I'm Bob Bell, NOT JUST an accountant

Spend five minutes with Bob Bell and it quickly becomes clear that accounting is only one part of his story. When asked what makes him more than just an accountant, his thoughts turned immediately to family, community and the people who have shared the journey alongside him.

After more than four decades in the accounting profession, and over 35 years as a Partner advising businesses through some of their most important decisions, Bob Bell has earned a reputation as a trusted adviser, leader and sounding board. As Managing Director of PKF  Newcastle Sydney, he has helped clients navigate everything from mergers and acquisitions to complex disputes, business restructuring and growth.

But ask Bob what truly makes him more than just an accountant and his answer has nothing to do with financial statements.

“Family, community and giving back. That’s what matters most to me.”

While accounting has been a lifelong profession, it has never been the whole story. Bob’s life has always revolved around people. That people-first approach is the reason why clients have trusted him for so many years. Bob understands that every business challenge is ultimately a human one. Behind every acquisition, funding decision or succession plan are people trying to build something meaningful for themselves, their families and their communities.

Outside the office, however, one role eclipses every professional title he has ever held.

Grandfather.

With grandchildren numbers ten and eleven on the way, Bob lights up when talking about his growing family.

“Nothing brings me more joy than spending time with my grandkids. Watching them grow, discovering who they are becoming and being part of their lives is incredibly special.”

Family is not just about the generations Bob is watching grow. It is also about honouring the generations that came before him. The values that guide Bob today can be traced back to one of the most important people in his life: his father.

One of the traditions Bob holds most dearly is the annual gathering he shares with his brothers on Anzac Day. His father was a Kokoda veteran, and Anzac Day carries even greater significance because it was also his birthday. After his father passed away, the tradition continued.

“My brothers and I make a point of being together every Anzac Day to remember Dad. It’s important to us. It keeps those memories alive and reminds us of the values he lived by.”

The lessons passed down through family and strengthened through decades of leadership continue to shape Bob's view of people.

No one builds a life or career on their own. Over the years, Bob has been fortunate to be surrounded by remarkable people, from his wife and family to close friends and long-standing business partners.

Loyalty, honesty and humility are the qualities he admires most in those relationships, and the qualities that have helped shape both the person and leader he has become.

What many people may not know, however, is that there is another side to Bob that challenges many stereotypes of what an accountant looks like.

Bob loves to write, and particularly create his own lyrics for popular songs. While the accounting profession is often unfairly reduced to a world of spreadsheets and numbers, creativity has always played an important role in Bob’s life.

It is perhaps the perfect reflection of his personality. Social, engaging and deeply connected to the people around him, Bob has never fitted the stereotype of the solitary accountant working away in isolation. We’ve included a snippet of his latest masterpiece below for your enjoyment, delivered at PKF Global’s AsPac conference in Sydney. 

And finally, after a hard week's work, Bob's guilty pleasure is a cold Reschs beer. It's an answer delivered with a smile and without a moment's hesitation!

Throughout his career, Bob has been a respected steward of the accounting profession, but it is the richness of his life beyond the office that truly defines him. Bob is so more than just an accountant, and we’re eternally grateful for his ongoing loyalty to the PKF network.
 

NOT JUST an accountant NOT JUST an accountant is PKF’s declaration that our firm and our profession are built on people, values and impact, shining a spotlight on the human leadership, purpose and responsibility behind the numbers.