Easton's Investments
Be known by the company you keep.
We only invest in quality businesses that can be enhanced by our participation.
Hayes Knight (NSW) Pty Ltd
HKNSW is an established, full service, Sydney based accounting firm, formed in the early 1980s by Greg Hayes, its current CEO.
The Company is owned 30% by Easton and the balance by Directors working in the business.
It is a traditional accounting practice with a primary focus on the following client channels, where the firm has developed significant specialisation over many years:
-
Mid-size, privately owned businesses and corporates
-
Fast growth entrepreneurs
-
Australian subsidiaries of multi-nationals
-
SMSFs
-
Membership based organisations
-
Accountants (for the provision of specialist services)
These client segments provide HKNSW with a mix of defensive and aggressive marketing strategies and are supported by a full range of professional accounting services, encompassing:
-
Business Services – Compliance and Advisory
-
Specialist Tax
-
Superannuation
-
Financial Planning
-
Corporate Finance
Hayes Knight NSW also provides an audit service through a separate corporate structure.
Visit the Hayes Knight website for further information
Knowledge Shop
Knowledge Shop was established in 2000 to provide professional support services to small to medium accounting firms.
The Company is owned 100% by Easton.
It operates a subscription based service, allowing “member” firms to access a range of support services and material, including:
-
An on-line knowledge bank of electronic precedents, workpapers and checklists
-
A technical support help desk
-
Professional development training
-
Quarterly technical and client newsletters
The Knowledge Shop subscriber base has grown consistently since its inception, currently servicing more than 700 member firms across Australia.
In addition, Knowledge Shop deals with another 800 to 900 accounting practices annually on an ad hoc or transactional basis, mainly through training programs delivered across the country. These training programs are tailored to cover technical and business issues facing accountants in practice with a focus on practical solutions.
With approximately 9,000 accounting firms operating in Australia, the growth potential of Knowledge Shop over coming years is significant.
This position is underpinned by Knowledge Shop’s competitive advantage in terms of its:
-
Existing operations, including a large customer base and on-line help desk
-
Existing infrastructure, including precedent files and an on-line knowledge bank
-
Current information distribution platforms
-
Understanding of the market
-
Ability to design practice-based content, rather than theory-based content
-
Ability to anticipate market trends and innovate ahead of the curve
Visit the Knowledge Shop website for further information.

Merit Wealth & Hayes Knight Referral Services
Merit Wealth and its related entity, Hayes Knight Referral Services (HKRS) were established in 2009 to provide financial services solutions for accounting firms.
Merit Wealth and HKRS are each owned 100% by Easton.
Merit Wealth holds an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL) and offers accounting firms the option of providing in-house advice through a qualified adviser authorised by Merit Wealth or under a referral service initiated and managed by HKRS in conjunction with Merit Wealth.
Under its referral service, HKRS sources and engages qualified financial advisers who understand the accounting market and who are capable of building a significant financial planning business.
These advisers are engaged with accounting firms who want an outsourced financial services capability from a partner they trust.
Advisers provide a broad range of advice, including a strong focus on SMSFs, succession planning, risk and investment advice.
Visit the Merit Wealth website for further information.
Easton Wealth Protection
Easton Wealth Protection (EWP) is a Melbourne based risk insurance broking business, owned 100% by Easton.
As a boutique private client advisory firm, Easton Wealth Protection offers strategic advice in areas of insurance, superannuation, cash flow management and wealth creation.
Visit the Easton Wealth Protection website for further information.ir
First Financial
First Financial is a pre-eminent, Melbourne based, wealth management and financial services business, offering:
-
Financial planning and investment advice
-
Income protection and life (risk) insurance broking services
-
Self-managed super fund (SMSF) administration.
The company is owned 25% by Easton.