Pitcher Partners names new partners as audit practice expands

Pitcher Partners Sydney is bolstering its auditing capacity with two key partner appointments, as the firm looks to cater to clients seeking alternatives to the big four accounting firms.

Newly appointed audit partners Maya Sutanto and Nathan Balban add more than five decades of audit and advisory experience to Pitcher Partners’ Sydney firm.

Ms Sutanto has worked in the automotive sector for more than 20 years, including more than a decade at United States-based accounting and consulting firm Crowe LLP, while Mr Balban brings more than 25 years of experience in providing audit and assurance services to consumer businesses, retail and manufacturing clients at PwC and Deloitte.

Pitcher Partners Sydney Managing Director Adam Irwin said the firm was making a strategic investment in its audit practice to meet the growing need for assurance services in the middle-market.

“We are seeing a fair bit of movement at the moment,” Mr Irwin said.

“There is a general expectation that people want more from their audit partners, including access to the sound advice that comes with having access to senior personnel and their expertise.”

“There’s an increasing awareness among clients that they derive more value when a firm has a collaborative, hands-on approach.”

“It’s a real strength of Pitcher Partners that you have the assurance of dealing with partners and people who really understand your business.”

Ms Sutanto said she was particularly excited to leverage her international expertise to enhance Pitcher Partners’ automotive audit offering.

“One of the things I hope to bring to the table is my technology focus,” Ms Sutanto said.

“Technology helps to complete audits quicker, it can be a very good teaching tool, and from a consulting perspective, an internal audit platform can really leverage the data you can get from a dealership.

“It’s powerful information and with data analytics we can optimise a dealership’s operations.”

For Mr Balban, it was Pitcher Partners’ client service ethos and culture that attracted him to the new role.

“I’m passionate about working with middle-market and private family businesses and see Pitcher Partners as a leading brand in this market,” he said.

Commenting on recent trends in the retail and consumer business sector, Nathan said, “clients expect a much more seamless and impactful customer experience across different channels, but the real key to an outstanding experience is personalisation.”

“Businesses are operating in increasingly complex environments, and I can help them navigate and find solutions to the different challenges and opportunities they are facing.

“If you are truly curious about a business and understand their challenges and ambitions, then you can provide the trusted advice clients need and drive more value for them.”

Ms Sutanto will join Pitcher Partners on April 2, while Mr Balban commenced at Pitcher Partners on March 5.