Meet our team
We have a depth of senior-level expertise, supported by experienced accountants, bookkeepers and administrators who all work together to deliver professional, proactive advice to our clients.
Leean Bedwell
Managing Director
With over 30 years experience in public practice, Leean brings extensive accounting and advisory knowledge, with a special interest in governance roles, succession planning and providing strategic advice. She supports clients across a range of industries, from startups to third generation business owners, including Māori organisations. Her experience also spans the agricultural sector, supporting dairy, horticulture, bloodstock and drystock farming enterprises. Leean is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, an approved mentor and has been a representative on the Local Leadership Team and Branch Committee.
Helen Yates
Director
A director since 2014, and a Chartered Accountant for over 20 years, Helen offers clients a wide range of skills in accounting and business advisory services to a range of businesses, not-for-profits and individuals. She has extensive knowledge and experience in the Charities and not-for-profit sector, working collaboratively with these organisations to ensure compliance and that good governance procedures are in place.
Tony Young
Director
Tony is a Chartered Accountant who joined us in 2013, having previously worked in a commercial, ‘big four’ firm. A director of the firm since 2015, Tony has a diverse portfolio of clients, and is committed in helping them in all business aspects from start-up to growth to succession planning. He has specialist knowledge about corporate structures and accounting, business valuations, and exit strategies, and particularly enjoys working with organisations within fast moving industries such as technology, trade and construction, engineering and manufacturing. With a knack for picking up anything new, Tony can help our clients leverage the full benefits of business systems technology.
Sindai Haumaha
Raukawa ki Te Kaokaoroa ō Pātetere
Director
Joining Cleland Hancox in 2008 after previously working in public practice in Rotorua, Sindai is a Chartered Accountant who became a director in 2022. She offers specialist knowledge in farming, agribusiness, succession planning and also works closely with a number of Māori organisations. She enjoys the diversity that public practice brings, providing much-needed advice and support to a range of clients with varying business structures. With a passion for business systems and processes, Sindai enjoys finding and implementing the right accounting system to “fit” with an organisation.
Darryl Walker
Associate Director
A Chartered Accountant since 2021, Darryl works in the business advisory team, with specialist insight into agricultural businesses, IT, trades businesses and Māori organisations. His breadth of knowledge and dynamic thinking is a strength in providing informed solutions, especially when it comes to complex tax requirements. Darryl has a particular interest in clients that utilise financial planning tools, including crypto currency and foreign investment funds, and enjoys the specialisation required to calculate and return tax on those investments.
Laura Mortimore
Client Manager
As Client Manager, Laura is kept busy liaising with both clients and our team, reviewing and keeping our compliance sharp. As a Chartered Accountant herself, Laura has valuable insight into client requirements. She provides valuable perspective on improving business systems, but her greatest strength is in offering solid tax advice and planning for our clients. She thrives on the variety of work this offers, the challenge of our busy office environment and the opportunity to connect with different businesses and industries.
Ashley Harper
Senior Accountant
As a Senior Accountant, Ashley supports a wide range of Cleland Hancox clients across a variety of industries. With her own experience with family business, she recognises that family livelihoods depend on proactive advice across compliance and good governance. Ashley actively encourages her clients’ success through good business practices, such as personal budgets, cashflow management, accounting systems and early tax planning. After completing her Bachelor of Management Studies, Ashley joined us in 2019, and has since pursued her Chartered Accountant qualifications.
Kelly Mossman
Accountant / bookkeeper
Kelly plays an important role in our business services team, supporting our clients with proactive management of their financial accounts and administration. This includes trust account fund management, managing debtors, and creditor and cashflow management. She is particularly adept at supporting business owners in creating efficiency through the use of business systems software. After initially joining us in 2011 in a receptionist role, Kelly has continued to progress her qualifications with a Bachelor of Business Degree majoring in Accountancy.
Leticia Ratai
Ngāi Tūhoe
Tax administrator / bookkeeper
As an accredited bookkeeper, Leticia takes care of tax administration and bookkeeping for our clients, and is also our in-house expert in payroll administration. A background in the retail industry, plus qualifications in business administration and computing, have given her the ideal foundation for liaising with clients, building relationships and helping to keep our clients’ accounts and payroll administration in great order. She has particular expertise in the use of some of the best payroll systems so can support our clients using a number of online tools, including Smartly, Crystal Payroll, Xero, MYOB and ACE payroll.
Lois Hart
Administrator
With over 38 years experience within the accounting industry, Lois brings a depth of knowledge and perspective that benefits our team and our clients. Her role encompasses a range of tasks that support our clients and also keep our firm ticking, including Office and Trust Account administration, Company administration, Wages, Accounts Payable and Word Processing.
Caeden Bright
Accountant
Joining us in 2023, Caeden brings prior experience in public practice and is currently working towards completing his Chartered Accountant qualification. Caeden has a natural desire to help people, and at Cleland Hancox, he works alongside a range of our small to medium sized businesses, while also assisting our senior accountants in supporting larger clients. Caeden specialises in adapting accounting software to align with our clients’ business processes, with particular proficiency in Xero and MYOB.
Happy Customers
BRUCE & SHERYLL DAVIES
Ready to put our combined knowledge and experience to good use?
Let’s work together, check out our full service range below or let’s just get started – contact us now.
