Ironbark expands advice footprint with acquisition

Ironbark Financial Group has acquired a Victoria-based multi-disciplinary firm that specialises in assisting small to medium sized businesses, integrating the practice into its Ironbark Advice brand.

Paris Financial has joined Ironbark, bringing over speciality across accounting, taxation, private wealth, risk protection, lending and self-managed super fund (SMSF).

The firm was founded by Noel Mannix and Bill Butler in 1978 under the name Butler & Mannix and rebranded to its current identity in 2003. Upon the transaction completion, Ironbark's Doncaster-based advice team has relocated to Paris Financial's office in Blackburn.

Paris Financial currently has nine partners, including Ken Burk; Oren Carswell; Beau Coyle; Hayley Crow; Andrea Dawson; Bec Fletcher; Catherine Frost; Emily Kermac; and Pat Mannix, as well as 28 staffers across different parts of the business.

Ironbark Financial Group chief executive Justin Greiner commended Paris Financial's track record.

"Paris Financial is a high-quality business with deep expertise, strong client relationships and a culture that aligns closely with Ironbark," Greiner told Financial Standard.

"Its addition to Ironbark Advice strengthens our accounting and advisory capabilities and supports our ambition to provide Australians with trusted advice and services throughout their financial lives."

He highlighted the acquisition is about creating a stronger advice platform to deliver better outcomes for clients by bringing together complementary expertise.

"Our priority throughout the integration will be continuity for clients and employees and preserving the qualities that make Paris successful. We are excited about what we can achieve together," he added.

Ironbark recently raised $256 million from Merchant Wealth Partners to execute its growth strategy in Australia, including the pursuit of a pipeline of acquisitions.