Shepard Webster & O'Neill Pty Ltd, Frankston Victoria

David Osborne - FCPA

David commenced his accountancy career with the firm Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, one of the largest accounting firms in the world. After 10 years gaining experience in all facets of accounting, tax and audit services at all stages up to Supervisor level, he joined Shepard Webster & O'Neill Pty Ltd in 1977. David practises mainly in the areas of small and medium business. He consults to companies, trusts, partnerships and sole traders in all areas of taxation. David is also the audit principal for the firm, responsible for the conduct of audits for a range of trading businesses, not for profits, and compliance audits for trust accounts of all types, government funding acquittals, and self managed superannuation funds.

David has been a member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants since 1977, with the present status of Fellow. He has also been a member of CPA Australia since 1986, also with the status of Fellow. Further qualifications as a Registered Company Auditor with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission, and a Registered Tax Agent with the Australian Taxation Office are held. He is a Director or Company Secretary of many client companies, and is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. 

In his time away from accounting David, who is married and has two adult children, has involved himself in areas such as:

• Army Reserve, where he held the rank of Major when he retired after 20 years service;
• Monash University Peninsula Campus, Faculty of Business & Economics, where he was Chairman of the Advisory Board for 9 years;
• Local Government, where he is the independent Chairman of the Audit Committees for both Frankston City Council and Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, both with turnover in excess of $100Million, and over 500 FTE employees;
• The Peninsula School, where he is a member of the Board of Directors, Deputy Chairman and Treasurer;
• Mornington Peninsula Business Council, where he was a Board member for 2 years.
• Southnet Business Centre, where he was a Board Member for 7 years, finally as Deputy-Chairman;
• Rotary, where he is a Past President and fifteen times Treasurer, and Paul Harris Fellow.

Mark Hosking - FCPA

Mark commenced his accountancy career with a city based firm Wallace McMullin & Smail (later to become Duesburys). After 7 Years experience in the accounting taxation section he joined Shepard Webster & O’Neill Pty Ltd in 1986.

Mark practises in the area of small to medium business - consulting to companies, trusts, partnerships and sole traders in all areas of taxation.

Mark is a member of CPA Australia with the status of Fellow, is a Registered Tax Agent, and also holds the office of Director and Secretary for a number of client companies.

Away from the office Mark is married with 3 Children, and is involved in the following areas:

• Rotary, where he is a member of the Rotary Club of Frankston Sunrise.
• Past member of the board of The Peninsula School (2 Years) and Peninsula Old Boys Association (15 Years)
• Member of Peninsula Country Golf Club (25 years) and The National Golf Club (10 Years) 

Nigel La Brooy - FCPA

Nigel was educated at The Peninsula School and obtained a Bachelor of Business at the Gippsland Institute of Advanced Education (now Monash University).

After a short period working in Melbourne as a Graduate Accountant, Nigel gained employment at Shepard Webster & O'Neill Pty Ltd in 1987 – preferring to establish his career on the Mornington Peninsula.

Nigel has been a member of CPA Australia since 1989 with the status of Fellow. He is also a Registered Tax Agent with the Australian Taxation Office.

Nigel practises primarily in the areas of small and medium business and consults to various types of entities including companies, trust, partnership and sole traders in all areas of taxation.

He is married with two sons and is also involved in other areas including:

• The Peninsula School – a member of The Board of Directors since 1996 and is currently Deputy Treasurer.
• The Old Peninsula School Association – member since 1983 and President for five years.
• The National Golf Club – member since 1998.
• The Peninsula Country Golf Club – member since 1988.
• The Peninsula Old Boys Football and Cricket Clubs.
• Past player and Treasurer at Baden Powell Cricket Club.

Greg Seers - FCPA

Greg studied at Monash University where he completed his Bachelor of Business majoring in Accounting. He joined Shepard Webster & O'Neill in January 1989 soon after graduating.

Greg spent the next eight years as an Accountant under the guidance of the senior partners Doug Perry and Bob Goddard.

He completed his CPA qualification in 1992 and was admitted as a partner in 1997.

Greg specialises in the small to medium business area and has clients across all different business sectors. He concentrates on taxation, management and finance.

Greg is married with two sons, and has interests including golf (member of Long Island Country Club), AFL (Essendon Bombers), gardening and thoroughbred ownership.

Greg Taranto – CA

Greg was educated at John Paul College and then completed a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) at Monash University. He commenced his accountancy career with a large ASX listed financial planning and accountancy consolidator and later joined Shepard Webster & O’Neill Pty Ltd in 2002. He was admitted as a partner of the firm in 2009.

Greg is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and a Registered Tax Agent. He practices mainly in the SME sector of the market, providing a range of services to privately-owned and managed businesses of varying kinds and sizes.

Greg focuses on providing practical advice and innovative solutions to address clients’ specific tax needs by maintaining close contact with business owners. His approach ranges from providing ongoing strategic advice through to the preparation of financial reports, compliance activities and tax planning.

Away from the office Greg enjoys soaking up the sun whether it be down at the beach or simply maintaining his garden. His other interests include water sports, travelling, and generally keeping fit. During the quieter periods he also finds time to ride his motorbike at the Phillip Island Racetrack.