Members Profile

Name: Steven Thomas
Business Name: Thomas Service Holdings Pty Ltd
Address: 2/31 Ardgower Road, Noble Park, VIC.
PC: 3174
Mobile: 0432 686 499
Fax: 02-9607 8282
Email: servicerequests@thomasservices.com.au
Web Address: www.thomasservices.com.au

SELF
Q. Tell us something about you – your philosophy, your lifestyle, your ethics, your hobbies etc.
A. My philosophy about life is that it is not a spectator sport – join in. My lifestyle is very active and I am always keeping busy. Ethically, I am open and honest because I was brought that way from a young age. This is a credit to my parents who are very good people.

My favourite hobby is travelling, but I have a habit of going white water rafting when ever the weather and water levels are just right……..and who said accountants are boring?

BUSINESS DETAILS
Q. What is it that your business does?
A. Management Accounting and Advisory Services for Small and Medium businesses including micro and home businesses.

Q. Do you work from home? How many do you employ?
A. I work from home and a Melbourne CBD virtual branch office. I employ myself and a project accountant.

Q. How long have you been in business?
A. 15 months

Q. What makes your business unique?
A. I am unique in business because I am open enough to accept that other business have different perceptions of the same thing. One of the features about what I do is that I accommodate these different perceptions and work with them as opposed to being confrontational about them.

MARKETING
Q. What is the most important Marketing/Networking tool/strategy your business has had success with?
A. Networking with the Mega Networking and Referral Event was very important.

AWARDS
Q. Has your business been nominated for, was a finalist in, or won any awards or other commendations?
A. My business has not, but personally I won the Hays Accounting and Finance “Temp of the Year” for south east Melbourne in 2006.

ADVICE
Q. What is the most helpful piece of advice you could give to other businesses?
A. Get a mentor, but from outside your industry. This person will have more life experience than you will have.

SUPPORT
Q. What is it you are looking for as a member of MCEI?
A. I want to try and stir the pot and quash the perception that accountants are boring, selfish men in glasses and grey suits.

Q. What is it you can offer to MCEI members?
A. I can offer MCEI members an open and honest service that is committed to offering members value added solutions that enhance their business life on a recurring basis.

Q. How do you envisage demonstrating your support and loyalty to the association of MCEI?
A. I have already provided the Directors with a budget template my project accountant and I have been working on. Whilst it is not finished, the fundementals are already usable in the form of a macro driven MS excel spreadsheet. ( Jargon for an automated worksheet)

I was hoping that by going through with such a project, MCEI members would experience the quality of service I offer, and also gain access to interacting with me. Thereby developing ongoing and lasting relationships for business purposes.