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Meet Tom Hüberli - Principal, Business Advisory
Tom has worked with RSM since 2000 and has developed extensive experience in business consultancy and taxation.
In our latest Careers and Conversations feature, Tom shares his story about building his career at RSM, and how, although initially not the career he foresaw fresh out of TAFE, accounting has been a life-changer for him.
HAVE YOU ALWAYS LIVED IN ROCKINGHAM?
I’ve lived in Safety Bay in Rockingham for 15 years with my family. We love the beach and chose Safety Bay because, in our opinion, it’s one of the nicest beaches in metro Western Australia that is still affordable and an easy commute to the city and Fremantle.
I was born in Switzerland, but we migrated to Victoria when I was almost four years old. I did my graduate years in the RSM in Busselton office from 2000 to 2006. I then moved back to Perth and worked in the RSM head office for two years in our Risk Advisory and Corporate Finance teams. In 2008, I was moved to the Business Advisory team in the Fremantle office, where I still work sometimes. From May 2021, Rockingham became the main office I manage, and from January 2022, also Mandurah. We have great teams here and I am excited at the opportunity of working with them.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT LIVING IN ROCKINGHAM?
I like the casual feel of Safety Bay, Rockingham. Workwise, I prefer the community atmosphere much more than the corporate environment in the cities. It just feels a bit more real to me.
I also really like the region’s diverse landscape, including the beautiful beaches, national park with its amazing sea and wildlife, and the thriving industry and one of Australia’s largest defence hubs.
A serious supply chain of business exists around these assets in our region. This is obviously an area of great interest to RSM as a firm and in particular our Rockingham and Fremantle offices.
WHAT HAS WORKING IN A SMALL TOWN TAUGHT YOU?
Really just to be friendly, personable, and straight-up with everyone you meet. There are not many places to hide in small towns, so it’s important not to go burning bridges.
WHAT INTERESTS YOU ABOUT ACCOUNTING?
Originally, I wanted to be a fine furniture maker and did a pre-apprenticeship in cabinet making and carpentry but apprenticeship options in fine furniture were basically non-existent.
I went back to TAFE to do a business diploma and ended up doing the second year for an advanced diploma in accounting there. I then did my commerce degree at Murdoch University using the credits from my studies at TAFE.
In 2000, RSM took a gamble on a green tradie-to-be turned number-cruncher, and supported me in becoming a chartered accountant. I didn’t have your typical graduate resume, obviously, but they saw something in me, and it’s been life-changing.
WHAT’S A TYPICAL DAY LIKE FOR YOU?
I spend a fair bit of time on the phone, and corresponding with clients, business development partners, and RSM colleagues via email and social media.
I work through my emails in the morning and handle what I can early on. I then go through my list of things to do, prioritising and working my way through. I try to use lunchtime to meet with a potential client or referrer.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST OR MOST COMMON ISSUES THAT YOU HELP YOUR CLIENTS WITH?
Particularly with professional-practice client exposure, I spend significant time helping clients with director/shareholder events and transitions. I also deal with restructures for asset and tax planning outcomes. Outside of those things, I review a lot of tax work. I think talking to my clients about this and other things is one of the most rewarding parts of our roles.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR PEOPLE WHO MAY BE CONSIDERING MOVING TO A SMALL TOWN?
Get involved in the community. Workwise, go to chamber events and other local networking opportunities. Developing a niche skill or industry expertise that’s relevant to your local area is a great way of getting a competitive advantage in what can sometimes be a crowded market. But otherwise, just do a good job that you can be proud of.
