Reflecting on GFM’s 50th anniversary this year, we continue to profile our longest-standing employees.

Witi Suma started employment at GFM in August 1996, nearly 27 years ago! It is not easy to put into words the impact someone has had within an organisation, but it is fair to say Witi has been monumental to the success of GFM.

Witi is always determined to ensure the best ongoing service to all clients. Witi’s warm and caring personality shines through in all her dealings; our clients and team love her. Nothing is too hard for Witi; she is always there to listen and help.

We are incredibly lucky to have Witi as a part of the team.

Read about her journey at GFM:

It was mid–1996 when I completed my Applied Economics/Arts double degree, a course with subjects as diverse as accounting, law, international marketing, and even linguistics. It was so broad, and I honestly didn’t know what I wanted to do after graduating. On the Uni’s recommendation, I went to Skillshare, a government-funded training and job placement organisation. It was a chance encounter there that I met Trish Cresp, a long–time client of GFM’s founder, Tony Gilham. Upon her urging, he interviewed me, and lo and behold, I was hired!

I had never worked in an office before, so I was excited and keen to learn. I started as the typist and administration assistant, answering phones and handling the mail daily. With my administrative skills and thirst for knowledge, I soon began to make such an impression that I was tasked with preparing summaries of clients’ investments and policies for adviser meetings. I enjoyed doing this, as it taught me much about how Superannuation and insurance worked.

Up to that point, our range of products and services was relatively small – we had a general insurance division, and a “life” division that mainly offered personal and corporate superannuation plans, investment bonds, and insurance policies such as “whole of life”. It wasn’t until the mid–90s that self–managed superannuation funds entered our radar. We became aware that this was a burgeoning area in super and wanted to be a part of it. In 1996 we set up our first SMSF.

The task of administering funds was, and still very much is, a role that requires specialised knowledge. By 1999, Tony felt I was up to learning the ropes, so I became an SMSF Administrator. I quickly learned a lot, becoming proficient in setting up funds and managing ongoing regulatory requirements. Around the same time, we started to set up private investment portfolios for clients. I also became responsible for this part of the business, preparing the initial paperwork and executing the investment purchases and sales that the advisers would recommend for the clients.

Back in the early days, things were done so manually. Over the years, I observed how technology changed and improved our operations. An example is the production of the quarterly reports we send – in the beginning, each report was compiled, checked, and sent manually. Fast–forward to today, hundreds of reports are generated and emailed seamlessly each quarter. GFM is also the mailing house for our SMSF and investment portfolio clients, so we receive large volumes of mail every day. The use of technology allows us to automate the scanning and filing of these documents to client files. A gradual move to cloud-based applications has also enabled our teams to collaborate effortlessly with each other and our clients.

Over the past 26 years, my mind boggles at the ever-changing superannuation landscape. As SMSF specialists, we need to continually navigate the changes, adapt to them and understand them fully to continue to provide expert guidance and advice. There’s never a dull moment in this industry!

The GFM team has grown since 1996. When I started, we had less than ten staff across the general insurance and “life” teams; we now have 26 across the GFM group. On this note, the merger of GFM Wealth Advisory and Gruchy Accounting in 2015 for me solidified our reputation and presence in the industry, bringing with it decades of combined experience. Clients love that their financial adviser and accountant are in one place.

During my time at GFM, I’m most proud of developing a seamless onboarding process for new clients from start to finish. Aside from the advisers, I’m the first contact point for GFM Wealth Advisory clients. I conduct the implementation meetings with our new SMSF and private investment portfolio clients, explaining the documentation as well as our service offering and what they can expect. Whether they are brand new to investing or if they have an existing SMSF and have chosen to move to GFM, every client is unique and important to me. I see myself as an ambassador for the company from the first meeting to each subsequent point of contact. I can’t help but smile when I pick up the phone, as I genuinely love chatting with clients and helping them with their queries – and no question is ever silly!

We have an extremely hardworking and dedicated team – Annie, Jacqui, Donna, and Nadine. Everyone has the philosophy of “client–first” top of mind. Everyone is so good at what they do – it’s great that clients can rely on them for paperwork and not have to worry about admin, which is what we’re here to do.

I genuinely believe that the “client–first” culture at GFM has led to our Barron’s “Top 50 (and now top 100) Financial Advisers in Australia” designation for the sixth year running. Our client referrals keep growing because of existing clients’ trust and faith in us.

Outside of work, I like to partake in fun hobbies such as weekly dance/fitness classes, singing in various community choirs, photography, and driving my treasured ‘65 Mustang on beautiful days. My partner Rob and I love wildlife. We enjoy camping and staying in remote spots like the Flinders Ranges and Kangaroo Island. I have recently resumed volunteering with OzHarvest as a van assistant, a fantastic way to help the needy firsthand.

One of the main reasons I’ve been with the firm for so long is that the company encourages staff to learn and develop their skills and grow within the organisation. We’re also very much like a family; I think clients see that in us. I love working at GFM and look forward to many more years here!