Not too big. Not too small. Just the right mix of expertise, personal connection and proactive support. For more than 30 years, we’ve grown alongside the businesses and families we serve. Explore how Elev8 evolved and why our approach continues to put people before process.
Numbers tell part of the story. The people behind them tell the rest.
Elev8 began with a simple belief: accounting should feel supportive, clear and genuinely helpful, not distant or overwhelming. Too many Melbourne business owners and families were working with firms that felt rushed or impersonal, and we knew there was a better way to work.
We created Elev8 to bring clarity and connection into the financial side of people’s lives. As a boutique, director-led firm in Melbourne, we work closely with clients who want more than once-a-year tax assistance. They value real conversations, plain-English explanations and guidance that reflects their business, their goals and the life their numbers support.
Working with Melody, Ruby and the team at Elev8 (ie Southern Accounting) has been an absolute pleasure. From the very beginning – when Hough Gardens was just getting off the ground – they have been a genuine business partner, not just an accountant.
Over the past ten years, they have helped us grow from a one-person operation to a team of 15. That growth did not happen by accident. Their team have been involved at every stage – setting up our structure properly from the start, keeping on top of our BAS lodgements and annual returns, managing our books, and connecting us with the right business contacts when we needed them.
What sets them apart is how well they understand our business. They do not just handle the numbers – 2 meetings each year they take the time to understand where we are heading and offer practical and tailored advice that gives me real confidence in the decisions I am making. And their responsiveness and attention to detail are a big plus.
I cannot recommend Elev8 team highly enough to any business owner looking for accounting and advisory support they can genuinely rely on.
Ruby and the team have been supporting me and my businesses for well over 10 years. They have been instrumental in helping me establish a B2B software company whose software is used across multiple countries by thousands of users. Their advice is measured, researched, and contemporary, and, importantly, it has helped me make smart decisions.
I highly recommend Melody and the entire team at Elev8 ie Southern Accounting. Since taking over the accounting and tax requirements for Sigasig Consulting, Mel has provided exceptional & proactive service. She expertly guided us through restructuring our business ensuring we had the most tax-effective setup for our future goals. Melody is incredibly thorough, whether she is reconciling our accounts, providing comprehensive executive summaries, or helping with our bookkeeping. Her clear communication and genuine care for our financial well-being make her an invaluable partner, and we couldn’t be happier with the peace of mind she and her team brings.
Elev8 did not begin as a traditional firm, and we have never aimed to be one.
For more than 30 years, we were known as Southern Accounting & Consulting Services (SAACS), originally established in the heart of Brighton. From those early days, we became a steady presence for Melbourne families, business owners and investors.
Over time, we grew alongside our clients, supporting multiple generations through different stages of business and life.
Why We Evolved
As our clients’ needs changed, we noticed business and life becoming more interconnected. People needed accountants who could keep them compliant, but also a partner to guide and educate them through complex situations.
They wanted to understand their options and feel confident in their decisions, not just meet deadlines, which sparked our shift.
Becoming Elev8
Elev8 Accountants was not simply a new name. It marked a renewed commitment to go beyond compliance and provide more structured, proactive support.
We reshaped our approach while preserving what mattered most: long-term relationships, integrity and care.
Who Leads Us Today
Today, Elev8 is led by directors Ruby, Melody and Ashley, a trio who combine 73+ years of accounting, tax, advisory and business experience with a genuine and human approach.
We’ve kept the heart of our original firm, but we’ve elevated our strategy, communication, systems, and client experience to better support the people who rely on us.
The Heart of Our Story
Our story continues to evolve as our clients move into new chapters.
We support business owners expanding operations, families planning for the next generation, and investors structuring long-term wealth.
Growth looks different for everyone. Our role is to guide it with clarity and steadiness.
To simplify the numbers and empower the people behind them.
Our mission is to help business owners, families and investors make clearer decisions, feel more confident in their financial journey, and unlock long-term wealth through guidance that’s tailored, personal and easy to understand.
We’re here to lift the weight of compliance, translate complexity into clarity, and support you with advice that truly makes a difference in your life, not just in your ledger.
To be the trusted advisor Melbourne turns to when life and business become interconnected.
We’re working toward a future where small-to-family businesses and personal investors feel supported, educated and guided every step of the way, with accounting services that start from the numbers but ultimately transform how people grow, plan and move forward.
Our success is your success, and we believe we’re stronger when we work together.
Connection:
We believe people do their best work when they feel understood. That’s why we take the time to build real relationships, listen to your goals, learn how you operate, and connect all the dots between your business and your life.
Integrity:
Doing the right thing matters, even when no one is watching.
We give honest advice, set clear expectations, and make decisions that protect your future, not just your present. You can rely on us to be upfront, thoughtful and careful with every detail.
Positivity:
We bring calm, warmth and a “let’s figure this out together” energy to every conversation.
We celebrate progress, help you look ahead with clarity, and make sure the process feels lighter than you expected.
Empowerment:
Knowledge creates freedom, so we share ours openly.
Instead of overwhelming you with jargon, we break things down simply, explain the ‘why’, and give you the tools to make decisions you genuinely feel confident about. Our goal is not to impress you with what we know; it’s to empower you with what you can do.
Your Small Business EOFY Checklist: What to Do Before 30 June The end of financial year catches more business owners off guard than it should. June approaches quickly, and with
What Is a Self-Managed Super Fund and Is It Right for You? Superannuation is something most Australians think about in the background, until the conversation turns to self-managed super funds.
We work with established small and family businesses, high-income individuals and investors with more complex financial structures. Many of our clients operate trusts, companies or SMSFs and value ongoing guidance rather than once-a-year compliance.
Yes. Many of our clients have worked with us for years, and in some cases across generations. We focus on building steady, ongoing relationships rather than transactional engagements.
It means you work directly with experienced decision-makers. Advice, reviews and strategic discussions are handled by directors who understand your structure and long-term objectives.
Financial decisions compound over time. A consistent advisor who understands your history, structure and goals can provide steadier guidance than short-term or transactional advice.
Our office is based in Melbourne CBD, but we support clients across Melbourne, Victoria and interstate. Conversations can take place via phone or video, allowing flexible support for these options.
