Our Story

For over 30 years, we’ve been right here—growing alongside the families, farms, and businesses that make our region what it is.

What started as a small accounting firm serving local businesses has grown into something much bigger. As farms have been handed down and businesses have expanded, we’ve evolved too—bringing in new services, smarter technology, and a big-picture approach to ensure our clients stay ahead.

Through every season, every challenge, and every opportunity, we’ve remained the trusted advisors for those who work the land and drive our industries forward. Because for us, it’s not just about numbers—it’s about the people behind them.

Meet the Team

Featured

Ally Wadwell

Director

Ally keeps things running smoothly at Frontgate, combining her knack for numbers with a genuine passion for helping people. With years of experience, she’s the go-to for clear advice and steady leadership.

She’s all about building strong relationships—whether it’s with her team, her clients, or the community around her. When she’s off the clock, you’ll find Ally enjoying time with her family and her chocolate lab, Teddy—because whether it’s balancing budgets or tossing a ball in the backyard, she brings the same care and energy to everything she does.

Debbie Chapman

Practice Manager

Debbie is the heart of Frontgate’s operations, bringing years of experience and a steady hand to her role as Practice Manager. She ensures everything runs smoothly behind the scenes, supporting both the team and clients with care, efficiency, and a touch of wisdom.

Outside of work, Debbie enjoys gardening, spending quality time with her husband and close friends, and making the most of every moment with the new addition of grandkids.

Leanne Rudd

Director

Leanne brings leadership, expertise, and a deep commitment to excellence in her role as Director and Accountant at Frontgate. With a strong background in financial management and a passion for helping clients thrive, she plays a key role in guiding the practice forward.

When she’s not at work, Leanne enjoys spending time on her family farm, where she finds joy and balance in the peaceful countryside—and is often behind the camera capturing the beauty of the scenery through photography.

Melanie Keune

Senior Cloud Accounting Specialist

Melanie is a seasoned cloud accounting specialist with over 20 years of experience in the accounting industry. Known for her sharp eye for detail and down-to-earth approach, she’s passionate about helping clients feel confident and in control of their finances. At Frontgate, Melanie focuses on delivering accurate, timely numbers that empower business owners to make smart decisions and plan for long-term success.

When she’s not working with numbers, Melanie’s all about family time. Whether she’s cheering on her two boys at soccer, building epic LEGO creations, or exploring rockpools along the beautiful local beaches, she brings the same care and dedication to her personal life as she does to her work.

Peyton King

Cloud Accounting Specialist

Peyton is a detail-oriented cloud accounting specialist who brings precision, efficiency, and a forward-thinking approach to bookkeeping at Frontgate.

With a strong grasp of cloud-based platforms and a passion for streamlining processes, Peyton ensures clients receive accurate, timely, and insightful information. When not at work, Peyton is devoted to her family and her two beloved sausage dogs, adding warmth and joy to everything she does.

Sarah Boon

Administration officer

Sarah is the welcoming face of Frontgate, known for her warm approach and genuine passion for connecting with every client she speaks to. As an administrator, she keeps the office running smoothly while creating a positive experience for everyone she interacts with.

Beyond her professional role, Sarah is also the office baker—regularly delighting her colleagues with homemade treats and delicious creations. Her blend of efficiency, friendliness, and culinary flair makes her a cherished part of the team.

Some words from our happy clients

“Holt Farming has been using Frontgate for the last 8 years for all of our accounting needs. During this time, we have found Frontgate to be extremely reliable – always completing required work on time. Being that we operate within the horticultural industry, Frontgate has always endeavoured to learn the processes of our business and sought ways to incorporate better systems into our day-to-day operations. It is because of Frontgate that we have utilized systems such as Dext to reduce the amount of administrative time it takes to process paperwork/invoices etc. We have always found Frontgate to be extremely professional and helpful in our dealings with them and would recommend their services to anyone needing a quality and professional accounting firm.”

David Holt, Samantha Thun | Holt Farming - Bundaberg
“Frontgate offers professional service but with a personal touch. They speak our language, and we never feel like we are asking silly questions. The main reason we recommend Frontgate is their focus on the agribusiness sector and their ability to relate to our primary production business. We love that any question or query we have is answered quickly and in a way we can understand without too much accounting jargon. Everything is easy, and there is no stress with Frontgate. For our business, Frontgate stands out from other accounting firms because of their focus on agribusiness. They are just what we were looking for. Previous to coming to Frontgate, we felt we didn’t have enough communication with our accountant, and we didn’t fully understand what was being said to us. We had it broken down and was taken the time to explain things to us in terms we understand. We look forward to continuing to build our agribusiness with Frontgate and the professional advice that the team from Frontgate provide.”

Cam & Leza Cook | Larrangani Contracting - Miriam Vale
“I have been with Frontgate since 2019. Throughout this time, the team have assisted me in transitioning accounting systems as well as reconfiguring and setting up my business structure for future success. The Frontgate team are very professional, efficient and friendly. They always make themselves available to answer calls and help with any queries – no matter the size. I can easily say I have never been disappointed with the service and advice received. I would have no hesitation in recommending Frontgate to anyone who is looking for an innovative approach to managing their personal or business wealth.”

John Warren | Makhoma Farms - Gin Gin