How an integrated advisory approach turned stress into strategy.

The Challenge: Finding proactive, connected advice
Safety Management Solutions is a specialist consulting business based in New South Wales, delivering workplace safety and compliance solutions to clients across Australia. Despite a strong reputation in their field, the business owners were frustrated by the lack of strategic insight and continuity from their former accounting firm.
They felt they were being treated as “just another small client” — pushed to junior staff who didn’t understand their business or priorities. With the end of the financial year approaching, they needed an adviser who could take control of their tax position and look at the bigger picture.
I remember feeling stressed and concerned about what we would do, given that the tax year had just finished. Then I was referred to Melissa Healy at DFK Everalls. During that first call, she simply said: ‘Would you like us to take care of your tax?’ I immediately felt a sense of relief. It was a breath of fresh air to have someone take that worry away from me.
Fiona Hickinbotham - Operations Manager - Safety Management Solutions
The Everalls Approach: Unlocking financial potential through clarity and structure
When Safety Management Solutions first came to us, our goal was clear — to help them unlock their financial potential by rebuilding strong foundations for growth. Their previous systems weren’t giving them the visibility or confidence they needed, so we took a holistic approach to connect every part of their financial picture.
For Safety Management Solutions, our work centred on four key areas of our broader “Unlocking Financial Potential” framework — Make it, Grow it, Protect it, and Enjoy it. These pillars guided how we helped transform their business and financial confidence.
Make it – Start strong
We began by reviewing their business and personal financial structures to ensure they were tax-effective, compliant, and flexible for future growth. We streamlined bookkeeping processes and introduced cloud-based reporting tools to improve visibility and cashflow control.
Grow it – Build momentum
With stronger systems in place, we worked with the directors to align business performance with their personal financial goals. Through structured planning sessions, we focused on profit improvement, tax efficiency, and reinvestment strategies — creating a roadmap for sustainable success.
Protect it – Safeguard what matters
We helped put in place asset protection and insurance strategies to strengthen the business and reduce risk. This gave the owners confidence that their hard work was secure and their business could grow without unnecessary exposure.
Enjoy it – Connect business and life goals
As the business matured, the next step was to ensure the owners’ personal wealth strategy matched their business success. That’s when we introduced Everalls Wealth Management (EWM) to help them plan for the future — seamlessly linking business, tax, and personal financial goals.

The change process was seamless. For the first time, we could see how the business, personal finances, and future goals all connected.
Fiona Hickinbotham - Operations Manager
There are so many areas of life that cause stress, particularly when you’re running a small business. It’s a relief to have complete confidence that one of the most important areas of our lives is being handled so well by DFK Everalls.
Fiona Hickinbotham - Safety Management Solutions

We’d been so impressed with how our business and personal taxation was being managed that we wanted DFK to look after our financial advice too. The joined-up approach made everything simpler and more effective.
Fiona Hickinbotham - Operations Manager
Broadening the Partnership: Connecting business and personal wealth
When the team at Safety Management Solutions experienced the impact of an integrated accounting and advisory approach, they wanted that same clarity across their personal finances.
In 2021, we welcomed them into Everalls Wealth Management, where our Director Bob Chen developed a tailored wealth strategy designed to build and protect their personal prosperity.
Working closely with our accounting and advisory teams, EWM provided:
- Superannuation and investment strategies aligned with their business goals.
- Cashflow and savings optimisation to improve personal liquidity and security.
- Insurance and risk reviews to safeguard their family’s financial wellbeing.
- Long-term retirement and wealth-transfer planning for future peace of mind.
By connecting all areas of advice — business, tax, and wealth — we helped the directors make smarter, more confident decisions. They now have one cohesive plan that aligns their business success with the lifestyle and legacy they want to create.
The Results: Confidence, growth and alignment
For the business
Safety Management Solutions now operates with a clear financial framework, accurate forecasting, and a consistent advisory rhythm. Their structure is more efficient, their tax outcomes optimised, and their business decisions supported by expert insight.
The directors have more time to focus on clients and growth, knowing that their financial affairs are in trusted hands.
For the individuals
Through Everalls Wealth Management, the owners have achieved several long-term personal financial goals earlier than expected — a direct result of the integrated, strategic approach.

A Trusted Partnership for the Long Term
The relationship between Safety Management Solutions and DFK Everalls has evolved from a reactive tax engagement into a proactive, strategic partnership that delivers clarity, structure, and peace of mind across every aspect of their financial life.
Today, with both DFK Everalls and Everalls Wealth Management working in unison, Safety Management Solutions can look to the future with confidence — supported by a team that truly understands how business and personal wealth intersect.
From our initial contact with Melissa to the ongoing support and guidance received from the team, we’ve found them all to be professional, knowledgeable and understanding of our requirements. No question has been too difficult to answer, and the responses have been invaluable to our continued business success.
Fiona Hickinbotham - Safety Management Solutions



