Why Cowley Stanich relies on the EMA
How the EMA provides certainty to Cowley Stanich & Co
At a glance
- High-stakes payroll advice: As trusted advisors to rural and commercial clients, Cowley Stanich & Co faced serious risks if payroll or employment advice was inaccurate.
- Complex scenarios: Their team regularly encountered tricky cases – from discretionary bonuses to recurring sick leave patterns – that required expert interpretation.
Benefits
- Confidence in compliance
- Peace of mind
- Client trust maintained
“I’ve always understood the EMA to be the experts when it comes to employment law.”
– Megan Hucker, Cowley Stanich & Co Ltd Wage Specialist
Challenge
Known as ‘The Flaming Accountants’ for trading out of Huntly’s old fire station, Cowley Stanich & Co Ltd has long provided accounting, payroll, and succession planning services to the rural and commercial sectors.
But with payroll and employment rules constantly evolving, there’s real risk when it comes to providing advice in these sensitive areas. Even simple slip-ups could mean costly outcomes for clients or undermine trust in the firm’s expertise.
Wage specialist Megan Hucker, who has been with Cowley Stanich for more than 12 years, understands the stakes.
Working across IMS payroll systems and fielding a wide range of queries, she knows that payroll isn’t always straightforward, whether it’s calculating discretionary bonuses in gross earnings or figuring out what to do when an employee regularly calls in sick on Mondays.
“Every now and again you get a tricky one,” Hucker says.
“I’ve always understood the EMA to be the experts when it comes to employment law.
“You can get yourself in trouble if you’re not getting it right.”
Solution
To ensure Cowley Stanich’s clients always receive accurate, up-to-date advice, Hucker encouraged the firm to become an EMA Member shortly after she joined.
The EMA’s AdviceLine service is now her go-to for second opinions on tough cases, whether it’s public holiday pay for on-call staff or employer obligations under the Employment Protection Act.
“It’s like bouncing ideas off a colleague,” Hucker says.
She also relies on the EMA’s vast library of downloadable guides and templates, from medical incapacity and parental leave to employment agreement clauses.
EMA AdviceLine Team Manager Sean Hanna says that’s exactly what the service is for.
“There’s no book on a shelf that will answer the questions we get.
“Our team’s long experience means we can give on-the-ground advice and know when to escalate things to our Legal or Consulting teams.”
Result
With the EMA in their corner, Cowley Stanich can be confident the payroll and employment advice they provide is robust and compliant.
That means peace of mind for Hucker and the many employers they support across the region.
As Hucker puts it simply: “You can get yourself in trouble if you’re not getting it right, and the EMA helps us make sure we do.”
EMA - Helping businesses make the right call
Every day in business we’re asked to make decisions, big and small. These calls are even more challenging in shifting economic and legislative conditions.
At the EMA we’re here to be the sounding board and trusted mentor that businesses need to help move from complexity to clarity. From navigating compliance issues to staying on top of employment relations to helping your leaders learn and grow, we’re here to deliver greater support, certainty and growth to our Members.