Meet Our Team

Ben Seeger

Ben began his career in the financial industry in 2005 and became a valued member of the HTA team in 2008. With a passion for helping clients achieve financial clarity and long-term success, Ben works across a diverse client base—from individuals seeking basic financial guidance to high-net-worth clients looking to maximise their wealth.

His proudest professional achievement is founding HTA Wealth, HTA’s dedicated financial planning division, which he built from the ground up. Ben is known for his approachable style and commitment to delivering tailored financial solutions that align with each client’s goals.

Outside of work, you’ll find Ben…
Embarking on camping adventures with his family, renovating his home (he’s handy with tools!), and proudly celebrating his 500+ goal record at his local footy club.

What Ben can’t live without:
His family.

Elisha Huke

Elisha began her career in the accounting industry in 2010 and joined HTA in 2014 as a junior accountant. Since then, she has grown into a key leader within the firm, with her proudest professional achievement being her promotion to Partner at HTA.

Elisha is passionate about developing her team and guiding them toward their career aspirations. She takes great pride in mentoring others and playing a pivotal role in the success of HTA’s clients.

Her journey also includes a personal milestone, becoming a mum, and spending time living and working for HTA while in Europe, which enriched ticked off her personal goal to live in the UK.

What are your hobbies, interests, or favourite things to do?
Eating out at nice restaurants, reading, lifting weights, reading, going to the footy

What can you not live without?
My kindle, I read every single night and could not sleep without it

What is your favourite or ultimate travel destination?
Anywhere on the Mediterranean, love the food, culture & sun, would love to go on a Super Yacht one day off the coast of Italy

Tim Hale

Tim began his career in the accounting industry in 1999 and became one of HTA’s founding partners in 2008. He considers this his greatest professional achievement, as it has allowed him to positively impact the lives of countless clients and build a dynamic, values-driven team.

Known for his energy and love of conversation, Tim thrives on helping people. Whether it’s listening, problem-solving, or guiding clients through complex decisions with clarity and care. His passion for leadership and mentorship is at the heart of HTA’s culture.

Outside of work, Tim is a proud dad who coaches his son’s footy team and enjoys holiday adventures with his family. He’s also an avid runner, having completed marathons overseas, and finds joy in the outdoors, good food, and a great glass of red.

What are your hobbies, interests, or favourite things to do?
My family time which seems to always involve eating, the great outdoors and many nights ended with a great glass of red. Let’s not forget the mighty magpies at the G and I love running 3 times a week.

What causes are you passionate about?
Hearing impaired because of my family history, and the big group hug. Both are amazing, very impactful causes for very different reasons.

One random fact about you
I am extremely colour blind!

Troy Townley

After beginning his first Graduate Accounting roles in 1999, Troy went on to become one of HTA’s founding fathers in 2008. He considers HTA’s growth into the business it is today as his biggest professional achievement. His favourite part of his job is being able to work with clients and our team to have a positive and lasting impact for them and their families.

What can you not live without?
As corny as it sounds, my family.

What are your hobbies, interests, or favourite things to do?
Cycling (being a Beach Road MAMIL), golf, any live sport and horse racing.

What causes are you passionate about?
Mental health, physical health and a fairer go for small businesses and families.

Alex Smith

Alex started with HTA in October 2018 and has been working in the industry since 2008. His favourite part of his job is teaching others, be they Junior Accountants or clients. He enjoys watching people develop new skills and confidence as they grow into their role. His biggest professional achievement was being appointed the CFO of a health organisation at 27 years old.

Outside of work you’ll find Alex…
Paying golf, reading, movies, gaming, 4WD and camping.

What is your ultimate travel destination?
Scotland.

One random fact about you is…
I have 8 siblings.

Anthony Beauchamp

Anthony started at HTA in the HTA Finance division in October 2021 and has been working in the finance industry since 2011. His favourite part of his job is exploring client goals and contributing to the process of achieving them. One of Anthony’s strengths is nurturing client relationships and solving complex problems.

What are your hobbies, interests and favourite things to do?
Family, The Hawks and all sport really, massive wine freak and a classic MAMMAL (push bike rider).

How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Passionate, loyal & relaxed.

What causes are you passionate about?
Agriculture and The Hawks next flag!!!!

Arvin Ventura

Arvin joined the team at HTA in 2018. His biggest professional achievement is getting his CPA license in 2007 which marked the beginning of his career and opened many doors, leading him to where he is today. Being able to help clients achieve their goals is the most rewarding part of Arvin’s job.

Do you have any special skills or talents?
I have a passion for music and singing.

How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Cheerful, optimistic and passionate.

One random fact about you.
I love sweets. When I go to a buffet, I eat more desserts than other dishes.

Cass Jefferis

Cass has been with HTA since 2019. She feels that the most rewarding part of her job is helping our clients achieve their goals. Cass enjoys assisting with the training and development of her fellow team members, while also assisting the business improve systems and processes.

How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Organised, positive, hardworking.

What causes are you passionate about?
Sustainability, always trying to be the best version of me.

What are your hobbies, interests, or favourite things to do?
Gym, trying out new restaurants, making candles.

Don Wijesuriya

Don entered the accounting industry in 2015 and became part of the HTA team in May 2023. He regards his ability to provide exceptional service to clients as his greatest professional accomplishment. The most fulfilling aspect of his role is delivering outstanding results for his clients, particularly when it entails significant effort.

Outside of work you can find Don…
Playing Basketball and mobile games, and building/repairing things.

One random fact about you is…
I love to go on long interesting drives. I will always drive over being a passenger!

What causes are you passionate about?
Animal welfare – particularly stray dogs feeding programs in Sri Lanka

Dylan Smith

Dylan Began his journey at HTA in 2022 as a graduate accountant. His biggest achievement is finishing university full time throughout the struggles and troubles of COVID. Dylan’s favourite part of his job is being able to work as part of a team and to problem solve.

What is your favourite or ultimate travel destination?

I would love to be able to travel to Iceland in the future

What are your hobbies, interests and favourite things to do?

Basketball, AFL and eating out at restaurants

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Food truck chef

Emily Fullick

Emily began her journey with HTA in 2024 as a Client Services Coordinator. Her proudest professional achievement is starting her previous position at an entry level and becoming a team supervisor within 18 months. What she enjoys most about her job is working in a team where she can bounce ideas off others and problem solve together.

Outside of work you will find Emily…
Reading, going to the Fitzroy Gardens and camping at Wilsons Promontory.

What can you not live without?
Lip balm. Can never leave the house without it and always have it stocked up in multiple bags and places.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Work in the Performing Arts.

Grelyd Itliong

Grelyd has been working in the industry for 24 years and began her jour. Grelyd loves working along side her colleagues while doing finalization of Financial Statements. Her biggest achievements are receiving certificates of recognition for a accounting role when working overseas in Dubai.

What are your hobbies, interests, or favourite things to do?

Watching movies, spending time with family, travelling and eating

Do you have any special skills or talents?

Teamwork skills, adaptability, flexibility, cross cultural sensitivity

What is your favourite or ultimate travel destination?

Australia, Europe, USA

Jamie Gazelle

Jamie began his HTA career in 2020. The most rewarding part of his job is assisting clients achieve their financial and personal goals.

What are your hobbies, interests, or favourite things to do?
Soccer, Golf and Wakeboarding.

What can you not live without?
Lasagne.

What causes are you passionate about?
Saving wildlife and preserving our planet.

Jes Butterfield

Jes started with HTA in 2019 after finishing her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Design and Business. She considers her overall knowledge and day-to-day understanding of HTA’s operations her biggest professional achievement. Jes’s favourite part of her job is assisting with training and development of the Client Services Team, as well as leading HTA’s marketing strategy which allows her to be creative.

Outside of work you can find Jes…
Camping, snowboarding, and watching trash reality TV.

One random fact about you is…
I used to play the French Horn.

What can you not live without?
My silk pillowcase.

Julie Ramke-Meyer

Julie joined the HTA team in October 2011 as the firm’s first graduate accountant, shortly after completing her Bachelor of Accounting at La Trobe University. Since then, she has made remarkable strides in her career, with her proudest achievement being the founding of HTA Queensland on the Sunshine Coast.

As Director of HTA, Julie leads with passion and purpose, supporting her team and clients from it’s Maroochydore office. She is deeply committed to helping clients achieve success and finds fulfillment in guiding others through life-changing financial decisions.

Julie is known for her warm leadership style and her dedication to building a collaborative, high-performing team culture that reflects HTA’s values.

Outside of work you will find Julie…
Going to the gym, my alarm goes off at 4:25am every day. Spending time with my family. Exploring new restaurants.

One random fact about you is…
I have been treasurer of the Lungitude Foundation since its inception in 2016, following my stepsisters double-lung transplant. It is a charity that improves survival rates & outcomes for lung transplant recipients and their carers.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A chef! I have always had a passion to cook.

Kaye Pecson

Kaye Joined HTA in 2022 as Client Services Assistant. She is interested in being able to create, facilitate and design training programs to various positions that would make a positive impact in the organization particularly in Hospitality Industry. Kaye says there are so many marvellous things about working with HTA. Her favourite probably would be the opportunity to work alongside with my colleagues that shares the same vision and awesome organisational culture that allows growth and development.

What are your hobbies, interests, or favourite things to do?
I am fond of reading management books and binge watching The Young Sheldon, The Big Bang theory and Hawaii five-o.

One random fact about you.
I do not believe in luck. Anything that asks for success always requires preparation. Prepare like there is no tomorrow!

What causes are you passionate about?
Total Quality Management.

Keila Camille Tapaoan

Keila began her journey with HTA in 2019 and has been working in the accounting industry for almost 10 years. For her, the most rewarding part of her job is knowing that she is able to help her colleagues and clients through her role and experience.

How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Dedicated, hardworking and meticulous.

What are your hobbies, interests, or favourite things to do?
Travelling and trying food from other places and countries.

One random fact about you.
I am afraid of creatures in the shape of worms, from centipedes to snakes.

Laura Lucas

Laura became a part of the HTA team in 2023. She considers her greatest professional achievement to be organizing and executing interstate conferences and events. Her favourite aspect of her job is building and nurturing personal client relationships while also enhancing the internal company culture and morale.

Outside of work you can find Laura…
Dancing, watching psychological thriller movies, attending metal/rock concerts and enjoying hearty food and drinks with my close friends.

One random fact about you is…
I used to be a florist.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An artist or a veterinarian.

Melanie Fanor

Melanie started with HTA in 2022 and has been working in the industry since 2014. Finishing her CPA has been her biggest professional achievement. Melanie’s favourite part of her job is interacting with clients and building great professional relationships.

What are your hobbies, interests, or favourite things to do?
Reading, pilates and going to brunch with friends.

What is your favourite or ultimate travel destination?
I have not been yet, but Iceland.

One random fact about you
I speak French.

Melissa Kuhnd

Melissa began her journey with HTA in 2014. Her favourite part of the job is seeing the team thrive—watching colleagues grow, succeed, and achieve goals they never thought possible. She finds joy in knowing people genuinely enjoy coming to work and are passionate about what they do.

Outside of work, Melissa loves spending time with her family, dancing, visiting wineries, and seeing the wonder in her daughter’s eyes as she experiences things for the first time. She dreams of taking her family to the Northern Territory and Italy, though she’s working on overcoming a massive fear of flying to make it happen.

Fun fact: Melissa eats the top part of a Snickers first, then the nougat.

Michael Dance

Michael has been with HTA since 2019 and has been working in the industry since 2014. As a Manager, he is responsible for dealing with the day to day needs of clients and assisting his fellow accountants. Michael finds fulfillment in helping clients achieve both their personal and professional goals, which he considers the highlight of his role.

Outside of work you will find Michael…
Playing golf and tennis, and going to the footy.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Carpenter or tennis player.

What is your ultimate travel destination?
Majorca and Iceland.

Rachel Singam

Rachel joined the team at HTA in 2018 and considers moving into a management role to be her biggest professional achievement. Her favourite part of her job is working with such an amazing team each day. As Operations Manager, problem-solving and overseeing projects to improve the overall business and client experience are key elements of her role.

Outside of work you will find Rachel…
Going for walks, swimming, CrossFit, playing board games and reading.

What is your ultimate travel destination?
Anywhere tropical!

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A marine biologist.

Recelyn Licaroz

Recelyn began working in a private manufacturing company located in Mariveles, Bataan in 2018. she joined the HTA team in 2022. Her biggest achievement is starting her own accounting career in the private manufacturing company. After 6 Months she was promoted to finance and head of accounting i the company. She considers this a great achievement as in a short span of time she was able to have greater opportunities of learning in a higher position. Recelyn loves working at HTA as it enables her to continuously learn to enhance her skills and expand her knowledge which she can also share with her colleagues.

What are your hobbies, interests, or favourite things to do?

My hobbies are watching YouTube vlogs, K-drama series, Netflix movies and series.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was a child, I wanted to be a doctor or a teacher.

What is your favourite or ultimate travel destination?

I want to go to Paris and Switzerland.

Shaun Scullin

Shaun started as a Graduate Accountant with HTA in 2023 and considers securing this position his greatest professional achievement. The most rewarding aspect of his role is being able to help others.

Outside of work you can find Shaun…
Enjoying sport, having nights out with my mates and watching movies

One random fact about you is…
Everyone always has a difference answer when guessing my accent, even I don’t know what it is at this point

Do you have any special skills or talents?
I can spin a basketball on my finger and change fingers as its spinning

Shirley Dai

Shirley joined the HTA team in 2024 and has been working in the accounting industry since 2011. Her most significant professional achievement is completing her CPA, and she is now close to finishing her CA and Graduate Diploma of Tax Law. Shirley finds the most rewarding aspect of her job is assisting clients in making life-changing decisions and solving complex problems.

Outside of work you can find Shirley…
Travelling and going to the gym.

One random fact and about Shirley
She’s not your “stereotypical” accountant.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A lawyer. I graduated from a law school and had internship in the department of Justice.