A Bit About Jacqui

To Jacqui, managing money comes as naturally as the phone calls she fielded in her family kitchen at age 10 where she would take customer bookings for her family’s plumbing business. The ‘job book’ was her responsibility and one she took very seriously, painstakingly ensuring every booking was accounted for and complete.

At her grandparent’s house, she was immersed in their building business and grew up fascinated by her grandmother’s large, roll-top desk with its myriad of papers and log books - a trove of business secrets and stories. It was very clear, to her, that someone had to be ‘across the details’ in business and that, more importantly, ‘everybody needed an accountant’.

At just 14, she wanted ‘a real job’ and convinced a family friend to hire her for nightshifts at their retail store. The store was so far away that it took her longer to travel there than her actual work hours, but at $5 an hour, she was hooked on making money and more importantly - organising, managing, looking after, and preserving it.

Throughout her studies, working in diverse environments - from cafes to Ikea - saw her absorb as much learning as she could about diverse aspects of running a business. Likewise, her entry into a ‘real’ accounting firm saw her work across every aspect of accounting - including auditing and tax - as she progressed towards her chartered accounting qualification.

She soon graduated to one of the Big Four where she immediately did what Jacqui always does - challenge the paradigms of those around her. On one particular afternoon while out to lunch with her male colleagues, she accepted a dare (and $50) to wear pants and not a skirt back to the office. Returning to work wearing a stylish pair of slacks, she challenged the firm to rewrite their dress code (which they did) and to take her ambitions seriously (which they also did).

It was on level 29 where she was asked by one of the ‘big bosses’ where she saw herself in five years' time. To Jacqui, the answer was obvious - the private client team. Very quickly, even Partners were coming to her for personal tax advice and she’d developed a powerful niche.

After two highly successful decades as a full services executive, including as Head of Clients and Brand, Jacqui went on to co-found Maxima Private - a boutique accounting and advisory firm - and through their virtual Family Office program helps families manage, grow and protect their wealth. Jacqui’s consulting business is where she focuses on her trusted advisor role for boards and families.

As a trusted advisor to Australia’s wealthiest families and their businesses, Jacqui helps individuals navigate their financial future with confidence. For many of her customers, money is a complex world of relationships and expectations. She takes the emotion out of finance for those ‘too close to it’; ‘too busy’ or simply ‘too confused’. She’s unafraid of the difficult questions and of saying no. She’s a trusted advisor; a truth-sayer; a conscience and a confidant.

In 2023, Jacqui plans to launch her book, Stop Worrying About Money, as a vehicle for sharing the deep experience and insight gained from 30 years of helping people to manage their money so that it doesn’t end up managing them!

She’s sharing her journey, wisdom, and advice with everyone who’s ever worried about money. Why? It’s simple - because ‘everybody needs an accountant’ and Jacqui is on a mission to answer that need for everyone, including you…