Operating a business in healthcare requires more than just treating patients. Between payroll, tax obligations, compliance requirements, and business growth planning, the financial side of running a medical practice can quickly become complex. That’s why many doctors, dentists, allied health professionals, pharmaceutical companies, and clinic owners may be thinking of hiring specialist healthcare accountants.

Partnering with a professional who has deep industry experience can have a significant impact on your long-term success — here’s why.

What Is a Specialist Medical Accountant?

A specialist medical accountant is an accountant who works specifically with healthcare professionals and medical businesses. Because they work closely with medical professionals every day, they understand the unique financial structures, regulations, and operational challenges within the healthcare industry — providing tailored advice that a general accountant may overlook.

This can include experience with:

  • Medical practices and clinics
  • Dental practices
  • Allied health providers
  • Specialist consulting rooms
  • GP partnerships
  • Healthcare compliance and tax regulations
  • Medicare and private billing systems
  • Pharmaceutical companies, pharmacies, and suppliers

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Read Next: How Our Healthcare Accountants & Business Advisors Help Practices Thrive

Why Medical Practices Have Unique Financial Needs

Healthcare businesses operate differently from many other industries. Medical professionals often deal with the following:

Complex Business Structures

Many practices operate through trusts, companies, partnerships, or service entity arrangements. Choosing the right structure affects:

  • Tax efficiency
  • Asset protection
  • Succession planning
  • Profit distribution

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A specialist accountant understands which structure best suits your goals and practice setup.

Healthcare-Specific Tax Considerations

Medical practices face unique tax issues, including:

  • GST exemptions on medical services
  • Contractor vs employee arrangements
  • Payroll tax obligations
  • Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT)
  • Superannuation compliance

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An accountant who regularly works with medical practices can help you avoid costly mistakes and identify legitimate tax-saving opportunities.

Related Reading: Navigating Tax for Medical Practices 

Medicare and Billing Compliance

Incorrect billing procedures can create financial and legal risks. Specialist medical accountants often understand the operational side of healthcare billing and can work alongside your practice manager or bookkeeper to ensure systems are accurate and compliant.

The Benefits of Using a Specialist Accountant

Better Financial Advice

Healthcare accountants can benchmark your practice against similar healthcare businesses and provide advice tailored to your industry.

They can help answer important questions such as:

  • Am I paying too much tax?
  • Is my practice profitable enough?
  • Should I restructure?
  • How can I improve cash flow?
  • When should I expand or hire more staff?

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This kind of strategic guidance goes far beyond annual tax returns.

Improved Cash Flow Management

Cash flow is critical for any medical practice. Delayed payments, rising overheads, and staffing costs can place pressure on profitability.

A specialist accountant can help with:

  • Budgeting and forecasting
  • Profitability analysis
  • Expense management
  • Financial reporting
  • Growth planning

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With clearer financial visibility, practice owners can make more confident business decisions.

Understanding Industry Benchmarks

Medical accountants provide insight into:

  • Average practice profitability
  • Typical overhead costs
  • Staff cost ratios
  • Revenue performance
  • Industry trends

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This benchmarking helps you identify opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability.

Support During Practice Growth

Whether you’re opening your first clinic, buying into a partnership, or expanding locations, specialist advice is essential.

Our medical accountants and business advisors can assist with:

  • Practice acquisitions
  • Business valuations
  • Finance applications
  • Succession planning
  • Partner agreements
  • Exit strategies

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This industry knowledge can help you avoid expensive mistakes during periods of growth. 

Ultimately, you may benefit from switching to healthcare accountants if:

  • Your current accountant doesn’t understand medical billing or healthcare structures
  • You’re unsure whether your business structure is tax effective
  • Your practice is growing rapidly
  • You have payroll tax or ATO concerns
  • You want more strategic business advice
  • You’re spending too much time managing finances yourself

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Many practice owners only realise the value of specialist accounting after experiencing compliance issues or missed financial opportunities.

Can a General Accountant Still Help?

A general accountant may still manage basic bookkeeping and tax returns effectively. However, healthcare businesses often require more specialised advice as they grow.

The difference usually comes down to proactive guidance. A specialist medical accountant doesn’t just process numbers — they understand how medical practices operate and can provide recommendations specific to the healthcare industry.

And when your accounting team are also experienced business advisors, the value of their insights goes beyond just analysing the numbers to providing strategic, future-focused guidance that enhance all areas of the business. 

Medical practices — from Osteopaths to GPs and Pharmaceutical companies — are both a healthcare service and a business. While patient care always comes first, strong financial management is essential for long-term success.

Working with a specialist accountant who understands the healthcare industry can help you improve profitability, stay compliant, and plan for growth.

If you’re serious about building a sustainable and successful medical practice, specialist accounting advice is often a worthwhile investment.

WE’D LOVE TO WORK WITH YOU

If you’re interested in hiring a business advisor or financial team, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with our Melbourne-based team today.

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Tax Compliance and Advisory

Our highly skilled team of accountants will work together to identify tax-effective strategies and help your business successfully implement them while mitigating any unnecessary risk and complying with tax laws. As part of our tax compliance and advisory service, we take the stress out of the equation and make sure you are well looked after.

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Peter Mercuri

Founder and Managing Director

pmercuri@theco.com.au

BIO

Peter has always been results-driven with a passion for helping businesses grow. This passion is part of what makes The Co. stand out as an accounting firm.

Peter is a modern and dynamic thinker looking to break the mould of the stereotypical accounting persona. He is particularly skilled and experienced in the areas of tax planning and business strategies.

Peter lived and worked in London in 2009, where he witnessed a slump in the market. He worked as an international financial controller for a multinational engineering company, consequently gaining vast finance and management experience. Peter then returned to Australia and set up The Co. Accountants in the Melbourne CBD, working in the capacity of Director. He dedicates his time advising clients and businesses on how to achieve their goals.

Peter assists clients through effective strategic implementation and by ensuring they are guided through the process with a hands-on approach. It is not often that you’ll find Peter at the office behind his desk. He recognises that to gain a real perspective of a client’s business and provide sound advice, he needs to be on the front line and fully engaging in the workings of your company.

When you can peel him away from work, Peter loves spending time with his family, especially around the table with great food, or socialising with friends at the local brewery. He loves having a good laugh because, otherwise, life is little too serious.

Education

  • Deakin University, Melbourne
  • CA Qualifications

Areas of Expertise

  • Healthcare
  • Manufacturing
  • Hospitality
  • Construction
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Tim McColl

Partner

tmccoll@theco.com.au

BIO

Tim began his accounting career in his late teens, working full-time while completing his tertiary studies, then further completing his CA. He believes the most important strategy in life is the one you set for achieving your goals.

When partnering with clients, Tim has an honest and caring nature, helping them determine what they want to accomplish in their financial and business goals. A personalised, empathetic approach is a hallmark of Tim’s style.

Tim covers a broad range of clients, specialising in business tax and compliance advice. He prepares financial statements, helps clients manage their accounting systems and other routine business matters.

He is motivated by his clients’ success and finds great satisfaction in knowing his team contributed to this.

Education

  • Bachelor of Business RMIT
  • CA Qualified

Areas of Expertise

  • Healthcare
  • Manufacturing
  • Hospitality
  • Construction
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Charlotte Hanna

Practice Manager

channa@theco.com.au

BIO

As Practice Manager at The Co. Accountants & Business Advisors, Charlotte oversees the firm’s operations, client experience and internal systems, ensuring everything runs seamlessly behind the scenes so our advisers can focus on delivering outstanding outcomes for clients.

With more than 15 years’ experience across professional services, legal, accounting and corporate environments, Charlotte brings a rare blend of commercial insight, operational leadership and business strategy to the role. In addition to her practice management expertise, she has worked closely with business owners and leadership teams to design and implement growth strategies, improve profitability, streamline operations and strengthen governance frameworks.

Before joining The Co., she held senior practice management and client engagement roles at boutique and mid-tier accounting firms, where she led marketing, business development, HR, systems implementation, governance and company secretarial functions. Through this work, Charlotte became a trusted adviser to firm principals and clients alike, helping translate strategy into practical, measurable results.

Earlier in her career, Charlotte practised as a lawyer, specialising in commercial litigation, mergers and acquisitions, property, intellectual property and aviation law.

She is admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in the Supreme Court of Victoria.

Known for her calm, detail-driven and people-focused approach, Charlotte is passionate about building strong teams, efficient systems and clear business strategies that support sustainable, high-performing professional practices.

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Khairil (CK) Choong

Business Services Manager

kchoong@theco.com.au

BIO

Khairil Choong (CK) is The Co’s Business Services Manager, responsible for overseeing the delivery of high-quality accounting and business services across the firm.

With more than 25 years’ experience across logistics, finance, manufacturing and retail, CK brings a deep understanding of how businesses operate and what drives sustainable performance.

His diverse background has shaped a strong client-first mindset, with a focus on delivering efficient, reliable and value-adding outcomes for every client.

CK holds a Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) from RMIT and is a CPA-qualified accountant. His technical expertise, combined with his leadership in practice operations and commitment to exceptional service, helps ensure The Co continues to operate at the highest standard.

Away from the spreadsheets, CK is also the The Co’s resident baker — well known for keeping the team fuelled with homemade treats.

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Biljana Risteska

Manager

bristeska@theco.com.au

BIO

Biljana is an experienced public practice accountant with a passion for tax. She has had exposure to a vast variety of industries and clients, and particularly enjoys tax planning and accounting for smsfs. Her desire for continuous learning ensures clients are exposed to up-to-date tax advice.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading and doing crossword puzzles.

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Alicia Ong

Manager

aong@theco.com.au

BIO

Alicia is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with over 10 years of experience in public accounting. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to providing exceptional financial services to individuals and businesses across a wide range of industries. With her personalised approach, Alicia ensures that each client receives tailored solutions to meet their specific needs and goals.

As a versatile team player, Alicia understands the various areas of financial management. Her knowledge spans across financial compliance, tax preparation and planning, SMSF compliance and audit, and audit review. She consistently demonstrates her ability to navigate complex financial regulations and deliver accurate and reliable results.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Alicia cherishes her time with family, friends, and beloved pets. She finds joy in exploring the vibrant city of Melbourne, indulging in its culinary delights, and embarking on new food adventures. Alicia’s dedication to both her work and personal life exemplifies her balanced and fulfilling approach to success.

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Mark Pannuzzo

Assistant Manager

mpannuzzo@theco.com.au

BIO

Mark is a meticulous senior accountant with a fierce attention to detail. He is a reliable professional with a demonstrated history of working within the tax advisory and business services industry. Mark has had exposure to a diverse range of clients operating predominantly within the construction, property development and professional services industries. Mark takes unequivocal care in his work/advice and aims to lead by example. With a progressive mindset and an inherent ability to manage, he will certainly always endeavour to yield a mutually advantageous outcome for his clients and the firm.

Outside of the office, Mark loves the game of golf and the St Kilda Football Club. He is also a self-proclaimed foodie and enjoys time in the kitchen with those closest to him.

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Zac Ibrhaim-McCarty

Assistant Manager

zibrhaimmccarty@theco.com.au

BIO

Zac is a Chartered Accountant specialising in resolving tax issues for business owners. With experience ranging from Australian subsidiaries of multinational organisations to sole traders and small enterprises, Zac excels in simplifying complex tax situations, making compliance and planning accessible and straightforward.

Known for a business-minded approach, Zac aligns financial practices with long-term business goals, helping clients develop tax-efficient strategies and manage compliance effectively. Dedicated to contributing to client success and growth, Zac brings both expertise and practicality to every engagement.

Outside of work, Zac enjoys playing basketball, taking the scenic route on the golf course and going out to enjoy a meal with family and friends, balancing professional dedication with personal passions.

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Paul Reed

Senior Accountant

preed@theco.com.au

BIO

Paul is an experienced taxation accountant who started at The Co. in early-2020. He has worked within several public practices and has good knowledge in the medical, retail and light industry areas.

Paul is always looking to assist clients and happy to go that ‘extra step’.

He is a keen football follower and likes to keep active, jogging and hiking both being favourite pastimes.

Education

  • Master of Accounting, Bachelor of Commerce
  • CA Qualified

Areas of Expertise

  • Medical
  • Retail
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Cabell Qiao

Senior Accountant

cqiao@theco.com.au

BIO

Cabell brings over six years of experience across a range of industries, from property development and construction to childcare and medical services.

She holds a Masters of Professional Accounting (with Distinction) from RMIT University, is CPA qualified, and is currently working towards full CA membership.

Outside the office, you’ll find her staying active with basketball, badminton, tennis, and hiking, always up for a challenge, both professionally and personally.

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Lucas Sa

Accountant

BIO

Lucas is an enthusiastic and motivated professional, with more than ten years of experience in financial and accounting processes, with a differentiated profile, able to offer efficient solutions in the finance and accounting fields. He has a strong ability to analyse problems, with excellent analytical qualities, able to understand and adjust work procedures, looking at maximum efficiency in the results. High capacity to prevent scenarios, which makes it easier to anticipate ideas for solving problems. Multitasking profile, being able to work simultaneously with several activities, maintaining excellence in the quality of the work provided.

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Karla da Cruz

Accountant

kdacruz@theco.com.au

BIO

Karla has over twelve years of experience in the accounting field as an accountant and tax analyst. With her solid analytical and process improvement abilities, Karla has experience working with a variety of clients and industries.

She is enthusiastic, enjoys the supportive team dynamic, is constantly eager to expand her expertise and take on responsibilities and challenges. She is currently working towards her CPA qualification.

She is most passionate about delivering top-notch services and cultivating long-lasting relationships with customers at The Co.

In her spare time, Karla likes socialising with friends and family, going camping for the day, playing video games, and playing the drums.

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Jackson Hurst

Accountant

jhurst@theco.com.au

BIO

Jackson is a dedicated and enthusiastic accountant with a growing foundation in the field. Known for his eagerness to learn and expand his knowledge, Jackson has quickly developed a keen understanding of financial principles and practices and brings a fresh perspective and a proactive attitude to the team. He has demonstrated a strong ability to adapt and excel in a dynamic work environment and his passion for continuous improvement and dedication to professional growth make him a valuable asset to the firm.

Outside of the office, Jackson enjoys camping and exploring the great outdoors. He is also a food enthusiast who loves discovering and indulging in delicious culinary experiences.

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Ritika Agarwal

Accountant

ragarwal@theco.com.au

BIO

Ritika is an emerging accountant with experience supporting financial operations and business processes across a range of engagements. She enjoys working collaboratively with the team to deliver reliable and efficient outcomes for clients.

Committed to continuous learning and professional development, Ritika is currently working towards completing her CA qualification. She is eager to expand her technical expertise, take on new challenges and contribute meaningfully to the success of both clients and the firm.

Outside of the office, Ritika enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading a good book, and staying active through pilates.

Let's work together

Our Melbourne CBD Accountants are passionate about understanding the true purpose behind your business. By marrying this insight with expert knowledge and support, we’re able to communicate much more than just the facts. At The Co. Accountants, we pride ourselves on becoming a reliable partner who is invested in the success of your business.

With a diverse mix of experts and industry-leading advisors, accessible when you need them, The Co. Accountants offers you world-class business accounting and financial planning services with local flair. As forerunners in the space, we provide our clients with an eclectic mix of offerings: from Book Keeping to Tax Compliance to Business Advisory to Outsourced CFO services, our full suite of services and multi-faceted approach means we ensure lasting change.

Remember, we’re not like the rest of the competition. We truly care about seeing our clients succeed. For us, it’s about much more than just great numbers. At The Co., we believe in building relationships that last while delivering exceptional results which set you apart from the competition. Together, this collective team spirit allows us to hone in on your challenges with a driving focus that provides maximum value to your business.

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