Ken Gunderson-Briggs

Partner

Out there is the universe, the big wide world, big concepts, big things. We accountants are across these things, because we are interesting people with a curiosity for life. This  passion can  keep me talking to you for days....but my jokes are the things that people keep coming back for more! Have you heard the one about the syndrome called Witzelsucht (from the German witzeln, meaning to joke or wisecrack, and sucht, meaning addiction or yearning). This is a set of rare neurological symptoms characterized by a tendency to make puns and tell inappropriate jokes in socially inappropriate situations. This is completely different to “Dad jokes” (I hope).

My career began more than 30 years ago, and I have spent over 20 years as a partner in various accounting practices including 15 years in a mid-tier accounting firm, being the head of the privately held business area. Through experience, I have come to understand that successful business people want to measure the right things....the things that to them count the most and are important....over a long period of time....and they want you to stick with them through the ups and downs. That’s why we started Gunderson Briggs – a boutique Chartered Accounting Firm looking after the affairs of business people.

My life did move to a higher plane of focus when I married my wonderful wife Marie back in the early 90’s and she gave birth to 3 wonderful children, with whom we have been blessed as they have grown over the last 20 years or so. However, whenever I mention succession plan to any of them, they mention Witzelsucht!

Since 2003, I have been a non-executive director of Harvey Norman. I joined the board of an ASX listed company, API (Australian Pharmaceuticals Industries) the owner of Priceline, in May 2014.