Our History

Explore our rich history and discover how our longstanding commitment to excellence and client success has shaped the growth and evolution of our firm over the years.

Murray Nankivell staff members

The Murray Nankivell Journey So Far

1938

Gerard Darcy and Max Milne, partners of a Bordertown business Wickham Flower & Co, started a tax practice as a sideline.

1972

Adelaide accountant, Eric Robins purchased the business with Max Milne and traded as Milne Robins & Co.

1974

Des Murray became a partner of E K Robins Murray & Co with two staff.

Visiting office established in Naracoorte out of the office of local solicitors, Wallace and Co.

1976

Started a full-time Naracoorte office in new premises at 188 Smith Street. Dorothy Sachs was appointed as the first office manager.

1978

Gerard Darcy and Max Milne, partners of a Bordertown business Wickham Flower & Co, started a tax practice as a sideline.

Murray Nankivell staff member
Pictured: Mrs Maureen Jonas.

1979

Established a Keith visiting office in McBain Street.

1982

Eric Robins and Des Murray dissolved their partnership and the business changed its name to DJ Murray and Associates Pty.

1985

A visiting office in Kingston was established in 1985.

1986

Deane Nankivell became a partner in 1986 and the business name was changed to Murray Nankivell and Associates.

Naracoorte office relocated to 172 Smith Street after extensive renovations to the house and levelling a vacant block for car parking.

1991

Lameroo and Coonalpyn visiting offices were opened.

1993

Penola visiting office was established at 59 Church Street, in conjunction with Neil Ottoson Real Estate. Kaniva office was established at 24 Commercial Street.

1995

Took over the Naracoorte firm Oakeshott & Oakeshott who were originally established under the name of Tonkin & Oakeshott.

Murray Nankivell staff members
Pictured, L to R: Des Murray, Frank Oakeshott, Deane Nankivell and Peter Oakeshott discussing the merger.

1996

A visiting office at Robe was established in Victoria Street.

2004

Des Murray established an Adelaide Office at 64 Hindmarsh Square and shortly thereafter resigned.

2006

Purchased an existing tax practice in Millicent along with the premises at 23 Davenport Street.

Nhill visiting office was established.

2009

Started a Financial Planning division within the business.

2011

Won the Risk Writer of the Year Award from the Lonsdale Financial Group.

2012

First appeared in the BRW Top 100 Accounting Firms in Australia (largest accounting firm in Regional SA, ranking – 81st in 2014)

AFR Top 100 Accounting Firms logo

2013

Purchased a small accounting practice in Murray Bridge which was operating from a house on Adelaide Road.

2014

Purchased the former Commonwealth Bank premises in the main street of Murray Bridge and completed significant internal renovations.

2017

Finalist for the SA SMSF and Accounting Awards 2017 in the following categories:

  • Community Engagement Program of the Year (Murray Nankivell)
  • SMSF Advisor of the Year (Tony Bedworth)
  • SMSF and Accounting Professional of the Year (Tony Bedworth)
  • SMSF Specialist Accountant of the Year (Megan Inverarity)

2018

Mencel Business Services (MBS) merged with Murray Nankivell from 1 July 2018. Rick and Robyn Mencel and their team didn't have to move far as their former main office location was just across the road from our Naracoorte office.

2019

Relocated our Millicent office into an office space within the new Millicent Veterinary Clinic at 62 Mount Gambier Road.

2021

Switched to using Xero as firm ledger software and at the same time became a modern desktop firm based on Microsoft 365, both changes allow for improved security, mobility and collaboration.

2023

Ranked No. 73 on The Australian Financial Review's Top 100 Accounting Firms list, published on 15/11/2023.

1938

Gerard Darcy and Max Milne, partners of a Bordertown business Wickham Flower & Co, started a tax practice as a sideline.

1972

Adelaide accountant, Eric Robins purchased the business with Max Milne and traded as Milne Robins & Co.

1974

Des Murray became a partner of E K Robins Murray & Co with two staff.

Visiting office established in Naracoorte out of the office of local solicitors, Wallace and Co.

1976

Started a full-time Naracoorte office in new premises at 188 Smith Street. Dorothy Sachs was appointed as the first office manager.

1978

Gerard Darcy and Max Milne, partners of a Bordertown business Wickham Flower & Co, started a tax practice as a sideline.

Murray Nankivell staff member
Pictured: Mrs Maureen Jonas.

1979

Established a Keith visiting office in McBain Street.

1982

Eric Robins and Des Murray dissolved their partnership and the business changed its name to DJ Murray and Associates Pty.

1985

A visiting office in Kingston was established in 1985.

1986

Deane Nankivell became a partner in 1986 and the business name was changed to Murray Nankivell and Associates.

Naracoorte office relocated to 172 Smith Street after extensive renovations to the house and levelling a vacant block for car parking.

1991

Lameroo and Coonalpyn visiting offices were opened.

1993

Penola visiting office was established at 59 Church Street, in conjunction with Neil Ottoson Real Estate. Kaniva office was established at 24 Commercial Street.

1995

Took over the Naracoorte firm Oakeshott & Oakeshott who were originally established under the name of Tonkin & Oakeshott.

Murray Nankivell staff members
Pictured, L to R: Des Murray, Frank Oakeshott, Deane Nankivell and Peter Oakeshott discussing the merger.

1996

A visiting office at Robe was established in Victoria Street.

2004

Des Murray established an Adelaide Office at 64 Hindmarsh Square and shortly thereafter resigned.

2006

Purchased an existing tax practice in Millicent along with the premises at 23 Davenport Street.

Nhill visiting office was established.

2009

Started a Financial Planning division within the business.

2011

Won the Risk Writer of the Year Award from the Lonsdale Financial Group.

2012

First appeared in the BRW Top 100 Accounting Firms in Australia (largest accounting firm in Regional SA, ranking – 81st in 2014)

AFR Top 100 Accounting Firms logo

2013

Purchased a small accounting practice in Murray Bridge which was operating from a house on Adelaide Road.

2014

Purchased the former Commonwealth Bank premises in the main street of Murray Bridge and completed significant internal renovations.

2017

Finalist for the SA SMSF and Accounting Awards 2017 in the following categories:

  • Community Engagement Program of the Year (Murray Nankivell)
  • SMSF Advisor of the Year (Tony Bedworth)
  • SMSF and Accounting Professional of the Year (Tony Bedworth)
  • SMSF Specialist Accountant of the Year (Megan Inverarity)

2018

Mencel Business Services (MBS) merged with Murray Nankivell from 1 July 2018. Rick and Robyn Mencel and their team didn't have to move far as their former main office location was just across the road from our Naracoorte office.

2019

Relocated our Millicent office into an office space within the new Millicent Veterinary Clinic at 62 Mount Gambier Road.

2021

Switched to using Xero as firm ledger software and at the same time became a modern desktop firm based on Microsoft 365, both changes allow for improved security, mobility and collaboration.

2023

Ranked No. 73 on The Australian Financial Review's Top 100 Accounting Firms list, published on 15/11/2023.