Space Architecture

Meryl Pearse is the owner of Space Architecture an innovative and creative architectural firm specialising in commercial and office fit outs. The company started in 2006 which was the metamorphosis of a previous joint business which started many years back, and has been a client of Grant Thornton’s since May 2006.

Meryl tells her story.

"At the time of becoming a client of Grant Thornton, Grant Thornton was a client of the old firm as we had been commissioned to do their office fit out. My previous partner and I were in the process of closing down the old firm which had an extra partner and reforming as Space Architecture. We found we needed a higher level of advice to manage this process, as the smaller accounting firm we were using did not have the level of expertise required. It seemed like a good idea to speak with Grant Thornton as we already had a good working relationship and they seemed to speak our language.

"Initially they helped us set up the new firm, registering the company name, setting up systems and doing all our basic compliance etc. In parallel they helped us in winding down the old firm, which in all took about 12 months. Closing down one business and setting up another can be challenging, particularly when partners are leaving the business outright and there is a need for sensitivity in handling the situation so the outcome is positive for all involved. Grant Thornton handled it all with discretion and diplomacy, making the transition easier than anticipated.

"Once Space was up and running Grant Thornton made sure we started our new business with the end in mind and facilitated a strategic business planning session. This was great as it gave us a chance to look back and see where we had been with the previous business and where we wanted to go with Space. We were impressed by how up to date they are with the latest information, industry regulations and so on and we know they won’t miss anything important. This session gave us peace of mind and a level of comfort that we had not felt before. As well as this we saw an immediate benefit of saving a lot of money in tax with government changes & the structuring of the business & our holdings in it.

"It’s nice to work with a firm that is hands on and who really take an interest in not only the business but in me personally as a business owner. I also like that they don’t have an agenda as an independent advisor, they call it as it is so you know where you stand. This can be hard to find in the business world.

"Two years on I see Grant Thornton as part of the team; they truly understand the business and I know I’m in good hands going forward."