Third generation joins Taihape firm

ALL IN THE FAMILY: Matt Thomas has joined the family accounting practice in Taihape.PHOTO/ SUPPLIED 10082015WCSUPPORTRAIT

TAIHAPE accounting firm Ryan, Thomas and Co, which has been in business for more than a century, has taken on a third generation of the Thomas family. Matt Thomas has joined his father Gary and his uncle Alan as a chartered accountant in the firm.

Taihape born and bred, the 34-year-old got his primary schooling in the town before secondary schooling at Palmerston North Boys' High, where he was head boy of boarding.

He attended Massey University from 2000-2005 and graduated as a bachelor of business studies accountancy, and then rounded that out with a post-graduate diploma in professional accounting.

An accomplished sportsman, Mr Thomas travelled back and forth to England between 2005 and 2010 playing cricket there.

His New Zealand summers were spent working for his brother, who owns two farms in the Waikato preparing thoroughbred horses for the national yearling sales series.

He started with the family accounting firm in 2010 but still found time for competitive golf, where he played No 1 for the Taihape Golf Club's A grade pennants team in the Manawatu-Wanganui competition.

He qualified as a chartered accountant late last year.

"Our practice is very lucky because we have great farming clients who have been with us for many generations," Mr Thomas said.

"I grew up on a small deer farm and worked for many farmers throughout my years of education to help pay my way through university, so I'd say it's natural for me to focus on the accounting needs for farmers and the businesses involved in the rural communities."

He said the company's motivation was largely on long-term business advice and developing good working relationships with clients.

"We believe family trusts in most instances are the best tool to achieve long-term family success and it's the area I would most like to focus on."

Mr Thomas said he always harboured a desire to go back to Taihape and join the family business.

"After university I was really keen to explore England and see if I could play cricket at a competitive level there. Once I felt as though I had achieved everything I could playing cricket in England, I was very happy to settle back home and join the family business with Dad [Gary Thomas] and Uncle Alan. They've been great mentors. Both have their differing areas of specialty in business."

He said the company had an experienced team and had been joined by another local. Katrina Overton has been with the firm since 2005 and will also graduate next month.

In 2010 Ryan, Thomas & Co celebrated 100 years of service to Taihape, Rangitikei and Central Districts. The practice was set up by Alfred Mervyn Ryan and he was joined by his son Guy Ryan between the wars.

When Mr Ryan snr retired in 1948, his son needed two more accountants in the firm to handle a growing client base, taking in Raymond Tregurtha and then Ron Thomas (Matt's grandfather) in 1954.

With Mr Tregurtha's death in 1967, the firm changed its name to the current Ryan, Thomas & Co. When Mr Ryan retired in 1971 the practice was run by Mr Thomas until he was joined by his sons, Gary and Alan, in the mid-1970s.