SA accounting firm Hood Sweeney has appointed Marisa Riccio as its new managing director

South Australian accounting firm Hood Sweeney has appointed its first female managing director, promoting long-serving partner Marisa Riccio to the top job.

New Hood Sweeney managing director Marisa Riccio. Picture: Simon Casson.

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South Australian accounting firm Hood Sweeney has appointed its first female managing director, promoting long-serving partner Marisa Riccio to the top job.

Ms Riccio takes over from Chris Stewart, who has joined SA aged car provider Helping Hand after three years heading up Hood Sweeney and its three offices in Adelaide, Whyalla and Kadina.

The firm has also appointed Peter Siebels - an industry veteran who spent 30 years at KPMG - as independent chairman.

Ms Riccio joined Hood Sweeney in 1999 as an undergraduate, and has worked her way through the ranks of the firm’s accounting and business advisory arm.

She said the firm took gender diversity “very seriously” and hoped her promotion inspired other women in the profession.

“I think it is actually quite an inspirational story for our future leaders – and women in leadership here at Hood Sweeney,” she said.

“It shows them that in a male-dominated industry, provided you have the passion, the skills and the motivation, you can achieve anything.

“We do focus on developing women in leadership at Hood Sweeney. We take gender diversity quite seriously and believe everyone deserves the opportunity regardless of whether they are male or female.”

In May, The Advertiser’s accounting industry survey revealed that 43 per cent of accounting professionals working in the state’s largest firms were female, but that number dropped to just 15 per cent at partner level.

Mr Siebels, who advises boards of private companies and family businesses through consulting firm 4D Advisory, said Hood Sweeney was well positioned for growth under Ms Riccio’s leadership.

“Through innovation and investment in key industry lines and staff development, the business will continue to grow and develop as one of South Australia’s most unique and successful professional service firms,” he said.

The firm has more than 100 staff, providing accounting, financial planning, finance, technology, consulting and performance coaching services.