Charting Success: Darren Fissioli’s Journey with Thorntons
Born and raised in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, Darren Fissioli’s journey from a small-town upbringing to becoming a partner at Thorntons, a prominent Perth-based accounting and advisory group, is a testament to his dedication and passion for his profession.
Early life and education
Growing up in the Wheatbelt, Darren’s early life was influenced by his family’s business. “My dad was a Ford dealer, and I spent my formative years in Camden,” Darren recalls. His education took him to a boarding school in Perth, an experience that not only broadened his horizons but also helped him form lasting connections. “I made a lot of good mates that we still catch up with today,” he says, highlighting the importance of networks that extend into his professional life.
Career Beginnings and Joining Thorntons
Darren’s academic journey led him to pursue accounting, a field he was naturally inclined towards. “I always did well at maths and accounting at school, and it seemed like a natural progression,” he reflects. His early career saw him gaining valuable experience at a small partnership in Applecross, where he worked for five years before making a pivotal move to Thorntons in 2001.
Joining Thorntons marked a significant turning point for Darren. He recalls, “Thorntons was founded in the Camden co-op before moving to Perth, so that’s where the rural roots started and our niche in farming and primary production.” Darren added, “I’m from the Wheatbelt – my dad’s clients were farmers, and my mates were farmers. They’re good people and enjoyable to work with.”
Building and Evolving Thorntons
Over the years, Darren’s contributions have been instrumental in the firm’s evolution. He became an equity partner and director in 2008, a transition he describes as a “natural progression.” He explains, “Coming from a family that has been in business, I always saw the upside, the benefits, the flexibility, and the opportunities of having your own business.”
Darren’s vision for Thorntons has always been clear: to build on the firm’s strong client relationships and broaden the advisory base of the business while embracing new ideas and technologies. “The business always had strong client relationships that were generational. That was something that needed to be continued,” he emphasises, adding “The partners have worked diligently to bring new energy and ideas that shifted the firm’s focus from purely compliance work to a more advisory and tax consultancy role. The compliance side of the work was a bigger focus back then, and our focus was to do financials and tax returns and move on. Our approach today is a much broader and involved offering of planning, strategy, structure and advisory work.”
“We’re at our best with mid-size family businesses, particularly those contemplating generational change. Family relationships can be complex and working through them can be challenging. In these circumstances, a high level of trust is required for Thorntons to add-value and that can only happen when there’s a genuine personal connection. We want to add something to their businesses, their lives, their decision-making and their legacy.”
Greatest source of pride
After more than 15 years with the company, Darren’s greatest pride is the team at Thorntons, saying “It’s the key moments around the people that I remember and value most. We’ve grown and grown-up together. Watching Thorntons shape itself into what it is today and the people that have been involved in the journey, that’s where the memories and satisfaction lies.”
Looking forward, Darren said, “We’re always looking at how technology can impact our business and how we can create more value for our clients. We can’t predict the future, but we work hard to stay abreast of changes, developments and opportunities and we’ll always be straightforward, transparent and upfront.”
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Thorntons is an accounting and advisory practice to mid-size, family-owned businesses in Western Australia. We offer a fully integrated portfolio of financial, tax, succession, and estate planning services and have the experience to guide you through the complexity so that you can enjoy stability, peace of mind and certainty.
To discuss your individual business needs and find out if we might be a fit for you, please contact Thorntons at tp@thorntons.biz or call (08) 9421 1722.
