A relationship built to last generations

Navigating a complex inheritance with trusted continuity

Barry’s connection with King & Whittle stretches back around 60 years through his father, Don Zimmermann. When Barry’s father went into business for himself, King & Whittle became an important source of accounting and tax advice. Over time, the relationship deepened and became part of the family’s financial history.

Barry’s own direct relationship with the firm began around 2004, following his father’s passing. At that point, he and his sister inherited a relatively complex financial estate. Having advisers who already understood the structures, investments and history behind the family’s affairs made a significant difference.

“When my dad passed away, he had a reasonably complicated financial estate. King & Whittle understood all the workings of it.         That history and relationship were invaluable.”

Rather than starting again with a new adviser during a difficult time, the family was able to draw on decades of accumulated knowledge and continuity.

Advice that evolved with life stages

Barry spent much of his career as a rural veterinarian in South Gippsland before moving into consulting, education and various industry roles, including work with Dairy Australia. As his professional life evolved, so too did the complexity of his financial affairs.

Since the early 2000s, King & Whittle has supported Barry across a broad range of areas, including business and consulting structures, family trusts, self-managed superannuation, property investments, tax planning, inheritance and estate matters.

One example involved establishing a property and investment trust for assets inherited by Barry’s children. The structure enabled the family to manage those assets appropriately while the children were younger. Over time, as they became established in their own lives, the trust was wound up and the inherited funds were able to contribute towards purchasing their own homes.

For Barry, the value has been having advisers who can adapt their advice as circumstances change.

Creating the right structures

A recurring theme in Barry’s financial life has been ensuring that the structure around each investment or business activity is appropriate and effective. When considering property investments, for example, King & Whittle advised on the establishment of separate trust structures designed to provide asset protection, clear ownership and flexibility around the distribution of income. 

Barry describes himself as financially conservative. He wants to make informed use of legitimate tax planning opportunities, while remaining firmly within the rules, and that philosophy has shaped the relationship.

“I’m happy to minimise my tax, but I don’t want to take tax risks. King & Whittle understand that very well.”

Proactive tax planning, and accessibility when it matters

Barry particularly values King & Whittle’s annual tax planning process. Each year, the team reviews the income flowing across his various entities and works through the most appropriate way to distribute it. This is an important distinction. The relationship is not simply about preparing tax returns when they are due. It is about looking and planning ahead and making informed decisions before those decisions become fixed.

The result is a more proactive approach to taxation, with greater clarity around obligations and opportunities.

Another aspect Barry values strongly is accessibility. Having dealt with advisers in the past who were difficult to reach, he sees the responsiveness of Robert Barrese, Jennifer Rapson and the broader King & Whittle team as a genuine point of difference.

“Accessibility is incredibly important. They’re very prompt; you either speak to them directly or they get back to you almost immediately.”

Timely advice matters because financial and business questions often arise when decisions need to be made quickly. That availability has helped build confidence in the relationship over time.

A relationship beyond the numbers

While technical expertise is important, Barry repeatedly returns to the personal nature of the relationship. He believes King & Whittle genuinely cares about its clients and their families.

“I think they genuinely care about you and what they’re doing for you. It’s not just crunching numbers.”

Over the years, some conversations have extended beyond accounting or tax to the realities of family life, including decisions around when and how to support adult children financially. These are rarely purely financial questions. They can involve timing, independence, fairness, family dynamics and personal judgement.

Having an adviser who understands both the numbers and the family context has therefore been particularly valuable.

Integrity at the centre of the relationship

Barry also places a high value on integrity. He describes King & Whittle as careful, reliable and true to its word, particularly in the way it approaches tax planning and compliance.

“I trust their integrity 100%. They are incredibly true to their word.”

That trust means knowing the firm will seek the best available outcome without pushing into areas that create unnecessary risk. Where specialist legal advice is required, King & Whittle also works collaboratively with external advisers to provide the optimal outcome for its clients.

Planning for the next generation

The relationship that began with Barry’s father is now beginning to come full circle. Barry is increasingly thinking about his own estate and the financial affairs his children will one day inherit.

Having personally experienced the complexity of taking responsibility for an inherited estate, he understands how valuable it can be to have advisers who already know the family history and financial structures involved. His intention is clear - when the time comes, he would like his children to turn to King & Whittle for the same continuity of advice.

“I have complex financial arrangements, much like I inherited.  When the time comes I would want my children to go to King & Whittle   to understand the inheritance left to them so they can assist them in moving forward.”

It is a fitting continuation of a relationship that began with one generation, supported the next through changing professional and personal circumstances, and may ultimately continue into a third.

The impact

Over decades, King & Whittle has helped Barry navigate the changing financial needs that come with business, inheritance, investment, retirement and family. The relationship has provided:

• Continuity across generations
• Advice that evolves with life stages
• Proactive tax planning and strategies
• Trusted personal counsel
• Accessibility and responsiveness
• Integrity and confidence

For Barry, the value of King & Whittle is best summed up in the combination of technical capability, responsiveness and genuine care.

“Once the relationship is formed, they really strive to achieve the best outcomes for their clients and families.”