From Suburban Beginnings to National Impact
On 1 April 2000, with one of Australia's most significant tax reforms looming - the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax - a small accounting firm opened its doors in suburban Adelaide. It wasn’t just any start-up. It was the beginning of what would become Moore Australia (SA/NT), launched with a bold vision: to help clients thrive in a changing world.
Founded by Grant Miles, Tim Sargent - both already partners in a smaller Adelaide firm - and a group of colleagues, the decision to align with a broader national network was driven by a simple question: how do we better serve growing clients? “We wanted to be part of a brand and a network that could match our clients’ ambitions,” says Grant Miles, now Managing Director. “We saw that mid-market businesses needed more than just annual compliance - they needed a partner for the journey.”
Early Hurdles: GST and an Industry in Flux
Launching a firm in the same year that GST was introduced might seem ill-timed, but for Moore Australia (SA/NT), it turned into a defining opportunity.
“The Australian economy was about to face its biggest tax change ever,” says Miles. “Businesses had to shift from annual to quarterly or even monthly reporting. Manual accounting just wasn’t going to cut it anymore.”
Recognising this, the firm stepped into a proactive advisory role. Clients were supported through the change not only from a compliance standpoint but with new tools and training that laid the groundwork for real-time data analysis. “It meant we could sit down with clients every month, look at live data, and talk about how to run their business better - not just how to lodge a BAS,” Miles says.
Whilst not without resistance, clients quickly saw the benefits of the new data. The approach set a foundation that continues to this day: real relationships, regular engagement, and meaningful insight.
Resilience in the Face of Crisis
Fast forward to 2020 the firm now has two well established offices in Adelaide and Darwin, but faces another major disruption - this time global. When COVID-19 swept through, Moore Australia (SA/NT)’s leadership made two things clear: they would protect their team and support their clients.
“We suspended director dividends to protect cash flow. But not one team member lost their job or saw a pay cut,” says Miles. “At a time when people were facing the greatest crisis of our generation, we wanted to remove as much pressure as we could, and ensure we looked after them as best we could.”
Clients were supported with similar empathy. The firm froze fee increases and, in a few high-risk sectors even suspended fees altogether. “And we didn’t lose a single client to administration during COVID,” Miles adds. “That’s something I’m incredibly proud of.”
From Ledgers to Live Dashboards
The accounting profession has transformed radically in 25 years. Manual books have been replaced by digital ecosystems. Cloud accounting, automated workflows, and data-driven advisory services are now the norm.
But technology is only part of the story. “The shift to live financial data has helped us educate clients - not just on what their numbers are, but what those numbers mean for decision-making. It’s allowed us to start playing a different, but much more effective part in their growth-journey,” says Miles. “It’s been game-changing.”
With clients primarily in the mid-market corporate space, the firm has carved out a reputation for strategic insight. “We’re not here for once-a-year compliance. We’re partners in growth.”
Culture at the Core
Ask what makes the Adelaide and Darwin teams tick, and the answer comes easily: the team. With over 100 staff across South Australia and Northern Territory, the firm has made a concerted effort to build not just capability, but culture.
“We’ve worked hard to be an employer of choice,” Miles explains. “We understand people have lives outside work. Work-life balance, flexibility, meaningful work - those aren’t just HR slogans for us. They’re how we operate.”
There’s also a strong sense of mutual care. “Whether you’ve been here a month or 25 years, your contribution matters,” he says. “And it’s not just about how we treat each other -it’s how we show up for clients, too.”
A Networked Future
Affiliation with Moore Australia and the Moore Global network has played a vital role in the firm’s evolution. Education pathways, global insights, and cross-border collaboration have allowed the SA/NT team to stay ahead of change.
“Our connection to the broader Moore family is key,” says Miles. “It’s how we keep learning, growing, and delivering the kind of service our clients need in an interconnected world.”
Looking Ahead: Opportunity in Change
As the profession faces a new era of disruption with AI, automation, and a growing talent shortage, Miles sees both challenge and opportunity.
“We’re not immune to the talent crisis, but we are proactive,” he says. “We invest heavily in leadership development, we embrace change, and we’re constantly exploring how technology can enhance - not replace - the human insight our clients rely on.”
Innovation remains central. “Whether it’s new service lines or new tools, we’re always thinking about how to help clients thrive.”
The Legacy Is Connection
Reflecting on the journey, Miles comes back to one core principle. “We’ve never seen ourselves as just accountants. From the start, we built this firm (now generating north of $15mn revenue) to be more connected - with our clients, with our people, and with the communities we serve.”
That philosophy, MOORE Connected, isn’t just a tagline. It’s how a small suburban firm became a trusted partner to businesses across Australia and beyond.
And after 25 years, it’s clear: the story of Moore in South Australia and the Northern Territory is just getting started.