Our Team – Mark Tumbers – Linda Kowalke – Kim Cousins – Lea Porter – Dael Hennessy - Amanda Taffe
Established in 1995 in St Ives, Sydney, Tumbers & Associates relocated to Maitland NSW in 2000. We service a client base located in the Hunter Valley, Newcastle, Sydney and various other locations throughout NSW. We are a small, client focused practice that provides affordable, expert accounting, taxation and business services to our clients who are typically family owned businesses, investors and self-managed superannuation funds.
Linda Kowalke - Principal
Linda is a Registered Tax Agent. She has over 25 years in local accounting firms and joined Tumbers & Associates in 2012. Linda assists and advises our clients with respect to their business and compliance requirements. She uses a range of cloud-based systems, including Xero, XPM, Reckon, MYOB, QuickBooks, Dext and Hubdoc to prepare Activity Statements, Financial Statements and Tax Returns.
Linda is also a Justice of the Peace and prior to working in the Accounting and Finance industry Linda worked as a scientific officer of vaccine production.
Qualifications and Accreditations
Linda is also a Justice of the Peace and prior to working in the Accounting and Finance industry Linda worked as a scientific officer of vaccine production.
Qualifications and Accreditations
- Masters of Commerce (Professional Accounting) - UNE
- Diploma of Financial Planning
- Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning
- Registered Tax Agent
- Member of Institute of Public Accountants
- Xero Advisor Certified
- Justice of the Peace
- Bachelor of Science Degree majoring in Biology & Chemistry - UON
Mark Tumbers
Originally from Muswellbrook, Mark completed a Bachelor of Commerce at Newcastle University whilst working with Coopers Lybrand (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) at offices in Singleton & Newcastle.
After graduating in 1982 Mark spent 2 years working for multinational oil and computing companies before rejoining Coopers & Lybrand in Sydney, becoming a Director of their Business Services division.
Mark established his own practice in 1995 to use his large accounting firm experience to provide a more personalised, focused service to small business clients.
Qualifications and Accreditations
After graduating in 1982 Mark spent 2 years working for multinational oil and computing companies before rejoining Coopers & Lybrand in Sydney, becoming a Director of their Business Services division.
Mark established his own practice in 1995 to use his large accounting firm experience to provide a more personalised, focused service to small business clients.
Qualifications and Accreditations
- Bachelor of Commerce Degree
Kim Cousins
Kim is a Certified Practicing Accountant and has over 25 years’ experience in the Accounting and Finance industry, focusing mainly on business services and tax compliance. Kim joined Tumbers & Associates in 2005 and specializes in business, taxation and Self-Managed Superannuation Fund (SMSF) advice. She provides our clients with trusted information helping them clearly understand their financial position and reach their business goals.
Using the latest cloud SMSF software, Kim records transactions, prepares Financial Statements, Tax Returns and other compliance documentation. With her Diploma of Financial Planning Kim assists our clients with the professional advice needed to set up and maintain a compliant SMSF.
Before joining our team Kim worked for a local mining company in the Management and Financial Accounting department.
Qualifications and Accreditations
Using the latest cloud SMSF software, Kim records transactions, prepares Financial Statements, Tax Returns and other compliance documentation. With her Diploma of Financial Planning Kim assists our clients with the professional advice needed to set up and maintain a compliant SMSF.
Before joining our team Kim worked for a local mining company in the Management and Financial Accounting department.
Qualifications and Accreditations
- Bachelor of Commerce Degree majoring in Financial Accounting – UON
- Diploma of Financial Planning
- Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA)
- Xero Advisor Certified
Lea Porter
Lea has over 28 years’ experience in bookkeeping, including more than 23 years working in accounting firms. She joined Tumbers & Associates bringing extensive knowledge across bookkeeping, payroll, BAS preparation and business administration.
Lea has significant experience working with non-profit organisations, churches, primary production, trades, sole traders, small businesses and provides clients with reliable and efficient bookkeeping support.
Lea is experienced in cloud-based accounting systems including Xero and assists clients with their day-to-day bookkeeping and BAS requirements.
Qualifications and Accreditations
Lea has significant experience working with non-profit organisations, churches, primary production, trades, sole traders, small businesses and provides clients with reliable and efficient bookkeeping support.
Lea is experienced in cloud-based accounting systems including Xero and assists clients with their day-to-day bookkeeping and BAS requirements.
Qualifications and Accreditations
- Xero Advisor Certified
Dael Hennessy
Dael joined Tumbers & Associates in 2019 and is a valued member of our team. She assists clients with bookkeeping, payroll, BAS and IAS preparation, and general business compliance requirements.
Dael has strong experience in administration, ATO and ASIC processes, and cloud-based accounting systems including Xero, Dext and Hubdoc. Her attention to detail, organisational skills and client-focused approach assist clients in keeping their records accurate and up to date.
Dael provides support across a wide range of accounting and bookkeeping functions and is committed to delivering efficient and reliable service to our clients.
Qualifications and Accreditations
Dael has strong experience in administration, ATO and ASIC processes, and cloud-based accounting systems including Xero, Dext and Hubdoc. Her attention to detail, organisational skills and client-focused approach assist clients in keeping their records accurate and up to date.
Dael provides support across a wide range of accounting and bookkeeping functions and is committed to delivering efficient and reliable service to our clients.
Qualifications and Accreditations
- Diploma in Accounting
- Xero Advisor Certified
Amanda Taffe
Amanda joined Tumbers & Associates in 2024 and is often the first point of contact for our clients. She provides assistance with administration, bookkeeping, ATO and ASIC compliance, and general client support across a range of accounting and taxation matters.
Amanda has a strong attention to detail and is developing extensive knowledge in bookkeeping, taxation and business administration. She works closely with the team to assist clients with maintaining accurate records and meeting their compliance obligations in an efficient and professional manner.
Amanda is experienced in Xero and cloud-based accounting systems and is committed to providing friendly and reliable support to our clients.
Qualifications and Accreditations
Amanda has a strong attention to detail and is developing extensive knowledge in bookkeeping, taxation and business administration. She works closely with the team to assist clients with maintaining accurate records and meeting their compliance obligations in an efficient and professional manner.
Amanda is experienced in Xero and cloud-based accounting systems and is committed to providing friendly and reliable support to our clients.
Qualifications and Accreditations
- Currently studying double major in Bachelor of Business and Accounting/Financial Planning
- Currently studying Certificate IV in Bookkeeping
- Xero Advisor Certified
