Acis appoints new CEO Emily Pritchard
Acis has appointed Chief Legal and Operating Officer Emily Pritchard as CEO, as co-founder and current CEO Matt Neibling steps away from day-to-day executive duties following 36 years of service.
What do you do when a career in dentistry just isn’t floating your boat? You harness your inner entrepreneur and co-found Acis. […]
What do you do when a career in dentistry just isn’t floating your boat? You harness your inner entrepreneur and co-found Acis.
Matt takes the business of business structures very seriously. As a CEO, he understands risk and understands why getting it right every time isn’t a luxury – it’s a given.
His main day-to-day role is stress-relief:
“I reduce risk for professional advisers and save them both time and worry by ensuring they get the results their clients need, when they’re needed.”
Matt has led the Acis team since 1988 and, when he’s not building it as the Alpha dog of the industry, you can find him with his family – he may even be playing guitar badly on one of the Sunshine Coast’s gorgeous beaches.
When Emily says she thrives on leading a team who deliver exceptional products, expertise and customer service, with the perfect blend of tech and humans, she’s not exaggerating. As our Chief Legal & Operating Officer, she seamlessly integrates all teams and business units to bring strategic initiatives to life. With her collaborative approach and personable communication style, Emily ensures alignment and common goals among every member of Acis.
Emily is known for her exceptional legal acumen, attention to detail and in-depth product knowledge. Her expertise and pride in maintaining positive, trusted relationships has earned her high respect within her field and among the entire team at Acis.
Juggling her professional commitments and raising three children, finding time to relax is a rare treat for Emily. When she does, she heads to her favourite local beach for the day to soak up the sunshine and fresh air.
Known for his unashamed workaholic nature, Marcus’ responsibilities include ‘anything to do with dollars’. Following his five-year position as CFO at a SaaS company, we were excited to have him join the Acis team in March 2024.
In the role of group CFO, Marcus also takes charge of risk management, governance, and ensuring that the right questions are asked before important decisions are made. In addition, he’s an expert at helping the team solve customer problems related to contract terms, pricing, and payment arrangements.
As caretaker of the purse strings, some may describe Marcus as intense and even a little scary, but deep down he is a devoted family man who admits to being a complete pushover for his daughters. At the end of the workday, Marcus likes to head home knowing he’s made a positive impact and left things in a better state than when he started.
To say that Daniel lives and breathes technology is an understatement. He has a wealth of experience in the software development industry and has key strengths in business technology planning and software project management.
As Chief Technology Officer, Daniel manages the overarching technology strategy for Acis and the continual development of software to deliver optimal solutions for our clients. Never hampered by existing software limitations, Daniel sees his role as translating specific business needs into advantageous technological outcomes.
Daniel’s interests outside of tech include going to musicals and watching ice hockey. He secretly hopes that one day someone will release a musical about ice hockey. Keep hoping, Daniel!
As one of the key driving forces behind our ongoing success, Jackson Liu joined the Acis team in October 2023 where he is single-mindedly focused on driving revenue through strategic growth initiatives.
With diverse leadership experience under his belt, most recently serving as the Chief Commercial Officer at global SaaS business, Neota, Jackson is a strong advocate for building high-performance teams. The combination of his passion for embedding people, process, and culture into our company ethos, and a reputation for being a fair and rational leader, has resulted in Jackson securing his place as a respected member of the Acis team.
Despite being a personal trainer in his former life, the wisdom Jackson would impart with his younger self is, ‘Life is not a race!’ In keeping with this mantra and in his quest for perfecting work-life balance, outside of work you’ll find him staying active while listening to podcasts. But a win at work is never far from his mind and—perhaps predictably—a win at work for Jackson will always be summed up in one word: growth!
Widely acknowledged as a leader in his field, Peter has focussed on the superannuation sector for most of his 30-year career.
Peter’s role is to provide high level SMSF services to Acis clients, with a focus on reducing the risk of non-compliance in the establishment and operation of SMSFs.
A good day for him is when he and the team are able to show a client how to achieve something they thought may not be possible.
It surprised us to learn that Peter has a sideline interest as a qualified snake catcher. He says it’s a hobby he’s always loved, and he holds a unique status as the only non-veterinary contributor to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife’s report on the hygiene protocols for the care of captive snakes. By comparison, corralling any SMSF enquiries should be a walk in the park.
The fact that James can solve a Rubik’s Cube in under 11 seconds (with his eyes closed!) says a lot about his fastidious nature.
At Acis, James is focussed on making sure trusts and superannuation funds are aligned with current legislation, as well as ensuring they’re operating to deliver the greatest benefit to his clients. Formerly with CST Documents, James has been a part of the Acis crew since early 2018.
Out of office hours, James’ scrupulous personality is equally in force. If he’s not doing strenuous exercise he’s working on disproving Wile’s proof of Fermat’s Last Theorem (yeah, we don’t know what that is either!).
Clients often comment that Acis seems like a family, and this is no truer than in the case of Belinda.
Belinda has been with Acis since the mid-90s and now regards many of her clients as friends, always finding time for a catch up when they call in with queries.
She has worked across most of the Acis business, and with client satisfaction being paramount for Belinda, she now sits in the Legal and Client Services Team.
Rumour has it that she is also pretty serious about cuisine, and finds time to mix her loves of travel, wine and food with friends and family as often as possible. Do we get an invite, Belinda?
After six years of full-time university study—while simultaneously holding down casual warehousing gigs—Mitch landed at Acis in August 2023 as a bright and dedicated member of our Legal Services Team. His role revolves around diligently reviewing and restructuring trusts, SMSFs, and companies, ensuring that clients are alerted to any issues and remain informed of potential remedies.
Mitch’s knack for spotting client concerns and providing expert guidance make his contributions invaluable. Whether it’s unravelling trust deeds or informing new colleagues on Acis Legal processes, he approaches each task with precision and care. His favourite part of working at Acis? The people, who foster a culture of support and knowledge sharing.
When he’s not at work, Mitch can be found playing chess, honing his piano skills or solving Rubik’s Cubes. He’s also a passionate trivia buff with a particular interest in geography and history. Truly a jack of all trades, right, Mitch?
With prior in-house legal experience and a background in private practice as a law graduate, Maryam’s heart has always been set on being part of an in-house legal team. Along with her legal expertise, she brings cultural fluency as a multilinguist, so we were thrilled to welcome her to Legal Services Team in March 2024.
For Maryam, a win at work includes happy clients and learning something new every day. As an integral part of our dynamic legal team, Maryam’s main responsibilities revolve around drafting trust deed amendments, superannuation amendments, upgrading the governing law and handling superannuation secretarial work.
Outside of work, Maryam loves to unwind at the beach with her husband and their children, with the Sunshine Coast being her happy place. But what many people may not know about her is that she used to teach belly dancing. Rumour has it her colleagues are lining up to learn some moves.
Jarrod’s journey to the legal profession has been nothing short of extraordinary. Setting out on what some may see as an unconventional path, his perseverance and dedication have been unparalleled. From a Coles shelf packer to a HUMES concreter to a self-employed personal trainer to a customer service worker at Target, we’re excited that Jarrod found his way to his current role as Legal Services Officer at Acis.
A passionate Acis team player since March 2024, Jarrod has taken on the responsibility of amending trusts and funds, solving legal problems, and indulging in his love of learning. His unique talent lies in his unwavering perseverance, a quality that has propelled him past every obstacle and makes him a perfect fit for the hardworking culture within the legal team.
Outside of work Jarrod finds solace in fishing with his wife, nature and bird watching, and getting lost in a good book. As he continues to write the chapters of his life adventure, we expect that Jarrod’s ability to surprise and impress are far from over!
What happens when you love being an Acis client? You come and work with us, of course! That’s exactly what happened with Courtney. In her role as an Assistant Accountant for one of our wonderful clients, she liaised with our team regularly. Impressed by the positive interactions and efficient service, when she heard of an opportunity to join Acis, she jumped at it. And we’re very glad she did!
Now part of our Client Services Team, Courtney works closely with clients, responding to phone calls and emails and processing orders. She’s a stickler for double-checking every detail to ensure that orders are accurate and nothing is missed.
Courtney is a seasoned traveller with a long list of international destinations under her belt. With a love for new experiences, she’s always on the lookout for her next adventure.
Nicole, Client Services Officer at Acis, is more than just a registration specialist. She’s the maestro of client satisfaction. Nicole takes care of all the details, checking for any potential issues in orders and managing the process with lightning speed and pinpoint accuracy.
Acis clients love working with Nicole for her approachable nature and ability to find humour in even the most complex situations. She’s dedicated to leaving clients not only with a completed registration, but also with a positive and memorable experience.
When Nicole isn’t at work, she enjoys relaxing with a margarita and watching her kids play. And if you’re lucky, she might even show you her signature “running man” dance move. Oh, and did we mention her love for all things Elvis? Let’s just say she has a soft spot for the King.
Travelling around Australia for her husband’s job certainly has its perks, but now that Kath has found a home in the Acis Client Services crew, she doesn’t want to leave!
Kath spends her days efficiently processing client orders, registering companies and setting up trusts and funds. She commits herself wholeheartedly to delivering the top customer service for which Acis is known. On a weekend, if you can’t find Kath relaxing at home with hubby, family and friends and taking her dogs for walks on the beach.
Danni is all about prompt and accurate service, which she brings with a caring and thorough attitude. Danni looks after company statements, changes to company information and incorporating companies.
Previously with CST Documents, Danni joined the Acis client services team in 2018 when the businesses merged. She brings diverse and valuable experience, having previously worked with Corporate Affairs Victoria and ASIC.
Danni is a footy fanatic, and on weekends you’ll find her at the MCG or at Marvel Stadium watching her favourite football team.
Darascilla brings a wealth of experience to her position at Acis. Following a stint in the banking industry, she worked for a number of years at accounting firms where she developed her interest in company set-ups and structuring.
All this multi-faceted experience combines to make Darascilla a valued member of our Acis team where she expertly reviews Acis documents to deliver a first-class customer service experience.
When she has some downtime, she’ll either be engrossed in a real crime documentary or indulging her other passion for interior design.
Before finding her way to Acis, Enya had quite the eclectic professional journey. Honing her customer experience skills in roles that range from being a host at a day spa to exploring the realms of retail, she even ventured into the exciting world of the film industry!
We’re happy to say that Enya is now indulging in her discovered passion for administration at Acis, where customer satisfaction is her primary focus. A quick learner, she is at-the-ready to set up client orders for success and continues to master operational tasks to ensure a positive experience for our customers.
An entertaining yet thoughtful teammate, outside of work you’ll find Enya soaking up the sun at the beach, cuddling with adorable pets, enjoying live theatre, or indulging in Netflix marathons.
As a hidden talent —and with a penchant for rap (did someone say Fletty Wap?)— Enya comes from an acting background, having featured in a car commercial and represented Australia in an online monologue competition, the latter of which is still a favourite hobby. One thing we’re sure of, Acis customers will be hard-pressed to resist her stage presence!
Mick first joined Acis at the age of 18 and, apart from a few stints away travelling, he’s been an integral part of our team ever since.
With a decade spent in the Legal Services team, Mick has amassed an in-depth knowledge of Acis products and legal documents. This practical experience and technical understanding prove invaluable in his current position. He’s able to respond directly to new and existing client enquiries with efficiency and accuracy, providing an exceptional level of technical assistance.
Mick’s friendly, down-to-earth manner sees him build strong and positive relationships with Acis clients and industry contacts. He truly enjoys getting to know his clients and their firms, and his hands-on and personal approach instils confidence and trust.
Outside of work, when he’s not wrangling his young family, you’ll find Mick fishing, surfing or playing what he terms ‘Old Man Cricket’ with a team of mates.
Michael is in a class of his own when it comes to coaching best sales practices, fostering long-term strategic relationships and building solid partnerships. While these attributes make him the perfect fit for his role, his commitment to enhancing our clients’ overall experience of our solutions, are what really set him apart.
With eight years at MYOB under his belt, Michael embarked on a new adventure at Acis in March 2024, seeking personal growth and new leadership challenges. He dedicates his day to supporting our clients and ensuring their success by actively listening to their concerns, crafting effective solutions, and educating them on optimising Acis’ suite for smooth and efficient operations.
Described as friendly, chilled, and happy by those who know him, outside of work Michael unwinds with family, friends, and a good meal or a visit to the beach. At Acis he finds joy in the people, culture and, of course, our fantastic clients who—we can say with absolute confidence—are in very good hands!
Dale has more than three decades’ experience in the financial services industry including roles at a number of ASX-listed companies. At Acis, he’s constantly on the hunt to identify how we can help our clients build more efficient practices.
Dale’s personable nature enables him to form strong and positive relationships with clients, who value his professionalism and integrity. He was attracted to Acis mostly because people are always at the heart of the business.
Although he’s a diehard Richmond supporter, Dale’s biggest passion outside of work is horse racing – he actually owns a few promising Group One contenders. We’re sure he’ll shout the team drinks for any winners in the stable. Right, Dale?
A lifetime in the accounting industry seemed to have led naturally to Acis when Helgard joined the team as our Customer Success Manager. Helgard’s wealth of experience has seen him in roles across private practice, corporate accounting and e-commerce. He now focusses all that expertise on supporting Acis clients in building the value of their businesses and, in turn, the value of their client relationships.
Using his knowledge of the professional wealth management industry, Helgard is forging strong ties with Acis clients and ensuring they are making the most of our market-leading technology. His skills as an ambidextrous golfer will surely come in handy as he juggles Acis’ diverse client base.
With two young kids at home, Helgard keeps himself busy but he tells us he can “really” run 100 metres in 11 seconds *cough Mick*, so he has the energy to keep going.
Brooke has a pivotal role in the Acis Sales & Marketing team. She manages all aspects of the marketing and communication programme, and is the linchpin for our events, sponsorships and campaigns. A stickler for delivering a positive brand experience across all touchpoints, she works hard to ensure Acis clients understand everything they need to know about our products and services.
Prior to joining Acis, Brooke worked in marketing and event management roles for Australia’s highest awarded coffee roaster and a corporate hospitality group where she learned the importance of attention to detail and a ‘can-do’ attitude.
She also happens to be a first-class barista, a keen golfer and she loves a day out at the races. And here’s a fun fact: just like her famous namesake, Brooke also used to be a competitive swimmer.
The powerful tech that drives the Acis platform is designed, delivered and managed by our highly experienced IT team.
The efficient and reliable delivery of documents to our clients rests on the shoulders of our production team, who go above and beyond every day.
Acis has appointed Chief Legal and Operating Officer Emily Pritchard as CEO, as co-founder and current CEO Matt Neibling steps away from day-to-day executive duties following 36 years of service.
This session provides a comprehensive overview of key updates from the superannuation sector over the past six months, along with practical strategies to effectively support your clients.
Historical trust deed issues are on rise which can affect control, succession and tax outcomes, often resulting in costly disputes. As trusts grow in complexity, aligning amendments with original deed […]
Acis has appointed Chief Legal and Operating Officer Emily Pritchard as CEO, as co-founder and current CEO Matt Neibling steps away from day-to-day executive duties following 36 years of service.
This session provides a comprehensive overview of key updates from the superannuation sector over the past six months, along with practical strategies to effectively support your clients.
Historical trust deed issues are on rise which can affect control, succession and tax outcomes, often resulting in costly disputes. As trusts grow in complexity, aligning amendments with original deed […]