Putting relationships first for more-than 30 years

WITH three decades of experience looking after their clients, accounting and business advisory practice Chris Packer and Associates took out the top honour at the Federation University Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards.

They were named Federation University Business of the Year at last week’s gala dinner, having won the Professional Services Business honour earlier in the night.

Chris Packer and Associates’ director Chris Packer said he was surprised and humbled at the result.

“I was a little bit shocked actually, I wasn’t prepared for that one and had no speech ready,” he said.

“Very, very grateful to be in the company of that sort of prestigious award, it’s amazing.

“To be awarded that level of acknowledgement is just amazing for us.”

Mr Packer started the company in 1993 with a focus on relationships, integrity, quality and innovation.

“I established the practice 31 years ago and the reason I did that was because I didn’t want to work for anyone else,” said Mr Packer.

“It was all about building relationships, so yes we’re accountants, yes it’s about technical stuff, but the whole reason we exist is to create good relationships with our clients.”

People and performance manager, Lindy Packer said she, her husband and their staff felt supported by the business community on the night.

“We are immersed in our Ballarat community and not only the business sector but a range of community sectors and not-for-profit organisations that we support, particularly around those who are vulnerable,” she said.

“There’s some amazing people in that room that join together and have a hand in hand approach, a partnership, that I think we need to have between businesses in the community.”