40under40 Winner - Martina Crowley

IRISH-BORN Martina Crowley decided to take control of her own future after her “great [Western] Australian dream” suffered a setback with the collapse in 2002 of her (then) employer, global accounting firm Arthur Anderson.

Undeterred, Ms Crowley, a senior accountant in the WA taxation division at the time, struck out on her own.

“The feeling of my future being determined by the actions of others was not acceptable to me,” Ms Crowley says.

She and fellow Arthur Anderson colleague Keith Johns co-founded boutique tax and business advisory firm KD Johns & Co.

Not only did the firm take off – achieving its budget for year three in the first year and growing from a staff of four to 12 – but Ms Crowley had also just given birth to her first child.

A critical part of the business’ success was establishing the business vision early– excellence in client service, employing the right people and being recognised as experts in their field.

As well growing the business and improving its capabilities, improving one’s own skills is something Ms Crowley says is very important in expert fields.

Ms Crowley has gone on to become a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants, has completed her tax masters, and presents professional and motivational seminars.   

She also puts her skills to use within the community and encourages women to remain in the workforce. She is the treasurer of her local childcare centre and has worked with other groups, including St John of God Light and the Starlight Foundation.