Our History
Weber Bowman have been providing business advisory, tax and accounting services since 1974. To this day, clients who came to the firm in the first year it commenced still retain Weber Bowman services today.
It all started when Russell C Weber founded the business towards the end of 1974, first located at Coleman Parade, Syndal. Russ had previously worked for Peat Marwick Mitchell (known today as KPMG) for 13 years. Bob Hayes then came on board and shortly thereafter became a partner but left the partnership a number of years later to branch out on his own. Peter Bowman then joined Russ in 1986 and became his business partner in 1987, thus forming Weber Bowman & Co. Two years later, Martin Holgye joined the firm, and became a partner in 1994. Russ retired in 1998 leaving Peter and Martin to run the practice. Stephen Penn joined the team in 1999, and subsequently became a director in 2008. Peter retired in 2010, leaving Martin & Stephen to forge ahead. Martin and Stephen continue as Weber Bowman directors to this day and manage the company’s day to day operations.
The Weber Bowman team consists of more than 10 skilled team members. Each team member is highly trained and together they enable the provision of accounting, taxation & management advice to a range of small to medium size businesses.
Who are we?
Martin E. Holgye FCA
Qualifications and Career Highlights
- Bachelor of Business at Chisholm Institute (1988)
- Admitted as a member of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand (1991)
- Progressed to Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand (2016)
- Registered Tax Agent
- Registered Self-Managed Superannuation Fund Auditor
- Diploma of Financial Planning (2016)
- Commenced Weber Bowman (1989)
- Weber Bowman Partner (1994)
- Weber Bowman Managing Director (2010)
Martin combines a passion for business strategy with an unnerving love of high octane sports.
Whilst occupying most hours with all things business, numbers and strategy, Martin’s non-work interests include motor cycling and WW2 aviation. Martin went to Mazenod College and then studied at Chisholm Institute, gaining a Bachelor of Business majoring in Accounting. Martin is happily married with 2 adult children and enjoys living in the bayside.
He is a keen motorcycle track and Motor X racer, retiring from Veterans Motor Cross only a few years ago, but still enjoying both off & on road motor cycling. Martin supports the Wallabies rugby union team and MotoGP and World Superbikes.
Martin’s other major interest is WW2 Aviation, having had flights in a Mustang, B17 Flying Fortress and an MKIX Spitfire. Keenly following the progress of Doc B29 (either a highly secret government document or some kind of plane…) and hopes to get a ride in that aircraft one day.
Stephen J. Penn CA
Qualifications and Career Highlights
- Bachelor of Commerce at Deakin University (1991)
- Admitted as a member of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand (2003)
- Registered Tax Agent
- Registered Self Managed Superannuation Fund Auditor
- Registered Company Auditor
- Weber Bowman Equity Director (2010)
Stephen is a numbers man with a penchant for ballroom dancing and sports.
Stephen obtained a Bachelor of Commerce from Deakin University in 1999 and has since established his career as a professional chartered accountant at Weber Bowman. Stephen was raised in the hills of Emerald to the sound of Puffing Billy and is now happily married with a beautiful little girl named Matilda.
When Stephen’s not being an accountant, he’s a passionate Western Bulldogs supporter and enjoys physical challenge events such as Tough Mudder, and, when not crawling through obstacles or swimming in mud, is known as quite an accomplished Ballroom dancer! Quite the renaissance man from financial strategy to the Quickstep.
