Get to know Carey Group

The Carey Group had its foundations back in 1951 when Brian Carey first joined the accounting and audit practice of Larry Kelly in Ingham, taking over the management of the firm. Brian was joined by his eldest sons, John and Robert, and the company was renamed BJ Carey and Company and continued to grow. In 1988 Brian’s son Joe joined the family business.

In 2002, the Townsville Office was opened as well as the introduction of Financial Planning and Self-managed Super Fund Administration services. The firm began to trade under the names of Carey Accountants, Carey Financial and Strategic SMSF from 2006 on wards.

In early 2016 the firm completed a restructure and commenced operating as the Carey Group of Companies, offering services in Accounting, Audit, Financial Planning, SMSF and Business Services.

In September 2017, the firm acquired Shirvington Partners with offices located in Cairns and Malanda, extending its presence throughout Northern Queensland.

In 2019 the newly renovated Townsville office opened, which is now the central point of the Carey Group company, housing staff from all of our teams. This year also saw Matt Thomson join the firm as CEO & Managing Partner.

We celebrated our 70th year in business in 2021, as well as more growth within the company. Carey Thomson Consulting was  established to offer Business Advisory services, and our new Brisbane office officially opened.

Carey Group also had two new mergers in 2021, the first being with Indigo Financial Services. Indigo staff now work with our financial planning team in our Townsville office. Towards the end of 2021, Barrier Reef Accounting also merged with Carey Group. Barrier Reef Accounting’s partner Greg Stanton was introduced as a Carey Group partner, and his team now works in Cairns, broadening our exposure in Far North Queensland.

The current firm not only continues the family business tradition, but seeks to provide the expertise and technical infrastructure of a contemporary accounting and financial services firm, while still maintaining the traditional values of personalised service and advice to its diverse client base.