Our history

An industry leader

BG Private (formerly Banks Group), was founded by Greg Marino as G. Marino and Associates in 1978. Greg focused on developing close relationships, always putting the client first.

Greg’s ethos has resonated with us throughout our 45-year history, and we aim to instill it in the people who are with us today. A testament to this is that many clients have been with us for decades, including some who have been with us from the start and many who have remained with us throughout their entire business journey.

Over the years and thanks to the vision and dedication of the Partners and senior leaders, we have become one of the largest suburban accounting firms in Australia. In recent years we have consistently been among the AFR Top 100 Accounting Firms nationally. We service over 7000+ clients ranging from large and small companies, family businesses, NFPs and entrepreneurs through to high-net-worth individuals.

In 2024, we undertook a rebrand and name change which brought Banks Group and BG Private Clients under the one name: BG Private. You can read more about this here.

From 1 to 100

We now employ about 100 staff from diverse cultures and backgrounds, and we can communicate fluently in more than 26 languages. With 11 Partners and 8 Associate Partners, we are proud that most of our leadership team have worked their way up from more junior ranks in the firm.

In 2012, we expanded our footprint with an office in Sydney, giving us the ability to better service our ever-growing client base.

A full-service firm

Initially focusing primarily on accounting and tax advice, we have grown to offer a full range of services to meet all our clients’ financial needs, whether personal or business. We now provide Accounting & Business Advisory, Audit & Assurance, specialist Tax Advisory, SMSF Management, Corporate Advisory, Private Equity and Financial Planning services.

8 services under one roof

Accounting &
Business Advisory
Audit & Assurance
Tax Advisory
Financial Planning
Private Equity
SMSF Management
Corporate Advisory
Property Advisory

A great place to work

Our leadership team prides itself on mentoring and training the next generation of advisors, with many of our people building long-term careers at BG Private. Some of our staff have stood beside us throughout our history, and many have been with us for 10, 20 and even 30 years!

Looking ahead

In 2024, we embarked on a name change and rebranding journey to build on our heritage and strong foundations, and position ourselves for the future. You can read more about this here. We are setting our sights on expanding our business and assisting our clients in achieving their goals: For Today, Tomorrow & Beyond.

Highlights

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Timeline

1970s – Laying foundations

BG Private is founded in 1978 by Greg Marino. The firm is initially called G. Marino and Associates and later renamed to Marino and Belli. We move from our first offices in East Melbourne to Box Hill.

1990s – Growing and evolving

We move to larger offices in Kew, and Franc Marino is made Partner. Then we move to our own corporate offices on Burwood Rd, Hawthorn. In 1999 – just as the GST is introduced – we rebrand to Banks Group and Serge Bolzonello becomes Partner.

2010s – A truly multi-disciplinary firm

Six new Partners are appointed: Andrew Fisher, Ferdi Kayakesen, Hanh On, Jaco Vorster, Slava Ha, and Tim Olynyk. Under new and dedicated leadership, our Audit & Assurance, SMSF Management, Tax Advisory, Corporate Advisory, and Private Equity service lines are strengthened. We joined forces with an affiliate office in Sydney headed up by Maurice Watson.

1980s – An established presence

Although the 80s marks the end of an era for tea ladies and smoking in the office, it is the start of a new phase for us with a growing number of clients and staff. By now, we have 23 staff members, and Eugene Smarrelli is made Partner.

2000s – Financial Planning flourishes

Ivan Rizio and Rocky Sorrenti join as Partners in the Accounting & Business Advisory division. Rocky also becomes the Head of our Financial Planning division (known initially as BG Private Clients). As part of this growth phase, we move to our current location on Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn.

2020s – For Today, Tomorrow & Beyond.

Our Founding Partner, Greg Marino, retires after 42 years; Claudio Orrico becomes our 11th Partner; and Eugene Smarrelli is elected Managing Partner. Property Advisory becomes a new service offering. We reach 100+ staff members, and service 7000+ loyal clients across 7 service lines. We cement our spot as an AFR Top 100 Accounting Firm nationally. An exciting growth phase is marked by an extensive rebrand and name change to BG Private.

1970s – Laying foundations

BG Private is founded in 1978 by Greg Marino. The firm is initially called G. Marino and Associates and later renamed to Marino and Belli. We move from our first offices in East Melbourne to Box Hill.

1980s – An established presence

Although the 80s marks the end of an era for tea ladies and smoking in the office, it is the start of a new phase for us with a growing number of clients and staff. By now, we have 23 staff members, and Eugene Smarrelli is made Partner.

1990s – Growing and evolving

We move to larger offices in Kew, and Franc Marino is made Partner. Then we move to our own corporate offices on Burwood Rd, Hawthorn. In 1999 – just as the GST is introduced – we rebrand to Banks Group and Serge Bolzonello becomes Partner.

2000s – Financial Planning flourishes

Ivan Rizio and Rocky Sorrenti join as Partners in the Accounting & Business Advisory division. Rocky also becomes the Head of our Financial Planning division (known initially as BG Private Clients). As part of this growth phase, we move to our current location on Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn.

2010s – A truly multi-disciplinary firm

Six new Partners are appointed: Andrew Fisher, Ferdi Kayakesen, Hanh On, Jaco Vorster, Slava Ha, and Tim Olynyk. Under new and dedicated leadership, our Audit & Assurance, SMSF Management, Tax Advisory, Corporate Advisory, and Private Equity service lines are strengthened. We joined forces with an affiliate office in Sydney headed up by Maurice Watson.

2020s – For Today, Tomorrow & Beyond.

Our Founding Partner, Greg Marino, retires after 42 years; Claudio Orrico becomes our 11th Partner; and Eugene Smarrelli is elected Managing Partner. Property Advisory becomes a new service offering. We reach 100+ staff members, and service 7000+ loyal clients across 7 service lines. We cement our spot as an AFR Top 100 Accounting Firm nationally. An exciting growth phase is marked by an extensive rebrand and name change to BG Private.

Watch our rebrand video here:

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