to the next.

A high level of trust has developed over many years between HMcR and Royce Cross Agencies.  Andrew Mattner has a relaxed way of working with the company, even being prepared to work from their home when necessary.  “Andrew sometimes just drops in for a chat and to see what’s happening”, said Phillip Cross.  “He has a knack of making you feel you are his No. 1 priority.”

Although Phillip has not worked with any other accounting firms, he knows he can trust his future to Andrew Mattner and HMcR.  Phillip’s trust runs right through the HMcR office.  When he needed to find a Tax file number urgently, Megan at HMcR was able to find it for him straight away.  Andrew’s quick response on minor matters and in answering calls to his mobile is always appreciated by Phillip.

In Royce’s day it was not considered necessary to seek business advice from an accountant, but Phillip Cross knows how important the regular contact with Andrew Mattner has been to the success and growth of his business.  With regular quarterly and end of financial year meetings, HMcR continues to deliver on both a personal and professional level.  As trusted friends, HMcR knows Phillip’s business inside out; knows what Royce would have wanted; and understands what Phillip is striving to achieve.

Without Andrew Mattner and HMcR’s advice, Phillip and Christine acknowledge that they could not have navigated the succession process with the same level of confidence for the future, nor could the expansion of the business have occurred as seamlessly.

To find out more about succession planning click here.

1. Conservation Tillage tax offset Geoff Hattam 20-May-2013