Like many people, I actually fell into insolvency. I was completing a Certificate III in Business in Tasmania, and I had the option to join either the admin team or take on a professional role. I chose the professional side, and I’ve been in the industry ever since. That was about three years ago.

It’s such a niche area of accounting, and there’s always something new to learn, which is what keeps it interesting. Not many people outside the industry truly understand what we do, which makes it even more unique.

Tasmania is beautiful, but it’s also small! There is opportunity there, but I wanted a change. Eventually, I decided on Brisbane because it felt like the right balance, bigger than Hobart, with great weather and a friendly, community feel, but not quite as overwhelming as Sydney or Melbourne.

I moved in March last year, and it’s been such a great step. The insolvency community here is really supportive, and I’ve found a fantastic fit with the team at B&T Advisory.

Completing the first Small Business Restructuring (SBR) in Tasmania is something I’m really proud of. I ran that file myself, and getting it accepted was a big milestone.

Since then, I’ve worked on over 50 SBRs across Tasmania and Queensland, helping save companies more than $10 million. It’s incredibly rewarding to help businesses restructure, reduce their debt, and continue trading profitably.

Definitely helping companies continue to trade and keep people employed. When we can restructure a business so that both the company and its creditors benefit, that’s the best outcome. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about real people being able to keep their livelihoods.

My team has really helped me improve my mindset when dealing with stressful situations. I’ve learned to stay level-headed and solution-focused, to pause, think, and respond rather than react.

A lot of that comes from observing and talking to people with more experience. I regularly solicit feedback on how I handle challenging calls or difficult conversations. That’s helped me mature professionally and build confidence in my own judgment.

I’ve always been open to constructive feedback. I definitely don’t think I’m perfect! I’ve got a long way to go in every area of my career.

No one loves being told they could have done something better, but if that advice is coming from someone with 20 years more experience, I’d be silly not to listen. The more comfortable I’ve become in the industry, the easier it’s been to ask for feedback, even from people I don’t know well. You learn the most by being open.

Yes, The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday. It’s a collection of reflections on Stoic philosophy that has helped me stay grounded.

The main idea is that you can’t control everything, and you don’t need to. Focus on what you can control, and let go of what you can’t. That’s been really valuable for me, especially when juggling work pressures. It’s a good reminder to slow down, take a breath, and not let things outside your control weigh you down.

Khaled Shindy, shares his journey into insolvency, from his first start as an accounting graduate to helping companies manage debt with empathy and insight.

So, I was coming towards the end of my accounting degree, three to four years ago, and I was looking around at my options. I was leaning towards financial planning but somebody suggested looking into insolvency. My thought at the time was I’d help people make money… and now I’m at the other end, helping Companies and directors manage their debts.

I was referred to a small boutique firm, only about four people, which was really good because I got involved in all aspects of insolvency, both corporate and personal.

At the moment as I’m still going through my CA, I only have two more subjects left. So, there’s definitely light at the end of the tunnel. Then I’ll move on to the ARITA course after that.

In terms of the work that I do, I’d say just seeing people’s relief is an achievement. You see the stress they were under, and then you see it lifted. That’s a good feeling.

Empathy. Being a young graduate, you focus so much on the technical stuff, you want to make sure you understand everything as quickly as possible. But when you’re dealing with clients, it’s not just about the facts. It’s about understanding their situation and actually listening. Empathy is definitely something that’s helped my perception.

Yes, definitely. I’ve been reading a book called Lost Connections, by Johann Hari. It’s about understanding depression and the root causes of it. I’m still making my way through it, but in essence the author was medicated for depression and wanted to investigate what else might cause it beyond the medical side of things.

He talks about things like losing jobs, not having a meaningful job, or just being disconnected from people. I’ve actually applied some of that thinking to my day-to-day work. For example, if someone worked so hard to build a company but ends up in liquidation, of course they’re going to feel despondent and maybe a little bit hopeless. It helps me come at it from a more wholistic perspective.

Connecting what I was saying earlier about the importance of empathy and also learning through the book the different causes of depression and anxiety, from biology to society has started to really shape how I approach my work.

Steve Jardie, Manager at our Brisbane office shares how he came to insolvency after a career change and what keeps him in the industry. 

I made the decision to pursue an accounting degree later in life, and upon graduation, I actively applied for several accounting roles. The position I secured was in insolvency, and that’s where my career in the field began.

I was heavily involved in church work. A close friend suggested I do a Masters of Professional Accounting as a transition, with the idea we’d work together in an accounting firm while I continued my church commitments. In the end, he changed his mind, but I finished the degree and decided to keep going with the accounting.

That was in 2006–2007, when I was 46. I landed a role at a small Insolvency firm in Parramatta, Sydney. At the interview, I remember being really curious about the work that they did. I didn’t know a lot about insolvency at that particular time.

How did you make the move from Sydney to Brisbane?

As my parents were ageing, and my son was around nine, I wanted him to grow up closer to family, so we moved to Brisbane in 2019.

Initially, I thought I’d make the move to Brisbane and do something different, but it became clear where my skills and opportunities were.

I ended up working remotely for several years, before COVID made it the norm, and then moving back into an office role at the end of 2024 with B&T Advisory.

What professional achievement are you most proud of?

Gaining my CPA qualification at the end of 2016, at the age of 55.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of the work you do?

Achieving a good result in a challenging situation. Insolvency is often about sweeping up after a mess, but I find it very rewarding if we can secure a dividend for creditors, help employees with a claim, or support a director through a rough patch.

What have you learned from colleagues that’s made you better at your job?

Two things stick with me:
1. Every claim you make must have a basis in law. You can’t just write letters and make demands, you need to ground everything in legal principle.
2. You don’t have to know everything, but you do need to know how to find answers and use the resources around you.
Both of those gave me confidence and shaped my approach to the work.

Is there a book, podcast, or story that’s influenced you lately?

To be honest, recently I’ve been focused on my health. Earlier this year, I was diagnosed with a serious illness. Thankfully, I am responding well to treatment and have been really inspired by the remarkable technology available in healthcare.

It’s incredible, and that’s what’s inspired me most, seeing the treatment work so well.

The firm and the entire team at B&T Advisory have been incredibly supportive, which I’m very grateful for. Right now, managing my health while continuing my work is my focus.

Timothy Pope, Senior Manager at our Brisbane office shares how he got started in insolvency, what drives him, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

Like many of my colleagues, I didn’t set out to work in insolvency; I fell into it. During my tertiary studies, it wasn’t something I had considered or even knew much about.
I’d attended a lecture or two on the Corporations Act and read the occasional article in the paper, but it wasn’t on my radar as a career path.
The opportunity came up at a national firm in Brisbane while I was still completing my degree, and I seized it with both hands. I thought, “That sounds interesting, I’d like to learn more.”
I quickly found the work both rewarding and challenging, and I’ve never looked back. Eight and a half years later, I must be doing something right!

The achievements I’m most proud of are the successful restructuring turnarounds.

While some businesses inevitably close, the most rewarding outcomes are those where we manage to save them.

When we can help a business continue trading, implement a deed of company arrangement, and preserve jobs, customer relationships, and a tax-paying entity, it’s incredibly satisfying. The alternative, of course, is a full-scale shutdown.

There’s often a misconception, fuelled by the media, that insolvency practitioners are only there to shut down businesses, fire staff, and strip companies bare. What many people don’t see is the work that goes into turning a business around.

That’s where I believe my most significant professional impact lies and where I find the most meaning in my work.

What’s something you’ve learned from a colleague that’s made you better at your job?

A piece of advice from a former mentor has stayed with me: “Stay firm on the facts, but go easy on the people.”
Insolvency work often means dealing with highly emotional situations, some of the most stressful moments in people’s lives. No one starts a business intending to fail. Most people I’ve worked with have experienced something going wrong, such as overextending themselves or being blindsided by events like COVID-19.

Earlier in my career, I focused too much on the technical side, on what people had done wrong. But I’ve learned to consider the human side as well.

Watching how my mentor navigated tough conversations with directors, staff, and even spouses who sometimes called in, taught me a great deal. It’s something I try to carry forward in my conversations with business stakeholders today.

What is a book or podcast that’s influenced you most recently?

I’m not really a book or podcast person.

For me, film and television are more of an escape than a source of inspiration. Lately, we’ve been watching Department Q, which is fantastic. One Day was also great. There was also an Australian crime series on Netflix called Survivors, a great way to decompress after a long day.

I also try to watch as much AFL as I possibly can. And, though it’s a little embarrassing, my guilty pleasure is the reality TV show Below Deck. It’s entirely over the top, but it’s perfect for switching off… lol.

Meet Neil, our experienced insolvency specialist who brings real-world business experience to help struggling business owners navigate financial challenges.

 I was driven by a desire to help people who are struggling financially, particularly business owners. My dad had his own businesses that, for the most part, struggled and eventually failed. That experience really stayed with me. I wanted to find a way to support others going through similar challenges. Ideally, to help turn things around before it’s too late or, if not, to help them get through the process as quickly and painlessly as possible.

I came to accounting quite late. I didn’t start university until I was 27 and didn’t get my first accounting job until I was 32. Before that, I worked in factory jobs and construction and later moved into hospitality, doing everything from washing dishes to managing restaurants and bars. That hands-on, frontline experience gave me a solid understanding of how businesses operate and how financial stress affects real people.

Eventually, I moved into business advisory and found my feet in insolvency. It felt like a natural progression, combining practical experience with a genuine desire to help. That real-world perspective has really stood me in good stead.

Passing my Registered Liquidator exams. I’m now on track to become a liquidator and just need to submit my application.

Once you discovered insolvency, was becoming a liquidator always the goal?

Yes. Once I understood what the work involved and how it operated, it really clicked for me.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

People are usually stressed, emotional, and overwhelmed when they come in. Some don’t fully understand the severity of their situation, and others know exactly how bad it is, which makes them even more anxious. The most rewarding part is helping them find a path forward. Often, there’s a moment of relief when they realise things aren’t as hopeless as they feared. Or even if it is bad, they have options. That shift, where you can see the relief wash over their face, is incredibly satisfying. And many of them say it out loud too. That means a lot.

What’s something you’ve learned from a colleague that’s made you better at your job?

Listening more than you talk. That’s number one. And really paying attention not just to what people say, but also to what they don’t say. You can learn a lot about their situation or their business by picking up on the gaps. Then you gently ask the right questions to get to the heart of it.

Sometimes, people just need to vent before they’re ready to deal with the real issues. Letting them speak, giving them that space, is important. I’ve learned how to do that better over time.

How have you developed that skill of knowing when to listen and when to speak?

It’s definitely been a process. A lot of it comes from experience. As I mentioned earlier, I worked in hospitality for years, everything from back-of-house to managing front-of-house. That taught me a lot about reading people, staying calm, and not taking things personally. You learn to listen without reacting, to stay focused, to be empathetic, but still get your point across. It’s a skill; like any skill, it improves with practice.

Has anything recently influenced your approach to work or life, such as a book, podcast, or something else?

Yes, a book called Unf#ck Your Brain* by Faith G Harper. I read it last year and found it really useful. It offered great advice on how to deal with other people, manage yourself, and navigate personal relationships. The insights really stuck with me and I’ve definitely been applying them in work and personal life.