Meet the team

Chris Kennard is a Director at Letizia Palmer with a passion for helping clients turn their ambitions into achievable outcomes. With experience across the mining services, building and construction, and financial services industries, Chris works alongside business owners and investors to help them make better decisions, build stronger businesses and create the lifestyle they want for themselves and their families.

Known for his proactive and down-to-earth approach, Chris enjoys developing strong relationships with clients and gaining a deep understanding of what matters most to them. Whether it's growing a business, planning for the future, building wealth or navigating complex decisions, he takes pride in helping clients move forward with confidence.

Chris' expertise spans business advisory, taxation, management accounting, capital gains tax and strategic planning. He is committed to delivering clear, practical guidance that helps clients achieve not only their financial objectives, but also the personal and lifestyle goals that are important to them.

Outside of work, Chris enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters and making the most of Perth's outdoor lifestyle.

Joel Ferraro is a Director at Letizia Palmer Chartered Accountants, having joined the firm in 2015. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Finance from Curtin University and is a Chartered Accountant.

Joel works closely with business owners and high net worth individuals to provide practical, commercially focused advice tailored to their circumstances. He takes the time to understand what matters to his clients, helping them navigate complex decisions, protect what they have built and identify opportunities for sustainable growth.

With experience across a broad range of industries, Joel has particular expertise in mining services, building and construction, civil contracting and hospitality. His key areas of expertise include business structuring and asset protection, capital gains tax, business acquisitions and sales, business turnaround strategies, cash flow management and strategic business advice.

Joel is known for building strong, long-term relationships and explaining complex matters in a clear and straightforward way. His approach combines technical knowledge with a practical understanding of the commercial and personal considerations behind each decision.

In spare time he enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, tennis and fishing.

Michael is the Managing Director of Letizia Palmer and works closely with business owners to help them build successful businesses, protect their wealth, and achieve their long-term goals. Since joining the firm in 2014, he has been passionate about helping clients make informed decisions that create meaningful outcomes both in business and in life.

Michael's philosophy is simple: success isn't measured solely by income or assets, but by the freedom, opportunities and peace of mind they create. While helping clients maximise profits, manage tax effectively, protect assets and creating long-term wealth are an important part of his role, he is equally focused on helping clients achieve greater balance, freedom and confidence. Whether that's growing a business, creating more time with family, reducing stress, or planning for the future, he enjoys helping clients turn their goals into practical and achievable outcomes.

One of the most rewarding parts of Michael's role is seeing both clients and team members succeed. He takes pride in building strong relationships, supporting business owners through important decisions, and helping his team develop and grow in their careers.

Outside of work, Michael enjoys spending time with his family, keeping active in the gym, playing amateur football, and following the West Coast Eagles. He's also a lifelong guitar enthusiast and can occasionally be found putting on impromptu concerts at home for his kids. When time permits, he enjoys a round of golf and a good American Barbecue.

Simon Esler joined Letizia Palmer in 2016, bringing with him a passion for accounting that began early in his career. At just 18 years old, he balanced full-time work as an accountant while completing his studies, demonstrating the dedication and strong work ethic that continue to underpin his approach today.

Simon is passionate about helping small business owners grow and succeed, taking the time to understand their goals and provide practical, tailored advice. His farming background gives him a unique perspective when working with rural businesses, while his extensive client base throughout the Kimberley region has seen him build strong relationships with clients across regional Western Australia. Simon's areas of expertise include SME tax, management accounting, farming entities, capital gains tax and superannuation.

Known for his approachable manner and genuine commitment to client success, Simon enjoys working alongside business owners to help them make informed decisions and achieve long-term financial confidence. Outside of work, he is a keen football (soccer) enthusiast and an avid sports fan who enjoys staying connected with the sporting community.

Chris leads Letizia Palmer's Audit Division and works closely with tax and business clients across a broad range of industries. Throughout his career, he has developed specialist expertise in corporate tax compliance and audits for not-for-profit organisations, Aboriginal corporations and sporting clubs.

Chris enjoys the variety his role brings and the opportunity to work with organisations that play an important role in their communities. He is known for his practical approach, attention to detail and ability to build lasting relationships with clients.

Helping clients achieve their goals is what Chris finds most rewarding. Whether assisting with audit requirements, compliance obligations or broader business matters, he takes pride in delivering advice and support that clients can rely on.

Outside the office, Chris enjoys spending time with his family and daughters and following his favourite sports, particularly golf, cricket and basketball.

Sian plays a key role in managing a diverse portfolio of clients while supporting and mentoring the firm's talented team members. Known for her approachable nature and genuine care for her clients, she has built strong, long-lasting relationships based on trust, reliability and practical advice.

Sian has a talent for turning complex tax and accounting matters into clear, easy-to-understand guidance that helps business owners make informed decisions with confidence. She enjoys seeing the real impact that good advice can have and takes pride in helping clients achieve meaningful financial outcomes.

Outside of work, Sian enjoys spending time with her daughter, exploring the underwater world as a certified Master Freediver, playing the piano, and tackling the daily Wordle challenge.

Sam is the Practice Manager at Letizia Palmer and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the firm, ensuring the right people, systems and processes are in place to support both the team and our clients. A big part of her role involves mentoring staff, improving workflows, and turning ideas into practical solutions that help the firm run efficiently and effectively.

Having joined Letizia Palmer in 2024, Sam enjoys being part of a professional services environment where no two days are the same. She takes pride in creating an environment where people feel supported, empowered and able to perform at their best.

One of the most rewarding aspects of Sam's role is seeing people grow and develop in their careers. She is passionate about fostering a positive workplace culture and being part of the ongoing growth of the firm and enjoys finding ways to improve systems and processes to make life easier for both the team and clients.

Away from the office, Sam enjoys spending time with her dogs, watching a wide range of sports, and getting involved in kickball. She is also a self-confessed loyal Fremantle Dockers supporter, although tipping them each week can be a challenge. Whether she's enjoying a chai latte or a glass of rosé, Sam believes a great workplace is built on good people, good communication and a willingness to keep improving while having a bit of fun along the way.

Audrey is passionate about helping people grow, whether that's supporting clients in their businesses or mentoring the next generation of accountants. She enjoys building meaningful relationships and helping others gain the confidence to achieve their goals.

One of the most rewarding aspects of her role is supporting and mentoring her team. She loves seeing people grow in confidence, develop their skills, and achieve success in their careers. Creating a positive and supportive environment where people feel encouraged to learn and thrive is something she values greatly.

Outside of work, Audrey has a passion for travel and is always looking for her next adventure. From chasing the Northern Lights in Tromsø and exploring the Ice Festival in Harbin to snowboarding in Niseko and swimming with whale sharks in Exmouth, she loves collecting unique experiences and stories along the way. When she's at home, you'll often find her enjoying a good science fiction book or catching up with friends over a glass of wine.

Joel is passionate about building genuine relationships with his clients and being part of their journey as their businesses grow and evolve. He enjoys getting to know the people behind the numbers, understanding what drives them, and helping business owners make informed decisions with confidence.

Known for his approachable nature and positive attitude, Joel takes pride in being a trusted adviser that clients can pick up the phone and call whenever they need support or guidance. He values the long-term relationships he has built throughout his career and finds great satisfaction in helping clients overcome challenges, achieve their goals, and celebrate their successes along the way.

With expertise across taxation, business advisory and compliance, Joel enjoys working closely with a diverse range of clients and providing practical advice that delivers real value.
Away from the office, Joel enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, cooking for family and friends, and keeping up with the footy whenever he gets the chance.

Leigh works with business owners at every stage of their journey, providing practical advice and support to help them grow, navigate challenges, and achieve their long-term goals.

After beginning his career in business services in 2015, Leigh discovered a passion for helping businesses become more efficient, profitable and well-positioned for the future. What started as helping out in his father's electrical business sparked an interest in understanding how businesses operate and ultimately led him into accounting and advisory.

For Leigh, the most rewarding part of the job is the relationships he builds with clients. He enjoys getting to know the people behind the business and takes pride in being a trusted adviser throughout their journey. Many of the professional relationships he has developed over the years have grown into genuine friendships.

Outside of work, Leigh enjoys keeping active at the gym, spending time with his partner, catching live comedy shows whenever possible, watching UFC, NBA and NFL with friends, or unwinding at the beach.

Drawing on her background in finance and banking, Louise brings a practical and people-focused approach to helping clients solve problems and achieve their goals. She enjoys working with clients across a wide range of industries and helping them navigate their tax and compliance obligations with confidence.

As a Manager, Louise also plays an important role in reviewing work, supporting team members, and helping develop the firm's future talent through the Graduate Program and recruitment initiatives. She enjoys sharing knowledge with both clients and colleagues and takes pride in helping others grow and succeed.

Outside of work, Louise enjoys playing volleyball, exploring Perth's food scene, and spending time with family and friends. She's also a self-confessed neat freak who appreciates having an organised space before tackling the day ahead.

Max is often the friendly first point of contact for many clients, building strong relationships founded on trust, communication and a genuine commitment to helping people succeed. He takes pride in understanding what matters most to his clients and being someone they can rely on when they need advice, support or a sounding board for an idea.

With extensive experience across taxation and business services, Max has developed particular expertise in capital gains tax, property development and small business restructuring. He enjoys helping clients navigate complex issues and providing practical solutions that create long-term value.

Outside of work, Max enjoys spending quality time with his sons, Riyaan and Ziaan, staying active through soccer, basketball and cricket, travelling, and discovering new places to eat.

Rucas enjoys turning numbers into meaningful insights that help business owners make better decisions. Through cash flow planning, tax advice and strategic financial guidance, he helps clients gain confidence in their businesses and plan for the future.

Rucas takes pride in building strong relationships with clients, understanding their goals, and helping them navigate the opportunities and challenges that come with running a business. He is equally passionate about supporting his team's development and fostering an environment where people can learn, grow and thrive.

Outside of work, Rucas enjoys spending time with his son, particularly taking train rides together, and can often be found tackling DIY projects around the house or working on car maintenance. A natural problem solver, he enjoys the challenge of building, fixing and improving things whenever he gets the chance.

Susie specialises in helping clients navigate the complexities of self-managed super funds and leads Letizia Palmer's SMSF team. She provides practical guidance on SMSF compliance and administration, while also supporting the wider team with technical expertise and ensuring processes remain compliant and aligned with current legislation.

Susie enjoys the strategic side of accounting and the opportunity to look beyond the numbers. She has a passion for finding practical solutions, identifying opportunities, and helping clients make informed decisions that contribute to their long-term financial goals. For her, accounting is about more than compliance. It's about creating clarity and confidence through knowledge, structure and expertise.

As the firm's SMSF leader, Susie enjoys staying at the forefront of legislative and technical developments while mentoring team members and helping clients navigate the complexities of superannuation with confidence. Outside of work, she enjoys unwinding with computer games and a good drama series, exploring new food spots with colleagues, and finishing the week with a bubble tea.